"OH OH"...DID IT AGAIN:(( EMAIL FROM BORREGO SPRINGS TO-DAY!!

A VERY SOFT MIST ON THE POND

I have always felt that music is the fastest way to transport the brain matter back into the mists of time.  How often have you heard a jingle on the radio or put on an old record or cassette tape, popped an 'oldies' CD into the player, & let it take you back to moments & whole eras of time in your life.  Remember all those good old television shows years ago with their catchy tunes you were always humming or singing along with.  Gunsmoke, Leave It To Beaver, Newhart, & Petticoat Junction, just to name a very few.  Came across this TV theme site in my files this morning.  Sit back, relax, & let those old familiar tunes take you back to a time & place long ago & don't feel embarrassed if you find yourself humming & singing along with the OLD TV SHOW THEMES

A few comments recently have asked what kind of camera I use for obtaining sharp clear images.  In October of last year I happened to post a blog answering that very same question.....  October of 08 was a difficult financial time for many folks so disregard my blusterings in the first paragraph of the CAMERA BLOG & skip to the camera part beginning with the second paragraph. 

ALONG THE BANK OF THIS MORNING'S POND

As an update to that blog I would like to add that I generally use the 'Sharpen' feature in the Picasa photo program as well.  It allows you to adjust the sharpness of your image.  I also like the newer 'Retouch' tool in Picasa 3.5 & it does wonders for dust specs, etc.  Your photo program is every bit as important as your camera.  Even with cheaper cameras colors can be enhanced, images sharpened, lightened, or darkened with contrast features, etc.  Many times your eye sees vibrant colors but depending on the lighting your camera may not see those colors the same way you do & the results may be disappointing.  But, not to worry, chances are you will be able to restore those colors to the way you saw them in your photo program.  Picasa 3.5 is a great easy to use little photo program, it's a free download from Google, & you can find it here PICASA 3.5

THE FOREST FLOOR IS ABLAZE WITH COLOR

Photo programs came with both my Nikons & Canon but I don't use them.  I upload my photos directly from the camera right into the Picasa 3.5 photo program.  No confusing Nikon or Canon programs in between.  And speaking of the old never ending Canon vs Nikon rivalry.  It's the same argument as Chev vs Ford, Motorhome vs 5th Wheel, diesel vs gas, hamburger vs cheeseburger, Michelin vs Goodyear, Tim Hortons vs Starbucks, or Wal-Mart vs itself.  Bottom line is the same in that they are all fine products with varying degrees of pros & cons & it boils down to individual tastes & requirements.  For example, Canon camera's are mainly used in Astrophotography because of their different metering system than Nikon.  I have never suffered from the narrow mindedness of brand loyalty so whatever car, camera, motorhome, peanut butter, lawnmower, shoes, or pants, suit my needs at the time.......that is the one I go with!!

AFTER THE RAIN

Oh, & before I forget........a big resounding "yes" to the question about a darker background in the blog making the photos 'pop' out.  That was my number one reason for choosing the dark background for our blog.  I wanted the photos to stand out!!  You will notice the same thing over at Laurie & Odel's blog..... SEMI TRUE TALES.

AUTUMN REFLECTIONS

White is not my favorite color anyway & I didn't want the blog looking like a standard run of the mill ho-hum newspaper article so I've got it looking like a local popsicle stand with all the different colors.  And it is those popsicle colors that compliment the photos.  Yes, I know it looks a bit like a circus carnival at times, but.................:))

DAPPLES OF FOREST COLOR

In yesterday's blog I had a few things incorrect about Borrego Springs in California & was fortunate enough to receive a nice email to-day from Dan Wright, CPO & President of the California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds tactfully pointing out my errors.  I'll let Dan set the record straight in his own words......

Hi Al and Kelly,
I appreciate your nice blog posts about Borrego Springs and The Springs RV Resort. The photography is quite good!
Couple of minor points; The name of our project is "The Springs at Borrego". ( Minor detail, I know.) Also wanted to point out that there are no permanent dwelling units of any kind at The Springs. The ones you saw along the golf course are part of The RoadRunner Club, a 55+ Luxury Golf Community next door.
Anyway, keep up the good work and we would love to see you in sunny and starry Borrego. By the way, if you make it to Borrego Days (Oct 22-25), don't miss the headline act Saturday evening at 5PM - Its Jacqui Foreman, an amazing young and beautiful singer-songwriter who is going to do a knockout 2-hour show at Christmas Circle.
Hope to see you there!

Dan Wright, CPO
President
California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
www.camp-california.com
General Manager
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course
PO Box 70 - 2255 DiGiorgio Road
Borrego Springs, California, 92004
Cell phone: 206-295-6921
RV Desk and Pro Shop: 760-767-0004
www.springsatborrego.com

General Manager
The RoadRunner Club
55+Luxury Golf Community
PO Box 308 - 1010 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, California, 92004
Cell phone: 206-295-6921
Office: 760-767-5374  Golf Pro Shop: 767-5373
www.roadrunnerclub.com

Thanks for the email Dan & unfortunately we will still be in Canada on those October dates you mentioned but hope to make it down your way sometime early in 2010......... Al & The Bayfield Bunch:))

RAIN DROPS ON PINE NEEDLES

GROANER'S CORNER:))  A man is recovering from surgery when a nurse asks him how he is feeling. 'I'm O. K., but I didn't like the four-letter word the doctor used in surgery,' he answered.  'What did he say,' asked the nurse. 
'OOPS'

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

BORREGO SPRINGS CALIFORNIA....WHAT A GREAT LITTLE PLACE:))

OUTSIDE THE BORREGO SPRINGS LIBRARY & MINI SHOPPING CENTER

We have a steel roof on our mobile home here in Bayfield & right now it's raining so hard I can't even hear my own mumblings.  The weatherman sure hasn't co-operated for our Canadian Thanksgiving week-end so far.  Even the turkeys are soaked. LOOKING WEST ALONG BORREGO'S MAIN STREET FROM THE CHRISTMAS CIRCLE

Two weeks from this morning we will be busy loading ourselves into the rig for our trek to the southwest.  I will be happy to finally pull the gearshift lever into drive & end all this apprehensive waiting.  These final 2 weeks would be very exciting if I was still a kid but as an adult the excitement is always a bit subdued by the reality in thought of the journey ahead with it's concerns & unknowns.   Once the big wheels are rolling those thoughts quickly diminish & it's on with the business & enthusiasm of the journey ahead.  Nice to once again see the countryside rolling by, feel the gentle roll of the big rig underfoot, & hear those traveling tunes cranked up on the stereo.   Let er rip Mr. Nelson.......On The Road Again:)) 

GOLF COURSE & LANDSCAPING AT THE 'SPRINGS AT BORREGO'

WANDERING WILLY  had 3 posts recently about his early RV camping & trailer days which reminded me of a unique RV trailer park in Bisbee, Arizona that we saw last winter.  Called the SHADY DELL it consists of vintage travel trailers laid out in a park setting that you can stay in for the night or by the week.  Check to-days blog photo album for our walk-through the 1950's style nostalgic RV park earlier this year.

View Full Album

We were in Slab City California a couple seasons ago having our solar panels installed when a passing comment from a fellow RV'er about a place west of the Salton Sea led us to the quiet little desert/mountain town of Borrego Springs.

We spent 17 days boondocking at the Clark Dry Lake Bed area that time & another 17 days just this past season again.  We will likely end up there this year for a few more days as well.

ANZA-BORREGO STATE PARK VISITOR'S CENTER

BORREGO SPRINGS is literally an oasis in a harsh desert landscape nestled into the foot of the towering San Ysidro mountains .  Palm trees, green grass, lush flowers & vegetation along with acres of orange, lemon, & grapefruit trees make Borrego Springs a true diamond in the rough.  No traffic lights here, no car crazy chaos, no big box stores or chain restaurants.  No endless acres of paved parking lots with ticky tacky stores as far as the eye can see.  Main street stretches east & west for about  half a mile or so & has retained its early western flair tastefully blended with modern facilities like a great library & small shopping complex.  A large round-about & wide traffic route called Christmas Circle begins the main street from the east & is the center of events for flea markets, farmer's markets, etc.  An award winning design for the Anza-Borrego State Park visitor's center is here complete with RV Park & can be found at the western end of the main street.  There are 2 or 3 other RV Parks as well including one very high end park complete with a large beautifully landscaped golf course called THE SPRINGS OF BORREGO.  This are also permanent living units here as well. 

OVERLOOKING BORREGO SPRINGS BELOW FROM NEAR THE CULP VALLEY CAMPGROUND

TOURING THE BORREGO BADLANDS ON A JEEP TOUR WITH LOCAL BORREGO SPRINGS RESIDENTS

Despite the harsh appearance of the surrounding desert, Borrego has a very ritzy side to it so be sure to see our photos of both the ritzy & the dusty side.  Borrego has a small airstrip as well & it's nice to drive around the backstreets to see the beautiful homes with their ever creative desert landscaping.

 CHRISTMAS CIRCLE

If you check our side bar to the right you can scroll down to our archive section where you will see the months & years listed of our travels.  We have spent a total over 34 days in Borrego Springs over the past couple of years so check out 2007 for the dates between December 21rst & 31rst.  Also January 2008 from Jan 1rst to the 7th.  Also have a look at December 31rst of 08 right up to January 17th of 2009.  All photos for those dates can be found in our photo albums for those dates as well.  PHOTO ALBUMS.  You will find our day trips to the Borrego Slot Canyon, Palm Springs Canyon, Hell Hole Canyon, Marshal South's Ghost Mountain, the little mountain town of Julian, Salton City by the Salton Sea, a couple of Jeep tours with local Borrego Springs residents, the Borrego Badlands, & a drive along the old Butterfield Stagecoach route heading towards San Diego, plus hikes & drives in & around the desert landscape.  This is a very friendly little RV town with lots of activity put on by the Anza-Borrego State Park & the local townspeople themselves.  I should add that Borrego Springs is totally surrounded by the vast Anza-Borrego State Park system.

 KELLY BUYS A COUPLE DOGGY BEDS FROM A VENDOR ON CHRISTMAS CIRCLE

Oh, & I should add that the nearest Wally World to Borrego Springs is a leisurely 58 mile drive to Brawley.  That is an important factor to RV'ers for sure & I might add this is a new looking Wally World with with a real southwest design to it having only been constructed in the last couple years.  And they have a McDonald's as well as all the assorted fast food places in Brawley as well so it's is a popular last stop if your heading to Borrego Springs from the southeast. 

THE BORREGO RANCH & SPA RESORT

Turned out to be a busy afternoon here at home in Bayfield to-day as Kelly scurried back & forth to the motorhome with armloads of this & that.  Wanted to take advantage of the sunny day because next week is looking cold & wet again.  Two weeks from now we should be stopped for the night somewhere north of Indianapolis.  Yay team:))

BOONDOCKING AT THE CLARK DRY LAKE BED NEAR BORREGO SPRINGS WITH NEIGHBOR'S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON THEIR AIRSTREAM TRAILERS

GROANER'S CORNER:))  Two Mexican detectives were investigating the murder of Juan Gonzalez. 
'How was he killed?' asked one detective.
'With a golf gun,' the other detective replied. 
'A golf gun? What is a golf gun?' 
'I don't know. But it sure made a hole in Juan.'

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

GOVERNMENT GIVES ME A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS FOR TURNING 65 & THE INSURANCE COMPANY TAKES IT AWAY!!!!

Didn't have any photos for this post so I had to dig to- day's pictures out of my trash bin where I had thrown them one day last week when I realized they were all out of focus.  At one time I left my cameras on 'auto-focus' all the time but over the course of the summer I have mainly been using manual focus.  There is a small switch on the lens that lets me alternate between manual & auto-focus.  I thought I was on auto-focus when I took the pics but it was set for manual & I failed to notice that.  I was hurrying to get the shots before the lighting changed.  Careless on my part.  But, at least there are some nice color contrasts & you do get the idea a storm was passing over despite the focusing problem.  Maybe think of them as paintings & not sharp imaged photos.

My internal sleep mode button malfunctioned last night causing me to remain in a conscious state for 5 of the 7 hours I was in a horizontal position, the result of which will cause me a very irritable Friday.  I will have to remain on my leash confined to barracks for fear I may bite someone.  Lack of sleep does that to me so I have learned to not attempt any mechanical things or computer fixes on days like this.  In fact it is not even wise to attempt to tie my shoes!!

Our nice weather day yesterday turned to rain last night as I see a big storm front on the computer weather map marching eastward across the States.  The up side of that means it will be easier for me to stay inside out of the cold wet weather to-day.  Might be a good time to spend a few hours with my coloring book.

 RICK had a good tip in his blog this morning about using your keyboard's PrtScn button on the top row of keys to the right.  It will save a webshot of whatever you have on your screen & now it will save it right into Picasa.  I knew about the PrtScn function but hadn't realized it would work with Picasa so when I read Rick's blog I right away set about pecking on my PrtScn button like a manic woodpecker at a dead grub convention.  Of course, because of my lack of sleep last night it would not work for me.  Around about this time Kelly came into the living room to see what all the grumbling, complaining, & pecking was all about.  I blustered about the PrtScn thingy & she immediately headed for the desk top computer in the sun room & came back minutes later with the solution.  Picasa 3 has to be open & running on the task bar first before attempting to capture a screen shot.  I tried it & it worked perfect.  This method of solving things I call the old G & F solution.  I do the Grumbling & Kelly does the Fixing.  Works every time:))I'm sure getting dinged for medical coverage this trip.  Because of turning 65 & the fact I was briefly HOSPITALIZED in Colorado with a kidney stone on November 2nd of 07 the insurance company has of course tacked on an extra $500 to my policy which puts my 6 month medical coverage to over $1100.00.  Kelly's is slightly over $500.  I can certainly understand now how a lot of Canadian RV folks cannot afford to travel south anymore especially if they have have any medical issues.  Had we waited until after Nov 2nd to leave it would have been much cheaper because my 2 year 'medically free' time would have been up.  We had totally forgot about that 2 year period but our departure date is a must before November 2nd.  Should be cheaper next year & my next built in insurance increase will occur at age 70.  Kelly said if she didn't need me to dump the black water tank it would have been cheaper to just leave me & the dogs at home!!  Oh dear, I had better not lose my black tank dumping skills or it could be back to some mighty long hard cold Canadian winters again for AL:(( GROANER'S CORNER:((  A doctor examined a woman, took the husband aside, and said, 'I don't like the looks of your wife at all.' 
'Me neither doc,' said the husband. 'But she's a great cook and really good with the kids.'

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

BORREGO SPRINGS CALIFORNIA......A TIGHT FITTING SLOT CANYON HIKE IN DECEMBER 2007

OUR FRIEND & GUIDE, BUTCH ON THE LEFT.  CAMERA WAS ON SELF TIMER SITTING ATOP A ROCK.....December 23/07  (Click on any photo to enlarge it)

Our nasty splash of bad weather this past week has let up for to-day & we have sunshine at 60F with a breeze.  A normal Autumn day for this time of year but I'm still surprised that 90% our forest trees are still green with only a few dapples of color here & there.  Usually by now we are into full blown Autumn colors.ALMOST IMPASSABLE IN SOME SPOTS

In keeping with yesterday's slot canyon theme I've added another 'tighter fit' slot canyon hike to-day.  This is the Borrego Springs slot canyon in California & it is hard to find but luckily we had a fellow RV'er take us there.  We generally boondock at the Clark Dry Lake bed just north of Borrego Springs & 2 years ago we met a fellow by the name of Butch who spends his winter's there in the desert with his dog Kapeesh.  Butch is from Riverside California so knows the whole area well.  He had also taken us on a hike to Palm Canyon nearby a few days earlier.  To-days photos are from our Borrego Springs slot canyon hike with Butch as our guide.  You can read our BLOG for that day & see us 'squeezing' through the rocks on the hike photos in our WEB ALBUM . 

Kelly's in Cambridge to-day visiting her daughter & grand kids & I'm home doing my daily smattering of puttering.  Lots of pine needles to rake up & I added some water to the rig's fresh water tank.  I won't fill the gas tank until a few days before we leave because I don't want the motorhome just sitting for weeks with the weight of a full gas tank on the stationery tires.  I'm anxious to get more things loaded up but as you know the majority of loading is done in the last 5 minutes before you leave.  Well, it seems that way sometimes!!

AL HAD TO REALLY SUCK IT IN TO SQUEEZE THROUGH SOME OF THESE TIGHT SPOTS!!

APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF BORREGO SPRINGS SLOT CANYON

In yesterday's blog I mentioned it was me who took the doggy guys out every morning but I should have mentioned Kelly does that as well.  Sometimes it's too cold out & I pretend I'm still asleep so then she has to do it.

MOONRISE OVER THE SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS FROM THE CLARK DRY LAKE BED NORTH OF BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

In our travels throughout the southwest we have come across so many places we love that just about everywhere we go becomes a favorite place for us.  Coming up soon, maybe to-morrow, I'll blog about one of them.................Borrego Springs, California:)) 

BORREGO SPRINGS.....CHRISTMAS CIRCLE

GROANER'S CORNER:((  'Mr. Clark, I have reviewed this case very carefully,' the divorce Court Judge said, 'And I've decided to give your wife $775 a week,' 
'That's very fair, your honor,' the husband said. 'And every now and then, I'll try to send her a few bucks myself.

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

A SMATTERING OF THOUGHTS & A PHOTOGRAPHIC LOOK BACK TO THE WILLIS SLOT CANYON IN UTAH

 MAX BLENDS RIGHT IN WITH THE ROCKS  (Click on photos to enlarge them)

All photos plus the album below are from our  November 17th 2007 hike in Willis Canyon near Cannonville, Utah.

THE GUYS ARE ALL LOADED UP & READY TO HEAD OUT FOR WILLIS CANYON:)) (Not much room for Mom to squeeze in....Checkers is in the back seat)

It's 5 in the morning & I'm in my big comfy recliner with my Toshiba laptop on one lap & the sleeping little Motormouse on the other.  Soothing ambient music on the stereo with only soft light from dials casting a pale glow into the darkened living room.  We have high winds this morning & I have heard cracking branches so I know there will be pine limbs to pick up later this morning.  A 'crack' means a branch has come down & a 'thud' means a whole tree has come down.  Cracks, but no thuds yet this morning however.   The electricity just blinked off & on again which means re-setting all the clocks & light timers later!!  PIne trees are not strong trees & it doesn't take much to break the branches off or snap the whole top third of the tree right off.  I have seen heavy snow laden winter storms here that have brought whole trees crashing to the ground.  Hazards of living in a pine forest I guess but it sure beats the heck out of having to live in a city!!

WOW, WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE

My chair is situated right next to our sliding patio door & I have a hooked stick that I use to open & close the door for the furry guys without having to get up.  Our back yard is fenced in so we don't have to worry about the furry kids wandering away.  I just open the door with the stick & out they go without any worries.  Of course that is all about to change soon when we're back on the road again.  No sitting in my warm comfy chair at 5 in the morning opening & closing the door with a stick for each of them.  No, not that easy.  Each time one of the guys has to go out I have to get up, throw something remotely warm over my shoulders, slip into some kind of footwear, grab the flashlight, & out the door & down the steps we go into the darkness with doggy bag in hand.  I don't normally put their leashes on because they stay close & respond to voice commands if necessary, but I never let them out of my sight for a minute.  Especially little Cora because there are roaming coyotes at night.  Sometimes I only have to shiver in the darkness for a minute or two & other times they may make me stand around forever while they take their time exploring here & there before doing their business.  Always so nice to get back into the cozy warm motorhome but it's usually only short lived because it's not long before the next critter is crying at the door.  I do this 3 times every morning while traveling.  Not a good idea to have them all go out at once in the darkness because it's too difficult to keep track of everybody & I don't have a motion detectable 3 beamed flashlight. 

View Full Album

The ranch in Arizona where we are headed has a high coyote proof fence around the perimeter on the acreage of the ranch house so that does make it less stressful letting the guys out at night plus there are 2 super great ranch dogs outside who make it their business to see that no coyotes or night walkers slip into the ranch compound.  Night walkers??  The ranch is close to the Mexican border & in a high traffic area for illegal immigrants (Mexicans) coming across the border at night.  While there last winter we could sometimes here them on the nearby road at night but it's not a worry.  The last thing these people want is to be detected so they go about their nocturnal business as quietly & unnoticed as they can.

YES, WE HAD SOME VERY WET FEET BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK TO THE CAR...12 WET LITTLE PAWS TOO

Karen over at the BIG BACK YARD has a good description & photos of some RV renovations they did & how they repaired & put down a new hallway & bathroom floor in their motorhome.  She makes it all sound so easy but I know for me to try that it would be ohhhhhhhhh so hard:((  For sure I'd end up getting the floor tile glue on upside down & the wood screws hammered in sideways!!  Noticed her blog for to-day is about sealing their motorhome's fiberglass roof so some of you might want to have a look at how they did it & what they used.  And it sounds like ROD is having a few 'beeping' & satellite tracking problems with his new motorhome.   Check out WANDERING WILLY'S early camping years in France & if you happen to be going by GYPSY'S place maybe you can drop in with a bowl of chicken soup because I think Gypsy is down with the flu:((  And if your thinking about installing a new wireless keyboard & mouse sometime in the future just drop in & see how VERAGIRL is making out with her new  board & mouse.

STOPPING FOR A REST ON OUR WAY BACK

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did all of my intelligence come from?' 
The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, 'cause I still have mine.'

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.

OCTOBER IS DEFINITELY A POPULAR BIRTHDAY MONTH & A DRIVE THROUGH THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS TO PORTAL ARIZONA IN MARCH 2009

WE MAY BE CAMPED HERE FOR A FEW DAYS IN THE SUNNY FLATS CAMPGROUND AT THE END OF THIS MONTH....NEAR PORTAL, AZ.

In SANDRA'S BLOG yesterday she mentioned the following...."Did you know that most people in the U.S. are born on October 5th? You would expect birthdays to be evenly distributed among the 365 days on a calendar. AnyBirthday.com has a database of the birthdays of more than 135 million Americas and claim that more people were born on October 5 than on any other day of the year. The reason seems to be that October 5th is approximately 9 months from New Year's Eve. Another little bit of trivia." 

NEAR PORTAL ARIZONA AT CAVE CREEK....MARCH 2009

Well, I was born in October as well so the only thing I can say about that is....."Happy New Year"  I also noticed to-day in Janna's TIN TEE PEE  blog that Mike's celebrating a birthday as well.  I offered Kelly $5 to write something nice about me like Janna did for Mike but Kelly told me to keep the $5 & go climb a tree..............:))

 NICE OLD CAR PARKED OUTSIDE THE PORTAL GENERAL STORE

Well, thanks to JERRY yesterday I did find out that in fact I do have a Google Adsense ad on our  website.  It has been hiding at the very bottom of our blog all this time & I had totally forgotten about it since thinking it had vanished a long time ago.   Must have got shuffled to the bottom of the deck at some point when I was making changes to the sidebar.  I have now moved it from it's low visibility point at the bottom to a high visibility spot just under the right side of our main header picture.  Oh geezzzzz, what am I gonna do with all this ad money rolling in now!!  Hope I can make enough to pay Jerry a finder's fee:))  Guess this also tells me I should do a little house cleaning on our website from time to time to make sure I know where things are!!

ATOP THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS ABOUT TO DESCEND INTO PORTAL

Noticed Jerry & Suzy from, OUR LIFE ON WHEELS are staying a few days at WEST RUSTY'S RV RANCH near Rodeo New Mexico right now.  We're hoping to be in that very area in about another 3 weeks.  We don't have Passport America but maybe Rusty will cut us deal anyway if & when we get there:))    Jerry mentioned they were doing a daytrip to Portal Arizona which reminded me of our trip over the Chiricahua mountain last March & down into the totally beautiful Portal area.  Our blog for that day is HERE & our photos for the day are in WEB ALBUM including lunch at the little Portal general store.............................:))

THE WINDING ROAD AHEAD

Some of you may remember I blogged awhile back about receiving a book called 'Backyard Guide To The Night Sky' from National Geographic.  I have it sitting right here on my desk but haven't read it yet.  I am now  thinking this will make a great read once we reach the ranch in Arizona.  I seem to do the majority of my reading while we are traveling.  Sitting quietly in the open desert air just seems to go hand in hand with reading for me so I'll let you know how I like the book hopefully next month while lazing away under the warm Arizona  sunshine:))

 FOLLOWING THAT WINDING DIRT ROAD THROUGH THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS

Wondered if any other 'Live Writer' users out there are having any problems with their 'link' section.  Our links are connecting OK but I'm getting error messages every time I insert a link.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, LAND

GROANER'S CORNER:((  I just got lost in a bunch of thought & it was unfamiliar territory.

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.