Windy Start, Jack Rabbits, Friends Arrive

Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico (pictures not necessarily in order)

Wednesday, Nov. 20^th started out to be a pretty nice day. It was 54F when I got up. Oh, I should start by telling you that after we both were in bed at 8:30 last night (!), I was up at 5. Up, out of bed and downstairs with my book where I read for an hour and a half. Bill joined me around 5:30, I think, and I skipped my tea and got dressed for my walk. By now, it was light enough.

Walking a trail - missing my buddy, Pat
today

I didn’t need to layer up today so just wore a hoody and my vest. Today, I went back up the highway that we came in on. I know I was smiling, maybe not outwardly but certainly inwardly. The peacefulness here and the fresh air felt great. 

I managed a selfie on the same bench as last winter

To top things off, I saw 3 jack rabbits! I didn’t climb any fences or chase them around the park, just so you know. I stuck to the trail behind the Desert Cove Loop and although I saw some little bunnies, no more Jacks.

Bunny rabbit or jack rabbit?
Then I saw the ears

 It was along this trail that I was missing my buddy back home. Pat and I enjoyed walking this trail last winter so I texted her with a picture of the rock lined walkway. Then, of course, I had to sit on the bench and take a selfie to send her. I know they would be here if they could so maybe next time. I look forward to new memories here with Bob and Jo-Anne (and Higgins, of course), they will be here shortly after lunch and we hope they like this park as we do.

Are you looking at my ears?

Following the trail up to the main road, I realized that I was close to the marina so walked across to take some pictures. That is when the sun decided to make its presence so that helped my photography a lot. I texted Bill to let him know that I was okay, since I knew I was going to be closer to the hour than the normal 30 minutes. He didn’t answer so I knew he was in the shower, which was good as well. After returning home, he said he’d begun to wonder and missed my text.

These trees in the fall create a nice 'straw' like bed
for the critters with their leaves

I made a tea and because the winds were gusting around the 20 mph again, I stayed inside and read a few blog posts. It is nice to see what our friends are up to and where they are today. Bill wasn’t giving up on the satellite, one of the things I love about him, and went out to adjust – again. This time, he easily got a green bar running around 84 so, even though last night we missed all of our shows, this made us happy – again. Maybe a little leery, with turning it off, he left the tv on.

The sky as I was just going out for my walk

Around 9:30, we drove into Truth or Consequences (still one of my favourite town names) and got propane, stamps and then Walmart to buy a few groceries and get our RO bottle of water filled. $1.45 total for 5 gallons. Good grief, can you believe that? I’m glad we switched from the small bottles. On the way home, Bill said he was getting hungry and hoped to have Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for brunch. Yes, I allowed him to put a pack in our grocery cart a few days ago. Ha ha, as if I could stop him.

And the sun rose as I turned and headed for home

The rain last night was very obvious along the trails

Anyway, after putting groceries away I followed the steps in our convection oven for baking them. It was a bit frustrating, some things I’m still learning, but they turned out awesome when I stopped it with 2 minutes left for baking. I hate to admit that I enjoyed these ooey, gooey things with butter and icing as much as Bill did. After dishes, Bill and I watched the last half hour of one of the Hallmark Christmas movies. Oh-oh, is the background music putting me in the mood?

Looking out over the marina at the sunrise

I noticed at Walmart, wandering down the aisles looking for cards, that I s miss the hunt for gifts. I said as much to Bill, not that I had to, and he answered “yes, I know you do”.  I don’t miss spending all that money though, so it is a bit of an oxi-moron. Isn’t it? Maybe I’ll play some of our cd’s and get started on our stockings early to bide the time until we are Pilot Knob when the decorations can come out.

When that movie ended, he switched to see the ending of another so I caught up on my blog and then took a walk down to the beach. The north side of the sky was blue and the south side was cloud covered. It was warm out so I didn’t need my vest this time. The temperature is reading 60F. I walked along the beach, got some selfies, felt the water (definitely not 73F as advertised at the front gate) and walked back up the hill to the Suite.

Where we are

Cinnamon rolls - what a nice change

Inside, Bill and I sat and watched some NCIS reruns until we heard from Jo-Anne. They were 30 minutes away and Bill agreed to meet them at the gate and help guide them in. They don’t need us to do that but since it is a long way in, things are much easier with a personal guide. Bill left at 1:30 and I put my hoody on and went up to their side and then up the hill behind it. I could see the entrance gate from there and could watch for Big Red through the zoom on my camera.

I had company on my walk

It was very windy so I walked around to find the most sheltered view in amongst the shrubs. Other campers, if they saw me, must have thought….well, I can’t even imagine what they thought. I could see Big Red up at the gate and I saw Black Beauty leading them back through the campground. Unfortunately, by then, rain had started and my glasses were getting spattered. Good thing I had my hoody. I walked down to their site and waited for them at the sheltered picnic table. I waved as they pulled up.

Last winter, they were just finishing these new washrooms

Someone is very trusting and left their 'toy' moored here
I looked around an couldn't see a trailer or vehicle

Lake pictures for Donna

When Jo-Anne got out, Higgins pulled at the leash and came to greet me. Once he heard Bill’s voice, he got all excited and couldn’t wait to get out. We greeted once Bob got in the spot and chatted a bit about the weather, their park, their drive and this park. The rain stopped and the warm sun came back out. Too bad for the wind, still at 20 mph, as without it this would be a gorgeous day. Bill and I left them to set up and walked down the hill to home.

Did I say it was windy?

Time for a snack, so I sliced a Gala apple, got a few walnuts out and Bill cut some cheese to share. He prefers his cheese with Ritz crackers. I updated my blog post and then sat with my book. I’m getting close to the end and it is getting harder to put it down. Around 3:30, I texted Jo-Anne to see if they were just relaxing for the rest of the day, they were the ones who traveled today, or did they want to join us for Happy Hour. I wasn’t surprised at their response and we’ll get together tomorrow.

I saw this sky overhead and thought I'd better get back up the hill

So, I made us each a tea anyway and Bill and I sat together. NCIS reruns, you know. At 4, Bill went upstairs to watch a movie and I kept reading. I couldn’t put my book down and when I finally got to the end of a very long exciting chapter, it was 6:00. Jeepers! I’d better get supper on the go. Madame IP came out of the cupboard and I sautéed 3 farmers sausages and then cooked them with an onion for a total of 8 minutes and with a natural release for 6 minutes.

Reserved for Francis's

With my zoom lens, I could see them approach the gate

And from our level we can see their site

While it was cooking there was a knock at the door and Bob and Jo-Anne came in with Higgins. Just out for a short walk, down the hill to visit their ‘neighbours’. Us. 😊 Supper wasn’t ready so we invited them in to sit for a while and I got some lovin’ from that little pooch. Bob loaned us the latest movie they’d bought, Rocketman, the story of Elton John. So, after we had our sausage on a bun, we cleaned up dishes and put the movie in.

And from their level looking down to our site

We love Elton John’s music and don’t know a lot about his life story so it was very good. I may have to pick up a copy of our own. The evening, thanks to the movie, was a whole lot later one than last nights. This was a great day and we are reunited with our friends again.

And reunited with this little guy

Simple but delicious sausage on a bun with my
homemade relish
Good night everyone!

Thank you for stopping in today.

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.