AND NOW MORE OF THE STORY

 As we had returned to the Ranch September 2018. We had rig repairs to make. On our trip back we got caught in a storm between Portales and Roswell, NM. Which destroyed both of our awnings. With help from Skee and Bob was able to replace the slide topper and main awning fabric. 

On the 9th we joined the Lakewood Baptist Church. Where we had been attending when at the Ranch.

After getting rig repairs done. We started to think about the next trip back for a checkup. Which was October 9th. We decided to leave early and go to Eagles Nest, NM to see the Aspens change.

 Blood work in Carlsbad and then started the trip.  We stopped the first night at Bottomless Lake State Park. Then on to Eagles Nest to Weathers Rv Park. 

Sunset over Wheeler Peak for RV park.

Aspens changing. 

While at Eagles Nest we went to Red River and Taos the colors were beautiful. We had lunch at Michael's Kitchen ,Restaurant and Bakery in Taos.

This is always our stop in Taos.

After a week in Eagles Nest we moved to Lathrop state park in Colorado. West of Walsenburg, Co.

We took drive to La Veta and on over Cuchara Pass to Stonewall. The Aspens were at their peak colors. Had lunch in Stonewall the lodge and cafe. Always a great stop.

Bear lake by Cuchara

Aspens going over Cuchara Pass.

Also drove to Bishops Castle that we had discovered in 1986. We check on whenever in the area.

When we first saw the castle it was not to the lower arches. This is a one man project.

After three days we started to Wichita for a checkup. Staying for the first night in a city park in Lakin Ks. The next night in another city park in Pratt, Ks. Next day we arrived in Wichita.

Arriving in Wichita at the end of September. Lab test October 5th the Dr on the 8th all was good no change. While in Wichita Ronda's Aunt and Uncle from Albuquerque, NM came to see her folks. 2 other aunts and an Uncle also came to see them. It was a great time seeing all of them. 

Ronda's parents and Aunts and Uncles.

We then moved to Ponca City,Ok. To see Steven and grandkids there. Also seen Ronda's cousin Vickie and Allen .  Went to see some friends in Arkansas City,Ks. Also had our Dr there remove some skin cancers on my face.

We got to see our grandson Matt play soccer.

Then after a week we returned to Wichita to see Ronda's folks and Brother Randy and his family. After a week there it was time to move on.

We're heading back to the Ranch in New Mexico. We decided to take the long way around. We headed to north eastern Oklahoma and down to Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. It was early November so the fall foliage was beautiful. 

From our site on Tenkiller Lake.

After leaving Tenkiller Lake we went to a campground in the Quachita National forest in south eastern Oklahoma. 

A road side stop in the Quachita forest.

 We then started west staying at Hugo Lake by Hugo, Oklahoma. Then on to Seymour, Tx for a night. Then on to Brownfield,Tx staying in their City Park for the night then to the Ranch arriving the 10th of November.

For the next couple of months we enjoyed being at our home base. Went to the activities and meals. We also decided it was time to put a washer and dryer in the motorhome. So a little remodel was needed. Also I help Bob and Beth remodel their Casita.

January 1st 2019.

Well itchy feet got us. 

Time to go.

This time in just the car. We left the Ranch New Years day. Making it to Lordsburg, NM. Left next morning we headed northwest and ran into snow and it took us 2 hours to make 40 miles. But made Globe, Az for lunch. The snow had stopped and the roads were clear. We then headed to Sedona arriving later that afternoon. It was a beautiful drive getting there.

After 2 nights in Sedona we headed to our son Mike's. Had a great weekend with them. Watched Grandson Keegan play some tennis. After leaving Mikes we went to Oceanside pier for lunch and then on to Indio, California for 3 nights. Were able to see Ronda's cousin Rita that lived in the area. After exploring the area and time with Rita we then headed to Ora Valley, Az for a couple nights. Were able to see another of Ronda's cousins Twyla in Florence,Az. 

Oceanside Pier

From there we returned to Sedona for 5 nights. After enjoying lots of stuff in Sedona ( yes we walked and shopped as is required in a tourist town) we headed back to the Ranch. Arriving on 1/20/19. It was now time to get ready to go back to Kansas for a 3 month checkup.

Best Mexican food in Sedona.

February 2nd headed to Kansas. We went by way of Hereford, Tx and Laverne, Ok. to arrive at Afton Lake by Wichita, Ks. It was snowy and icy, it's February in Kansas. Had checkup on the 7th. All was good no change. Spent time with family in Wichita for a couple weeks. Then we went to Ponca City for a week to see Steven and the grandkids. We were able to attend Mary's orchestra concert. Then moved back to Wichita.

Ronda's niece Rachelle had some heart problems and was having a valve repair surgery at the Mayo Hospital in Minnesota. March 6th. Her newborn son was just 6 months old. So we stayed close to them to help them during her recovery. 

At this same time Ronda's Mom was sick and had to be hospitalized for a couple days but she was okay.

We spent the next couple of months helping Rachelle and enjoying her son Elliot my new buddy then.

My little buddy, Elliot

Rachelle had a few problems with recovery. She is doing great and has been able to have another son Everett.

 Also we were able to see other family. Was able to see our grandson Matthew play soccer. 

I was able to help my niece Tasha with an art project She was having at WSU . It was a great time with her.

The Hotel Tempus by Tasha Wentling.

This display of her photos will still be showing at different venues.

The check-in counter was the part I got to help with. 

 We were in Wichita until my next 3 month checkup. Which was good again. Then we headed out for more traveling May 14th 2019

Thanks again for reading and hope you're enjoying the tale.

 

 

2023 summer /fall travels end.

 Well it's been awhile since I've taken the time to write. Will see if I can catch up. 

As said last that we're going on some day trips from Florence Colorado.

This we did. First we did the loop to Woodland Park and Cripple Creek. We're able to make a connection with long time friends Greg & Rene Bohn. They are friends from our Church in Arkansas City, Ks. They moved to Woodland Park 15 yrs ago we had not seen since. They blame us for moving there because we told them we knew about a cabin to rent there and they fell in love with the area.

We were able to meet up with Greg on Friday 8th. Rene is  still working. We met at the farmers market in Woodland Park. Had a good time catching up. The market is in a beautiful park. 

He said they go to Florence to shop for antiques. Told him that they had an antique market the next day. They came to Florence on Saturday. Another great time being able to catch up with Rene also. This is what's so great about this life still. Being able to catch up with good friends.

After leaving Woodland Park we headed to Cripple Creek for a short visit. Then we completed our loop around to Canon City then back to Florence.

Main street Cripple Creek

The city park Woodland Park.

Closed Main Street Florence for an antique fair.

 These are now antiques?

The next week we did some more hikes along the Arkansas River in Canon City. Took a driving loop around to Westcliffe. Some cottonwood trees are starting to change colors. Will have to return later.

Ice cream stop in Westcliffe.

Westcliffe.Yes we walked and shop as required

On Saturday the 16th we went to Salida to the farmers market. Where meet up with Mike & Janice again. We had a great day exploring Salida with them. Again that's what this life is about, meet up and do stuff with good friends. Yes we did walk and shop as is required in a tourist town.

The view from our lunch spot.

Salida down town.

Good friends Mike and Janice.

The next week took it easy. Took a couple walks along the river in  Canon City. Farmers Market in Florence. Then on Saturday we drove to Rye Colorado to see the colors changing. There were some Aspens changing. Had lunch in Rye again at the Rye Cafe. Being our last weekend in Florence. 

Views on our walk along the river in Canon City.

September 25th we left Florence, Colorado. Started making our way back to Texas. Staying our first night at a road side park just south of Clayton, NM. Then we headed to Hereford,Tx and stayed at their City RV park which we had stayed at a few times. Donation only park. From there to another city park in Broomfield, Tx. Which also donation only park. 

We then headed to Abilene, Tx to see Ronda's cousin Deb and her folks. We stayed at a boondocks welcome site in Clyde just east of Abilene. They were wonderful host. It was great to see all of them. Uncle Leland is who got me hooked on camping and rving. It was great remembering times together in the Mountains of Colorado.

Leland's 5th wheel and our rig at Chalk lake campground 1986

Our son Mike.

Aunt Ella Mae, Debbie and Uncle Leland.

We were able to share a time of singing hymns there at their senior living home.

We continued on to Hondo, Texas to our spot at Alamo area SKP Co-op RV Park. Where we will be for the winter. Doing some travels to Temple, TX and to Ponca City, Ok to see our Kids and Grandkids.

 

                              Hope you've enjoyed reading about our 2023 summer travels. Hope to bring you along on our next adventure next summer. Don't know where that might be yet.

Also will be continuing with more of the Story this winter.

                         Again thank you for reading and I hope you are enjoying the tale.