Susan Arrives

Susan landed in Albuquerque saying she had a good flight. Only 2-1/2 hours, but they had TV and movies so the time went fast. Picking her up was a breeze. They have a cell phone waiting area for people picking passengers up, and it's only .2 miles from the curb where I picked her up.

We stayed overnight in Enchanted Trails in Albuquerque. While there, a blast of lightening hit (I've never heard anything so loud). It took all the appliances of the 5er across the way and their pickup truck. Fortunately, they weren't hurt. We went to Old Town, walked around--neither one of us saw anything we wanted to buy. Anything we did want (always made locally, of course) was way out of our pocket book ranges.

The trip up from Albuquerque was awful. My GPS decided to die. We got off to get gas and there was a very confusing sort of fork as soon as we got out of a rest stop--you guessed it--the wrong fork. So a 5 hour trip turned into a 10 hour trip. But, we are here. We got set up as soon as we pulled in and went into town for dinner.

Between driving all day (very windy) and my back hurting, dinner didn't sit too well on my stomach so it was a restless night. I decided to change reservations and skip Taos which I should have done to begin with. Susan doesn't want to drive on the 27th because it's her birthday which left us only one day there--not enough time to do much of anything. So, we'll do a few more things, here, in Durango and leave for Santa Fe on the 30th. We are going to take the train to Silverton for one thing, and I'd like to take her for a few rides if that's what she wants to do.

Susan

Susan at San Filipe Church

My all time favorite car. :)

I'm Vintage

When I see things from the 1940s and 50s I realize "I'm vintage". Not quite antique, but old. I chose the closest definition from the dictionary: "• denoting something of high quality, especially something from the past or characteristic of the best period of a person's work: a vintage Sherlock Holmes adventure.

I'm going to bombard you with pictures, today. I had a chance, while doing laundry, to walk around "the cabins" in the park. Not all were open, unfortunately, but I was able to get in two. I wish they had had pictures of the original interiors--I could tell by the refrigerator in the big one, they were not all restored completely, to their era. Of course, they had to update them with air conditioning and fridges as people stay in them for a different sort of experience. I also took a few of the pictures that were in the laundry room that reminded me of my childhood.

My Mom had one of these. They were used to iron sheets. Can you imagine? Today's women have it pretty soft, don't you think? Then, if we went back another 50 years...that must have been a very difficult life for women. I remember my Mother-in-law telling me how she used to take the rugs outside and beat them to get the dust out of them.

This looks like a version of a washing machine I saw by the side of the road last week. I remember my Mom used to fill it with a hose from the sink. First with hot water (for the whites), then the colored clothes, then the real dirty clothes. Everything was washed with one fill of water. I guess they were run through a rinse after that. I remember we had only a pair (maybe two) of jeans that we wore for a week before they were deemed dirty enough for washing. After each wash, everything was put through the ringer, then hung out to dry. I didn't have a washing machine until my second child was born--used to boil diapers on the stove. We were very aware of how white or clean our clothes looked on the line for the neighbors to see. I used to use bluing (guess to make them look whiter), starch, hang, sprinkle, and roll in a towel and put in the fridge before ironing Rich's dress shirts. I got a dryer after my third child. What a work saver. Then, of course, came the no-iron or permanent press clothes, which we all fell in love with. I can remember on many winter day brining in clothes that were like cardboard -- felt like you could break them. Then, finding "radiator space" to dry the most important things.

Everything "before" plastic seems to be vintage.

These were just some things we all used. I remember the scrub board and the jean stretchers. I use a broom in the trailer. I think the thing with the three round rings was a rug beater, but I'm not sure--that was before my time.

I imagine all but the cabinetry is new to this trailer. I think it actually has more storage than mine!

This was the smaller camper. Sorry, I know this is confusing, but Blogger is being totally uncooperative.

This was a big trailer. I wonder what they towed it with.

Vintage cabinets?  What do you think. Not the fridge and I don't think they had full stoves in them.

The first TV we had was a Phillips (I think) 7" in a huge cabinet. We had to sit across the room so we wouldn't hurt our eyes. It  was a scary new fangled contraption. The neighbors would all come over to watch Milton Berle and I Love Lucy. I remember, specifically, counting 18 people all squished together watching on evening. My Dad had gotten some sort of back pay from the army and he loved gadgets so we had a TV in 1948--way before most people.

Definitely a vintage stove, but in a camper?

Definitely out of place

Toilet definitely vintage. Sink? I don't think so. Neither in a camper.

 I guess we grown ups had a flair for color in the 50s.

 One of the first apartments Rich and I rented had a totally pink bathroom Ugh!

Everyone had a telephone table of one sort or another. I picked up one of those phones not too long ago and it was Heavy!! Our telephone table when we were growing up was in the small front hall. I remember my brother stretching the cord and hiding in the coat closet for privacy when he talked to his girl friends. We had party lines with generally four other people on the same line. It was impolite to listen in on someone's conversation, but I remember doing it a few times. Good think my Mom didn't find out. I doubt, but could be wrong, that people had them in RVs.

 I made a mental note of what kind of car this is, but I lost it. Happens a lot these days.

This is the outside of the first small camper--Blogger doesn't want to put it where I want it.

It's very warm here. Can't wait for evening so I can walk around. There's no shade. Instead, I need to get my little vacuum out. I spilled salt all over the place. I guess it's better than sugar.

Lost the Airport

I got a surprise call this morning from Marian and Tom Kruger, the couple who I was parked next to in this park a couple of weeks ago when the electricity went off. They are back home in Florida, but wanted to check to see how I was. Such nice people. We've agreed that we will run into one another, again.

I decided to make a practice run to the airport which according to my GPS is not very far away. It was towards the east. I left about 2:30 wanting to be back before trying to drive west with the sun in my eyes. It is terrible to drive here as the sun goes down.

After two hours of following the GPS AND SIGNS, I finally stopped the truck and got out and asked a bus driver where the Delta arrivals terminal was hiding. I hadn't seen nor heard a plane; the airport was very quiet. First, he said, "I'm sorry, but you can't park there." I said I'm not parked there, I stopped to ask you a question. After explaining that I was making a dry run and practically pulling my hair out with frustration, he said, you have to make a right just before you enter where you are, now. I said, but the signs said no parking. The GPS kept directing me to the cell holding area. He said that's where you want to be. It would be difficult for me to explain so I went around, again, and this time went into an unlit one lane drive nearest the building that had signs. It was dark and the signs weren't lit. I finally found Delta Baggage. I stopped to save the coordinates in my GPS when there was a tap on the window. A security officer said, very politely, "I'm sorry but you can't park here." I told him I had had a terrible time finding out where I needed to pick my daughter up when she arrives--I wasn't parking...just stopping. He told me that when I come I need to tell Susan just to wait right by the curb and keep driving around until she's there. Then, I can pick her up. Okey dokey.

I'm so used to crazy, busy Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson that I complicated everything. I didn't go in the drive because there were no people. None. When I finally did drive by, they had several different small (not easy to see)--United, American, Delta, etc.

This little camper is right down the way from me. Now that's small. I don't know if I could survive in it.

I forgot to mention that instead of cabins, in this park, there are vintage trailers; some with vintage tow cars. I need to take pictures of them. I was going to, today, but I wanted to make sure the pictures were of the right trailers. It's a nice enough campground. I was going to do laundry tonight, but I got back after the office closed, and I need quarters.

I took a walk around the park early this morning while it was still cool. These are pictures of the back of the building. I'll get the rest, tomorrow. I wondered if they decided to fix the pool, afterall. Looks like it. Again, I couldn't ask because no one was in the office yet, but I went in and stuck my foot in...whoa! No heated pool and the water holds the temp from the night before. It was freezing!!

Love these old trees. I wonder what kind they are--I was thinking Cottonwood, but I'm not sure.

Back in Albuquerque

The ride back down to Albuquerque was uneventful. Taking the highway is kind of a boring ride, but it's faster than taking the blue roads, which I'll do coming back from Durango in a couple of weeks.

I had to level the trailer with the blocks. I tried three, but it wouldn't go up on them so I decided two would be enough, and it actually put it right on the money. Very pleasant check in, and a gentleman stopped by to see if I needed help. I was finished unhitching, but he told me that he and his wife are full-timers and have a huge 42 foot 5th wheeler. Very nice person.

I passed a caravan of people evidently moving the family. Three pickups were pulling two more (filled to the brim) behind them and a fourth was towing cars. Don't know if I'd have the nerve to wobble along as they were on a 70 mph highway.

It's a pleasant day, here. I am SO glad I bought the fan. I hate the roar of the A/C...the fan is big, but I pull the air from the shady side of the trailer and open the windows on the sunny side. Plus there's a little tree next to me.

I miss the mountains, but I can't wait for Susan to arrive on the 23rd and we head back up to Durango. There are a few things I wanted to do while here, anyway. Tonight, though, is laundry night unless I'm too tired.

Rich was one of six kids. His two eldest sisters were old enough to be his Mother. I think I'd be safe to say that he was a surprise! Three boys and three girls. His eldest brother, Louis, is the only one left--he's amazing--very good health and has a sense of humor very much like Rich's. This is Rich when he was in the Air Force. Handsome guy, huh?

Sorry, no scenery pictures, but my nephew, David, sent me some old pictures of some of the family. His Mom, Marilyn, (closest in age to Rich) passed away last year. I miss her.

This is his eldest sister, Dorothy. We lost her last year. She was beautiful--I used to tell her she looked like a movie star. My brother-in-law was a pilot during WWII--injured and rescued at sea--a true war hero. Louis and Robbie served in Korea.

This is Rich's eldest brother, Louis.

Left-Robbie, Middle-Marilyn, Right-Louis

Robbie and Wife, Gloria. He had the sense of humor that threads through all the Lassig boys. The Last time I saw Gloria, she was still a very pretty woman.

This is my Mother-in-Law. I'm not sure which baby she is holding. Rich brought her down from NY to live with us in Georgia where she passed away in 1978 only three weeks after.

This was one of the last times that Louis and Marilyn were together. Marilyn lost her husband Bill, third from the left shortly after this picture was taken. Julia, Lou's lovely wife passed several years ago. So, from left to right: My son, Michael, my granddaughter, Keely, Bill, Lou, Marilyn, and Julia. We had a good time having dinner. One of the few times we got together since we all lived so far apart.

This picture was taken at Susan's house not too long ago. It was a "semi" reunion. Susan is planning a larger reunion to try to get all of the family, together, at last. We're hoping that this new generation will be able to keep in closer touch since society is so much more mobile nowadays. Left to right: Lou, me, Bill (Marilyn's eldest son), Debra (Lou's middle daughter), John, my eldest son, Linda (Lou's youngest daughter), and Susan my only daughter and youngest child.

Rich used to travel with his job. He always looked forward, when we lived in New York, to be in Atlanta to play basketball with Marilyn's sons, Bill and twins Leo and Michael. David was born later. He's about nine months older than Michael. Hard to believe they are 50. This is David and his wife, Chris's family. I know who Robert is, but I get the girls mixed up. I'll come back and add when I'm sure. For some reason, Blogger will not post the picture. I'll try again later.

I had started a project before breaking my wrist and arm of digitalizing all my old pictures. I intend to finish it when I return home, then share the pictures that I have. Hopefully, I have a picture of Rich's older sister, Eleanor. She was the second eldest (no picture, now) in the family, and hopefully, everyone can attend the reunion and we can get a long awaited picture. I'm sad to say that her son, Bob, is fighting illness. I wish there was something I could do to help, but he has a great support system that is fighting the fight with him (and a great, beautiful Lab named Blake always by his side).

This is the only picture I have of My Mother and Father-in-Law. Back row left to right: Louis, Marilyn, (Oh, there's Eleanor), Bill, Gloria, Robbie, Rich. Front row: Left to right: Mother, Julia, and Dad.

It's Good to Be Back Amongst the Living

Being sick at home is bad enough, but being sick away from home is worse. I have to say, though, if it had to be, this was the place for it to be. This is the first time I've parked in a Casino Parking lot, but it's clean, well manicured, and having full hookups was a blessing. I think besides a head cold and other issues, this hasn't helped me.

Harvested Hay--that's why I'm sneezing so much!

I'm happy to say my fridge is working without crossing my fingers. The big test will be the ride down to Albuquerque on Saturday. I'm feeling confident.

I hate the noise of the air condition in the trailer so I found this for a good price. I can barely hear it when it's running and it keeps fresh air moving through the trailer. Hmmm...now where is it going to ride. It collapses so I'm going to put it way up at the top the bed and buffer it with pillows. We'll see how it works out.

Now for the ride, I didn't want to drive 200 miles over the mountains. I'll be doing a lot of driving to pick Susan up and when I'm with her, but I love to drive on dirt roads. There is so much to see. I've decided that the mountains are beautiful to look at, but the valleys are really prettier. Miles of green fields and streams and lakes abound.

Wonder where this goes

So, I decided to take a ride back over to Bayfield. There were still some back roads that I had missed while I was there. I went to Valencia Lake and Lemon Reservoir. I wanted to thank the people at Pura Vida Cafe for helping me look for my purse. I sat on their deck overlooking the lake and had lunch--no yellow jackets, today.

Such a beautiful place to have lunch

This is Lemon Reservoir. I think the one that Pura Vida overlooks is Valencia. I hope I have that right, now.

I also wanted to go and see the spot where Lizzie beat Jack to a stick in the water when Rich threw it. I wanted to take a picture and video to send to Susan because she was with us. I also wanted to take a picture of the log I was sitting on when Jack shook himself all over my lunch. What a dope I am. Here's the log.

Wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't gone on in the video to Susan, in great detail, that I was sure this was the log. LOL

It was such a pleasant day, riding with all the windows open. I even found the actual little town of Bayfield. As many roads as I had driven on in the area, I somehow missed the town. I didn't stop, but it's a cute little place. I thought this was a cute house--one I'd like to live in.

I took pictures of horses and cows, and then I came across some sheep. Made me think of the old westerns where the cattle and sheep ranchers were always fighting one another. The simple things that amused our minds in those days. I wouldn't be surprised if President Reagan was in a couple of them.

I called him, but he wouldn't come.

There was a herd, but he was closest.

I couldn't get great pictures because as you can see, this is cattle country and privately owned land that is protected by fences.

I also love the Aspens and have always wanted to see them in fall colors. I may just come back up for a week after I drop Susan off. I think that's the peak time. I was talking to an old rancher, today, and I told him how everyone local was saying it was going to be an early winter and how I wondered how they knew. He said in a slow drawl, "Well, there's a lot of things that I can tell by, but the birds left earlier than usual this year." He didn't mention any other reasons.

I returned back to the casino about three o'clock and decided to stop and try to lose the rest of my $20 allowance. It took me half an hour. I'm not a gambler, it bores me, but I tried the slot machines. I was up to almost $50 the first night I was here. I was actually playing only because I thought I got a lot for my money being able to stay here, and wanted to give back a little. I finally did it in. :) I've always hesitated about parking at casinos, but I've changed my mind since being here because they are usually along main routes and easy pull ins. I don't know if they are all as affordable and as nice as this one, but I'll check one out on the way home.

Well that sums it up for the day. Tomorrow, I want to check tires, etc., to prepare for the trip down to the big "A" of the west. After Susan leaves, I need to find a place to have my oil changed. That concludes this report; you can now return to scheduled programming. :)