Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Another Day in Paradise




March 26 – April 3, 2007

“Another day in paradise!” was frequently heard between campers and volunteers as they passed each other. Indeed, the weather at Pancho Villa State Park has been outstanding during the week I was here. Days were sunny – on the verge of being hot – by mid afternoon; nights were chilly enough for me to give thanks for my down comforter. Yes, two days were quite windy, but those made for a good time to get my writing work done.

The week has passed all too quickly. As I drove into the park, I was pleased to discover that my volunteer friends had coned-off site 47 which feels like home to Cat and I. Cat hopped out and was up her favorite tree and then was off to explore while I got things hooked up.

My friend Carol Rayburn and her mother are parked across the way; Elizabeth, another friend, is here, too. During the week Carol and Elizabeth had four visitors and I soon had four new friends.

On Wednesday I joined a 10-person tour into Mexico. Our driver and tour guide was Luis, a young, charming man who is our favorite waiter at the Pink Store. After getting travel visas in Palomas, Mexico, at 8 a.m., we boarded the small van and headed south. The 160-mile one-way trip took us through the Mexican towns/villages of Palomas, Los Trios, Ascencion, Janos, Nuevo Casas Grandes, (old) Casas Grandes, and ended our southward route at Mata Ortiz. Along the way we stopped for a coffee/breakfast, toured the Paquime Museum and ruins, had lunch, a tour of the Hacienda de San Diego, and oohed and aahed – and purchased – some amazing Mata Ortiz pottery. It was about 8 p.m. when we returned to Palomas, had passports stamped and returned to our motorhomes.

Here is a photo I took in the Hacienda de San Diego, and one I took at Paquime.

My two months on the road are over, and I head north to Rio Rancho this morning. It’s been a great adventure. Cat and I’ve driven about 2,500 miles in Jeremiah, stayed in 10 RV parks plus my brother’s driveway, visited family and friends, watched winter end and spring begin – and Jeremiah has not given me a speck of trouble! Life is good!

May your days be filled with little celebrations of happiness.