So Dakota to Maine- The Summer of 2019

Our plans for the summer after leaving New Mexico and heading to South Dakota were to spend about 3 weeks at Hart Ranch and while there, get medical "stuff" taken care of. Me, an appointment with Dermatologist to check on recurring skin cancer issues and Mary to visit her PA re: her CDif problem. When that done, we were looking to begin our trip East.

We "landed" at Hart Ranch on May 24, anticipating about a 3 week stay before beginning the trek across the country. Initial plans had us in Vermont by July 1. We were in for quite a few surprises during our stay at Hart Ranch. Like a lot of the country, they experienced some rather severe weather. Just after we got there we had a rain storm that produced over 5 " of rain.  Spring Creek, which you have to cross just to get into the park, and which the year before was dry, this year was flooded.

As was Lexie's dog yard......

The Fenced in Dog yard

As bad as that looked, once we had checked in and got to our spot, it wasn't bad. Not too many bad sites in this park.

One day we made a trip up to Camping World (in Somerset on the way to Sturgis) and Mary came back with a new trike.....

This bike actually folds up for traveling.

We did get quite a scare one afternoon when a storm blew in - high winds, lots of rain, and HAIL.

Pretty frightening when you are inside and hearing all that ice bounce off your rig

We survived it. And while we were there, we did have some good experiences too. First off was discovering through Facebook that one of our old friends from that first winter in Benson, AZ was in the area.  Iris and Jerry were good friends and nice people. Unfortunately the previous year Jerry had passed away and now Iris was just traveling by herself. Her AND her two Boston Terriers - Sasha and Lara. We made plans to meet in Sturgis and have lunch together.

Lunch with Mary & Iris at THE Knuckle Saloon

Iris was leaving the area the next day to head back to her "home" at Wilderness Campground in Montello, WI and before she left, she talked us in to including a visit on our way east.

Other interesting things that we did while in Rapid City area was to visit some of our favorite places, like Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial. And see one of our favorite groups - Brule.

Brule at Crazy Horse

Mary at Crazy Horse

Mary at Game Lodge, Custer State Park

View from tower at Coolidge Mountain

Another view from Coolidge Mtn

Traveling in Custer State Park

We had been planning the trip back East for some time:

•  It had been 3 years since we were last there(in Vermont)
•  To see family and friends, former co-workers
•  To meet up with old friend Jim from PA and go on a one week fishing trip to the Champlain Islands and Holiday Harbor lodge in North Hero, Vt
• To get to Maine and Pumpkin Patch RV Park in Hermon, Me for the annual Escapees Chapter 3 Lobsterfest.

These plans included a 6 day stop in Elkhart, IN for a Mobile Suite Owners Rally. As we were approaching departure date, all plans had to change as Mary's CDif issue got worse, requiring testing, office visits, medications. We didn't dare leave until she felt comfortable traveling. As a result of this, our departure day was delayed by about 2 weeks. At this time, her bowel issues were being treated as CDif, and this trip was going to be tough on her. Finally she said she thought she could do it and we left Hart Ranch on June 27. In order to meet our commitments to be in Vt the first week of July, our trip was now compressed down to 7 days, and looked a little like this:

6.27.19  to Dakota Sunsets RV Park, Salem, SD      317 miles

6.28.19 to Albert Lea KOA, Albert Lea, MN...........217 miles

6.29.19 to Wilderness Campground, Montello, WI, 236 miles

6.30.19 to Elkhart Campground, Elkhart, IN.,,,,,,,,,. 303 miles

7.1.19  to West Haven @ Lake Erie, Fairview, PA...327 miles

7.2.19  to Belden Hill Campground, Harpursville, NY 285 miles

7.3.19 to Brattleboro North KOA, E Dummerston, Vt  315 miles

Totals: 7 days of travel. 2000 miles

A note about our trip to Wilderness Campground in Montello, WI. We did go and we did visit our friend Iris- the same one that we had lunch with in Sturgis, SD. We were getting ready to depart when she showed up to warn us about a coming storm. A bad one with high winds and possibly a tornado. She was suggesting that we needed to get going. And a good thing we did. The park later that morning got hit- high winds, trees down, tornadoes in the area, and lots of rain. And we missed it all.

A note about our trip to Indiana. Our route from Montello to Elkhart was to travel I35 south past Chicago and hit I 80, to I 90 to Elkhart. I have to say that I 80 East through Indiana was one of the poorest excuses for an interstate system road that we have experienced. And it really makes you wonder when the tolls and fuel prices are SO much higher. It is a really busy road, so where does all of this money go? Certainly not to maintain the roads. Such a shame. And they get away with it.

One of the features of Elkhart is the proximity to everything RV. Most major manufacturers are right in this are, including DRV, the manufacturer of our Mobile Suites. We passed it about 30 miles east of Elkhart. Really sorry we missed the event.

Just down from us at Elkhart Campground. Yes, also pulling a 44' Mobile Suites trailer

Our spot at Elkhart Campground

From Elkhart we traveled through Ohio(much better roads) to PA and a night stay in the Erie, PA area.

Our spot at Belden Hill Campground. And yes, the fishing was good!

From Erie, we picked up the Southern Tier Expressway off I90 and traveled to Harpursville, NY. And what a surprise we got when we got settled in there. I was checking out their ponds(with a fishing rod of course), when I noticed a couple walking towards our trailer. When I approached them I almost fell over with surprise. It was Doug & Denise that I played pickleball with in Yuma, AZ the past 2 years. They were traveling from their home in Kansas to visit another Yuma Pickleball friend in Maine and had stopped at this particular park to do some geneology stuff pertaining to Doug's family. Small world. Indeed.

Early the next morning we were off on I88 to catch I 90. We exited I90 in Albany and headed for Troy, NY and then Vermont.  And what a sight it was when we descended into Bennington and the Green Mountains and the Bennington Battle Monument. Didn't realize just how much we had missed it. The ooh's and aah's didn't last long as soon we were on Rt 9 heading up Woodford Mountain. And then down Searsburg Mountain and then up and over Hogback Mountain, and finally into Brattleboro and our destination in East Dummerston- The KOA.

This would be our "home" for the next 3 1/2 weeks.

We arrived on July 3, 7 days and 2000 miles after leaving Rapid City, SD. What a trip. And guess what the next day was? The 4th of July. So you know the park was full!! We settled in and unwound after the long trip, and two days later it was time to plan for the next trip - mine - to Lake Champlain.

Mary took the time to contact old friends and invite them over for a visit.

Lake Champlain and especially Holiday Harbor in North Hero was something special. Always loved the place.

Friends from PA

Jim with a nice largemouth bass

Bruce & Joann owners of the Lodge going out for a night of fishing

Beautiful view of Lake Champlain looking north towards Missisquoi Bay

Jim with a nice smallmouth bass

Even I caught a few

They are all nice

Unfortunately I had to leave fishing heaven and head back to Brattleboro to see if Mary still remembered me. Fortunately for me, the fishing did not end, as I met up with old friend Chuck who was nice enough to invite me out on his boat to fish the Connecticut River.

Chuck with a nice one on a nice day

The now decommissioned Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant off in the distance

Lot of things going on. After our fishing, Chuck and his better half Anita had us over for pizza and beers. Good time. Another night they invited me to join them for a Keene Swampbats game. When we were living in the area, I used to enjoy going to their games. They are a member of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball League. The quality of play is excellent and the games are always exciting.

One of the Swampbats actually put a ball off the roof of the building past the fence in right field. It was 380' to the fence, so this hit was well over 400+ feet.

We did take a day and travel over to Bennington, Vt to see our oldest grandson, Peter.

Back at the KOA, adjacent to the dog park was a pen where they kept 2 goats. Every Saturday morning the owner had what she called the Strolling of the Goats. This being a spinoff of the popular week long Brattleboro Farmers Festival- The Strolling of the Heifers.

The kids love this.

Lexie was especially captivated by this event- and wished she could be part of it

The end of the month came fast - and then it was time to head to Pumpkin Patch RV Park in Hermon, ME and the Escapees Northeast Chapter 3 Lobsterfest.

We had a nice site - close to the dog park(where lexie met some new friends), the clubhouse, laundry.

These 2 really enjoyed each other!

During our stay we got to meet some new friends and visit with some old ones. All of course while enjoying Maine Seafood!

And sometimes we went by ourselves. Here we are celebrating our anniversary!

With friends John & Kathy and Kurt and Bobbi

We did take one day while at Pumpkin Patch and went to Acadia National Park, well, not actually the park, but right close to it - Schoodic Peninsula(which is actually part of Acadia National Park, just not with the crowds and the traffic)

If you ever have the chance......

This was all new stuff for Lexie- especially the Seagull poops

All the beauty of the Maine coast without all the crowds and traffic of Acadia/Bar Harbor

Lunch at "On the Wharf"

And what trip to Maine would be complete without a stop here.....

And now for the real reason for the trip to Maine- Lobsterfest. This Lobsterfest was special. We had lost a number of our old friends- 3 just since our last visit. We wanted to be sure and see the rest while we still could. The club treasurer, Maureen, the one who set up everything for the Lobsterfest died 2 weeks before the event, leaving the group and the event kind of up in the air. And special thanks to Pete and his wife Donna for stepping up and making the event happen. They picked up the ball and ran with it. The pics of the event will speak for themselves....

fresh off the boat and packed in ice

All hands on deck

Testing the water. Under the watchful eye of master lobster cooker Pete.

Done

And now the best part.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Lastly, Maine is not only known for its seafood........

Mosquitos

Maine was the easternmost limit of our trip(can't get much more East) and then it was time to pack up and begin the trip back west. Our plan had been July in Vermont, 2 1/2 weeks in Maine. Then head west eventually ending up on our leaseholder lot in Lakewood, NM. for a month or two or three. The trip had been a good one, not so good for Mary, as she was constantly having bowel issues, but she made it and I can't begin to say just how heroic she was with what she had to put up with. So, we left Maine and headed to our next major stop and a meet up with some other really special friends - at the Bassmaster Elite Series Event on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes of NY.  I would be a Marshall during this event......but that is a whole other story. More to follow.

New Mexico to South Dakota

We left Rusty's and headed to some new territory for us. In all of our pre-retirement(and retirement) travels, we had never visited the southeastern part of the state of New Mexico, so a stop in Las Cruces was a real treat.  And what we discovered about Las Cruces will have us coming back. It is really neat. And growing.  Check out their website .......

We stayed at Sunny Acres RV Park in Las Cruces.....

A nice little RV Park

We spent 2 nights in Las Cruces, and then it was off to The Ranch, an Escapee member owned RV Park in Lakewood, NM. The trip from Las Cruces to Alamogordo took us through White Sands Test Range, White Sands Missile Range, past the Space X facility(I'm sure that is where that big rig was headed that we saw on the way to Rusty's). In Alamogordo, we got on RT 82 to travel over the mountains to Artesia, which is only 12 miles north of Lakewood. This was not to be. As  we got nearer to the "top" at over 8000' , we came upon a whole bunch of black smoke and did I forget to mention all the police cars passing us with sirens going and lights flashing? At the top was a tunnel. All traffic was stopped and told to turn around and go back. It seems a tractor trailer/tanker had lost it in the tunnel, the driver thrown from the vehicle and killed, with the tanker going off the side of the mountain. It was waaaaay down a ravine and burning- thus the black smoke. With a body still in the tunnel, they had the road closed. So we turned around(no small easy feat with our trailer) and went back to Alamogordo. Luckily we found an RV park convenient with an opening. So, we got to spend a night in Alamogordo. And spent all night saying how lucky we were that had we been an hour or two earlier, we might have been involved in that tunnel disaster.

Our home for the night in Alamogordo

Pistachio Tree Ranch

Right across the street from our RV Park was Pistachio Tree Ranch. The person at the desk when we checked in said it was a must visit and encouraged us to go by giving us a 10% off coupon. We went and found it really interesting. Not only did they advertise the worlds largest Pistachio(as seen above), have a large selection of locally grown and produced pistachios, they also had a winery. Truly a bonus. So, we used our coupon. One of the things we got there were Green Chile Pistachios. They are truly addictive. Definitely an interesting stop. And the next day we were off to Lakewood, although this time we took the long way around via Roswell.

Lakewood is just north of Carlsbad, NM and just south of Artesia, NM. Mary and I have been looking for a "place", not so much a brick and mortar home, but more a base from which we would travel out of. A place where we could store a lot of the "stuff" we have been hauling around with us. Everything we own, we have been carrying with us. Even the stuff we didn't use an awful lot, so finding a base was important to us, especially if something happened to one of us- having a place to bring the rig and for us to stay for an extended period of time became important. Our initial plan was Benson, AZ and the SKP Saguaro RV Park where we got on a waiting list for one of their available lots. Benson was where we started our full time rv'ing experience and it looked like it would be the place to call "home", however, friends Steve & Anna whom we met and worked with on staff at an Escapade in Tucson, AZ had told us about The Ranch in Lakewood and that we should consider stopping by and checking the place out. They have a lot there. That was our plan when we left Las Cruces. Both The Ranch and Saguaro are member owned Co-0ps and you get on a list to Buy a lifetime lease. We had been on the list at Saguaro for just over 3 years and had moved up enough to where we were In the running to get a place. But before we made a commitment there, we wanted to see The Ranch. And were we glad we did.

When we arrived at The Ranch, Anna was there at the office to greet us and ring the welcome bell. We got settled in to a spot, which The Ranch was nice enough to "give" us for $50 a week. Such a deal and then it was back to the office to see what lots they had available. Armed with a list, I did a walking tour of the park and did an exterior visual inspection. We had 4 to choose from. I was satisfied, went back to get Mary and Anna with keys so that we could inspect the interiors of the Casitas. And here is the one we settled on:

75 Quail Trail

Full cement pad to park our rig on

Once we decided on the place, Anna and the Co-Op officers, knowing that we were in a hurry to get the deal done, fast tracked everything and we had our "closing" 2 days later.

We really liked the place. The interior is basically 3 rooms and a screened in porch. The main room is perfect for Mary and her sewing. The room off to the left side from the front is like a work shop. I have my boat and fishing supplies stored there now.

The door opens up to a storage room(fabric) with shelving on both sides.

We are pretty pleased with it and are already looking forward to getting back here. It made some of the choices about our trip back east this summer easier. I off loaded a bunch of my fishing stuff, Mary sewing stuff, fabric, and personal stuff we've been lugging around with us for 3 years now. We also took the opportunity to leave the bikes and bike rack here too. Could not believe the weight we left here. Already have plans to paint the place. Mary decided on Cream with Turquoise trim. I think that will look just fine.

The people in the park were just great while we were there. Every day there was a Happy Hour in the Clubhouse, new arrivals were greeted, anyone leaving the park got a chorus of Happy Trails, announcements were made. Our neighbor to the left of us is an artist so he and Mary have painting in common, while the neighbor across the street(the one with the boat), is in to fishing, so he and I have something in common. I think we made a good choice.

The birds in this park are something else. We saw a number of interesting birds, especially one wandering around our yard gathering nesting material.....

Roadrunner

A Roadrunner.

And then we were on the road again. From Lakewood we headed north to Santa Fe, where we spent a week at Santa Fe Skies RV Park. Santa Fe has always been one of our favorites, and while there we visited some of our old places, like Randall Davey Audobon Center for some bird watching, La Chosa Restaurant, Back Road Pizza,  and a new one: The Pantry. The last few days there we were constantly tuned in to the weather as high winds were threatening. We actually extended our stay by a day to miss some high winds in Las Vegas and Raton Pass, where they were projected to be steady 20-30 with gusts to 50. The day we left for Pueblo, CO the winds were acceptable and the nearly 300 mile trip  without incident. One night in the Pueblo South KOA and then we were on the road for a trip through Denver to Cheyenne, WY for a nights stay. After a super meal at the Senator Steakhouse at Terry Bison RV Park and a good nights sleep, we were off for South Dakota. I elected to try a new route, this time staying on I25 for about 125 miles before heading east in to SD. Mistake. One I'll never make again. About 60 miles north of Cheyenne, we hit winds. And I mean winds. There were warnings about light, high profile vehicles getting off the road. We slowed down and at one point had to stop so Mary could get in the trailer. I have never experienced wind like that. I had to hold on to her to keep her from being blown away. Winds were a steady 30-40 mph with gusts over 60. And we were traveling with the winds hitting us broadside. We made it another 10 miles and then got off the interstate and started traveling east - with the winds at our back. We made it to Hart Ranch in Rapid City, SD. That was an accomplishment. This would be our home for the next 24 days. More to follow.

Rusty's RV Ranch

On April 28, 2019 we packed up and headed south and east down Highway 80 through Tombstone, Bisbee and Douglas. Destination: Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo NM. The previous 2 years we have made this very same trip, because Rusty's is a very special place. Along the way we had an interesting experience. We had left Douglas, AZ and had travelled about 20-25 miles when a local sheriff had us pull off the road. Seems an extremely WIDE load was approaching and we needed to be out of the way.

We were told it was enroute to Space X facility which is somewhere in New Mexico

Well, we got by this monster and continued on to Rusty's and was it ever good to be back there.

All the sites are 200' long pull throughs. WIFI was ok, cell service sucked. At least for us it did. But, hey, you can't have everything. No trains, no planes, no traffic, night skies that are beyond description.  And there were birds.

I never get tired of this view.

These are the Chirachua Mountains and this is the view we get up to each day.

This makes 3 years in a row for us coming here and we never get tired of it. We were here for a week and each day we would leave early and go to one of our "places". This year it incuded:

Bob Rodriguez house in Portal. He has parking and a special observation area all set up with table and chairs for us vagrant birders. His feeders are always full and you can always plan on seeing a large variety of birds there. This year, in addition to the Orioles, Grosbeaks, Finches, Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Quails, Hummingbirds, Cardinals, Siskens, Wrens, Towhees, Flycatchers, Mrs Gambel Quail came by with her recently hatched brood......about 12 of them!

We got to take some great pics, some of which I'll share here....

Male Bullock's Oriole

Female Bullocks Oriole

Likely a female Black Chinned Hummingbird

Cave Creek Canyon and more specifically the South Fork, is world famous for its bird population. Many come here in the spring/early summer to perhaps catch site of the Elegant Trogan. Most times, you will hear this bird before you see it, his call is so distinctive. And you can tell when a birder has spotted one because a crowd will gather.....as we saw when traveling up the South Fork. Sometimes they get together and visit. And you will see something like this.....

Everyone is so busy talking about the Trogan that they don't notice the visitor......

And speaking of Trogan.......

Mary and I spent 3 days in the South Fork area of Cave Creek Canyon. On day 1 we saw 1. On day 2 we saw 3(2 were together and we would guess a mating pair. Mary found them! What a great job!!!The third flew in front of our truck as we were leaving.) 4 sightings in 3 days is something to brag about.

Our other trips included The George Walker House in the Village of Paradise, about 5 miles above Portal, where host Jackie is always friendly and available to help identify birds. Cave Creek Ranch, at the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon, The Southwestern Research Station
(noted for their dedicated Hummingbird Feeder area.), are other places we visited. We also took a drive up to the Herb Martyr Camping area just to check things out. Portal is at 4000', Paradise is at 5000', and Herb Martyr area is at 6000'. Elevation changes right on up to 9000' are available here in the Sky Islands. And a reason why researchers from all over the world come here to study & work.

Not to be left out is the Village of Portal. Just a walk past the Post Office, the Library and the few houses that populate the small road is an experience. Most have feeders out and most welcome birders. We have really enjoyed our time spent there and at the Portal Store, which also has a number of feeders out. Breakfast wasn't bad either. This year we got a treat. Supposedly the Great Horned Owl that we had seen a couple of years ago when it nested in a tree adjacent to the Portal Store, moved / relocated / found a new nesting area. Some birder friends that we met, told us about where to look. And that we did. Here is where we found her......

In the vicinity of the Post Office and Library

Right in front of her is a section of tree that had broken off, in the opening she had a nest and 2 chicks.

I mentioned that each morning we went out to one of the spots that I reviewed above, but in the afternoon, Lexie and I would sit outside and just watch. The bird activity was incredible. Always something going on. I now have a new favorite bird - The Western Kingbird. Whenever I was outside, he was there. He had a favorite tree.

My new favorite bird

Here are a sampling of some of the other birds I saw and identified while sitting in my chair outside the trailer:

Female House Finch

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Cactus Wren. Mrs Wren had a nest in the tree that was part of Mr Kingbirds'. 

Dusky-Capped Flycatcher

Lexie wasn't done watching the birds when we went inside the trailer.....

So, as you can see, we all had a great time here. And now looking forward to getting back here next year. On May 5 we hooked up, said goodby to Rusty and headed to our next stop: Las Cruces, NM.