Animals I saw at Arizona Reservation Ministries

Gambel's quail, roadrunner, javelina.

I couldn't get an actual picture of the roadrunners or javelinas. They move too fast. All these were regular visitors around the RV. Gotta love the wildlife.

December

I have been enjoying the activities available at this resort. I even met a NOMADS couple that are parked just five sites away (that's pretty close in a park that has over 1000 sites). I recently learned that a cousin-in-law lives just a few miles away. We have made plans to get together. I've rented a car and gone shopping and got bus passes for other city travel.

Last week I was able to join a couple who volunteer regularly at Arizona Reservation Ministries and went back for a day to help with the Christmas stocking distribution on the Apache Reservation. Over the weekend I was able to observe the lunar eclipse.

So all is well in Mesa, AZ

Mesa, AZ

I completed my month at Arizona Reservation Ministries in Globe, AZ. It was a busy time getting items sorted for Christmas stockings, helping with Family Fun Days and working on the Church bus daily. The kids were great. I also got to work with some wonderful people. Good place.

Now I am at Towerpoint RV Resort for 3 months of fun. The weather is great everyday and there are tons of activities to do.

I'll be flying to and spending Thanksgiving in Harrisburg, PA.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Globe, Az - Arizona Reservation Ministries (ARM)

I've completed my first week here. The weather has been gorgeous, in the upper 70's every day (sorry). I've helped with a variety tasks- sorted donated clothing for distribution, cleaned the "Church Bus," hauled and loaded items onto the bus, and other assorted office jobs.

Every day a group of us head to a neighborhood on the San Carlos Apache Reservation on the Church bus. We drive through the neighborhood, pick up children, park at a playground, do a Bible lesson, have a craft, snack, and games, then take the children home. This is an after school activity and we go to a different neighborhood each day. In a week's time over 200 children come on the bus.

This past Thursday ARM was invited to bring the bus and do activities at an annual Halloween -alternative party in San Carlos. For three hours we gave out popcorn (my job), played several games and talked to the people. Fun. That's why I had a costume. I don't always look like that...really.

Boys' Ranch- Gore, OK

The NOMADS team finished the project at the Boy's Ranch and spent extra days getting ready for their annual rodeo. It was a great time, but exhausting. We were blessed with wonderful weather the whole three weeks, beautiful scenery, great team members. We had a good time and got a lot done. Along with all the fixing up work, and painting we did a lot of baking- mmmm.

I left there and headed west to the Oklahoma City area to visit with a high school friend. From here I will go to Arizona to spend a month with Arizona Reservation Ministries. I stayed six weeks there last year. They do children's ministry on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and also help build homes.

So far the new home is working well. I'm getting used to all the new things I've needed to learn.

George's Journey to Oklahoma

I had a wonderful summer with lots of activities with family and friends. I made several short trips without the RV to do some of the visiting (NYC, Harrisburg, Shamokin, Maryland, Ohio). Then I sold my Jeep and got ready to get 'on the road again.' Thanks to everyone who helped make the summer so delightful.

First, I have to tell about how the door on this vehicle (there's only one) can actually be locked without a key and then closed from the outside. Hunh, who knew?! The Jambo was unable to do that. While I was loading the George, I closed the door as I went out, and then couldn't get back in. Both sets of keys were inside. Imagine that!! I called some friends who had motorhomes to see if their keys would work (most all are similar), but, alas, they didn't. I thought I would be calling AAA for assistance when a hero used a stepladder, opened the driver's side window, dove in, and opened the door from the inside. I now have a hide-a-key available from the outside.

I began the new journey by spending the first night in a Walmart parking lot in western Ohio. The next day I arrived in Wisconsin. After a couple of days of visiting there, I headed to Iowa for the NOMADS annual meeting. It was great to get together with those with whom I've worked and to meet new friends. We had fun activities, seminars, and lots of food.

I was able to stop in Kansas for a brief visit with family and then made it to Gore, OK. I will be here at the UM Boys Ranch for three weeks. I was here last year. Right now the team is busy painting. Then there will be lots of baking and getting ready for the rodeo. yeeehaaww

George

Well, I did it. I traded in the Jambo :(

I really liked that good, ole RV. There wasn't a lot of room in it, though. Since I've decided that I like this lifestyle and want to continue traveling, I thought it was time to upgrade. Of course, I didn't expect it to happen quite so soon. But...I went 'window shopping' and found a deal I couldn't pass up.

So instead of buying new wiper blades, I just bought a new motorhome, a Forest River Georgetown.

It's a used 2010 with 4100 miles on it. Supposedly the couple who had it, wanted a bigger one. I think this is plenty big. Lots of room for y'all to visit!!

So, now, instead of Jambo's Journeys, I guess it'll have to be George's Journeys.

Whew, have to learn how to drive it now.

!

Pennsylvania

Finished project in Indiana. We did a lot of odd jobs helping the camp get ready to open. We only had two tornado warnings in which we had to head for shelter. Luckily nothing happened in our area. There were other places, of course, which were not so fortunate.

Back in PA now for awhile. I'll be going to doctor appointments and getting things taken care of in that regard. I plan to do some visiting and traveling around this state to see people.

Hope everyone has a great summer!!

Pine Creek Camp, Pine Village, IN

We just completed the first week of the 3-week project at this camp. There are 8 of us on the team. The weather has actually been decent (especially if you average the record low and record highs that happened this past week). The camp is large and spread out over 300 acres. It is very wooded with large oaks and maples. Pretty. We've only lost one person, and it was one of the leaders. We found her.

Our main job was to dismantle 4 yurts. They are at least 30 years old and their bases have rotted out. Other jobs have been raking trails, cleaning and painting pool and bathhouse, cleaning stables, and miscellaneous maintenance jobs.

Two more weeks to go.

Mound, MN Camp Kingswood

I spent a week at this camp. The weather finally became spring-like and it was pleasant to be outside raking (...and raking) sticks and planting trees. I also washed windows in the lodge, which has a complete side of windows on two floors that face the lake.

The focus of this camp is a little different than others. It is for middle and high school students who do service projects while here. They are called Urban Servants, working at soup kitchens, rebuilding homes, and helping senior citizens.

I hope every one enjoyed the Kentucky Derby. I did. Unfortunately somebody must've said "break a leg" to the horse I picked, because it did. (He's okay, tho).

Now on the road to Indiana.

Madison, WI

I had a nice time visiting here. I also took several days trying to change my address on all the things that need to be changed and calling insurance companies. whew, what an ordeal.

Madison was having unseasonably cold while during my stay- of course. Now on to Minnesota. I'm sure it'll be warmer there. :)

Rapid City, SD

I made it to Rapid City. Travel days were good, but while I was there they had snow storms. ugh. Rapid City has lots to do and see. Each corner in the downtown historic district has a bronze statue of a president. There's also a lot to do in the near-by areas.

I was able to volunteer during a couple of good weather days at Storm Mountain Center Church Camp (yes, storm). It is a beautiful camp with excellent cabins, lodges, and dining facilities. It is nestled in a valley with a couple of 100 year-old buildings and the original gold mine. Yes...gold mine. It doesn't get any better than that. I went panning, but was not successful in that endeavor.

While I was in this beautiful city in the Black Hills (where I did find gold in a shop), I changed my residency. I took the plunge. Many full-time RVers become residents of Florida, Texas, or South Dakota for several financial reasons. So I did it! You will soon be getting my new address. I've added my freckled mug to the state that has license plates saying 'Great Faces, Great Places'

Salt Lake City

I spent more time than I had expected in this very pretty city. The weather was such that I didn't feel comfortable traveling east over the mountains. So I nestled in and let the rain and snow come. There were a couple of nice days that I was able to get out, but I read a lot about the local history and culture. hmmm, interesting.

The best, though, was visiting with a college friend. I was given the royal treatment and taken around town to local sights, movies, and fine dining. fun. I am very grateful for that.

After about ten days I ventured out to drive across I-80 headed for Rapid City, SD.

Leaving California

After a month of rain, wind, snow, and hail I left California. I had intended to wait until the end of March, and it was a good thing. I-80 leaving the state at Donner Pass had been closed daily and had chain restrictions all the other time. While we had flooding rains, up-country had snow measured in feet. This week promised normal weather, which is 70 degrees. I left on Thursday. The trip over the mountain was breath-takingly beautiful. The road was clear and it was nice and sunny.

I enjoyed my stay in California visiting. Only some of the sight-seeing was able to be done, so that was disappointing. But that's the way it goes.

It was good to be on the road again. I am now in Salt Lake City visiting a friend.

Jackson, California

I worked almost 3 weeks at Gleanings. There are many volunteers from all over at any one time and they are constantly changing. During my second week there, a group of 4 people arrived from Oregon. They have come every year for the last 6 years. One of them is deaf. There never has been an interpreter for him. Until this year. So I did my best to interpret the daily worship time and other special events.

Now, I haven't signed for a couple years, so my signing was even worse than before. He just laughed and said I needed to take more fish oil, because my hands were rusty. But he seemed to enjoy his stay more, according to others. So amazing how it worked out that we were there at the same time.

The third week I was able to work with several NOMADS who came from their church in Yuma, AZ to volunteer for a week. I had worked with some of them in other projects, so it was fun to be together again for a few days.

Now I am visiting with family and friends in Jackson and doing some tourist-type things.

Happy St. Patrick's day.

Gleanings for the Hungry

I am in my second week of working here in Dinuba, CA near Fresno. This mission outreach creates dry soup mix in the winter and sends it all over the world to those in need. Last week over 1.9 million servings were created. Most of the time I put spices in the ziplock bags. Those bags then go over to the line where the dry veggies are put in and then packed in barrels. I also helped on the line burping the bags to get all the air out.

In the summer Gleanings will process peaches by cutting them, placing them on trays which are put in the field (several acres) to dry. The dry peaches are then packed into 5- gallon buckets and are, again, shipped all over the world.

While I was here I saw a truckload of 43,000 lbs of soup mix leave, headed for South Africa. There is a staff of about 30 people here. We were fed 3 meals/day and 2 snacks. Gleanings runs solely on donations. Amazing. You can read about it and watch a video on their website (or youtube) Gleanings.org.

Yuma, AZ

I spent over a week here in Yuma. I was able to see some friends and enjoy some of the shopping and markets here. The area supplies much of the nation's lettuce, citrus, dates, and nuts. Its been interesting seeing the harvests going on.

I also was able to take advantage of dental and optical opportunities in Mexico. I had heard from several people about the excellent work that is done, so I came here to find that most of the snowbirds come here for just those reasons. So, I got some inexpensive, good work done. Of course, there's also lots of shopping to be done there too.

Now I will be headed to Dinuba, CA (near Fresno) for a two week project with Gleanings.org.

I will be able to have a brief visit with some family members along the way.

Towerpoint Mesa, AZ

Well, unfortunately my time at the RV resort came to an end. I was in such denial about it that I stayed an extra day. I also made reservations for next winter.

While I was there I attended several exercise classes everyday and a variety of activities. These included medium and high intensity water aerobics (in the two heated outdoor pools), core muscle exercise, easy cardio & hand weights, line dancing, and Zumba. I played bocci ball, pickle ball, and Texas hold 'em.

I attended stain glass class and made a stain glass bird. The best class, though, involved lots of hours. It was lapidary and silver smithing. I cut, ground, and polished my own stone, then set it in a hand-made silver setting. cool.

There were so many more activities offered that it was hard to decide. Not to mention the weekly parties and happy hour.

I ran into my childhood neighbor. That was crazy. It was a good visit with him and with my brother and sister-in-law, who came for a couple days. Lots of laughs.

Now I am headed to Yuma, AZ. I will visit with former NOMADS team members. After that I am headed to Fresno, CA area to do a non-NOMADS project.