It's Almost Gone!!

2020, that is. Thankfully, the year, with all its headaches, will be history in just a few more days.  In all my years, I remember nothing to compare it to.  The Kennedy assassination, the civil rights and vietnam war demonstrations, the gasoline shortage,  9-11; nothing compares to what our Country has experienced in 2020.

 

 It was a year full of promise as far as travels were concerned.  There were trips after trips planned from January till October.  A herniated disc put the Arizona trip of January and February in the can.  We did attend a small gathering in Alabama the third week of March. Life was getting better.  Word was of some virus from China making its appearance in the USA. 

Just a few weeks later the Country is in lock-down.  Shortages of basic items, and threats of more.  Reservations cancelled as I prepared a garden.  At least we'll have something to eat.

We ran away from home the month of August, and once again in October.  Social distancing was actually easier on the road than at home.  Since October, we've been close to home, visiting only with family and our close neighbor.

Now that 2021 is just a few days away, we are planning to start it off on the right track.  I received word there aren't many folks hanging out in the Southwest this Winter.   Social distancing shouldn't be a problem.  

 As the sun sets on 2020,  may the year 2021 be the light at the end of the tunnel for everyone. 

.......jc
 

Almost November!!!

 September 4th.  The date of my last blog.  I guess that says something about how exciting the past two months have been for us.  Routine doctor's appointments, dodging three hurricanes, cleaning up minor debris after two of them; not much to blog about.  Thankfully, we are still dodging the Covid mess the best we can, while still trying to live a near normal life.

Three weeks after getting back home I was heading back to Colorado.  Brother had closed the deal on a mountain cabin north of Craig, and we went to do a little remodeling on it before Winter arrived.  Two long days driving/riding to get there.  I'm getting too old for that.  We tore out some stuff,  rearranged some space to add two bedrooms and a bath, and put in the plumbing.  We had beautiful weather all week and the Aspens were showing off.  

Eight days later we were back home.  From that time till last week, not much happened exciting enough to talk about. We did get our votes in early.

We are part of a small group of friends that meet together each October.  We all met because we own molded fiberglass trailers.  Not just Casita's, but Oliver's, Scamp's, and Escapes.  That "fiberglass cult", as we are known by some.😀 

Anyway, we camp together for a week each October in different areas of the Southeast.  We've spent a week in Savannah, along with many Alabama and Georgia state parks.  Last year we agreed to visit Natchez, Mississippi for the week.  12 trailers, 23 folks; we all met at Riverview RV park in Vidalia, LA for a week.  South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi were represented. Missed our Tennessee friends.  There was nothing planned such as potlucks or eating out in a large group.  It was all free range.  Do what you want, with the folks you want.  Everyone appeared to have a great time. Touring the big homes, historic walking tours around the area, and enjoying the food.  Even had a hot air balloon festival going on. We had beautiful weather till the last day when rain arrived.

We watched as everyone prepared to leave on Sunday morning.  Sad to see everyone go. Some we possibly won't see again till next October.  The location has already been picked, and reservations made.  Hopefully, we all will be there, again.

I had a number of edited photos which I planned to add to this blog.  With the new Blogger, it appears that I can't easily add them from my computer, anymore.  The couple that I was able to download, I couldn't place where I wanted.  Due to that, along with the fact we aren't traveling like we used to, this very well could be the last Eggrollings  I cherish all the friends and acquaintances that we've met through the years which were a result of this blog.  Most of you are now friends on facebook, so you've seen all this, anyway. 

I'm not going away. If you take the time to post a blog, rest assured I'll be reading it.

It's been a good run; 2011-2020.....jc

August!!..

We departed Yellowstone before 7 AM on Sunday, August 9th.  Two days before our scheduled departure date.  Yellowstone wasn't a fun place to be for us. 

 
Our destination was Gros Ventre campground in Grand Teton national park.  We had been advised by a friend to get there early if we wanted to secure a site.  We pulled in shortly after 9 AM and were sixth or seventh in line.  After a short wait we were assigned a site.  A perfect match for us.  A paved back-in, morning through mid-day sun, evening shade, room for the Clam, etc.  We had friends already there from Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.  We spent eight wonderful days doing little but cruising the backroads and visiting with our friends.  We saw Elk, a grizzly with cubs, moose and deer in the campground, and numerous smaller animals.  The Tetons were crowded also, with the campground filling each day by noon.  We went to Jackson twice for groceries, and traffic there was unbelievable for that small town.  Temperatures there were from the 40's to mid 70's.

From the Teton's, we dropped down to Craig, Colorado for a couple of days.  My brother and nephew were doing some real estate dealings there, and needed a third opinion.  It's alway fun to spend someone elses money.

Then it was on to the summit of Rabit Ears Pass, East of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  We lucked out again and managed to get a site in a NFS campground named Demont Lake.  Elevation 9500 feet.  A beautiful Alpine landscape.  We spent two nights there while I did a little hiking.

From there we moved South of I-70, and found ourselves seeing smoke in all directions from the forest fires.  We spent three nights along the Taylor River north of Gunnison, then moved to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP for two more nights.  Smoke concealed the mountains and filled Black Canyon.
While in the Gunnison area, we had a change of plans.  We were tired of the smoke, and checked our options.  Capitol Reef NP is one of our most favorite places in all the West.  The campground there is now all reservation, but we got lucky and reserved two nights there.  We were able to add a third by switching sites after the second day.  We have always wanted to visit when some of the fruit was ripe for picking.  Only a pear orchard was open, but we picked a couple of pounds.  Donations of $1.00 per pound requested.

We met some friends from home while there, and showed them some of the beautiful back country surrounding the park.  I'm not sure I'll ever get all the dust from the cab of my truck.
We had originally planed to be gone from home till after Labor Day, but while at Capitol Reef we both decided that it was time to go.  There wasn't any other locations that we desired to visit.  We spent Saturday night, the 29th, in Blanding, Utah. From there it was Del Norte, CO; Lakin, KS;  Joplin, MO;  Little Rock, AR; and home.

Some pictures are included below, but thanks to Blogger, they're in no particular order.

Spent today cleaning the trailer inside and out, and unloading the truck.  94 degrees and 57% humidity.  We're still glad to be home......jc