We’re Back on our Blog and Back on the Road Again!

It’s been a long time since I wrote our blog. Life, for the most part, was peaceful and easy and somewhat repetitive so I let the blog go. We have just finished our sixth season at Kartchner Caverns in Southeastern Arizona. Last summer we spent three lovely months in the pretty Willamette Valley in Oregon at a day-use state park. There we did tours of a 150-year-old grist mill while we lived in a flower-filled wheat field.

We are heading back to Oregon for this summer and yes, our lives are governed by the weather. We are leaving Kartchner Caverns a few days later than planned due to temperatures of 110 degrees. Our air conditioners have done a great job keeping us comfortable but driving in extreme conditions is usually not a good idea and we are headed to parts of the country that are even hotter than 110. But we know when we do hit the Oregon Coast we will miss this warmth.

So a brief recap of our last few years as we go On the Road Again:

Sadly we have suffered losses, but we carry our loved ones with us in our hearts when we so those who have recently left us join our journey as we go on down the highway.

Our volunteer work continues to enhance our lives. Learning new histories, stretching ourselves to try new things, and meeting new people along the way keeps us young and engaged. Our time at Thompson’s Mills Grist Mill last summer gave us unique opportunities. Doug used his expertise to correct and improve some ancient electrical issues while I helped with a redesign of Junior Ranger programs. It was challenging and amusing to take care of ducks and chickens. We left there feeling appreciated and valued and we asked to return in Summer 2025. That’s a change for us, since we like to try different things during our summers because Kartchner seems to be the right place for us every winter.

This winter season at Kartchner Caverns started out with me being in an accident but I recovered and both of us found our rhythm again in the cave with tour after tour, some exciting and enervating, some not so good. But that’s the pleasure and dismay of working with the public. What never fails is working with the great rangers and volunteers there.

Some of the season’s excitement included Star Parties, Junior Ranger Experiences, a Bat Walk and a once in a lifetime Eclipse Party. We had many wonderful Flamingoes – our outdoor evening get-togethers around the firepit. The food has definitely gotten better, the conversations kept us going and with more and more rangers attending, the camaraderie is warm and lively.

We did make two trips to Philadelphia – both to bury the ashes and memorialize our loved ones. Both trips were filled with the warmth and comfort of family.

Last April, our daughter Becky, her wife Paola and our grandsons Benjo and Mati stayed at our park. We shared our beautiful caves and local attractions. A special day of Cowboy Fun was had in Tombstone. This year, our NJ friends, Genni and Sal, visited us and we had a great time with them – rekindling our long friendship and showing them some of the best of Southeast AZ.

So now our next adventure to Oregon begins. We’ll revisit some reliable and convenient RV parks and add a few new places to our itinerary. Follow along with us as we travel north, leaving the desert in our rearview mirror and pointing the motorhome towards the Pacific.