We waddled up to Livingston, TX to the home park for the Escapees RV Club to visit with Boomer friends Barry and Jan Kessler. We hadn't had any down time for a while, and enjoyed a few days of relaxing, catching up with “real life” stuff, and meeting new RV friends for happy hour. Jan and I recruited two new Boomer couples, so were very proud of ourselves! Just before we left Abbeville, I purchased a Tom Tom auto GPS system. O'my'god – do I love this new toy!!! Our biggest frustration in this mobile lifestyle of ours is getting lost. I did some research, and while Garmin is easier to use, Tom Tom has the best European maps, which I will purchase before we leave in April. On a visit to Houston see friends and family, we whipped all over the city stress free – I have no idea why it took me so long to buy one!
Our next big adventure was to Santa Fe, NM to meet my son, Steve, and his girlfriend, Julie's, family. We left Winnie in Las Cruces in the side yard of friends', Paul and Stephanie Bernhagen's, beautiful home, ( watched over by their next door neighbor, Roxie) since Santa Fe is way too far north this time of year. Turned out to be a darned good decision since it snowed several times while we were there! Rather than stay in a hotel, we rented a beautiful apartment to share with Steve and Julie. If you are ever headed that way, check out http://www.vrbo.com/, rental # 53388. The owners also have an art gallery, and the place is decorated beautifully, with amazing attention to detail. I think they may have a one bedroom apartment available as well. Our first night there, the whole family joined us at the apartment for a pasta and salad dinner, and the next night we had cocktails at Julie's folks' lovely home. Historic downtown was lit beautifully with Christmas lights, and, with the falling snow, was a real postcard scene. The restaurant scene in Santa Fe is amazing, and we had several wonderful meals. If you ever have a chance to order the duck hash eggs benedict with jalapeno lime hollandaise for breakfast at the Anasazi Hotel, go for it!!
We also took a day trip to Taos, where it had snowed several inches the night before. We took in a bit of shopping (my newest toy is a milk frother to make cappuccinos - Dick says I am very easily amused) and then had a terrific lunch at Orlando's, in El Prado, just a couple of miles north of Taos. On the trip home, we took the scenic highway – with the trees all covered with snow and the amazing vistas, it was a real treat. What great country. I love the pueblo architecture and southwest décor.
We also really enjoyed talking with Julie's stepmom, Christine. We have had a particular interest in WWII since visiting Normandy and Belgium, and were fascinated by her stories of growing up in France during the Nazi occupation.
On our way back to Jojoba Hills, we stopped at the Escapee park in Benson, AZ to see some of our favorite Boomer friends. We only had time for one happy hour but it was great fun to catch up with them.
