November 20, 2015 thru December 6, 2015 Our Time in Casa Grande

First let me apologize to my blog readers for not updating sooner.  I was a little lazy and then Microsoft decided to stop supporting Live Writer – which is the software I use to update.  So for a few weeks I had no clue how I was going to do my blog.  When I first started in 2007 (before Live Writer), it was a little difficult to do a blog.  I use to get everything ready, then when I had good internet, I would upload the pictures and copy the verbage from Word.  I have to say that I did not want to go back to that.

Enter “Open Live Writer”- an open source software program started by a number of volunteers from Microsoft.  YAHOO… I will continue to blog my travels.  There are a few extra steps I need to do for now but I am sure they will be fixed in the future.

To those who blog – it seems like they are upgrading the software weekly as items are added and bugs fixed so download the latest version or check often to make sure you have the latest.

Okay on to what we did during our time at Casa Grande.

First and the best was getting caught up with friends and family we haven’t seen in many months.  What a joy – we are so blessed.  But can you believe I did not take any pictures…   Sorry!
Andy had his doctor’s appointments at the VA – all is good.  The kitties had their appointment at their vet – all is good too.

But I do have pictures from around the area. 
 

A familiar sight were these bales of cotton ready to go to the gin:
 

 

I just love the sheep!  This flock had many, many very small babies:
 

 

One of the days coming back from town, I stopped on the side of the road, got out, and walked to the field of sheep.  Between the car and the field was a few more feet of paved road, then about  10 feet of grass, then a dirt road that ran along the fence line.  As soon as I stepped on that dirt road, the two dogs went to work.  The first one came at me:
 

The second one herded the sheep to the center of the field then joined his partner:

Even though it looks like they were kissing, I think they were just talking to each other:

 

When I saw the first dog, I moved closer to the car.  After the “kiss”, the first dog sat down and watched me:
 

 

The other one moved into the field and also watched me:
 

 

I left and then came back a few hours later and DID NOT get out of the car.  It was amazing to watch those dogs in action.
 

These pictures are from the car:
 

 

 

 

The babies are just the cutest, aren’t they!
 

 

 

 

 

One of the days, Andy was in our back yard and noticed movement at the back wall…. Check out who was building a nest!

 

We did have one problem – had to replace the radiator in our Tracker.  It blew while I was on my way to the Vets – Yikees.  So I used our Good Sam Road Service to get towed.  The poor kitties were so frightened – Thank you Pam for coming to rescue me and the kitties!   It was an experience that I do not want to repeat.
 

On December 7th, we traveled to our lot in Yuma and that will be my next blog.
 

Until then, enjoy today.

 

November 19-20, 2015 Travel to Casa Grande Arizona

This morning’s travels took us west of Deming, NM thru this area:

Yikees – so glad it was not windy – .

How about these trains – looks like they are going to meet each other nose to nose:

The engines almost touching – Yikees..

Beautiful desert area:

With interesting rock formations:

We passed so many trains:

Do you think this might be Santa’s train:

One of the things that I enjoy about the southwest is these incredible bare rock formations against the blue sky:

Our second home:

Traffic jam – so glad we are in the RV:

Picacho Peak:

Saguaros –LOTS of them:

Our home for the next few weeks:

We arrived on our lot around noon and began our set up and clean up of the sheds.  It is great to see everyone and meet some of the new leaseholders.

We will be here for a few weeks so I will not be blogging daily (unless we do some sightseeing.)

So until then, enjoy today!

Stats for Today

Miles Traveled:

Routes Traveled: 292 miles

New Mexico: I-10 Business; I-10

Arizona: I-10; I-8; South Montgomery Road

November 18, 2015 Travel to Deming

We woke this morning to no wind and away we went.

South of Carlsbad the land was flat and no more oil rigs:

Guadalupe Mountains in the background and the winds are picking up - oh no:

Getting closer and the wind is really picking up:

Into Texas:

The land in the valley was filled with what I called “scrubby” vegetation – low shrubs, grasses, and cacti:

We also saw many horses – some singly, some in herds – they were beautiful!:

Many free range cows:

Starting up the mountain pass:

Lots of wind gusts thru this – Andy did great!  (Can you believe there was no wind in the forecast!  Sheesh! I wonder what it is like when wind is forecasted.)

On the way down to the valley:

The wind was much less here on the valley floor.  We went past old homes – I bet there are stories here:

The salt flats in the distance:

WOW!:

We passed another one of these VORTAC – (Variable Omni-Range, Tactical Air Navigation) sites. They provide bearing/distance information for aircraft and form airway intersections or fixes.

More abandoned homes:

There was much land for sale here.  Every once in a while we would see a home.

This area is really desolate.  There is really nothing around for 40 or so miles.  I like have space around me but I don’t think I could live that far away from everything.

This must be the valley gathering place – it was packed:

A tumbleweed just rolling along:

The road continues on:

Border patrol for those coming from El Paso (heading east on I-10):

Going out of the valley into the hills again:

El Paso in the distance:

Instead of heading straight for I-10, we decided to do the 375 loop around El Paso.  Half of the loop is an expressway and the other half is a road thru the Franklin Mountains:

At the top:

What goes up must come down:

We picked up I-10, stopped for gas, and then into New Mexico:

Our turn at the inspection station (heading west out of El Paso):

Train carrying many containers – it was very long and colorful:

Our final stop to night was at Dream Catcher RV Park, an Escapee Rainbow Park.  They also have a Happy Hour and we met up with Brenda and Leland and got a little caught up.  We will see them in Casa Grande later this week.

Tomorrow we are headed to our lot in Casa Grande, AZ so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled: 287 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New Mexico: Lakewood Road; US-285; US-62

Texas: US-62; SR-375 Loop; I-10

New Mexico: I-10; I-10 Business