Well, as we settle in.....

Having a GREAT time, love the site...but here's the question:

 These 3 pictures above represent the views of Stevens Creek CG, where we are currently assigned.
We have a full hookup (water, sewer, electric), are 3 minutes to laundry and our mailbox & about 10 minutes drive into town.  The downside, we have highway noise until about 9 at  night, and there are no trees.  Still BEAUTIFUL!

The above 3 pictures represent the views from the host campsite at Ponderosa, where we have volunteered to move to IF they can get another volunteer host to cover Stevens Creek.  The upside:  it is a remote site far off the beaten track.  Still has sewer and water, and reimbursement for the fuel to run our generator.  It also has an even more spectacular view and would cater to more hard core campers.  The downside:  it is 26 miles from laundry and mail & 32 miles into town.  Still, it is very appealing to us, as we like the more difficult positions to fill AND, they are more likely to get someone to take over Stevens Creek than they are Ponderosa.  The funny thing is...if you ask any of the other volunteers or Rangers working here...Ponderosa is everyones favorite campground!

Time will reveal if a move is in the making...we remain flexible.

We have really gotten into a routine of waking, exerising, morning rounds...play all day.....evening rounds & watch a video.  We purchased  "The National Parks:  America's Best Idea" DVD set.  Would HIGHLY recommend it...both beautiful in it's beauty, but informative on our history!

We have met some great people

who have represented Australia, Canada (as above)  India, Australia again, England, Denmark, Nevada, California, Arizona, Michigan, South Dakota & Colorado.  Memorable ones like Emma (a very sweet 9 year old) and Nathan (a 3 year old who rode his bike over Molly's tail).

We have toured all of the other campgrounds in Curecanti:

 

Bill was a great tour guide!

After finding the MOST WONDERFUL Mexican restaurant right in Gunnison, it wasn't long before we had organized a party there.  Last Friday 5 new friends showed up, and more are expected next Friday.  The tradition continues...come join us any Friday at 6:30, Gunnison, Co at Anejo'.

Memorial weekend has come and gone, and we are down to us and 3 other campers, who leave later today.  It is interesting to hear their stories and what's going on in their lives.

And in the Mobile World News:  we are considering moving up to a 5th wheel.  That starts with \the truck, and we are currently evaluatingthe top 3 brands...so far Dodge (WAYYYYY to loud!) Ford ( I am still a GM girl at heart) and Chevy/GMC.  Now Bill likes the Chevy, but I like the GMC (I think they are built better, Bill says they are EXACTLY the same)  He will let me pick in the end, and right now I am frothing at the mouth over the GMC Sierra 3500

(with duallys) dark red or royal blue, leather interior.  God's will be done!  I am praying for guidance.

Our 1st visitor (my sister Rory) is coming for a 9 day visit on the 30th.  We are having so much fun planning her itinerary....can't wait!

Just a couple of hints:-)  Makes you want to drop in doesn't it?  You would be welcome!

Well, signing off for another day that the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it:-)

Happily at Steven's Creek CG

Well, the 2 days of training turned out to be not boring at all.  Even the guy teaching "safety" made it interesting in that we got to actually use a fire extinguisher (never done that before), and learn how to throw a "rope bag" for water rescue.

We are almost completely settled into camp:

And just in the nick of time, Ranger Steve came by Friday afternoon, and when he heard we needed a Mexican Restaurant, recommended Anejo right there in Gunnison (15 minutes).  It was described as a  "real hole in the wall", and it was, but this family operation (Dad Cesar is the head chef) served up some of the best Mexican food we have ever eaten ANYWHERE!  Sorry TEN, we are going to cheat on you every Friday night until Labor Day.
This photo of Anejo's Bistro and Bar is courtesy of TripAdvisor

After leaving well sated we crashed and burned.  On Saturday morning Bill (another volunteer)  

came by to give us the nickle tour.  But our 1st glimpse of THE BLACK CANYON at Pioneer Point was, to say the least, breathtaking, worth WAY MORE than a nickel.  Pictures DO NOT do it justice!  They particularly do not provide the sound of roaring water arising from the canyon floor.  

 

We traveled to quite few remote campgrounds during this tour, and found Ponderosa to be particularly inviting....another year maybe:-)

On Sunday we treked all the way to MONTROSE, the closest BIG town.  Along the way we stopped at Cimarron Campground to visit our new friends Frank & Marie.  Between them, Ranger Kurt and our boss, Jude

we have a new Friday night party going...you know where:-)  Montrose was a long haul- one hour, but everything is there.  Fortunately most of our trips into town will be Gunnison- 15 minutes (live music in the park every Sunday at 6PM, art gallery showing local artists, quaint little shops and eateries with local folk/flavors)

Mule Deer

We continue to be fascinated with the wild life...

Loads of Golden & Bald Eagles

AND the weather.  If you think the weather in Chicago is changeable, try living in the mountains of CO and find out what "changeable" really means.  We change our clothes 3 times/day.  Problem solved!

Today is Monday.  For excitement we washed the trailer today.  When we were at it, it didn't look like much, but when we stood back and looked at the finished product we were very pleased!

So we are all camped in for the season.  Tuesday and Wednesday are our days off...time to go exploring!

YAY!!!!!

We accepted the assignment at LBJ Historic Site in Johnson City, Texas for January/February/March & April where we will serve as Interpretive Guides.

So that is what we spent the last couple of days doing....besides watching the wildlife outside our window.

You may not find these kind of days very exciting, but we do.  We also had a Magpie land 4 feet from our window, in the tree, but he flew off before I could grab the camera :-(

And in The Small World Category....Our next door neighbors turn out to be Dr. Charles and Miss Sue Cottingham who were our Team Leaders at The Cradle of Forestry...one year and 20,000 miles later we are camped next to them:-)  Since we arrived several days before them, we have been able to show them the ropes:-)

We have 2 days of training starting tomorrow...since we already know the basic job, it could be kinda boring, but we gotta do what we gotta do.

On Friday we re-locate to "OUR" campground "Stevens Creek", about 6 miles down the road closer to Gunnison.  Not as many trees (not that we have alot)), but right on the river....FLY FISHING anyone?

So, the schedule to date:

May 15 to Sept. 3rd= Curecanti NRA, serving as CG Hosts at Stevens Creek CG

Sept. 3rd to Sept. 19th= Starrett Lake

Sept. 19 thru Sept. 28= Monument, CO for Bill's RV Tech Certification class

Sept. 28th to December 27th= Joshua Tree NP, serving as CG Hosts at Black Rock CG

January 1 to April 30th= Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historical Site, Johnson City, TX-serving as Interpretive Guides.

This is what is for sure.

ignore the previous post..THIS is how it should have looked:-)

Otherwise after over 3 weeks "at home" in Northern Illinois, It would be impossible to catch up on how things are and have been going.

We arrived ay my BFF’s (Audrey) House to  get in our 1^st hugs, and found ourselves

accepting an offer to stay in her driveway (water, electric & sewer).  After a quick check with the local law enforcement to see if this would be legal (it was) we settled in quite comfortably.  Molly & Tessa LOVE hanging with  Audrey & Michelle & NATE!   With a yard as big as their old one and Nate’s throwing arm, they got plenty of exercise.

April 25^th was actually Michelle’s  birthday.  Michelle is a proud sponsor of 15 Compassion International children (both financially and in writing for some, for others she is a correspondent supporter).  This a a ministry near & dear to Michelle’s heart.  We could think of  no better birthday gift for Michelle than to sponsor a child ourselves.  I think she liked it!

Our sponsored child is Eudoxie (15 YOA) from Burkino Faso.  We are very excited to get to know her and watch her grow.

https://www.compassion.com/sponsor-a-child-charity

Our weeks were busy, a whirlwind of doctor visits, chores at the storage facility and in the trailer, while squeezing in  fun times with  family & friends.

                        

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THE main reason for our visit at this specific time was KATE.

Last year at this time we had just embarked on our journey and promised Kate we would not miss her birthday this year.  Especially as THIS YEAR was her turn for the “birthday shopping spree”. 

 

Her shopping spree was quite successful as you can see.  

                      

And, as Gramma Jan predicted, THIS was the outfit Kate picked to wear to her party on April 20th.  

Kate’s party was a GREAT success, at which all of the kids “performed” at their talent, entertaining us all.

Leo & Eden performed a song and dance routine respectively:
FABULOUS!  Watch for them on The Voice and/or America’s
Got Talent.

Christine played the Piano!

Johnny also played the piano!

  

From Teagan’s littlest performer somersault

 

To her Daddy & Aunt Christy taking a turn on the ivories                                                   And culminating with Grandpa Ron                                                   & Papa providing music & dance!

It was at this party that Katie made a suggestion when presented my dilemma:  what to for Bill’s 70^th birthday when we will be in California on October 4^th?  Her suggestion “throw him a surprise party now, he’ll never guess it”.  So, a week later we pulled it off with his 4 kids

 

and completely surprised him at El Jardin.  

With their birthday gift he purchased these:

They were sorely needed,  AND we had such fun picking them out at a huge western store in Missouri!

                                          

Being "home" has been filled with family & friends.  Our heartstrings were tugged on by the grandchildren, but we are committed to the "vagabond" lifestyle and our hope is that we can begin to communicate with them via "Facetime" or "Skype".

On May 2^nd we headed for “Curecanti National Recreational Area” within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (southwest Colorado).  I could not pass up the opportunity to stop in Springfield, IL to see the new Lincoln Museum .  IT WAS WORTH IT!!!  Just wish we had more time.

Also, we found ourselves in St. Louis, MO and realized we could

CATCH DINNER WITH MY NIECE HEATHER, HER DAUGHTER FAITH, AND

for our 1^st meeting ever, her significant other, Terry.   Turns out Terry is a great guy!

ON TO DILLON, COLORADO, where my son James is a police officer.  We spent 5 wonderful days here with James & Sarah &     

                          

well 

 We also had the privilege of meeting James

I can leave with the peace of mind knowing james continues to make good choices and good friends.

Today:  On to Curecanti, we finally have a day with no snow and sunshineJ  There should be no worries about Hoosier Pass?

Our assignment at curecanti will be as “campground Hosts” and last until Labor Day.  After that we will head back to Wisconsin for 10 days at Starrett Lake (how could we miss it?)

The last week of September will find us in Monument, Colorado, where Bill will be taking a course to become a certified RV technician and RV inspector.

We are due at Joshua Tree NP October 1^st where this years assignment will be as Hosts of the black rock campground.  And that will finish out the year for us.

We are looking at 2 different locations for Jan. thru April, 2014.  One is down in southern texas, but the one we are really hoping to get is at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park as visitor guides.  we should know within 10 days.

We should have cell & internet service at Curecanti, so keep in touch.