It’s been a week of interesting campers

It’s been a great week with plenty of interesting people – there’s never a boring day and I certainly don’t lack for conversations.

What is that huge yellow thing?

From my motor home, I can barely see the incoming RV traffic through the piñon and juniper tree branches. But as something bright yellow made its appearance, I was puzzled. When it drove past, I still couldn’t figure it out. It was bright, sunny yellow and very boxy. I MUST check this out!

 The driver, Robert from Seattle, explained that this motor home was custom built on a 2003 UniMog U500 chassis by Global Expedition Vehicles. The living area is a Safari camper box that has many ‘special goodies’.

            Robert and his wife will spend the rest of 2012 traveling fulltime in North America. Next March, the RV will be shipped to Russia to start their Vladivostok to Istanbul trek along parts of the traditional Silk Road. You can follow the travels on their website: www.whiteacorn.com.

What’s coming?

I heard them coming – and then they rounded the bend and came into full view. Wow! Three beautiful Harleys! Oh, yes, there were three nice looking middle-age men on them – James, Pete and Kyle. The bikers, from Kentucky, are on their way to the Grand Canyon and stopped here for the night. It is their first trip west of Arkansas and as they entered New Mexico, one of them said, “we’re sure not in Kentucky any more!” These three travelers are on vacation from their painting jobs at Berea College.

What is Berea College? Here’s what Google has to say: “Berea College …was founded in 1855 as the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Berea charges no tuition and admits only academically promising students, primarily from Appalachia, who have limited economic resources. Berea offers rigorous undergraduate academic programs leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 28 fields. All students work at least 10 hours per week in campus and service jobs in more than 130 departments.”

The grumpy guy from Texas

Not everyone likes to hear the throaty rumble of a Harley – and count Gary from Texas as one of them. I got an earful this morning as he complained that motorcycles should be banned from state parks. “This is supposed to be a quiet place for campers,” he insisted. I sweetly suggested that perhaps he would be happier if he camped at large commercial parks, or maybe he should just stay home.

They arrived after dark

I saw the headlights of the cars as they drove by to occupy five of our campsites. I had no idea who they were or where they were from. In the morning as I make my 6 a.m. walk of the campground, I saw numerous small tents and exposed sleeping bags scattered around the area. They are geology students from The University of the South – aka Sewanee – seeing first hand what they learned about the Southwest.

            They were definitely young people – I overheard one guy saying, “I think I’ll be able to grow a moustache in a couple of years.”

Of course I went to the school’s website to learn more about this Tennessee school. “Sewanee campus sits atop the Cumberland Plateau about 50 miles west of Chattanooga. In October 1860, the founders laid the cornerstone for a campus that would eventually grow to house 1,500 students on 13,000 forested acres.

‘This physical environment provides a remarkable academic and recreational resource. It invites students to become involved with nature and to engage in careful study of the natural environment. Rock-climbing, caving, cross-country running, and mountain biking are popular among students and faculty. One of the University’s strategic goals is to be a national leader in environmental studies and sustainability.”

On their way to a race in California

Two young 20-ish guys arrived, towing a race car. Their goal at a Riverside, California, race track is “just to finish”. They are beginning drivers and need to accumulate points toward to advance in the race-driver ranks.

The reluctant church bus

Also arriving after dark was this small bus – and the next morning, the bus stubbornly would not keep running. A Good Samaritan, who was driving by, worked magic with some black electrical tape. The grateful bus passengers were thrilled and waving as they succeeded in leaving for their destination of Albuquerque. 

Watch out bass, here they come

This weekend is the Duke City Bass Tournament – and plenty of hopeful fishermen with their fancy, sleek bass boats are here. The actual tournament starts tomorrow (Saturday) morning; today is a “practice day” to get familiar with the lake conditions. As to the conditions, the lake is quite muddy which will make it a challenge.

Fishermen have been having some luck and thanks to Stony the fisherman, I have two just-caught bass filets in the refrigerator for tonight’s dinner.

Other interesting campers

1. A father/son duo that will spend three days scuba diving at the Blue Hole in order to get their certification.
2. A young man on his way to Canada where he has landed a job as a pilot for sky divers.

Three cheers for the birds

With a little help on my part, birds have finally found my window feeder. After two weeks, the feeder was still being ignored. So, I took it from the window and placed it on the ground nearby. Then I created a trail of birdseeds which the birds followed. Once they were used to the feeder on the ground, I put it on the window. The House Finches now try to monopolize the feeder. The White-wing Doves have succeeded in standing on the top, but have not figured out how to get into get the seeds.

            Numerous hummingbirds – the Black-chinned and Anna’s – are regular users of my window hummingbird feeder. I enjoy watching birds up so close.

That’s it for this week – I leave you with this quote from Patsy Clairmont:

As long as there is a breath in my body, there will be moments to revel in.