2019 - the first half

I always seem to have to play catch up.  Here we go again.

A bus trip to the Rose Bowl Parade started the year in a wonderful way.  Great trip.

In January it seems to be a tradition to RV to Yuma and Quartzite.  While in Yuma I get to visit  NOMADS friends and make a trip into Algadones, Mexico.  In Quartzite I get to enjoy the chaos that happens each Jan/Feb in this small town.  It becomes a haven for tens of thousands of RVers who come for the rock and mineral show, flea market, and RV show.  Tons of fun.

February started with a visit from one daughter.  We went to the Renaissance Fair, which is as big as the state fair.  Now there's some people watching!  Most are in costume, as were we.

At the end of February, I was back to Kearny, AZ for another project.  It was a great team and we had a lot of fun as we painted the exterior of the parsonage and did other odd jobs.  This little community is so nice.  Unfortunately, it will be the last project there for awhile.  I just hope they can keep the church going.  I will probably go back for a short drop-in project some time.  While there we did birdwatching, watch javelinas get at the birdseed, did a tour of a monastery, and saw beautiful scenery.

In March I flew to have a brief visit in the Duke Center area.  Back to Mesa.

In April it was time to leave for a journey to NE Utah.  For three weeks, I was able to do a great deal of sightseeing.  Northern AZ and Southern Utah are full of great national and state parks.  Unbelievable scenery.  Capitol Reef National Park is amazing.  Also got to see the world's largest copper mine and Promontory, where the golden spike was driven.  Of course, I went to the Great Salt Lake and to SLC.  All was well, the to the project.  The UMC church camp was at 6700 ft elevation.  It was cold the whole time.  There was a few sunny days, but most were cold with freezing rain or snow.  We were building a large storage shed.  Many times we delayed because of the weather.  Even the last day, Memorial Day weekend, there was snow.  Ugh, don't want to be cold again, or see snow.

Mesa is providing the hot weather.  Very hot.  But it's wonderful.

2018 catch up

Well, I have been neglectful.  I still  want to keep this going to have a record for myself of my travels, but I certainly need to be more diligent.

The Kearny project last year was very good.  I enjoyed the work and the team.

After that I returned to Mesa and did some sightseeing travels around AZ.

In April/May 2018 I went to Potosi Pines UMC Camp near Las Vegas to do a project there.  I had done a drop-in project (1 1/2 weeks) here several years ago. This was a full team, 3 week project.  The main work involved taking off the existing siding on the lodge/dining hall, and putting on new siding.  The wood siding all had to be painted first.  A roof was created to join the hall all storage shed.  Some other odd jobs were completed.

I returned to Mesa, but in June flew to Kansas City.  I accompanied my brother as he made a trip to Cleveland Clinic.  While driving to Ohio we stopped in Casey, IL to see a lot of "the world's largest...." that are around the town.  In the Cleveland area, I was able to visit some friends and family.   Then it was back to Kansas City, and back to Mesa.

The next adventure involved driving the RV to northern Colorado to camp with other brother.
Along the way I was able to do other stops to sightsee- Winslow, AZ and La Posada, Two Guns (a ghost town), Canyonlands National Park.  The camping in Rifle Gap State Park was nice, but cut short due to some health concerns of my brother's. (He since had some procedures done and is doing well.)  On the return trip to Mesa, I stopped at Mesa Verde National Park.  An amazing place!!!  I want to go back.  Incredible ancient cliff dwellings.

In July there was a damaging monsoon storm that went through the RV resort where I stay.  Luckily I had no damage to my park model or RV.  About 50 of the park models in the park had damage.  Crazy.

At the end of July I flew to Philadelphia to see one daughter and took the train to NYC to see the other daughter.  In NYC we were able to go to a show and in Philadelphia we saw another show.  And while in that area I was able to meet up with Duke Center friends and then spend some time with college friends.  It was a great time to see so many people.  Back to Mesa.

In August I flew to Jackson, CA to see sisters.  Another great trip. Back to Mesa.

The end of September brought another plane trip.  I flew to Memphis, TN to attend the NOMADS annual meeting.  It is always a good time to visit, take seminars, and be with other NOMADS.  While there I toured St. Jude Hospital.  What an amazing facility and worthy of any donations.  I was pleased to be able to give blood after I had the tour.  I also was able to walk on Beal Street where Elvis had done some recordings.  Back to Mesa.

In October I returned to Potosi Pines Camp in NV to help paint a shed and assist with building a handicap ramp. It was their 60th anniversary party.  It was a good week.   Driving back to Mesa, I went on historic Route 66 and stopped at a variety of places.

Later in October I flew to Philadelphia again to help daughter with her business.  Halloween is a busy time.  Back to Mesa.

The rest of the year was spent enjoying the activities of the RV resort and sightseeing in AZ.

Kearny, AZ

I've had a lovely winter.  It's been mostly warm and dry here in AZ.  I've had a few visitors and fun side trips.

In the end of February I went on a three week NOMADS project to Kearny, AZ.  It is about 70 from Mesa.  There we painted the outside of the social hall of the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the entire inside of the parsonage.  We also did some other odd jobs.  It was a fun project with fun people with whom I had never worked.  We were able to tour a large copper mine in the area.  Very interesting.

It was then back to Mesa for a month.  It was time to do taxes, go to the doctor and dentist, and get all those necessities done.

The next project is in a week at Potosi Pines, a church camp near Las Vegas.  I had stopped there a few years ago.  This time the team project will be residing the dining hall.  The altitude will probably provide some cool weather.  Mesa seemed to skip spring and jump right into summer temps.

My Mistake

The post before this one is dated today.  I had written in July, thought I posted it, but just realized I hadn't.

      I had ended that post with going to a family reunion in KY.  It was a delightful time.  So good to get together with everyone.  We surely missed the ones who couldn't be there.  Thanks to Larry and Becca for hosting.
     After leaving Berea, KY, I headed to Ravenna, KY to Aldersgate UMC camp.  I had been there several years ago.  I stayed just over a week this time.  It was the end of their camping season and I spent the time deep cleaning a couple cabins, especially the kitchens.
     I headed to Nashville airport after that and flew to NYC.    It was great to be able to visit there.
     Upon my return, I drove to Arkansas.  During that travel time, I was able to have brief visits with friends.  I headed to Mount Eagle UMC Retreat Center.  I spent my week there power washing and sealing the decks around a couple cabins.  What a beautiful setting.  So glad to be there.
     Then I was headed to San Antonio, TX.  I had never been there and was excited about the work and to see the city.  I worked at a UMC educational facility for challenged adults.  They have a deaf program.  I was able to chat with some of the students, interpret chapel, and do some touch-up painting in a couple buildings.  On the weekend I was able to go to the Alamo and enjoy the Riverwalk.
     I left that area and headed to AZ.  It was a week later that Hurricane Harvey went through the area I had traveled across.
     I am now settled in AZ again.  I have some short trips planned, some NOMADS projects planned, and some plans to visit with friends.  I continue to enjoy being in AZ even though the month of September was quite hot.
     Until next time.  Happy Trails
   
   

     

It's Been a Long Time

      I spent the fall and winter in Mesa, AZ  at my favorite RV resort.  In December I spent a week in Globe, AZ helping with ''stocking week" at Arizona Reservation Ministries.  I was able to help sort items, fill some of their huge stockings, sort blankets, load the van with boxes of stockings each day, and be a part of the controlled chaos that happens at distribution.  I also went to the assisted living home on the rez while ARM conducted Bible study.  I was surprised to find that one of the residents is deaf.  When she found out that I understood sign language, she just began telling me her life story.  She was so glad to have someone to talk to.  I decided, then, to go once a month to visit her and try to interpret Bible study.  So for a couple days during the next three months, I would go to ARM and be a part of their daily children's ministry one day, spend the night, and go to the assisted living home Bible study the next day.  I look forward to doing that again if the resident is still there.

     Christmas week, my daughter and I spent sightseeing different places in southern CA, Utah, and northern AZ.  The highlight was Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ.  Amazingly beautiful.  

     In February, I was able to tour parts of southern AZ with friends.  Quartzite is an annual destination, Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, Tucson, Bisbee, Douglas, and a couple border towns in Mexico.  Highlights from that trip were San Xavier Mission Church in Tucson, copper mine tour in Bisbee, and historic hotel in Douglas.  

    Another trip in the spring was to Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest, and Chiricahua National Monument.
      It's been awesome to be able to enjoy so many of the National parks and historic places.

      I left AZ the end of April.   There was a stop at Mojave National Monument and Sequoia National Forest before getting to Gleanings for the Hungry.  This was my third time to Gleanings.  I spent two weeks there doing the different aspects of making the dry soup mixes that gets sent to the hungry around the world.  Millions of servings are made each week by all the different volunteers there.  It's a great place to volunteer.  Nice housing, great RV sites, and three wonderful meals/day.

     Then there was a disappointing trip to Yosemite.  It was so busy, roads under construction, traffic, and no parking that we unable to park and get out to see anything.  

     Sequoia National Park was better.  Calvaras Big Trees County Park was awesome.  The giant sequoias in all the parks are impressive.  Two days at Calvaras County Fair was so much fun. The famed frog jumping contest was just crazy. (Mark Twain made it famous).  The rodeo was one of the best. 

    After spending time with my sisters, I headed up the coast of CA and OR to do a NOMADS volunteer mission project at a UMC church camp in WA.  The weather was not the best, but the work was good.  I spent a few days with a tank on my back spraying invasive nasty weeds, helped split and stack firewood, and painting.

   Tripping  to Mt Rainier and Seattle was how I spent my birthday.  

   After the work at camp, I began my trip east by following the Oregon Trail-backwards.  It was a wonderful two weeks of stopping at historic sites, landmarks, wagon ruts, museums, and parks.  I thoroughly enjoyed being submerged into that part of our country's history.

     It's now time to visit with family and attend our family reunion in KY.  

   

    

SD, NE, OK, MO and Places in Between

      Leaving Mesa in July was a good idea.  Hot!!  I visited a few national parks and monuments along the way, getting good use of my senior pass.  I went to ancient cliff dwellings, pueblos, Bryce, Zion, and others.  Utah/AZ border area has spectacular places to see.  I then headed to Rapid City, SD.  I got to have a brief visit with family along the way and the opportunity to visit the Wounded Knee Indian Massacre site.   In Rapid City I renewed my driver's license, visited the place of my address, and spent time (and money) in Deadwood.
     I then volunteered a week just south of Rapid City at Storm Mtn UMC camp.  It is just a few miles from Mt. Rushmore.  There I cut, drilled, & stained 72 boards that would be used to mount memory plaques in their new gazebo.  It was a good week.  I was able to hike with some other visitors and go into the old gold mine that is on the camp property.
     Driving from there to NE, I stopped at the Archway Museum.  It stretches across I-80.  If you ever get the chance, stop there.  Great museum about the Oregon Trail.  The next week I spent at Camp Fontanelle just northwest of Omaha, NE.  There I spent the week painting and detailing both sides of their large entrance sign.  After ten years of weathering, the sign needed the paint job.  What a difference.
     It was then on to Tahlequah, OK.  I spent 3 weeks there with a great team remodeling the inside of one of the houses at the UM Children's home.  I did a lot of carpet removal, painting and, trim work.
While there we went to Cherokee historic sites, a rodeo, and even attended a Cherokee UMC service.
     I am now in Branson, MO waiting for the start of our NOMADS annual meeting.  Also, I am awaiting a new ac unit.  The other one quit about a week ago.  ugh.  hot and humid here.  Luckily I am in the shade.  Along the way to Branson, I visited the Will Rogers museum and had the opportunity to spend a few days with family.  During this time of waiting for the meeting, I am visiting with friends from AZ, going to a show, and catching up on paperwork.
     After this I will head west.  I plan to see some of the sights in Las Vegas, NM and Santa Fe, NM which I missed when I went through a couple years ago while following the Santa Fe Trail.  Then it's back to Mesa.  Let the parties begin.
     Someday I will figure out how to add the pictures.
 

Summer Travels

   Time to go. After moving stuff into the park model, I had to move stuff into the RV.  

The first week of my trip was spent visiting national parks with a friend.  We went to cliff dwellings in Walnut Canyon, pueblo ruins in Wupatki National Monument, Cameron trading post, Horseshoe Bend in Page, Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, Bryce National Park, Zion National Park, and St. George.  The senior pass that I got last year had a work out this year.  All those places were free!  

      From St. George, I left to go on to NOMADS projects.  I headed to South Dakota, first meeting family in Grand Junction, CO for dinner.  Then in SD I visited the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre.  In Rapid City, I renewed my driver's license.  (My permanent address is still here.)  I also picked up my mail in person.  I visited Deadwood and supported their economy.    

     Then it was on to Storm Mountain UMC camp just south of Rapid City.  I will spend a week here. I then will go to Camp Fontanelle in Nebraska for a week.  I have been to both of these places before.  

I will be part of a team for three weeks at a girls' home in Tahlequah, OK.  After that the NOMADS have an annual meeting in Branson.  When that concludes,  I will head back to AZ and volunteer at the Arizona Reservation Ministries.   

June

     I spent the rest of April moving into the park model (see previous blog).  I enjoyed May living in it and traveling in the RV for a week to other parts of the state.  I had never stayed so late in the year in AZ.  It was getting hot.
     I still had a storage unit in PA and decided that I needed to clean that out, now that I had a place.  So June 1 I flew to Buffalo and rented a car.  I spent a week in Ohio visiting family and friends.  I went from there to Pittsburgh for a former student's graduation from the school for the deaf.  After that I went back to the Duke Center area.  I stayed with friends and visited others.  I worked in the storage unit, sorting stuff.  I had an auctioneer come and take away all the stuff I thought I would use once I settled.  (I had saved some stuff thinking I would need it in a place, didn't know the place would come with everything.)  Then I loaded the car and drove to Harrisburg to visit family.  My sister-in-law and I drove to NYC to take the load of stuff to daughter number 1.  While there, she surprised us with tickets to Swan Lake at the Metropolitan Opera House.
    Back to Harrisburg and Duke Center.  I finished sorting more stuff in the storage unit, returned the rental car, and picked up a Budget truck. With the help of friends, I got the truck loaded with the rest of the stuff and I was on my way.
     I visited daughter number 2 and got rid of some more of the stuff.  We had a nice visit and I was on the road again.  It took me three days, two nights to get to AZ.  I only locked the keys in the truck once.  sheesh.
     I spent a couple weeks moving that stuff into the park model.  Then it was time to get on the road.

It's about time !!!

     Forgive me friends, it's been a long time since my last blog.
     For the most part, I didn't have anything to say.  I was in Mesa, AZ at Towerpoint RV Resort and spent the winter there.  I did the same boring things-swim, party, happy hour, make jewelry, party, visit with friends, explore the area, and party.  I also volunteered at the nearby school for the deaf once a week.
     I spent February away from Towerpoint.  Friends and I drove our RVs to Yuma and spent time in Algadones, Mexico.  We then went to Quartzsite, AZ to the rock show and flea market.  Then on to Scottsdale, AZ for two weeks.  We worked at the Arabian Horse Show.  What fun!! We parked our RVs right on the property (Westworld), worked 4 hours every other day, and attended any of the shows we wanted.  There were at least 5 arenas going on all day every day for the 12 days of show.  We had a lot of perks as a volunteer and had a good time.  Then we spent the last week of the month at Lost Dutchman State Park, at the foot of the Superstition Mountains.  We hiked and enjoyed the time in that beautiful park.  We also, sadly, watched a helicopter search and recovery of a hiker.
   March was another 'boring' month at Towerpoint and then........I bought a park model.  That's what they call the small trailer homes that are more permanently placed in those RV places.  I hadn't thought I would do that for a few years.  My plan was to reassess my traveling lifestyle after ten years    (it's been seven).  I knew I liked Towerpoint because I keep going back, so I figured I would end up there, and then downsize the RV.
     I had my eye on this one place since it was for sale a couple of years ago.  I liked the location, interior, set up, etc.  Since the new owners just bought it two years ago, I didn't think they'd sell, but I would let them know that I was interested if they should decide to do so.  The Canadian dollar was so bad last year, many Canadians were selling there places.  And surprise!!... I got a call from the owner that she would sell.  Oh my.  Decision time.
     April 1 I moved in.  I couldn't believe all the stuff in the RV that I could now store in the park model and it's storage shed.  Woohoo, but the park model was loaded- it came with everything;  dishes, pots, silverware, furniture, appliances, towels, sheets, vacuum, bike, grill.  I almost didn't have room for my stuff.  hehehe.  I made it fit.
    Now the downsizing of the RV.  I thought I would start doing 'homework' on smaller ones.  I found one right away.  It's a Pleasure Way.  Very small compared to the ones that I had.  I loved living in the Sunseeker and hated to see it go, but, in my mind there's no reason to have two big places.  This way I have a vehicle to go around town and still go on trips.  yeeehawww! Lots happened in a short time.
  So yep, that makes four.

Globe

     I spent two weeks at Arizona Reservation Ministries.  Their bus was in the shop for major repairs so the children's ministry was not being done during that time.  I was, though, able to help with other things.  A new bus is being prepared to be put into use an the children have been tracing handprints on the outside and requesting a color for them to be painted.  I painted many of the handprints.
     I was able to attend a house blessing.  This is a ceremony/party that ARM does when they have completed a house and turn the keys over to the owner.  Because the director's wife had hurt her back, I baked the cakes that were to be taken for the party.
     I also helped at a Fun Day.  This is a designated day that ARM goes to a neighborhood and provides a hot dog dinner, games, prayer, and support for children and adults.  A couple of volunteer groups from other areas were in for the weekend, so there were lots of people doing lots of things.
     I also helped with some clerical work and general odd jobs in the office.
     After that I headed to Mesa and back to Towerpoint.

I actually wrote this the end of September, but for some reason it wasn't posted (probably had something to do with trying to learn how to use a new computer).  So here it is now, one month later.
Still having trouble putting on pictures.  Oh well.

Family time

     The family reunion was great.  It was good to see everyone.  There were 33 members there.   Many were not able to attend, and they were missed.
     After the family reunion I was able to put the RV in storage (over on the grass) at the RV park where I was staying.   I then flew to Cleveland, OH, NYC, and Madison, WI.  It was a wonderful time visiting family and friends.  I was able to enjoy so many activities.  Besides the awesome visits some highlights were; went to Amish country, attended a Mets game, went to the world's largest antique store (didn't make it through all of it), and a lot of shopping, shopping, shopping.
     When I arrived back to KC area, I was treated to a Clint Black concert.
     Good times everywhere.
     I then drove from KC to CO to do some more visiting.  I got off the interstate and took US 50 across the mountains.  Beautiful drive and then a nice visit.
     Now I will be heading to Globe, AZ to volunteer again with Arizona Reservation Ministries on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Fayette, MO

     On my way to Fayette, MO, I stopped in Council Bluffs, IA at Camping World and bought another bicycle.  I was not happy with the new one I had bought after the second bike was stolen.  Yeah, locks can be useful objects.  I was able to exchange it and now have the fourth bike in 3 months.

     At Fayette I met up with the other 4 team members.  We went out to supper in a nearby town that was on my Santa Fe Trail trip.  When I had visited two years ago I wasn't able to eat in the still existing inn.  That's where we had supper.  So excited to have had that opportunity.  There is no dinner menu.  Everyone gets the same- delicious fried chicken, biscuits & gravy, mashed potatoes, several veggies, salad, rolls.  Very good.  I recommend the Houston Tavern in Arrow Rock, MO.  

     Our work for this project was to paint interior walls in apartments for married students at the Central Methodist University.  It was very hot and humid (no AC) and we were exhausted at the end of the day.  

     I stayed there for two weeks and headed to Independence, MO for a family reunion.

On the road again

     We completed the three week project.  Did lots of small jobs, since the job we were to do (build a cabin) had been put on hold.  The area was beautiful, in the Paradise Valley north of Yellowstone.  We were able to go the Park a couple of times.
     Traveling east I spent a couple R&R days in Buffalo, WY.  I love WY.  In Buffalo I was able to walk into town and go to a museum and see the 'old' town.  I also was able to wait out a couple of storms, so I was not in any major hail storms that went through nearby areas.
     In Rapid City (where I no longer have out of state license plates) I stopped at my place of address for a photo op at 'home.'  
     On to Wall Drug where I shopped, had dinner, and went to the Wounded Knee Museum.   I was able to get a discount at one of the stores, because I was a local resident.  haha.
     Now I am visiting a friend in eastern SD. Then it's on to central MO for a short project.

It's Official!!

I am now recognized by the national government as a senior.  I was able to go to my favorite place, Yellowstone, to get my National Parks senior pass on my birthday.  It was a great day.
To help prove that status, I seem to no longer be able to post pictures on this blog.  I can't figure it out.  I'm hoping it's because of the poor internet service that I have at this camp.  (Yeah, that sounds like a good reason.)
I will try to add pictures later when I have better connections.

Luccock UMC Camp Livingston, MT

     I am now at Luccock Camp for a three week project.  There are 8 on our team.  The camp is old and in need of lots of repair. We were scheduled to build a new little cabin, but it has rained so much the foundation was not able to be laid.  So we spent the week doing odd jobs.  Mostly I helped move firewood into a shed from the outside piles.  It took 4 of us all day to do that- lots of firewood.  Another day we hauled old cedar shingles from a pile to a burn pit.  Again it took all day to do that.  The rest of the week involved cleaning, making sure cabins had firewood, repairing foot bridges, and helping to build a small shed.
     This camp is also on the National Forest land.  We see lots of deer, turkeys, and even a bear.  It certainly is in a beautiful area, just north of Yellowstone.

Sisters, OR

   I had a very good visit with my sisters, then headed to Sisters.  Here I worked one week at Suttle Lake UMC Camp.  Here I cleaned, hauled brush, cut limbs into wood cookies (used for name tags), and put together two end tables.
    The camp is on National Forest land and is beside the small Suttle Lake.  There is a 3 1/2 mile walking trail around the lake maintained by the Forest service.  I was able to do that and enjoy the mountain views.

     On the way to Sisters, I visited Crater Lake National Park.  It was foggy the day I was there, so I wasn't able to see the vivid blue water.  It was still a beautiful sight as the fog blew away and the landscape was more visible.
     I stayed at Collier State Park for two nights, which is near Crater Lake.  It has a beautiful campground and a very large logging museum.  I spent a couple hours there (between bouts or rain) looking at all the machinery and buildings.

California

The second week at Gleanings was another great week of work and making new friends.  Unfortunately, during that time my new bike was stolen by someone who crawled over the fence.  I feel perhaps, that I have started some sort of bike ministry, because I had gotten that bike because my other one had been stolen in Mesa.  When I left Gleanings, I stopped at Camping World to get another.

I then went north and visited with family.  It was good to be together with sisters on Mother's Day.

Next, I will be traveling north to Sisters, Oregon.  There I will be doing clean-up at a church camp on Suttle Lake.

Gleanings

     I am on the road again!  I left Mesa, AZ on April 23.  I returned to Gleanings for the Hungry near Fresno, CA.  I was here 4 years ago.  It was good to be back.  This is an awesome place.  They completed their RV park, so now there are beautiful accommodations.  Last time I was here was in February.  Now, there are not as many people.  The soup season is just about done.
     Again, I worked the soup line.  They make dried soup mix that is put in plastic bags and delivered to  places all over the world.  Two containers went out this past week, one to Kenya, and another to Israel. We worked one day bagging soup for Mexico.  I worked various parts of the line; scooping, sealing bags, adding spice.  When the bags ran out, we opened packages of dried mashed potatoes and dumped them into barrels.  There were two groups here; one from a baptist church, and another from a non-denominational church.  Both were from CA.
     Each person seems to have a special story.  One lady was blind.  She worked the soup line right along with us.  She has created a ministry and goes all over the world handing out canes to the blind in third world countries.  She also teaches how to use the canes and how to be more mobile.  She then hands out talking Bibles that are solar powered and speaks in that person's language.
     Being a small part of this global ministry has been very uplifting.
     I will be here one more week.  Then it's on to visiting family.
   

Mesa, AZ My Happy Spot

   After Globe I returned to Towerpoint RV Resort.  I've spent the winter here the last few years.  Love what the resort and area have to offer.  This was the earliest I've arrived. Hardly any people were here at that time.  I had the chance to experience some HOT days and the rains from the Pacific hurricanes.  I walked down my little resort street in calf-deep water.  The flooding only lasts a few hours around here.
   I helped paint the laundry room and grout the new bar since there weren't many here to do the work. Now that the snowbirds are returning, I am back to doing lapidary crafts and exercise classes.  I am not working here this year, as I have for the last two years.  Instead, I am trying to volunteer at the school for the deaf, which is not far away.  I've had to do the fingerprint background check.  It's been approved, but I am still awaiting the AZ card that I need.  Then I go for an interview at the school.  It's been almost 6 weeks waiting for that card.
     So far I have visited a copper mine, visited Taliesen West, (Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home), Old Scotsdale, and last weekend went to Tucson for the day.  I visited the DeGrazia studio/gallery.  He's a southwestern artist.  I really like him.  The studio and grounds which he did all himself are amazing.
Then to Old Tucson Studios.  Hundreds of western movies and TV shows were done here.  Now it's a tourist trap.  It was fun to walk around there and see the shows.

Arizona Reservation Ministries- Globe, AZ

     It took 4 days/3 nights for me to get to Globe.  It was perfect traveling weather.  While at ARM I cleaned the office, vans, and toys on the bus.  I also went out on the bus each day.  This is what I had done before when I was here.  I spent a lot of time here a few years ago, but this year it's just ten days.

The bus goes out each day to a different neighborhood on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The team (now including Apache women) teach a Bible lesson, have a craft, offer a snack, and have some games.  This is all after school for an hour and is basically controlled chaos.  

     On Saturday I had the priviledge to attend a baptism that ARM did for those interested.  It was in the  river.  Awesome.  Then they provided everyone with sloppy joes.  Doesn't get any better than that!

     One day on the way to a neighborhood a large Diamondback rattler crossed the road in front of us.  Glad I was in a vehicle.

     Another day, I experienced my first monsoon.  The wind blew fiercely from every direction, it seemed.  The rain poured and hail pounded- fun in an RV.  Then it was gone.  It lasted about 20 minutes, but it closed roads for a short time as the water rushed through the washes.  

Now it's on to Towerpoint RV Park in Mesa, AZ.  Let the fun begin!