Monday, June 30, 2025

THE GLISTENING EMERALDS OF QUESTA, NM

 By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1977 Airstream that reads the newspaper, well, sorta.)

Vannie used to write for the Questa Del Rio News.

She is trying her hand at it again this summer.

The following article will be in the July edition of the paper.

Enjoy


Dave is enjoying the lake that is right around the corner from where we are parked.



THE GLISTENING EMERALDS OF QUESTA

By Vanette Harris

I missed those emeralds when I was away all winter.  The sparkle, the shine, the quiet moments…Eagle Rock Lake is all of those wrapped in one glorious place.  I recall many years ago, when I first encountered the lake, I called it Emerald Lake.  At certain times of the day, it was as bright and shiny as the greenest of all emeralds. 

Questa is my happy place.  My husband and I have been staying the summers at Gloria Gonzalez’s RV Campground for the past 10 summers.  It’s shady, quiet, and near Emerald Lake…oops, Eagle Rock Lake.  Old habits are hard to let go of.  Walking by the lake in the early morning is a moment like no other.  It heals your mind and soul.  If you haven’t tried it, there is no time like the present. 

I’m not a fisherman, but I see lots of people enjoying the sport.  There are boys and girls, moms and dads, and grandpas; and grandmas. I’ve noticed that it really doesn’t matter if anyone is catching fish (although that’s a bonus).  I see happy faces….calm faces…relaxed faces.  The squeals and laughter of the families are worth all the money in the world.

And guess what…Questa has its own waterfalls. When the melted snow and rainwater roll down the mountain within the banks of the Red River, and with the help of a few beavers’ dams, there are waterfalls that emerge.  One does have to take one of the back trails to see the falls, but they are there….and what a spectacular sight.  Walk over the lower bridge across the river, take the trail to the left, walk a short way, and there it is….Questa Falls. There is a picnic table in the area.  What fun it would be to have a picnic in the vicinity of the falls!!

The trail that takes one to the falls, also will take one on over to the Questa Forest Service Headquarters.  It’s a nice walk with beautiful wildflowers, and the sound of the rushing waters of the river.  And as an added bonus, one can visit the Forest Service Headquarters.  The rangers love to share their brochures and information about the beautiful Carson National Forest. 

I’m from Louisiana and Texas, but northern New Mexico is my second home.  As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz says, “There’s no place like home.” I’m definitely feelin’ the love.


The Red River that flows down the mountain.
It feeds into the lake.


Some of the Questa Falls and beaver dam


walking path around the lake


bridge over the river leading back into the falls area


picnic table by the falls


path leading to the Ranger Station


Vannie said that you can see the reason she called it Emerald Lake in this photo.

My goal was to write a blog 2 times a month.
Wow...I just made it this month by the skin of my wheels. Hee Hee






Monday, June 9, 2025

NEW MEXICO, TEXAS, LOUISIANA...OH, MY

 By

Gypsy Rhapsody

Glamor Shot on the way to NM
Ain't I purdy!

(a 1977 Airstream that has many homes)

NEW MEXICO

The Land of Enchantment

TEXAS

Don't Mess with Texas

LOUISIANA

Laissez le bon temps rouler

"Let the good times roll"

Even though our official address is Texas,

We (V, D, GR) can call each of these states HOME

NEW MEXICO

V and D bought a timeshare there over 30 years ago.  For the last 10 years, they have had part-time jobs from Memorial Day to the middle of September.  

TEXAS

Ten plus years ago V and D discovered NTAC (North Texas Airstream Community) in Hillsboro, TX.  They purchased a lot...and then a villa.  It's one of my favorite places, because I'm literally surrounded by my "people".  

LOUISIANA

V and D were born and raised in North Louisiana and lived and worked in South Louisiana for 42 years. Their "roots" are definitely there.  They discovered me in Dry Prong, LA...so I've gotta lot of "roots" going on there, too.

(Just a little review, since I've been in La-La Land since last summer.)

UPDATE

Year in review...Summer 2024-Summer 2025

Before we left NM in 2024, our Breaux Bridge friend,
Beverly Whitaker, came for a visit.  She had been
to Utah for a class reunion, and was on her
way back home.  Vannie and Dave had so much
fun toddling around Questa and Red River with Bev.  

Vannie and Dave were excited to see Scotty Rosatto, from Youngsville, LA .
Scotty is an owner at the Caribel Condos, where V and D work for the summer.
Scotty had installed some security cameras at the Caribel.
He had come up to check on them.
Such a nice visit.  He treated them to a yummy dinner at Red River Brewery.  

V and D's friend, Ellen Woods, from Questa, had a wonderful birthday
and memorial celebration.  She said that she planned this great party
for when she died and decided that she would like to come to
her own memorial celebration.  It was at the Monte Carlo Bar and Grill in Questa.


In October 2024 V and D headed to North Louisiana
for Vannie's high school class reunion.  They thought I needed a little
R and R, so they took Minnie G with them.  They parked on their
land in Bernice, and invited some relatives to come out for a visit.
left to right
Dave, Vannie, Stella, Noah, Judy, Stephanie



Vannie's class reunion
Ladies...left to right...Jean, Sue, Vannie, Janie, Julia...
Guys...Cal, Bill, Danny
Julia worked really hard, and made the whole event very special.

On to Thanksgiving...
Austin People came to Hillsboro (NTAC).
Lots of good food and fun and laughs!!!
Emilie, Maddie, V, Vincent, D


Had a babysitting gig in Austin.
V and D loved seeing Maddie cheering.


While they were there, Maddie and Vincent cashed in all their change
they had been saving for the Paris trip in the Spring.


Jolly Ole St. Vannie
Loving her 3wheeler
Getting close to Christmas


The Progressive Dinner at NTAC is always a blast.  
Vannie and Dave's villa was the "Salad Stop".  Lots of
great salads were prepared by the ladies of Avenue C.
I was even all decked out, and folks came in me and visited
and ate.  I think I had as much fun as all the visitors.


NTAC Christmas Dinner
Dave was one of the servers, so out came the tuxedo t-shirt.


On to Lafayette for Christmas with the Harris'.
Breakfast at Mel's Diner is always a favorite occasion.
Ashley, Diane, Cooper, Kat (C's girlfriend), V and D


Of course, Vannie can't leave out their grandcat, Bob.
Always good to see Bob...


First United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve
V and D's Friend from way back, Ann Dalme
Dave said it was a beautiful service.

Vannie and Dave ended their Christmas excursions
in Austin, TX with Emilie, Maddie, and Vincent

...and of course, Prince...
he loved his stocking!!!

Twinsie's 
Dave's sister-in-law, Judy Harris came for a visit
in February.  I loved her being at NTAC, 
BECAUSE
she stayed in me!!!
Good ole Gypsy is always ready and willin' to accommodate guests.
Judy and Vannie were enjoying a Dr. Pepper at the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco. 

...and then...this happened!!!
Vannie and Dave traveled to Paris, France...
(that's right...NOT Paris, Texas)
They traveled with Emilie, Vincent, and Maddie.
Nobody asked me to go along.
Probably couldn't get my big behind in one of those airplane seats. 

There they all are...Emilie, Dave, Vannie, Vincent, Maddie.
I think Vannie said this was taken at the top of the Centre Pompidou, Modern Art Museum.
If you look carefully, you can see the Eiffel Tower.
The tower was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889.  It was the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair.
Bet you didn't think I knew all this stuff.
Hey, I know how to use Google, too.  I'm not just a pretty face.

How in the world can Maddie get her leg up on high?
Incredible!!
I just hurt all over when I look at this picture.

Vannie is lookin' very Frenchie here.
She was so happy to see her old friend, Notre Dame Cathedral.
The cathedral is over 800 years old. 
The fire on April 15, 2019 destroyed much of the framework and spire.
Craftsmen from all over the world came together to restore the cathedral
to it's beauty.  It reopened Dec. 8, 2024.  Dave said it was a miracle.
Notre Dame is even more beautiful than ever.

Right next to the cathedral is the most popular bookstore, in Paris,

and maybe the world, Shakespeare and Company.

As you can see, all these kids are lovin' Paris.

Carpe diem

(Seize the day)


Dave said one of his favorite things on the trip was heading out each
morning while everyone was still sleeping to the local bakery (boulangerie).
Pain au chocolat was always in the bag, along with another
French pastry.  Delish!
To sum up their Paris trip...
Mangez bien, (Eat well)
Riez souvent, (Laugh often)
Aimez beaucoup (Love a lot)


Back to the states...I sure was happy to see them!!!
And so was their son, Ashley.
CC's Coffee is always a fun place to visit, drink coffee, and just be happy to be together.

Ashley is quite the artist.  
Vannie said it was so much fun to zero in to all the  nooks and crannies of this 
incredible piece of art.


V and D's daughter-in-law, is production coordinator of Festival International in Lafayette.
She treated Vannie to this beautiful festival scarf.  

While in Lafayette, V and D celebrated grandson Cooper's 20th birthday.
Where...Mel's, of course.

Speaking of birthday's...Vincent turned 16 and got his driver's license.
YIKES


...and Maddie, as of June 2, is a teenager...
My goodness, that's a lot of food for a little girl.
Guess she's not so little anymore.

Before V and D headed west for the summer,
some NTAC friends treated Vannie to coffee and a pastry
at Overflow Coffee in downtown Hillsboro.
Georgiana, Sheila, Judy, Sue, Pam, Van, Ginger

Look at old Dave.
While the girls were downtown having coffee, 
he was relaxing under the apple tree having his cup of Joe.

AND THEN, WE'RE OFF 
TO THE WILD BLUE YONDER
    Vannie says when they see that first masa, 
they know they are heading west.


Wind Mills
Texas sure has a bunch.
Dave says Texas has a lot of hot air, for sure.

Here's my cute self at one of our stops along the way.



LANDED
Gloria Gonzales' RV Park
Questa, NM
Vannie and Dave love their spot so much.
...and so do I.

Tout est bien qui finit bien
(All's well that ends well)

There I go...speaking French again.
Bet you didn't know I could do that either.
Remember I lived in Louisiana a long time.




Wednesday, July 31, 2024

FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND FABULOUS FUN

 By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1977 Airstream that is "all in the family")

Family

Emilie, Maddie, and Vincent

Vannie and Dave

Me

Friends

Melissa and Case

Put them all together

and what do you get...

Fabulous Fun


                                                              Emilie and Maddie and Vincent

and

Dave, Vannie, and MMMMEEEE

Those kids are growing up so fast.

Put a brick on their head, Somebody!!!!

                                               Friend, Melissa and Case, from Lafayette, LA

came along for the ride.  I love it when food comes out

and the smiles are on.  Dig in, Folks!

Just look at those smiling faces.

It's going to be a "fabulous fun" week!!!


Several things have to be done FIRST.
ICE CREAM

                                            SWIMMING IN THE CARIBEL HEATED POOL

                                                     SHOPPING AT THE CANDY CRATE

FUDGE...MAINLY

                                                       SUMMER SKI VALLEY TUBING

Gotta ride that ski lift to the top and tube down.

I'm too big to do it, but Maddie is just the right size.

Pescado Trail
Start at the Ranger Station and hike down to the Fish Hatchery
About a 2 mile hike
Dave volunteered to call Bingo at the Senior Center in Questa,
so when he finished, he picked everyone up at the Fish Hatchery.

It's a well marked trail with lots of great overlooks.
Vincent is watching out for Vannie at the end of the line.


The 2 V's and Maddie.


Vannie and Maddie were flexing their muscles.
They were almost at the end!!!!

Emilie and kids\

Oh our aching feet...
Vannie said the cold water of the Red River
felt great.

Rafting down the Rio Grande River
Case, Melissa, Vincent, Maddie, and Emilie
Vannie and Dave said that they had been "there, done that".


Slish Slash I'm taking a Bath
All on a Saturday night

In my last blog, I included this picture from the second

floor of a bookstore in Taos.  Such a great place...according to Vannie.

There were no people in that picture.

Look closely and you can spot 3 people.

Do you recognize them?

They sure look studious!!!

The rafters took a quick side trip to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
I've heard it gets a little shaky when you reach the middle of the bridge. 

That could be what is happening here.
Whatever it is, it's pretty funny!!! 

A sleepover!!
Sweet Maddie having her morning coffee.
What a treat!!!

After breakfast, Vannie, Dave, and Maddie took a hike

around Questa Eagle Rock Lake.

Maddie is posing by the Questa Niagara Falls.

As the Red River rushes down the mountain, several small waterfalls develop. 


Dave snapped the photo shoot in progress.


Vannie got to do the hike to the Fish Hatchery,
so Dave got to go on the Jeep ride.  


The ride included a stop at Cabresto Lake.
Maddie and Vincent having a nice moment.

Case, Vincent, Maddie, Melissa enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Dont' know what Dave is doing...???

Vincent is soaking it all in.


The Jeep driver taking a break.
It proved to be quite an adventure.
Rain and hail on the way back to Red River.

Another important part of a Red River visit is the
boat building at the Community House.
The girls (Emilie and Maddie) are getting it organized.


T-Pop and the boys have a plan!!!

The race begins!!!
Down the Red River to the finish line.
Of our 2 groups...the girls won!
The boys did not place.
The girls placed fourth.


The last big hike was to the John Dunn Bridge Hot Springs.
You can see Maddie on the trail.
Tiny Trail...Big Rocks!!!
And it was HOT!!!

Dave is moving slow!!!


...and Vannie is crooked!!!
(What's with that form??)


...but they all made it.
You can see the steam coming off the water.


AHHHHH
The pools are right next to the Rio Grande....which is ice cold.

Vannie is all smiles.
...but she is thinking about the hike back up...yikes!

Dave is lovin' the warm spring water.

Maddie is trying to decide which one to jump in first.
Hot springs,,,cold river


Back to the Caribel...
The boys caught supper for all of us.
Rainbow Trout

Not only did they catch it, but they helped Vannie cook it.

What a fabulous fun week!!!
The Austin Crew and the Lafayette Crew were a hit!!!
Y'all come on back, yeah!