Roadrunner Mug and a New Toy!

WELCOME to our new Follower, Carolyn!  Carolyn is a member of the Women Go Solo Yahoo Forum, as am I, and although I'm a lurker, Carolyn often comments, so I've been following her for a while, even before I started following her blog.  (How's that for a run-on sentence.)  She says "I am trying to figure out what to do with me in these final years of my life."  Jeez, Carolyn, you're in your 60's!  Hopefully these aren't  your final years - I'm in my late 60s too, and I plan on at least 30 more!  Carolyn's blog posts are very conversational and have lots of great photos. She has a rig named Homer and has visited 43 states so far.  Carolyn, thanks for following along with me and Katie!

My prize for First Place in the "Mello Mike's 1st Annual Roadrunner Photo Contest" arrived today!  It's bigger than I thought it would be - not only will it be great for drinks, but I can also use it for hot soups or stew; it's big enough around to use as an insulated food mug.  It's really pretty, and I can't wait to use it.

I sent Mike a thank you e-mail, and mentioned that after looking at these photos on the mug, I realized one of the things I like the  most about Roadrunners.  They always look so surprised, or maybe very interested in something.  They seem to have a real expression on their face.

I also got a new Kindle Fire yesterday!  Very exciting!  I've gone back and forth about getting a tablet, I really WANT one, but don't necessarily NEED one, so I just couldn't justify the cost. The one I want, with the keyboard attachment, would have been around $800 or more.  So I started looking at the Kindle Fire.  I have the first generation Kindle.  It's good for reading and I use it all the time, but I wanted something that would connect to the Internet without setting up my laptop.  I wanted it to get e-mail, access blogs, etc., and the Kindle Fire looked like a good deal at $199.

I had some points on my AMEX card to spend, and my daughter and her family gave me an Amazon gift card for Mother's Day (thanks Kristy and Matt!) and I used both toward the purchase price, so I got a very nice new electronic toy pretty inexpensively.

It came around 11 am yesterday, and I spent all day trying to figure it out, get all my books downloaded, get some documents into the "cloud" so I can download them to the Fire.  I want my maps and spreadsheets about parks available when I'm on the road, as well as other information.

I had to call Verizon to set up my phone as a Hot Spot so that I could wirelessly do what I need to do with the Fire.  I want to download as much as I can to the unit so I won't have to use the hotspot much. If I can download some movies and TV shows, etc., then I won't need to use the wireless feature when I watch them.  I'm hoping I can download movies from Netflix.

With the purchase of the Kindle, I got a free month to use Amazon Prime to watch movies and TV shows, but I need the Internet for that, so I'll use my laptop for that feature.  (Of course, anyone can get a free month - they give you 30 days free hoping you'll continue.)

I have a lot to learn about what it will do, and how things work.  I was ready for a new toy that I can have some fun with, and enjoy figuring out.

I also got myself a couple of battery operated fans today when we were shopping.  They'll be nice to have, for sure. I've been wishing I had some that didn't need to be plugged in. Sometimes it's not hot enough for the A/C with the generator running, but a nice little fan would be just right.  

Here are my three new toys - gotta love new toys!

 Roadrunner Mug, Kindle Fire, and Fan

Did I show you our new (3rd) campsite?  It's a good one.

 There's lots of shade by the table in the morning, 

but no shade on The Palms' solar panels.

Between working with the new Kindle all day yesterday, and going to Walmart today, putting away almost $300 worth of food and supplies, gassing up The Palms, then dumping tanks and filling up the water tank, I was really tired when we got back to the campsite around 3:00.  I don't plan to do anything much for the rest of the day, or tomorrow either.

Now we're good to go with everything we need, and more, until we leave here next week to travel to another New Mexico State Park.

Here are a couple of pretty sunsets from Monday evening. They were taken from our campsite; the first is a long shot and the second one is a close-up of the same place where the sun went down.

That's it for today. From Katie and me, have a  great Wednesday, everyone!  :)

I won a photo contest!

When Mello Mike wrote in his blog that he was having "Mello Mike's 1st Annual Roadrunner Photo Contest," I opened my Pictures folder to my Blog Photos, and searched for "roadrunner."  I love seeing those guys running around my campsite, and always try for a photo when I see one, so I had a bunch to choose from.  There was no doubt that I was going to enter the contest.

I'm not a contest person, but a Roadrunner Photo Contest?  That was a no-brainer for me - that day I sent along two of my favorite photos to enter the contest.

Imagine my surprise when I got an e-mail letting me know my photo had won First Place!  I've never won a contest before.  Isn't it nice to know that even in your 60's, something special and new can happen if you just make the effort?


Check out Mike's blog announcing the First and Second Place Winners to see the two winning photos.  Thanks, Mike!

You'd better keep your cameras handy - I'm sure there will be a "Mello Mike's 2nd Annual Roadrunner Photo Contest," and maybe next year you'll be a winner!

 Yesterday's Sunset

From Me and Katie, have a great evening, everyone!  :)

6/18/12 - I thought I might as well post a copy of the photo:

We have Wild Horses!

Katie and I moved to a couple of different sites the last few days because of the beautiful tree that was right over the rig.  I loved that site, but we were only getting great solar for half the day, and once the sun started to move across the sky, the tree blocked the sun. We were still doing okay solar-wise, but I decided I wanted as much bang for my solar buck as I could get.

I also found a dot of tree sap on one of my chairs, and I didn't want sap all over my rooftop.  I went up to the roof Tuesday with some towels and a water squirt bottle and checked the roof for sap.  There were some drops and I cleaned them off, then I cleaned the solar panels, too, while I was up there.  Then we moved to the campsite right above us, it didn't have any trees right overhead, and I had a beautiful view of the tree - in front of my window instead of overhead.  This second site wasn't as pretty, though, and I didn't like the layout.  It was rougher, with lots of little weed-like plants all over the ground.  But a good site for solar and a good view.

We left the second site in the morning yesterday and went to the water and dump stations and took care of that, then I drove around the campgrounds a little to see if I could find a pretty site with good solar possibilities.  I also wanted to check out the Primitive Camping area, which is the free area right on the lake.  There's also a nice campground right above that area, but I liked the campground area I'm in better.

While I was there checking it out, I saw a herd of wild horses near the lake edge.  They were hanging around, eating the grass, drinking the water, and just looking beautiful.  There were two foals in the herd by the water, and another one that looked like a new born foal was a little way off with two adult horses. These are the first wild horses I've seen.  After a year on the road, I'm still having "firsts."

 Here is a long shot of the horses, most of them are in the picture.

 Close-up of some of the mares and stallions and two foals.
It looks like a yearling right in the middle.

 Mare and foal.

Look at this little white foal - doesn't it look like a newborn?

After watching the horses for a while, we drove back to the Ranger's Office area, where the showers are. I decided to check them out, and if I liked what I saw, I'd use their water instead of my newly filled fresh water tank.  (BTW, no more water leaks.  That leak a while ago must have been from the loose black cap on the top of the water tank.)

The showers were old but clean, there are two, one regular and one handicapped.  Since there was no one around and the park was pretty empty, I felt okay using the handicapped one.  It had a lot more room and the shower was larger with a bench to put my stuff on.  I also liked the adjustable shower head.

There is a push button for the water, which lasted about 20 seconds.  The shower was great, and it was so easy to shave my legs with that nice bench!  Much easier than in my little shower.

Then we drove back to our campground and it was completely empty.  I drove slow and checked each site for ease of access, view, and the trees that would affect the solar panels.  Katie and I walk down this road every day, but I was really checking the sites this time.  There is a drive-through site right down from where we were camped that was perfect.  We went back to the second site and loaded up the chairs, solar lights, etc., and went to the new site.  I couldn't believe how long we got input into the solar panels last night.  At 7:00 pm, we were still getting a little input, so I'm really happy with this site, and plan to stay here.

 This is the Primitive Camping area over the Free Fishing weekend.

Right now there are only a few campers there.

If I want to move again, you know, hitch-itch happens after a week or two, I'll go down to the Primitive Camping area for the last few days to see if we can watch the wild horses again.  The Ranger said they also have wild burros here.

The other day Katie and I took a couple of "hikes."  I thought.  There's a trail head at the end of our road right near our site where lots of people park, and walk down with their fishing gear.  Or just walk. I decided to see what was there.  We walked a little way along a narrow trail with a nice drop off on one side.  We ended up at the dam.  It was a nice little walk, but definitely not a hike.

Then we walked to the road above us where I've seen people driving, and I wanted to see what was up there.  There was a curve in the road, and soon as we went around the curve, we saw a turn-around.  Nothing there at all.  So both of our hikes turned out to be a bust.

Probably just as well, since Katie and I are still a bit out of breath.  Some days are better than others, but this altitude is definitely affecting us.  I'm not sick, I feel fine.  It's only when we're walking that I notice a difference in my stamina.  I know there are some nice hikes in the park, but I guess they aren't up here at our end.

 Bluewater Lake Dam

According to the website describing the dam, it's "an arched dam 90 ft high and 500 ft long that impounds 38,500 acre-ft of water. The last time water spilled over the dam was in 1941. The dam is convex in the upstream direction for increased strength, and it is at the mouth of Bluewater Creek in a steep-walled canyon. An overlook at the end of the road through the park facilities offers an excellent view of the dam and canyon. A primitive hiking trail leads down into the canyon below the dam."  I don't know if that's the trail we were on.  It seemed to stop, but there was a sharp turn that we didn't take.  There were big rocks in the way that we could have climbed over, but with the drop off, I was afraid to try.  I couldn't see where it went, but it may be continued on into the canyon.

The man in the photo below was camped down the road from us for a few nights.  We talked a little bit when Katie and I walked past his site; I should have engaged him more.  I'll bet he was interesting.  He had a truck and this sleeping hammock.   He was gone this morning, but my neighbor said he talked to him, and he said, yes, he did sleep in it.  He said all he needs is two trees strong enough to hang it on, and he's set.  I guess it's easier than putting up a tent. I wonder how comfortable it is.  And he had no privacy at all, but I guess he's okay with that.

 Katie and the sunset.

From Me and Katie, have a great Thursday, everyone!  :)

The elevation and the Tiger Muskie

WELCOME to our newest follower, Ron!  Ron doesn't show any information or have a profile, but he sent me an e-mail of introduction. He's in Mexico during the winter months and southeast Alaska during the summer.  If I have this right, he lives either in a Winnebago on the land or in a Cris Craft on the water in Alaska, and travels in a Provan Tiger 4x4 “El Tigre” in the US and Mexico.  He has a Mexican street dog adoptee, “Max,” who is dreaming now of becoming an Alaskan Sled Dog.  :)   Sounds like you travel and live in some great places, Ron, isn't it a wonderful life?  Welcome aboard!

Katie and I are still enjoying our time here at Bluewater Lake State Park.  New Mexico has a lot of State Parks, and I'll be interested in seeing if they are all as nice as this one.  When we stopped at the Ranger Station on our way in, both the Ranger and the Camp Hosts said this is the best park in the system, but they might be a little prejudiced.  

We've been taking a few walks each day, usually around our "loop," which is mostly flat, but also has a stretch that is a little bit of a hill.  I've been a little out of breath when I get to the top of the hill.  Then yesterday we walked down to the lake.

 I was surprised how close Katie got to the water.

When we walked back up the hill, I had to stop for minute, and even Katie seemed to appreciate the little rest.

Thanks for stopping, Mom.

We got to the top of the hill and continued on. I was thinking, Wow, maybe that pharmacist was right, maybe I DID need a boost to my thyroid!

So, later I was talking to my neighbors and mentioned that I was surprised how these little walks are getting me out of breath.  Katie, too.  She said, "Remember, we're at 7,400 foot elevation."  OH!  Okay, in that case, I'm surprised I'm not MORE winded.  I didn't even think about the elevation.  What a relief.

Friday was so pretty with the clouds over the lake:

And the sunset was gorgeous:

The clouds after the sun went down:

Yesterday was kind of windy, and we had the wonderful sound of the wind in the trees, the clouds blowing in and out.  It is supposed to be in the mid-80s today, light breezes - this is really the perfect weather. There must be good drafts over the lake this morning, there were a dozen big black birds soaring with the breezes, and three more coming from the other side of the lake to join them.  I love watching them.  I didn't have my camera with me when all the birds were soaring overhead, but I did get two yesterday.

This weekend is a free fishing weekend here at the lake, you don't need a fishing license.  I heard from a man down the road that he had caught tons of fish, some really big.  The man below walked past our campsite on the way to his car with his catch and I asked if I could get a shot of his fish:

 

Tiger Muskie

I asked him if I could hold it. He had a string going through the fish's mouth that was tied on a stick, so he  handed the stick to me.  Wow, it was heavy!  A little boy wanted to hold it after me, but he wasn't tall enough, so I lifted him up, and the man handed the boy the stick.  The boy's weight was about doubled and almost too heavy for me. Quite a thrill to see a fish this big, I've never caught one near that size.

The sunset last night (Saturday) was so pretty, I guess they all are.  Each evening, I run out with my camera and take a bunch of shots from different places, and every shot is beautiful. Maybe there just isn't a bad sunset.

That's it for today - time to loaf some more.  Take a walk (Katie is bugging me).  And then fix lunch.  Play my favorite computer game.  Maybe read more of my book.  Life is good!

From Me and Katie, have a great Sunday, everyone!  :)

The squirrel in the bird feeder

WELCOME to our two new followers:

Jim - who is a part-time traveler with summer and winter home bases in South Dakota, New Mexico and Colorado. Talk about having the best of all worlds!   Jim, I need to catch up on some of your past posts, but I'm assuming the part-time travel is during the winter months?  Thanks for following along with me and Katie on our adventures!

John Rogers - who is enjoying life in a VW bus.  It looks like John is staying in Truth or Consequences, NM for now.  I have heard and read a lot about that area, and will certainly stop  in TorC one of these days to see what it's about.  Thanks, John, for following our full-time travels!

I love waking up in a new place.  Back in the day when I had a house, I moved every few years, and loved the first few weeks in the new house the best.  Now I get to have that experience pretty often.

I've hung both  my seed feeders, but not the hummer feeders, and I just saw a hummingbird come up to the seed feeder to examine it.  I guess the hummingbird feeders are coming out.

Here's a squirrel from yesterday - trying to get the seed from the bird feeder:

When he climbed down the tree, he had his pouches full of seed.

A little different entry strategy:

He was fun to watch, but after he left the second time, I switched the feeders so this one is higher, and away from the tree a bit more.  We'll see how that works.  I don't mind him eating the seed, no birds have found the feeders yet, but he's going to work for it.

It's beautiful here at Bluewater Lake State Park today.  The lake is calm, there are a few boats below in the water, but they must be far enough away to keep the noise from us, because I've hardly heard a boat yet.  There are fluffy while clouds moving in, and today so far we've seen a lizard and lots of birds.

I finally got a good shot of a large bird overhead:

 Lots of these guys soaring with the breezes over the lake.

It's breezy now, I love the sound of the breeze going through the trees.  That's a sound I haven't heard in a while.  I can hear the wind, but The Palms isn't rocking.  On the desert or blacktopping it, I usually didn't hear wind, I was aware of it when The Palms started rocking, and Katie got those big eyes.

We did fine last night with our solar, parked under the tree.  I was thinking, though, if I want to get more input from the sun, all I have to do is drive forward a few yards and the whole rig will be in the sun the second half of the day.  But so far, so good.

We had a family set up camp late yesterday afternoon in the reserved site above and in front of us. I can see the site from the front window.  They set things up, later I went to bed, and when I woke up the tent, car and people were gone.  That was hardly worth setting up the tent!

Today I see there is another couple in that campsite, just now setting up.  I don't see a rig, so they must be tent campers.  They are so quiet, I didn't even hear them driving into the site.

There was a beautiful sunset last night, the only thing that would make it prettier would be some clouds.  We have clouds in the sky today, so I'm hoping tonight's sunset will be spectacular.

From Me and Katie, have a great Friday, everyone!  :)