Good ole Storrie Lake State Park, NM

Storrie Lake is one of those state parks that feels like home when I drive in.  Bluewater Lake is the same way.  And also Quartzsite.  So far, my three favorite places to be.  I like all the places I've stayed, otherwise I would have rolled on to greener pastures (or sandier landscapes), but these three give me a special feeling when I arrive.

We've been here a week now, and are in our third site.  (You know how I am!)  When we arrived last Saturday at 11 am, Memorial Day Weekend, I couldn't believe we actually got a developed site overlooking the water.  It was almost level and had a shelter and bar-b-que ring. 

Unfortunately, a big group camped next to us kept using the areas around my campsite as football practice and behind The Palms as a baseball diamond.  I was afraid The Palms would get hit, and they didn't seem to want to move out further into the field behind us, so I moved on Monday morning to a site off my myself. Then in the middle of the week, I decided to move into the main loop, where there were a few non-reservable sites available.  Katie and I are happily settled here for the duration.

They have those beautiful, colorful Bullock's Orioles here:

We've been taking lots of walks with Jeanne and Riley, who got here right after we did.  She did a bit of campsite moving, too, and she's now settled in at the other end of this loop.  We've both got good sites.

Here are Jeannie and Riley on one of our walks.  I told her she could approve the photo I took before I post it, but this is so good, I hope she won't mind.   Two cutie-patooties!

The Canada Geese are usually in the field across from our campground in the morning, foraging for food.  The other day they crossed the road before we got there during our walk; they were in a field very close to us, so I was able to get some good close-up shots:

Here's a very rare two-headed goose  LOL:

 And away he goes:

Here's a darling little juvenile Western Bluebird:

And this Western Kingbird looks like he's just sinking into the branch:

Hello.

Yesterday we went into town to get some propane for the tank, shop, visit the library and do laundry.  So nice to get that all done.

When I was getting ready for bed last night, the fridge started clicking.  I couldn't figure out what it was, but knew it was coming from the fridge.  Then I noticed the "check" light was on.  I fiddled a bit with the buttons, but the clicking kept on.  Finally I thought, I wonder if the attendant didn't turn the propane back ON as I had asked him to...   I tried to start a burner on the stove top and - no flame.  I've never messed with the propane tank, the attendants always fill it and turn it back on for me, as I'm watching.  I think the guy misunderstood me, because he was done when I asked if he would turn it on, and he bent over and turned the dial.  I think he had already turned it on, and thought I was asking him to turn it off.   So anyway, from about 1:00 until 10:00 pm, the propane was off and the freezer was slowly defrosting.  Thank goodness I heard the ignition clicking, trying to turn on.  All my food is okay.

The reason I didn't use any propane all afternoon/evening was that I bought some hot, home-made tamales that some people were selling to benefit their church.  They had a table outside Wal-Mart, and I decided to buy a couple.  I'm not tamale person, I think I've had one but really don't remember.  Jeanne and I were talking about home-made tamales the day before so I thought I'd take a chance. 

I took them back to The Palms which parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot, made some quick guacamole, threw on some sour cream and took a bite.  Wow - it was so good!  I bought two, but only ate one, packed up the other one in a baggie and went back and bought six more.  They are now sitting in my freezer waiting for an evening when I'm craving Mexican food and want an easy dinner.  Yummm.  I just finished the second one for dinner tonight and it was just as good as the first. Sorry, no photos - it's gone.  I'll try to remember to take a picture next time. 

But I digress...  So, anyway, I hadn't opened the fridge and noticed the light was out, or tried to start the stove or burners, and didn't know I had no propane coming through the lines.  I was full from my late lunch and didn't use the kitchen at all last night.

I went outside with a flashlight and checked the propane compartment to see what was what.  There was an OPEN/CLOSE knob, so obviously that is what I needed to turn.  I turned it to the left, per the OPEN arrow, but it turned more than I thought it should.  Even so, I kept turning until it stopped.  I have to tell you, I was really nervous messing with the propane.

Then I came back inside and tried a few propane powered appliances and everything was working again. 

For any RVing newbies or wannabes, this is how I've learned most things.  Now I know how to turn on the propane, and I'll make sure it's ON every time I refill my LPG tank.  One more piece of knowledge.  It couldn't be easier, or obvious, but I don't like messing with some things and the propane tank is one of those things.  I don't want to explode because I did something wrong.  I think the OPEN/CLOSE knob is too easy to fail, so don't be afraid to open or close it.

This morning I checked with Jeanne, since she also has a built-in LPG tank, and she said yes, that's all I needed to do.  She added that when you turn the knob, turn it all the way ON or all the way OFF.  Don't go halfway, it's not good for the system.

Good night from our beautiful site at Storrie Lake:

From me and Katie have a great Saturday night, everyone!  :)