2019 Where have I been?

Some might think that when 2019 rolled around, I just dropped off of the other side.  Well, not really, but kind of.

After all of our travel I find it's time to regroup, reorganize, take stock and just breathe while determining what the next adventure or part of our life will be like.

There have been several projects on our RV 'to do list' that needed to be addressed.  We've gotten one or two done.  The hydraulic arm under the bedroom slide is back in place and working great.

I did a deep cleaning of the inside of the rig.  It's looks better and I feel better about it.  After we left Mexico, it had a hard trip up Baja, then sat in a storage yard for almost 6 months, then another tough road trip.  It needed it, and I needed it to happen. So, check that one off the list.

Finding a balance between chores, projects, crafts, cooking and 'self' has been difficult.  I guess this is why some people find it a tough adjustment to retirement.  We don't have any trips planned, and that's a bit unnerving for both of us.  I'm attending a yoga class, and a stretching/toning class.  I've good intentions to get myself over to the 'gym', all of 75 yards from my site.  I've made it twice and prefer to be outside, so I've not been back.  It's been too cold to get into the heated pool, but then I'm just a wimp in the cold weather!

My trips lately have been with the hiking group here at our RV park.  Once a week, a group of us head out, guided by one of the campers who's scouted out a route.  All I have to do is show up, and follow along!

Just yesterday our hike was 4.4 miles around a small mountain.  Steeper and a bit more rugged than the previous ones, but a lovely day.  Overcast, but 70 degrees!

One of our hikes was in the Saguaro Cactus forest.  Some of the cactus were quite stunning.  It depends on the water, of course, but they only grow 1-2" a year.  This one particular one was about 30 feet tall!

Tom and I did a short road trip on Sunday to visit cruising friend Rocky and Renaye.  They're also full time RVers and are spending the winter about 60 miles from us.  After a fun pizza lunch with them, we headed off to explore and loop our way back to our trailer.

The day was rather stormy with lots of dark clouds, and brilliant sun breaks.  A bit of rain here and there, but not enough to wash off the dust and mud picked up on the truck.

I routed us mostly on major highways, with the exception of a dirt road over the mountain near Soirita to Madera Canyon and Green Valley.  It was lovely and we'll go back and do it on a sunny week day.

We've had quite a bit more rain that we had expected to see.  Others here in our park also agree.  We also had snow on New Years day. You'll have to take my word for it, we didn't get up early enough to document it here in our park.

With the increase in clouds and precipitation, we've had some pretty colorful sunsets.  And last night was a nice one.  Some of the shots are of the sun shining on the hills directly behind our RV park.