Retrieving “Meander” from storage in Arvada, Colorado and getting ready to hit the roadChris and I had to shovel a place to put his truck so my van could get hooked up to their electricity and I could add a swing arm to my bike rackI practiced putting on chains to be prepared for a snowy pass.Thanks to this medication, I could move without pain the next day !!I left Superior on January 1 to avoid an approaching storm. I passed horse farms and cattle ranches. To each side, there were spectacular rock formations, sweeping plateaus and majestic snow covered mountains. I was only pummeled with snow and hail for a few minutes. I couldn’t get the heat to work so stayed at a Holiday Inn. If you zoom in, you can see the letter “M” on the mountain. This was created by the New Mexico School of Mines in 1911-12. It turns out Dr. Luck’s father attended this school.This is the parking lot of Walmart in Socorro. I had finished reading “Nomadland” and see the Walmart parking lot in a new way. As I drove up a camper van was parked in the dirt by the lot. In the lot were several cars with people sleeping all bundled up with clothes and blankets. These are the shift workers who have lost their regular jobs, their homes and families. They live in their vehicles. They do not earn enough for housing. I am fortunate to have a place to live and now a van to explore our country. I am mindful of the desperate situation of others.Brief visit with Sifrance Tran and his family in El Paso. Amazing exotic birds and wonderful hospitalityTraveled through the desert in New Mexico to reach Saguaro National Park. The desert was notable for a difference in the grasses. I kept looking for the Acadia trees of the Mara savannah and a lion or two. One area had miles of solar panels and wind turbines. There were also several check points like at the border. Nobody was in the booths but you had to slow down to drive through. I decided to have a goal of visiting a national or state park once a week on my journey. This park provided a needed break from driving. I took a pleasant stroll through the park. Saguaro National Park hidden in the outskirts of TucsonArrived safely at Sherry Ewing’s beautiful home. I spent the next two days learning everything I could from her about van travels and van living.But first we had to give “Meander” a thorough wash and she had to reorganize the interior of the van!We attempted a hike through Catalina State Park but the usually dry riverbed was so full of water we could not passBeautiful sunsets from Sherry’s back yard. A very appealing place to spend the winter.Made it to the Pacific OceanDana Point for rest and recovery. My sister’s driveway was ideal for trying to fix the heater ( replace a fuse) and replace the tires. Funny story…. four new tires and by the time I drove back to her place ( five miles ) , the right front tire was flat !! They came right out, took the tire off and returned within the hour with the tire and a new stem. Interior reorganization still underway and heater still does not work. Cloudy weather and rain made outdoor activities limited so we tried to see every movie we could that will be up for the Oscars. Back to Chicago for an evening of love and laughter with former fellows, their spouses and colleagues! We enjoyed an excellent dinner at Mon Ami Gabi and top the evening off with desert and special cocktails at Rashmi and Matt’s home. I was so happy to see this crew. It was a perfect way to celebrate my retirement.I was able to spend a few hours with my darling grandson, Declan. I can’t wait to see him again. He looks just like his father at this age. Lunch with Lauralyn in Laguna. Spectacular weather back in California2023 Goal…. Visit a regional, state or national park once a week.Weather perfect for a bike ride through Doheny Beach State Park and then on to San Clemente. Was happy I had my ebike to get up the hill and back to my sister’s place on the hill overlooking Dana PointHappy Birthday to my sister, Lauralyn. We figured out I had not celebrated her birthday with her in over 50 years! We will celebrate this weekend with her daughter Kelly ( pictured above ) and friends.
