Someone Turned the Heat Off, Looking for Jack, Trip into Town, Trail Tour

We woke up again at the same time and I opened the blind on my little bedside window. I could see the lake, how nice is that? I watched it gradually brighten up until 6:15 when a patch of red showed, we got up. Photo op! Bill made his coffee, yes, our Keurig is still holding on even though it leaks once turned on. I ran outside for a picture or two and waited to have my tea until I got a walk in.

We read a few blog posts from our friends to see what they were up to and after taking some beautiful sky shots, I bundled up good and went for my ‘hike’. What the heck happened overnight? Did someone turn the dial back to the outside heat? Our weather station was reading 37F/3C. 

Once the sun was out in full, I wasted no time. Today’s mission – find Jack. Each year we’ve come here, I’ve seen ONE jack rabbit. The first year for a few seconds, I thought it was a kangaroo, having never seen a ‘Jack’ before.

Time to go for a walk

I walked up the main road towards Quail Run Campground area. This is where we camped our first year, when we didn’t know these spots were here. It is where I’ve seen Jack both times. I cut in through the campground and found the stone lined trail back in through the brambles and bushes. I whispered a silent prayer or did I actually say it aloud? “Please Mr. Jack Rabbit, let me see you today. I promise not to chase you.”

And then, there he was, sitting watching me
Can't see him?

How about now?

Within minutes, he appeared. “Hello, Jack!” We both stopped in our tracks and this is when I swore at myself for not having my zooms lens. I should know better but it is extra weight to carry. 

I like it when time is taken to create walkways for us

 I snapped pictures with my big and little Canons and even with my phone. I did the best I could before he turned tail and ran. I was happy though for the brief appearance. Maybe later I’ll try again, now that he knows I’m back. 😊

Clemson woke up with a chill so he had his sweater on and wrapped
in his blanket

When we returned from town, he was warm enough for the
sweater to come off and he sat in the sun

Back home, I made my tea in the warmth of the Suite. After having eggs and bacon for breakfast we drove into Truth or Consequences with Rob and Pat. First stop was the post office where I needed to mail a card and then we all went to Walmart. We picked up cream, DEF and withdrew some cash (at no cost). Bill drove around to show them the town before e headed back to the park where he drove around some more. Some really nice sites down on the water if you want to boondock.

The lake was so pretty and some took advantage
and camped right beside it

Others just parked to go fishing

Back home, I changed into capris and sat outside crocheting in the sun. Another beautiful day here in paradise. The wind hadn’t picked up yet but we knew it was going to according to the forecast. It was only about 59F and yet it felt like 70. We each made a coffee and Bill worked on cleaning the rims on Black Beauty. Clemson made it a family affair by sitting on his blanket and my shirt between us.

Bill cleans up the rims on our truck

A couple who are camping up on Level B came down to ask Bill about his flag pole. The wife checks our wind sock every morning to see how windy it is outside so they wondered about getting their own. She chatted with me about Clemson and my crochet project. She even gave me a suggestion for the next one. After my tea, I texted Pat to see if she was up for another walk today. She said yes and I grabbed an apple for lunch.

We walked in a different direction, the same way I walked this morning. I had my zoom lens and once more was hoping to find Jack. We had more fun today, snapping pictures of various things and she placed one of her painted rocks in a stone heart I noticed on the trail side. Further on down, I placed a couple on rocks that created the path. The colours of all 3 will certainly be noticed if not retrieved. We got goofy again, sitting on a bench and using our phone cameras.

I won't show you the real goofy ones

Back at home an hour and a half later, we were pleased with the steps we’d put in today. We didn’t see Jack enough to get a picture, but I glimpsed him off in the distance. Just to tease me, I think. No happy hour today, at least not together. I did take a hot creamy tea outside to read but the strong easterly winds had me moving inside for cover. The temperature was dropping, now at 5:30 it is 64F and the winds have been bouncing between 17 and 23 mph since 2 pm.

Pat's little rock in the big heart

And my rocks found a home too

I prepped a small chuck roast and set the IP for 45 minutes of cooking. There are whole potatoes, onion and halved carrots in there as well. While it was cooking, Clemson told us very clearly that it was time for his walk. Bill and I took him out for a 20-minute walk and it was the best behaved he’s been for as long as I can remember. He walked so well and we can only hope it tired him out for at least a couple of hours. This is his pestering time. LOL

Pat was enjoying the 'rock' hunt

When IP shut off, I let it go into Natural Release. During this time, I reheated gravy that was left over from our last roast dinner and cooked corn for Bill. The release process went for 15 minutes (enough, right Kim?) and then I vented it from there. The roast was another delicious one. Probably this one was only about 3 lbs if that so I’m not embarrassed to say that we ate the whole thing. 

IP did its job

And supper was delicious

It was a great meal. We cleaned up dishes, I wrote more on my post while we watched The Voice. After watching many ‘bad’ acts on American Idol last night, this show just moved up a notch or two.

Quite an original Blue Bird in the Quail Run campground

This was a great day again and other than the wind, I’d change nothing. We are so fortunate to have this weather and these beautiful places to spend our time.

And we got another cute picture today

Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed it.