Mesa, AZ

     I arrived at Towerpoint RV Resort in Mesa, AZ at the end of October.  Since then I have been on the go, giving little thought to writing this blog. (obviously)  There are so many activities here, I don't have enough time in the day to do all I want.
     Again this year I am teaching sign language and putting in a few more 'working' hours in order to get my site at half price.  The term 'work' is used very loosely.
     Twice in the last couple months I have left the resort to go on week long trips.  It's been fun to go on vacation only to come back to this vacation spot.  What a blessing.  I hope to continue the traveling in and out of the resort doing some volunteering and more vacationing.
     I've also had visits from family and friends.  I am looking forward to more as the 'season' continues.  Yes, the snowbirds are all flocking and landing in the warm southwest.
     The picture is of a crested saguaro in the area.
   

Oh my, I need to catch up - 4

Santa Fe Trail - October 9 - 12
  I didn't travel far each day because I stopped at monuments, statues, and museums.  I had a glorious time learning the history of the SFT and envisioning the travels of the merchants and, later, the settlers.  I was off the interstate and driving through prairies and towns that were significant to the SFT for some reason.  Some of the forts, which had protected the travelers, were closed because of the government shut-down.  I got to see plenty, though.  There were areas where wagon ruts and swales could be seen. I was able to have dinner in an inn and tour houses that still exist.  I arrived at Santa Fe.  There was no fanfare, but I had a feeling of accomplishment.  I have pictures of the monuments that mark the beginning and the end of the trail (and about 200 of everything in between).

Oh my, I need to catch up - 3

Independence, MO
     I left the Omaha area and went to my brother's.  I had visited here in the spring, also, but since I was fairly close, he asked me to help with a 3-day yard sale.  During that time, our sister also came for a visit. I stayed for a week, because, while not doing the yard sale, I wanted to visit historic sights along the Santa Fe Trail.  The beginning of the SFT is east of Independence.  Using a guide, I chose the sights I wanted to see and my brother drove me in his covered wagon- the Rav4.  The Trail also went through  Independence and the Kansas City area.  For three days we saw the sights and then I headed out in my own covered wagon - Sunseeker (Sunny).

Oh my, I need to catch up - 2

Nebraska
      After the family history tour, I traveled for three days to Nebraska.  One evening I stopped in the Flying J truckstop in Davenport, IA.  I was able to have dinner that night with a young man from my church in PA.  It was a very pleasant time to learn about his new job with John Deere.
      From there I made it to the church camp outside Omaha, NE, at which I had volunteered in the spring.  My daughter came on Amtrak to meet me there.  We enjoyed the camp's several activities.  We tried the nine acre corn maze several times, once in the dark.  We jumped on the jumping pillow and even.......did the zipline.  Yep,  I was terrified, but I did it and lived to tell about it.
     We then met my brother in Omaha for a chance to visit and then be closer to Amtrak for the 5:00am departure.   What another great time!
     

Oh my, I need to catch up. 1

Ohio - September 20
     I went to Gurnsey County Ohio to participate in a family reunion.  It was a family history tour set up by my cousin.  My sister has done extensive research into our geneogly and my cousin caught the 'bug' and has worked on it also.  The two created a great glimpse into the history of my mother's father's line of ancestry.   The dozen of us went to the gravesite of the immigrant to America along that line and then visited areas and houses in which the decendents of that man lived.  We heard stories about the ancestors and learned some family trivia.  There was even an unexpected 'find' along the way.  We were invited to see the actual deed to the land one ancestor was issued in 1829, signed by Andrew Jackson.  It had been found in the house near where we visited.  The present owner (not related to us)  had found it in the wall when they renovated.  They invited us to see it and even showed us the remaining foundation of the original home.
     It was a wonderful weekend with the opportunity to see each other and to learn more about our roots.

Chatham, Illinois

      The week of the NOMADS annual meeting was awesome!  We had terrific speakers, seminars, worship, food, and socializing.  It was great to see friends with whom I've worked, and make new friends.  I then headed to Wisconsin to visit.  We did some sightseeing and, of course, shopping.  After that I came to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL.  This was the place of my first team project over 4 years ago.  This time I was on my own.  There are always volunteers here, so I just joined them where needed.
     Most of the week I worked in the wood shop.  I used the radial arm saw, miter saw and drill press to create desk legs.  One of the many things done here is to make wooden school desks to be sent to developing countries.  They've done this since the Center's opening in 2000.  Right now they are using wood donated from an area high school, which remodeled their gym.  MMDC was given the old bleechers.  It's estimated to be about $50,000 worth of wood.  cool
     I also helped to create health kits.  Kits-health, school, teacher, baby layette, flood buckets, simple clothing- are put together here.  Also the kits that come from churches across the mid-west make there way here and all are distributed to those who need them.
     We prayed for this truck as it left filled with 1000 health kits going to homeless shelters in Iowa.  The truck then returned with 15000 five-gallon buckets donated from Schwann's food.  They will be cleaned and filled with cleaning items to be used as flood buckets.  
     The Center also has bicyle and sewing machine repair shops.  These donated items are restored to working order and sent to other countries.
This place is always busy.  What an oppotunity it was to be a small part of the big work they do.
     Next, it's on to southern Ohio for a family history reunion.  We are going to retrace the steps of some of our ancestors.  After that, I will be going to the church camp in Nebraska where I had volunteered this spring.  I'm returning to volunteer and participate in their annual corn maze.  I will be joined by some family members.

NOMADS annual meeting

     I traveled last Wednesday and Thursday to Illinois.  Along the way, I stopped in Elkhart, IN to visit one of my former students (she had lived with us for 6 months when she was 5 yrs old).  It was good to see her, even though it was brief.    
     I arrived in Pecatonica, IL on Thursday.  Our meeting is a week long time of socializing, business, and seminars.  Of course, there's lots of eating out and pot-lucks planned.  This is the 25th anniversary of  NOMADS so there are special ceremonies planned.  There are about 120 RVs here, about 350 people (some are staying in local motels).  This year I have decided to be a part of the talent show.  I will sign a song using white gloves and black light.  I am also teaching an hour-long seminar on sign language.
     After this I will be going to WI to visit and plan out more of my travels.  Gotta go. More story-swapping and jokes to share.