CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

 The Many Faces of the mt......Never seem to get tired of looking at it.  This colors are magnificent. 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn & Jay's house...We are loving our housesitting job, but are missing you.

 

Crestone Artist Alliance

 

One of the many temples around Crestone

 

Kit watching me exercise.  You would love Kit, Gypsy.  Reminds me of Tinker (New Mexico Kitty)

 

Rio Rancho Buddies...Helen and Loretta...came up for the weekend

 

Salida is a sweet little town north of Crestone.

 

 

Dave might have found his calling...Punch Fiber Art

 

 

 

You can run, but you can't hide.

So glad you were behaving yourself...One of our spies took this pic of you and sent it to us. 

 

Vannie:  Hello...Gypsy, It's me!  Pick up the phone!

 

Gypsy:  Hello...Van...Hello..Can you hear me?

 

Vannie:  The connection in the mountains is not too reliable some days.  Can you hear me now?

 

Gypsy:  You are cutting out on me?

 

Vannie:  OK...I'll call you back later in the week.  Hope the pictures uploaded on your phone.  Luv ya

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEAR GYPSY...COLORADO 2013

Picnic at a rest stop...still in Texas...still HOT

 

New Mexico...Capulin Volcano sighting

Decided to take a side trip to visit this spot

 

V and D walking around the rim of the volcano...Cooler

 

Another side trip...just a cool rock formation between La Veta, CO and Cuchara, CO

 

Same formation...just up close and personal

 

Vannie sharing a cold one with a local in Cuchara

 

View out the back of Kathryn and Jay's house...Crestone, CO...Even Cooler!

 

Each view was like a painting

 

Early morning from the patio

 

late afternoon from the patio

 

early morning from the front porch

 

Dave lovin' the cake at the little church we visited in Saguache, CO 

Well, it is about time!  Finally got an email from V and D.  I thought they had fallen off the face of the earth.  They are on their way to Kathryn and Jay's in Crestone, CO.  They are housesitting for them for two weeks.  I'm staying in Hillsboro...just need the next rest.

Dear Gypsy,

I know you have been worried sick about us.  I don't know where the time goes.  Anyway, we are doing great...as you can see by the pictures.  The trip out was very eventful.  We decided to make several side trips, and they proved to be wonderful.  Capulin Volcano was awesome.  I had been there before many years ago, but this was the first time for Dave.  We hiked down in the crater, and then did the hike around the rim.  You probably could hear our huffing and puffing all the way in Hillsboro, but we made it, and it was worth every slow and painful step.  The scenery was breathtaking. 

Our next side trip was to La Veta and Cuchara...both in Colorado.  Gypsy, what a find!  It was like driving into a fairyland.  Precious...Precious...Precious!  Every place you turned God had done His magic.  Our God is an Awesome God!!!

We did have some excitement in Alamosa, CO.  We were staying at the Grizzly Inn...small and cheap!  Around midnight we heard a big commotion...like screaming, running, yollering!  Then there were cops all over the place.  Then the ambulance arrived.  I was peeking out the curtains...crazy...cops had a man up against their car, a man was on the ground, a girl was screaming.  Finally the ambulance left with the hurt man...he seemed to be still alive.  One of the cop cars headed out with the other man and the screaming girl.  All of this happened right outside our window.  Needless to say, it was hard to get back to sleep. 

Headed to Kathryn and Jay's the next morning no worse for the wear.  Just another interesting tale on our journey.  So glad to get to Crestone.  Just a beautiful beautiful place.  We are right at the base of the Rocky Mountains...Sangre de Christos Range.  This is the same mountain range that we see between Red River, NM and Taos.  Just like an old friend. 

Kathryn and Jay were glad to see us, but they were ready to head out on their much anticipated vacation.  They briefed us on the cat (Kit), the food in the fridge, the solar system, the generator, the mailbox, and friend's phone numbers.  We bid them farewell and safe travels and began our relaxing.

Yesterday (Sunday) we called one of Kathryn's friends and found out about her church, Church in the Valley in Saguache, CO.  It was about 45 minutes away, but it didn't start till noon.  That meant we could continue with our relaxing a little longer.  They were having a special 20th Anniversary celebration. There would be singing, preaching, and food....our kind of gathering.  We loved every minute...made lots of new friends and felt blessed and loved when we headed back to Crestone.

Ok...Gypsy, that's about it for now.  I'll try not to wait too long for the next note.  Try to stay cool!
Love ya bunches,
Vannie

THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON ME

You know...there's Texas, and then there's Texas...This is almost too much Texas!

The spires of Baylor University in Waco, TX

That's Dave...Relax is his middle name!

 

Dave and Grandson, Vincent

Vannie and Granddaughter, Madeline

 

Fresh Rhubarb Pie...Rhubarb brought back from Minnesota

Vannie was taking this to the pot-luck supper, and Dave said he needed to make sure it wasn't poison!

 

 

As you can see, we are back in the great state of Texas....North Texas Airstream Community...Hillsboro, Tx.  We really love it here.  Everyone is so friendly and helpful.  I especially love having all the other airstreams surrounding me.  It just tickles my fancy!!!

 

One of the first things Vannie did, after we got settled in, was to create one of her "Art Abandonment" pieces.  I think I told you about this special Facebook group.  Members create pieces of art and abandon them....always with a little note explaining the process.  Vannie decided to go totally Texas with the abandonment...Texas shoes.  While she and Dave were eating at a Denny's in Waco, she decided to abandon her shoes on the sidewalk right in front of the restaurant.  Vannie told me that she saw two older ladies at a booth in the restaurant.  She believes that one of them was probably a history teacher and is going to loves these shoes.  Sometimes I wonder about Vannie.  She makes stories up about these shoes and then just leaves them places.  Whatever floats your boat...I guess!  Baylor University was right around the corner from Denny's, so V and D enjoyed driving through the campus.  They said is was beautiful.

 

Dave has been getting in some serious relaxing.  He has also gotten several spruce-ups done on me.  I did need a little attention in several places.  Even through Dave loves to relax, he does love a good project, too.  I seem to always have plenty to keep him as busy as he wants to be.

 

Vannie and Dave had to take a quick over-nighter to Austin to see their daughter, Emilie, and her family.  They came back with all kinds of good news...Madeline's walking, Vincent is starting pre-school, Roy got to go to the Saint's game in San Antonio, and Emilie is driving a red

Mercedes.  I said...MERCEDES!  Vannie said, "Yes, Gypsy, it's not brand new, but it is still very nice."  I can't wait to see it.  I think a little red Mercedes sitting beside me would look really smart!

 

There was a pot-luck supper here at the park tonight.  Vannie made a fresh rhubarb pie.  The rhubarb was given to her by her friend, Darlene Ashley, in Minnesota.  Vannie didn't bring a bite of it home after the supper.  When she was baking it,  the smell was breath-taking.  I was really wishing I was a wee bit human, so I could sneak a bite.

 

Vannie and Dave are off to Colorado tomorrow.  They are going to be house-sitting for Vannie's cousin, Kathryn.  I'm staying here in Hillsboro.  I really don't mind a bit.  Being on the road for three months has taken it's toll on this ole gal.  I need more than five days to get myself back in shape.  They will be emailing, calling, or Facebooking, so I can still keep you posted as to what's going on.

 

Goodnight, Friends

 

 

BEHIND THE CLUBHOUSE

Dave... his cousin and wife...Benny & Regina Adams...Vannie

Me behind the clubhouse...How cool is that!!!

Dave sitting at the Sonic...Downtown Bernice

Newest member of the Family...Benjamin Brown...Vannie's Great Niece's Son

Dave and his mom, Pearl

Looky here...Folks visiting me...Amy and John Pesnell and their friend, Kathy.

Amy is Vannie's niece.

V and D's son, daughter-in-law, and grandson

Ashley, Diane, Cooper

 

Vannie and her Aunt Robbie Green

 

Front page of the Bernice Banner

Quack...Quack

Yep!  For you Bernice Folks…for five days I was hooked up behind the infamous Bernice Clubhouse (official name Oakhurst Civic Clubhouse).  It was built by the CCC in 1938 and still is going strong.  There were about five RV spaces there, but we were alone during our stay.  Vannie said that she has fond memories of all sorts of activities in the clubhouse when she was going up.

The talk-of-the-town, while we were there, was that Bernice had officially been recognized as the birthplace of Willie Robertson.  “Who?”,  I said.  Probably most of you know who I am talking about…Yes…Star of Duck Dynasty.  He had made an appearance about a week before we arrived.  Shucks…I would have liked to have met him…and I know he would have loved to have met me!

I reunited with some old relatives of V and D’s, and I met some news one, too.  For those of you that we didn’t get to see, we’ll be back in December for a longer stay.  So if we didn’t get to see you this time…hold on tight…we’ll catch you next time.

Next stop…Hillsboro, Texas…North Texas Airstream Community!  I have a lot of old buddies there.  Can’t wait to see their shiny selves!

 

 

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

Mackinac Bridge...Across the Mackinac Strait...joining Lake Huron and Lake Michigan

Vannie was "white knuckling" it all the way across.

Had to stop on the other side of the bridge so that Vand D could breathe.

Check out the hunk I'm parked next to...I know, I know, it's a gasoline truck, but I can still look!

 

Vannie and Dave's friend from way back...Jennie Oukada and her granddaughter, Chelcie.

Met them in Indianapolis for lunch.

Wheee...a covered bridge in Greenup, Illinois, near the Lincoln Trail

Grave of Thomas Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's father

Abraham Lincoln's Step-Mother

Woman cooking in a dutch oven at the farmstead of Lincoln's parents

Inside the their cabin

That rooster was feelin' good!

The Old Man in the Barn...could be the beginning of a book.  LOL

Is this cool, or what?  Vannie looks right at home.

old split rail fence

We are on the road again...heading south!  Yea!  I know it's going to be hot, but I'm ready to see some of my people.  It's been too long.

Leaving Michigan was a hair-raising experience.  That bridge...Oh, that bridge!  I could see Vannie holding on to that steering wheel like nobodies business.  I was so glad when we arrived on the other side safe and sound.  As soon as V and D saw a rest stop, we pulled it.  I don't think they had taken a breath since we started across the bridge.  They were turning blue in the face.

At our next gas stop, Vannie asked the cashier about "what was there to see around these parts."  The lady said, "Well, let's see...there's the covered bridge, the winery, and Lincoln's parent's home.  They are all just down the road.  Turn right at the light and keep going.  Can't miss 'um."  Soooooo, we headed out for a mini adventure.

Loved the covered bridge.  I was a little worried at first.  Thought I might not fit through, but made it just fine.  Thomas and Sarah Lincoln's farmstead was so interesting.  Even in the parking lot, I could see the cabin and the farmyard.  Lincoln didn't ever live here, but he visited here right before his inauguration.  Just to be in an area where Lincoln walked was special.

Staying at a casino campground tonight.  Cheap rates and nice lounging.