Greetings from the library in Roswell, New Mexico! Although the cell phone does seem to work at the Bottomless Lakes State Park, the Internet doesn't! I'm using the library wi-fi for as long as I can today to catch up...
I arrived at the park last Wednesday for the LoW campout. While the 'leader' left on Sunday the rest of us (three) have stayed on. One is leaving today, and one is leaving tomorrow. I'm signing up for another week before deciding where to go next.
I went to the Roswell UFO Museum last week and enjoyed a great movie presentation about the flying saucer, with aliens aboard, that crashed about an hour from here. Apparently there was a lot of confusion and government cover-ups related to the crash. Roswell has capitalized on this event from 1947. Everything has UFOs and alien creatures drawn, painted, sculpted on it; even the local McDonald's building design is suggestive of a flying saucer, and when it is lit up at night it is reminiscent of the photos we've all seen of UFOs. And the Roswell Walmart has also joined in with UFO/alien graphics on its facade. Some of the street lights along Main St. have alien 'eyes' painted on them!
A friend of mine in Virginia told me he once saw space ships 'fly' into the side of a mountain on his parents' farm. So that makes me think about maybe the Roswell aliens hide out in the Bottomless Lakes! Just kidding...The lakes are interesting because they have been formed from gypsum and rock; the largest lake was formed when a cavern dome collapsed, and became a sink hole. (I may not have the exact scientific explanation, but it's close...) These formations are like some others that are found in Italy and Mexico.
Another one of the LoW bunch who was already in the park when the rest of us arrived had an accident on her scooter - she ran a red light (not intentionally) and in order to prevent a collision with the auto in the intersection at the time, laid the bike down - on her knee and leg. She was in the hospital the day before we arrived, and is still there, expecting a very long rehabilitation. Her motor home is still in the park, awaiting her instructions...I will be visiting her later today.
The other day I went out on the large lake in a paddle boat - my first experience. Lots of fun. There are very interesting flat and dome-shaped turtles who come to the rocks at the water's edge to sun themselves. There's also a nice, sandy beach. Lots of birds here, too. It rained all of the holiday weekend, with the sun coming out the most on Monday. Since then, it's been sunny with storm-like winds in the afternoon - lots of virga, but no rain. It's been warm enough to run the AC, too.
I'm considering going for a few days to a place not far from here - a BLM campground called the Valley of Fires - they have hook-ups there, and as long as it's hot, I plan to use the electric for the AC. Then I'll head to another one of the state parks. I'm planning my stays at the different parks to get into whatever park with enough lead time to already have a space for July 4th and Labor Day weekends, as there is a 21-day limit. I've been getting a lot of helpful information from the LoWs I've been with - all women, I might add, and older than I am, too.
I guess that just about sums up the last couple of weeks. Don't know when I'll make the next installment. I still need to write about my camping trip in the Gila Wilderness - LOTs to say about that!!!
02 May 2009
Spring has sprung, the grass has ris...
I can hardly believe that I have been in Deming, NM for almost seven months! I'm sure I do not want to spend another winter, or spring here again! The winters get below freezing, and I've learned to put water in my fresh water tank and use the water pump instead of disconnecting the water hose every night it's going to freeze. In addition, the winds here are like living in a dusty hurricane - no rain, just dust - that fine dust that is like talcum powder and that you can't get out of your carpet or bedding, or anything. Today the winds blew just like they do in Virginia when a tropical storm is coming. This seems to be a rather common, often occurrence.
I spent from the middle of December to April 30th working part-time in the Ranch office, in exchange for my site, electricity, and laundry. That pay-off worked well for me most of the time. However, I got very tired toward the middle of April, and with management issues becoming uncomfortable for me, I've considered not returning next fall as I said I would. They want me to be available in the office October through December. I thought I would do that and then leave for warmer climes in January. Now I don't know...
Tomorrow I am putting my trailer into storage for two weeks, while I take some time to venture into the area north of here and Silver City to 'camp out'. I've packed my truck with all the things I can think of that I need, including a newly purchased shower enclosure for solar-heated showers, and a portable potty. I will sleep in the back of my truck which has a topper, so I can feel protected somewhat from the elements.
I'm also becoming quite handy in making small repairs to my trailer. Aluminum tape is GREAT stuff! I repaired a gouge in my gravel guard with it, and today I taped up an errant slide-out seal extension that hung over the tire. It had been stapled in place at the factory, but the staples had come out, and it had pulled away from the screw that held it further back. So I used the aluminum tape as a sort-of 'strap' to hold it in place under the edge of the slide-out. I'm grateful to one of the LoWs who was here last fall for telling me about this product!
I'm excited to be heading into a natural area, where few others will be. I have packed my sketch pad and colored pencils, my cameras, a few books, crossword puzzle books, and beading supplies. And I feel it is likely that some of those won't get used at all! There's something great about just sitting in the sunshine - I've thought about Roger Miller's song, "Walkin' in the sunshine, sing a little sunshine song..." I also hope to get some walking in to strengthen my back.
Since January I've been going to a local chiropractor for treatment; he says that I either had a very bad injury, or I have a very bad case of overuse...He has recommended a couple of exercises and WALKING as the best way to create better health for my back. I will see him on Monday morning, just before I head out, and again after I return.
The idea of health brings me to the fact that next month I will be on Medicare. After five years of no health insurance, at least I will have that in case anything major shows up. I think that when you don't have insurance you take better care of yourself! The down side to the Medicare is that it will mean reduced funds available for my expenses on a fixed income...I just keep adjusting! And I'm glad to have that monthly income, as so many are really struggling these days.
When I return from this 'pilgrimage' to the mountains, I will hitch up my trailer and head to Bottomless Lake State Park (NM) for a campout with the New Mexico club of the Loners on Wheels, the Roadrunners. I will purchase an annual park pass and stay there for the allowed three weeks, and then move on, to who knows where?
Oh, I almost forgot to mention...I'm using a new name these days. Some of you already are aware of this through other communications; however, for you who aren't, the new name (last name) is Swanne. Su/san Swanne. It came about over several years of pondering (hmm, a pun here?)and one day a couple of weeks ago, it became clear that I would make the change. Just so you know.
I will journal my camping, and hopefully be able to share here some of my experiences and thoughts about camping alone. I look forward to seeing some magnificent birds and other wildlife, too!
I'm hoping that you who receive this blog in your email are enjoying spring. I think of you all often, and send my love to you.
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