2011 Favorite Photos on the Photography Page

Just posted some of my favorite photos of 2011 on the Photography Page. Some of these you may have seen before and some not. These were photos I took prior to developing the Photo Page, so they are only for the first part of the year. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them. The rest of 2011 can be seen by checking out the previous entries as they are all from 2011.
Of course, the standard disclaimer applies, I'm not a pro by any means, just someone who enjoys taking pictures.

2011 Review Part II

 March 2011

We began our the last leg of our journey back to New Mexico with a trip across the south western part of Texas. Two things we discovered were, gas stations are few and far between in this part of the world and when you did find one, it was not guaranteed they would have gas. We also discovered just how bad the Jeeps gas mileage was 5-6 mpg with a small tank, 80-100 mile range at best towing up and down the hills.........had us plenty worried a couple of times but we made it

Our first stop, by mistake, looking for gas, was the Judge Roy Bean Museum in the middle of No Where Texas. We are actually glad we found it, as it was a good tour and lots of info on this colorful old west character

 Speaking of middle of no where Texas, there is alot of it west of Del Rio, miles and miles of nothing, but yet full of it's own beauty.

So after a two day drive across the state, we pulled into the Ft Bliss RV Park and set up to this fantastic sunset.

We had only planned on staying in the West Texas/Southern NM for a month or so at max, however one thing lead to another medical wise and we ended up staying for 8 months. Lots of ups and downs during that time, but in the end worked out for the best.

By the luck of the draw, the Military Jeepers, El Paso Chapter had a trip pan a couple of days later to Arden Crater in the desert west of Las Cruses, NM. I never had a chance to make it out that way, so I jumped at the chance to go. Arden Crater is one of several volcanic craters located between Las Cruses and Deming. You don't need 4 wheel drive to get to them (but it helps) and is worth finding them as they a little know to the travelling RV'er.

The next thing that happened was, well as you can see, we traded the Jeep for a diesel truck. We had been discussing moving up to a larger travel trailer or 5th wheel, so we went ahead to bought the truck. I sure do miss the Jeep, it took us to some great places, but the truck will do the same, as 4x4 was a mandatory option.

April 2011

April brought a lot of day to day life, not much in the traveling department, however we did move to Holloman AFB RV Park after a month at Ft Bliss. Figured if we moved from park to park in the area, it wouldn't get so old so quick. The month was also filled with general truck maintaince to ensure she'd be in tip top shape to future travels.

May 2011

Come May, we had decided a 5th wheel is what we wanted, so the hunt was on. Not wanting to put the carriage before the horse, we bought and installed the 5th wheel hitch so we'd be ready when the time was right. Being the truck is of the short bed variety, we opted for a sliding hitch, and went with the Pullright one. I can say one thing for sure, at 200 lbs, it's well built and my back can vouch for that!!!

 Another milestone in this aging thing, was I came to realize hearing aids were in order.........Sheryl is much happier as not to listen to me say what??? nearly as much. Nice thing was, after just a couple of trips to the VA Hospital, they were ordered and arrived.

One other thing we finally got around to doing, was to visit the museum at Holloman AFB, and what better day to do it that Memorial Day. The museum is small but they do have several planes on display.

 June 2011

June brought another major change in our fulltiming lifestyle. After scouring the Internet for a couple of months we happened upon our new home, and what do you know it was just down the road in El Paso. So after a little haggling we landed on a good deal for both of us.

 It still amazes us how much more room we have. Our trailer served us well and got us fulltiming, even if it was a little cramped at times.

 Of course as with anything new, you have to make it your own. We started by getting rid of one chair and the couch, replacing it with a more residential style couch. Much more comfort and room.

And of course as with any pre owned rig, it had it's share of hic-ups and a trip or two to the RV doctor was needed. First was the black tank flushing. I'll spare you the yucky details. You'd thank me later.

Sheryl and I also celebrated or 3rd Wedding Anniversary, dinner at a nice place in town and a peaceful evening at home.

 July 2011

July brought another trip to the RV Doc, seems as if the ole girls front legs gave out and needed replacing. Turned out to a good thing as we had a much better system installed.

We also changed RV Parks once again, back to El Paso for a change of pace. We also had a mighty bad scare with Sheryl's health, she ended up in the hospital for a week, but in the end she came out fine.

Once again, we'll leave this post and start a new one to finish out the year. We are enjoying our new rig and are really looking forward to getting out on the road for some seriou travelling (not all at once of course) Ok, See you on the next post. Oh, thanks for the nice comments, we sure have been enjoying this lifestyle and glad you have enjoyed riding along with us............so until next time........

Happy New Year in Review 2011

 Happy New Everyone!!!, this year I thought I'd do my first year in review. The post won't be loaded with stats, as we're not ones to keep up with all that, more over, we just sit back and enjoy our travels. I may break up the post into several separate posted depending on how long winded I become. So kick back and have a look at 2011 with us.

January, found us just north of Atlanta, GA. visiting with our daughter and little granddaughter for the holidays. We left and headed south on New Years Day 2011 headed for warmer weather.

 First stop, Mayport Naval Air Station and the Pelicans Roost RV Park. As you can see the park is right on the water. It's a great park and we enjoyed a few days rest there after the hectic holidays.

Speaking of waterfront parks, our next stop was the Low Key Hide-A-Way in Cedar Key Florida. We had reservations for a month long stay and enjoyed every minute of it. Our Hosts were (and still are) Pat and Cindy Bonish of Every Miles a memory fame. There were fellow fulltime RV'er for several years before taking some time out in Cedar Key. We can't say enough good things about Pat and Cindy, so if you find yourself in FL, stop in and say hey to them.

We also visited and explored the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. A vast preserve along the FL Gulf Coast. The refuge was installing an RV pad for workcampers while we were there, so if interested in work camping there give them a shout.

February, found us still in Cedar Key and our wonderful host took us out for a boat ride around the Cedar Key Bay and outer islands. Interesting how you can be several miles from shore and only be in 1-2 feet of water. We also got to see and photograph some White Pelicans on some of the outer sand bars. A great day out.

Mid February and our time at Cedar key had come to an end. It was time to start our trek towards NM for some medical appointments in March. However we did make several stops along the way. Just northeast of Cedar Key was Manatee State Park. Sheryl had never seen a Manatee so we thought we'd stop in and see if any were in the springs. As luck would have it, there were two, we watched them for a while and explored the park for abit before heading north once again.

We made it to the FL Panhandle, where we stopped for a week in Panama City Beach at the Naval Support Center RV Park. We enjoyed great weather and white sand beaches.

From Panama City Beach it was a nice drive along the coast to Destin FL. and the Army Recreation area RV park. Again a very nice park right on the bay. We spent our time exploring the area and showing Sheryl around. I spent 4 years at Eglin AFB near here, I also wanted to show her the house we lived in on base, however...............it seems to be missing.....ahhh progress. Eglin also has a really nice museum dedicated to AF weapons testing.

 Once we left Destin it was just a short drive north to Crestview FL, for a moochdocking stay with one of Sheryl's cousins. Sheryl has never met her, but Linda and her husband were very welcoming and all around great folks. We spent 4 or so days with them, mainly relaxing and visiting.

While Sheryl was visiting with Linda, I took the opportunity to do alittle exploring. Crestview is on the northern edge of the Eglin AFB reservation, which spans 3 counties in the FL panhandle. The reservation which is home to many test sites, also has miles of undisturbed wild lands. With miles of trails to explore, it became a day full of adventure.

 With Florida just a memory and our sights set on Dallas and Austin TX we saved exploring the southern states for another time. We spent a couple of days visiting our daughter in Dallas before turning south to Austin. Pictures seem to be few and far between when visiting family, as we are too busy just enjoying our time with them. Kayla and Chris did take us out to dinner at a very unique Brazilian restaurant. The food was great, and more than you could ever eat.yumm.

We finished off the last days of February just south of Austin at the Military RV park at Canyon Lake. We stayed for a week, visiting Sheryl's brother and enjoying the Texas Hill Country. There are 2 military RV parks as well as several private ones here at Canyon Lake, and well worth the visit if you make your way to this part of Texas.

Ok, I think I'll give it a break here, March and beyond, still to follow.

Christmas Catch Up

 We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas this year and are enjoying their holidays. Ours were spent with family here in Oklahoma City, where all but one of our kids were able to attend, needless to say, we had a houseful. Like most all Christmas Days, we opened presents............

 Cooked and ate till our tummy's bulged...............

 And just spent the day enjoying each others company.

 We did go out to dinner a couple of times during the week with the kids. Here we are at a really good and authentic local German Restaurant and Brew House, you can see how terrible the beer was......lol.

 On a sadder note, poor Scrappy had his first official Vet visit. Seems he got a scratch on his little eye which became all yucky.

However the vet gave him some ointment and said he would be fine in a week or so. We were so worried it may have been something worse. While we were there he also got his second round of puppy shots and a physical. Other than he eye thing, he's a healthy, happy little Scrappy Doo.

It's New Years Eve and we'll be spending at our kids house, popping a bottle or two of bubbly and ringing in the New Year there.

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year and as they say.................See Ya Next Year!!!