Peregrinating
2010

November

1 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

A very active day when compared to my usual inactive lifestyle. This mornings walk was around the University again. However when I climbed the east side of the canyon I went all the way to the top of the ridge. A VERY good workout.

This put me on Mt. View Rd where I had previously passed a Mexican restaurant. Stopped there for breakfast and had some very good Huevos Rancheros. They were much better than what I got at the “Old Town' restaurant on my fist walk.

This also made for my longest walk so far here in Silver City at 5.89 miles.

The weather continued to be very pleasant. This motivated me to start taking out the dinette. I began on the bench that was closest to the entry door and found over 20 screws holding it in place. The 15 screws holding it to the floor were 3'' long and I was doing it the old fashioned way – by hand, with a screw driver.

When I finally got it ready to take out I went next door and offered it to my neighbor before I put it in the trash. They did not want it but a visitor from the next row over said that she would like to have it. So I have found a home for the benches.

Both the woman that took it and my neighbors are living in converted utility trailers; a subset to the Vandweller lifestyle.

The neighbors seem to be nice people and have been good neighbors but ALL of their savings seem to have been invested in body art. I don't know if the return on investment is any better than what they could have gotten in the Market but it is going to be hard to sell.

2 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

Election Day. Vote early, vote often!

I removed the other dinette bench seat yesterday after posting my blog entry. I was looking at it to determine what needed to be done to get it out and found it simple. Simple, when compared to bench number one.

The second one sat on rails that were held to the floor by four large bolt headed screws. I took the bench of the rails first but if I had known what I was doing that would not have been necessary.

Even with my extra work it was a quick removal. The woman came and got it today so it has also gone to a good home rather than the landfill. Only the table remains and I'll get rid of it when I have a lap table replacement.

It was another nice day, perfect for dumping holding tanks and filling the fresh water tank. That was the extent of my outside activities other than my walk and grocery shopping.

I did more couch reading and some blog reading on-line. I think I might have drifted off at some point and napped.

3 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

Well, the election is all over but for the shouting. I find it interesting that the President and Senator Reid are both now calling for compromise and working together.

The buzz word when the Democrats held majority power was bi-partisanship. What they meant by that was they wanted some Republican votes so all the negative feedback could be diverted.

The now Republican controlled House will have to walk the walk since they talked the talk. If there is not a significant move toward fiscal responsibility they too will be gone in 2012.

The Democrats can not oppose a move toward fiscal responsibility and expect that to get them back in power – the genie came out of the bottle, he can not be stuffed back in so quickly. If the Republicans do not move toward fiscal responsibility in a meaningful way I see a strong third party emerging in 2012.

Something along the lines of a Bull Moose Party at the beginning of the 20th Century that will come out of the current Tea Party Movement. The next two years are going to be very interesting political times!

My accomplishments for the day were a lot of on-line election result reading mixed in with some couch reading time. I also got a hair cut and a beard trim, looking good. HA HA

I also went to the bank and deposited a check drawn on my brokerage account. This will pay for most of the work done by D & J in Sierra Vista that I had put on my credit card.

It was another warm day, in the 70s, with a little stronger wind than yesterday. Still an open windows kind of day in the afternoon. The forecast is for freezing during the next couple of nights. I can only hope that they are wrong!

4 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

There were three exciting activities on my agenda today.

First, I picked up three chicken and three vegetarian tamales at Masa y Mas. Second, I stopped at Albertsons on my way 'home' and got groceries. Third, I did laundry. It was a busy, busy day.

My walk was into “Old town' again. This time I ventured west of the commercial area on Broadway. This is also commercialized for a couple of blocks and then residential. Some of the older homes have been converted to business as has a stunning Victorian, to become the Silver City Museum.

Broadway stops at a cross street with the Grant County Court House directly in front of it, an impressive building that can be seen from the lower elevations of Broadway. The court house was built by the WPA in an art deco-style that is striking for a small town like Silver City.

Near there to the north a couple of blocks is a Mission style church that was built in 1874. All of this area is the old residential area with some very interesting homes.

5 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

Today was one where I reviewed the basic principles of the International Institute of Not Doing Much (IINDM). I got to thinking that I may have slipped somewhat in meeting the organizations standards and needed to slow down.

It was colder this morning than it has been and took longer to warm up. The afternoon high did manage to reach the mid-60s with a light wind. That is the forecast for at least the next 3-4 mornings and days – like today.

Good weather for staying at home, reading and web surfing.

Another article covering ObamaCare. The AARP was a strong supporter of the law and must have known what the consequences would have been to their employees but AARP senior management ideology was more important.

AARP's endorsement helped secure passage of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Now the seniors' lobby is telling its employees their insurance costs will rise partly as a result of the law.
In an e-mail to employees, AARP says health care premiums will increase by 8 percent to 13 percent next year because of rapidly rising medical costs.
And AARP adds that it's changing co-payments and deductibles to avoid a 40 percent tax on high-cost health plans that takes effect in 2018 under the law. Aerospace giant Boeing also has cited the tax in asking its workers to pay more. Shifting costs to employees lowers the value of a health care plan and acts like an escape hatch from the tax.
"Most plan co-pays and deductibles have been modified," Jennifer Hodges, AARP's director of compensation and benefits, wrote employees in an Oct. 25 e-mail. "Plan value changes were necessary not only from a cost management standpoint but also to ensure that AARP's plans fall below the threshold for high-cost group plans under health care reform."

6 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

A much nicer day than the forecasters had called for. The high got over 70° and the low this morning was in the 40s rather than the 34° predicted.

I'm glad that Daylight Savings Time will 'fall' back tonight. I have been walking in the dark every morning since I have been here. I'll probably still be in the dark tomorrow but it will be at 6:00 am rather than 7:00. That is better since I'm usually awake at 5 or 5:30.

Stopped at Albertsons on the way home and picked up the last items I needed for 'linner'. I got some corn tortillas at Masa y Mas on 11/4 when I was there. So, today I had some tacos with these homemade-like tortillas.

They were really good and I have enough for at least three more meals. The regular tortillas are $1.50 per pound and they have blue corn available on Fridays that are $3.00 per pound.

The other two successess of the day were finishing another book (I'll be at the Park book exchange tomorrow) and finding an expensive SnapOn ratchet wrench while on my US180 walk.

7 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

First day of 'normal' Mountain Standard Time. This is good because the sun and what I consider normal time are in sync. It now gets light at around 6:00 am.

This is bad because a lot of places do not open until 8 or 9 in the morning. That means I have 2 or 3 hours of walking or waiting before they open. That was one of the good things about NV; a lot of places there are open 24/7.

I took my TV out of its overhead cabinet space. Probably a good thing that I did, it was not fastened down and could have bounced out.

I then began to remove the cabinet that it was sitting in. Lots of screws, like the one dinette bench. There is also a lot of wiring that I have to determine how to disconnect.

It is going to be a project that will take me some time but I have plenty of that.

The forecasters are calling for below freezing temperatures in the morning starting around Wednesday. I talked to the Camp Host about how my motor home would handle those lows and he said I should be good down to about 25°.

I hope I don't get to test it.

There was an AP article about President Obama creating jobs in the USA with his trip to India; the AP spins it as best they can but the Harley-Davidson deal is a real stretch. I guess the logic is if Harley does not move offshore for assembly they will go bankrupt and ALL jobs will be lost not just assembly jobs.

Several of the 20 deals - worth $10 billion and expected to create 53,670 U.S. jobs - were already in the works, but the White House says the president's visit to India helped solidify them....
The commercial deals include: the purchase of 33 737s from Boeing by India's SpiceJet Airlines; the preliminary agreement between Boeing and the Indian Air Force on the purchase of 10 C17s; the Indian military's plans to buy aircraft engines from General Electric; and plans for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, to open a new assembly plant in India.

8 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

The only thing different today was doing all of my walk in daylight. Before, the first 30-45 minutes of my walks were in the dark or just as the sun was starting to rise. It is now full sun when I start.

I will start even later tomorrow because I want to stop at a restaurant that opens at 8:00. If I were to start at my usual time I would have to wait about ½ hour for them to open.

Great success in getting all the wiring removed from the TV cabinet (this included 110v lines that worried me but I found the circuit breaker). I had to do some re-arranging in the cabinets next to it also. That is good because they will come out also; just not yet.

I made a reservation in Las Cruces, NM for my next stop when I leave here. I don't usually make reservations but southern New Mexico is filling up with 'snowbirds'.

I had thought about a month in Truth or Consequences, NM but it is not much warmer there. Las Cruces is 5-10° warmer than here plus there are more dentist offices available.

I have contacted one dental office two times and have not received a reply; I'll give them a couple of more days. With more offices available I can contact others that may want my business. LOL

9 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

I awoke to a cloud covered sky and a brisk wind. The temperature was not very cold but the wind cut through me while on my walk.

The restaurant that I had planned on eating at had a sign on the door that said “We will be closed on November 8”. Today is the 9th, the sign is still there and they are still closed.

That called for Plan 'B'. There is a Mexican restaurant at US180 & Memory Lane where you turn to go to the RV Park (about .4 of a mile from home). I went there and while having breakfast I avoided a brief rain shower.

There was a light wind blown mist as I left to grocery shop but it was through raining for the day. It cleared up by the afternoon but never got very warm (in the mid-50s) and the wind continued.

The excitement of the day was finding a hiking trail from Mt. View Rd to 'Old Town'. I'll hike that next week and see what it is like; only 1.7 miles but goes through the hills and ravines.

10 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

This morning was the coldest yet this winter. I'm not sure how cold. The Weather Channel and Underground Weather were reporting two different numbers.

It was below freezing but I don't know by how much. It was interesting that there was no frost; maybe not enough humidity? As I walked into 'Old Town' I saw 29° on the McDonald's electronic sign but that was at 7:00 am.

It felt colder than that and I was happy to take refuge in a coffee and donuts shop while waiting for Masa y Mas to open. Picked up another ½ dozen tamales which I dropped off at home before going grocery shopping.

The Thermal Cooker creation today was a vegetarian pozole. I used chayote squash, tomatillos and hominy with a liberal dash of minced garlic. It went really well with a tamale!

Still no contact from dental office number one. I contacted a second one today to see if they have any interest in cleaning my teeth.

11 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

Finally was successful in getting the TV cabinet removed. There were over 30 screws holding it to the wall and ceiling.

There were also two screws into it from the window valance that I could not find the screw heads. This necessitated even more disassembly of the cabinet and some brute force to get it off those screws.

I caught sight of my neighbor and offered him the wood but there is no burning here in the Park. He didn't want to carry it around with him anymore than I did so he helped me take it to the dumpster.

We talked for quite a long time. In the course of the conversation he expressed a desire to have an awning like the one that is on the side of Desperado. I have not used it, will not use it and planned on having it removed – so, I gave it to him.

The mornings are now all forecast to be below freezing for at least the next week. The high today never got over the mid-50s and it was cold inside Desperado when I got back from my walk. Started up my catalytic heater for the first time and it was comfortable within 30-45 minutes.

I'll probably run it for a few hours in the early morning tomorrow before I go walk. It will help keep the pipes from freezing and make it much more comfortable. It has been really cold inside the past few days when I got up.

The second dental office responded to my email and I have made an appointment. The office hygienists are experienced with cleaning for periodontal sufferers so I think I have made a good choice.

12 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

My most important accomplishment today – I got my laundry done.

I also checked with the Park Office to see if my mail had been received from the Pahrump UPS Store. I called them on Monday and asked them to forward my VA prescriptions and all First Class Mail. It is not here yet.

I had my heater on from about 3:00 am until I got up at 6:00. It made a big difference. I felt even colder during my walk today because of a wind again. It just cuts through me.

13 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

I just want to add one thing to the quote by Will Rogers – Then an elected politician.

I did the walk around Western New Mexico University again this morning. The difference today was a stop at Kountry Kitchen restaurant. It is about a block east of NM90 and a block north of the coffee and donuts shop (rather hidden and probably do not get many tourists).

As I walked past the donut shop I saw that it was closed and had a small sign on the door. The sign said that they would be closed from 11/12 to 12/12 – I guess I wont be having anymore coffee and donuts there this trip.

The Huevos Rancheros at Kountry Kitchen were the best yet. They offer the typical New Mexico 'red or green' (meaning red or green chile sauce) but also jalapeño. I got the jalapeño and asked for a 'hot sauce' which they did not have; it was just as well because the dish was spiced just right.

I checked for mail at the Park Office once more. Once more I had nothing but was told that delivery to Silver City is really slow. Maybe Monday?

Did a little more dis-assembly of the cabinets. Took off one door and removed the radio stereo speaker that was mounted on the bottom. I'm not in a big rush to get the rest of the cabinets removed. I don't have the money right now to do the remodel but I can do a little bit at a time.

What money I had left in this months budget went toward a Lap Desk that I ordered today. I'll have more to say about it when I receive it.

14 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

It was a clear and sunny day but never reached 60° and there was a constant wind.

My outside activities were limited to my morning walk with a stop for groceries. The rest of the day was inside on the couch with another mystery novel. I did break up the couch time with some blog reading and a little on-line news.

I also received an email that the Lap Desk was ready for shipping. I sent a reply to hold it for a week until I reached my next location.

The mail I requested to be sent to me from Pahrump last Monday has still not arrived. I don't want the Lap Desk to also be late in arriving.

15 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

This morning was my day to hike the trail I saw along Mt. View last week. It was about 2.4 miles from home to the trail head and a sign there said 1.7 miles to 'Old Town' center.

The distance was very accurate, I don't know how many trails I have hiked where the distances listed were a 'good guess'. The trail is called San Vicente and takes you off the ridge toward the west.

The first half is just getting down off the ridge to San Vicente Creek. The second half is along the creek and is under huge trees, along flowing water, past cliffs and big boulders – a very pretty hike.

San Vicente Creek is south of the same creek that flows through 'Old Town' but there it is called the Big Ditch. It was a creek in town also until 1902 when very bad floods carved the ditch through the town with a lot of damage.

I had breakfast at Nancy's Silver Cafe in the center of 'Old Town' before continuing home. Stopped once more and checked on my mail – nothing.

I then called the UPS Store in Pahrump and got a confirmation that it had been delivered. However, the delivery was US Postal Service Priority Mail which they will not bring to the RV Park Office. I kept asking for a package, what was left was a notice that the package was at the Post Office in Silver City. AGHAAAAA

It was cold and windy again today with clouds blowing in. It looked like it was raining to the north early this afternoon. Now, maybe it is blowing through; I know it is rocking the coach from time to time.

16 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

I did my morning walk but the route was directed by errands. First on the agenda was a latte and danish at the Deli/Bakery at The Hub in 'Old Town'.

This gave me a chance to sit inside where it was warm while I waited for Masa y Mas to open. I got more pork and chicken tamales; I did not care much for their vegetarian ones.

Next, was a walk over to the Post Office and wait about 10 minutes for them to open. I finally got my forwarded mail; about ½ of the First Class letters were from the VA. However, most of them were advising me that I had two VA-Reno appointments on October 14th or that I had missed my appointments on the 14th.

I have told VA-Reno on at least three occasions that I have moved from Reno, have transferred my records from Reno and will not be needing/wanting appointments. Oh well I guess they will determine that just given some time.

The good news from VA was the check to refund my overpayment on the Reno account. That required a final stop for the day at the bank to deposit it.

Not an exciting morning but I did get in my 5 miles and all errands were taken care of.

17 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

A record breaking day. The record was a walk of 7.26 miles; the most that I have done in one day since re-starting my 'program' in September.

It was not planned, it just happened. After I hiked the San Vicente Trail on the 15th I Google searched the Internet for it and found that there were also trails on Boston Hill in Silver City. I set out to find them.

Boston Hill is actually three connected hills west and south of the County Court House. There was mining in the Boston Hills from about 1880 until the early 1970s. Not for silver, which gave the town its name, but for manganiferous ircon ore. This was used as a flux ore in the silver smelting process and also in the manufacturing of steel.

The city of Silver City obtained the mining property and has made it an Open Space with many trails through it.

It was about 3 miles to the Copper St trailhead, just north of an old cemetery, and I then hiked maybe 1.25 miles of the trails. They are not marked, although there is a map at the trailhead, nor are there any distances shown.

I managed to find the trail that took me to the Spring St trailhead as my exit from the Open Space. This is a block south of the County Court House and a block west (where a mining 'scar' can be seen on the side of the hill).

From there I headed home with a stop at the Kountry Kitchen to fuel up on excellent Huevos con Chorizo. The total distance was not a problem although I'll probably be a little sore tomorrow; it is my feet that give me the most trouble.

The other big achievement for the day was to fill my fresh water tank. It was showing only ¼ full and with the freezing temperatures at night it is best to have it close to full. This also removes one thing from my to do list before leaving on Sunday.

Then last but not least I finished the mystery novel that I have been reading. I will be trading it at the Park's exchange library before I leave here.

18 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

A shorter walk this morning and then a round trip to the store for groceries at noon. I wanted some chicken strips from the Deli the last time I went shopping but they do not start cooking any until 8:30.

I waited today to get my groceries and did the extra trip so that I could get some. This not living in a 24/7 state/town for an early riser like myself can get complicated at times. HA

I had breakfast at Grandma's Cafe again. That is my third time while I have been here. The Cafe is for sale so I don't know what the experience may be in the future but all the food that I had was good.

The other two things that make it a great Cafe are 1) they open at 6:00 am and 2) they are right on my route between home and 'Old Town'.

Thinking about my To Do List for the next couple of days. Most of it I'll have to do on Saturday so tomorrow will be light duty again.

I ran across these five most popular words for 2010 as measured by The Global Language Monitor:
#5 "guido" and "guidette"
#4 “refudiated”
#3 "narrative"
#2 "vuvuzuela"
#1 "Spillcam"

This listing shows how completely out of it I am; I did not use any of these words during 2010. I should say I did not use them until I listed them today. HA HA (Now I'm hip!)

19 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

I walked to 'Old Town' for the last time this trip. Wanted to try La Familia restaurant near the Post Office and also get more tamales at Masa y Mas.

La Familia has two things going for it 1) they open at 6:30 am 2) they are close to 'Old Town' and the P.O. Do NOT get a Mexican breakfast; I was not impressed.

If I were to be here longer I would give them another chance but would have an American breakfast. If they were to screw that up then they would be off the list.

Went home and dropped off the tamales and dumped my holding tanks. The gray water tank was showing full last night so I thought a dump today was in order. I would have done it tomorrow as part of my departure routine but doing it today gets it off my To Do List.

I then went grocery shopping again. It is difficult for me to carry a weeks worth of groceries in one trip so I need to stop every 2-3 days.

I should be good until next week when I can search for a new market. I think there is a Save Mart only ¼ mile from my new home – YIPEE.

It was much warmer today; back to the mid-60s with very little wind. The weekend should stay close to 70° and the nights will be above freezing – maybe.

20 November
Rose Valley RV Ranch
Silver City, NM

This morning was my last walk in Silver City this trip; I may be back in a year or then maybe not.

It was also my second stop at La Mexicana (the restaurant at US180 and Memory Lane). A very good breakfast at what I consider the second best restaurant, tied with Grandma's and behind Kountry Kitchen, in Silver City.

The big item on my To Do List today was laundry. I got it done but it took an extra 45 minutes. The dryer that I selected went around and around but there was no heat – no dry. A second dryer then got the job done.

Then there was the bed making routine which has become easier. I say easier; it is still not easy but does not give me the workout that I got the first few times.

The last thing on the agenda was to get my money back from the Park Office for the bad dryer. Then turn around and give them much more money for the electricity that I have used this month.

On 11/11 I said that I had given my awning to my neighbor. On 11/15 I saw his wife (or significant other) and told her that the awning was their's if they wanted it but I was leaving on 11/21. I still have an awning!

There is nothing left on my To Do List for today. Tomorrow I disconnect from electric and pack away the leveling blocks from under my right rear wheels. It will then be another travel day.

21 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

I was on my way at sunrise. It was only 138 miles but some of them were very slow.

I took NM152, also called the Geronimo Trail, a Scenic Byway from US180 to NM187. This route took me through the Mimbres Mountains with 8,828' Emory Pass marking my leaving Grant County. I then passed through Sierra County and entered Doña Ana.

The 10 miles on each side of the Pass has numerous hairpin curves with speed limits of 10 or 15 mph. I drove down the eastern slope in 2nd gear with occasional taps on the brakes; no white knuckle experiences. Only met 4 other vehicles in the almost 70 miles I was on NM152.

It is a great road but don't drive it if your in a rush!

I then took NM187 south which follows the Rio Grande much closer than I-25. It also goes through a lot of small farming towns.

The #1 crop is chilies but there was a lot of cotton, hay and a few pumpkin fields. Also a lot of pecan groves; some of them very, very old and others have just been newly planted.

I stopped in Hatch, NM for breakfast and from there took NM26 and NM185/N. Vally Rd/NM188 into Las Cruces.

Even with my well prepared written directions I managed to drive past the RV Park. There is even a small sign but I missed that also – I was looking east; the Park is on the west side.

I did find it and was set up by noon. I'm in a very narrow space with neighbors quite close on both sides. There are fully mature trees that would give welcome shade in the summer but not needed much now.

The Park has a N. Valley address but it is set well back from the busy street so there is very little traffic noise. It is OK but not nearly as nice as Rose Valley and it is much more expensive.

I sent an email to have my Lap desk shipped. With any luck I'll have it by the end of the week. Then did an afternoon walk around the area with a stop at Save Mart; not 5 miles but enough to get the heart working.

22 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

I did my first morning walk in Las Cruces and was glad that I had done so early. The wind picked up a lot after I got back and had breakfast.

I did almost six miles on an almost flat route. I would swear at some of the hills that I climbed while in Silver City but miss them already.

Las Cruces is a much bigger town than Silver City; the second largest in New Mexico. This means that what I see while on my walks will only be a portion of the whole. What I will be talking about mostly will be the central part of town.

This morning I went through Mesquite Original Townsite Historical District. This is a fairly large area to the east of the current Downtown. Also passed through Alameda Depot Historical District west of Downtown.

The Doña Ana County Courthouse built in 1917 appears to be under interior refurbishing. It is of a very impressive Southwest Spanish architecture with the exposed beams on two stories.

A hotel built in the 1880s stands to the north of the Courthouse but it in poor condition. The other old buildings in that part of town have been replaced with newer construction so even the Historical Districts have only a scattering of old buildings remaining.

The more modern Courthouse is in the Downtown area which destroyed a lot of the Historic buildings during a 1970s urban renewal.

The rest of my day was devoted to my normal routine. The early winds did keep the coach cold so I had my heater on for a couple of hours. This was only the second time that I have used it during the day.

I didn't have it on last night but will probably do so in the early hours tomorrow morning. The forecast is for a colder night, near freezing but 5° above what I was getting in Silver City.

23 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

Another day of walking almost six miles. This one was broken up with a stop at Starbucks for a latte and apple fritter. The first time that I have been in a Starbucks since last April or May in Reno.

The walk took me south on Valley Dr and then north on Main St. I think I saw most of the auto dealerships in Las Cruces, new and used.

I went past the old Country Courthouse again but also passed a new Courthouse south of it; there are more courthouses scattered around here than any other place I have ever been.

My route also went past the Railroad Museum. This is in the Santa Fe Railroad Depot that was built in 1910. The Museum is only open 4 days of the week and limited hours so it is doubtful that I'll be going back.

However, it is in the Alameda Historical District which contains some of the old residential area. I will probably pass through this area a few times; I love to see the old Spanish style homes, even those that are starting to fall down.

The trees that I am parked under are loosing their leaves but not nearly fast enough. I'm not getting the early morning sun so the coach stays cold longer than it did in Silver City. I don't like the wind but wish there were a strong blow come through and get rid of the rest of the leaves.

24 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

Another record walk; this time it was 8.04 miles. I went west on US70 (Picacho Ave) to NM292 (Motel Blvd/Calle de El Paso) to NM28 to Mesilla where I wandered around the Plaza.

The most striking building on the Plaza is the Basilica of San Albino. The other thing that struck me was how much this Plaza was like the one in San Ignacio, Baja Sur, MX.

The other points of interest that I went past were La Posta de Mesilla; now a restaurant and the only remaining building that served as a stop on the Butterfield Trail.

Across the street is the former Mesilla Jail where Billy The Kid was held after he was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang. He was extradited to Lincoln, NM where he was to be executed but he escaped.

I then had breakfast at Andele Restaurant, about the only place open at 8:00 am. They have a tortilla and tamale factory also with the tamales priced almost half what I paid in Silver City.

From there I took NM28 (Avenida de Mesilla) northeast to NM188 S Valley Dr and back home, with a stop for groceries along the way. The dividing line between North and South Valley Dr seems to be at Amador. However, the street numbers start with 400s to the south and 300s to the north; it is very confusing if you do not know this.

I will probably go back to Mesilla again but will do an out and back route that will only be about 6 miles. Old Mesilla is older than Las Cruces and has retained more of its historical buildings and appearance. It looks today like it did over 100 years ago for the most part; a very interesting town.

I'm going to get my wish for winds tomorrow. Then some much colder temperatures on Friday and Saturday. I'll be whining.

25 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

Happy Thanksgiving

A rather quiet day here with most places closed and very light traffic. That should change tomorrow – Black Friday.

I did an out and back route on US70 (Picacho Ave) to just west of Rio Grande. The Big River was anything but that today; a couple of very narrow streams that were only inches deep.

Most of the water is held behind Elephant Butte Dam about 70 miles north of here near Truth or Consequences, NM. It will then be used for irrigation all along the Mesilla Valley during this winter and early next spring.

It stayed cold all day with the high only reaching the mid-50s. We did get the promised winds but they were not nearly as strong as I expected. The forecast is for a very cold morning tomorrow.

I added some cardboard inside the compartment that has most of my plumbing. I'll also have my heater on during the early morning hours and hope for the best. I'll be adding a thermal undershirt for tomorrows walk, I don't think my cotton turtleneck is going to be enough. HA

As I prepared my 'linner' I saw other Rvers taking their 'pots' to a Thanksgiving Pot Luck here in the Park. When I had almost finished eating I had a knock on my door. My neighbor had fixed me a Thanksgiving plate and brought it back for me.

Very thoughtful and kind of him, we have only waved and said hello a couple of times.

26 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

It was cold this morning, very glad that I had my thermal t-shirt on. It has stayed cold all day, another day for using my catalytic heater. The forecast is for it to be cold tomorrow.

I did not let this keep me from my walk and appointed rounds. OK, I didn't have any appointed rounds other than look at new places in town.

I went north on NM185 (N Valley Dr) the road that I came into Las Cruces on. Within ½ mile I was in mixed farm, pecan groves and scattered homes. This continued after I turned east and then southeast where I turned back for home on US70 (Main St & W Picacho Ave).

I thought I had walked past all the auto dealers in town on Valley Dr. I was wrong, I got to see the rest of them today on N Main St.

The only Black Friday shopping that I did was at Save Mart for some groceries. The remainder of the day I was bundled up at home trying to stay warm.

There was not much wind but the cold has really accelerated the leaf drop. I now have a thick carpet of leaves all around Desperado; an on top I'm sure.

27 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

It was cold again this morning but not as bad as yesterdays 24°. It was also not as cold as the forecasters had predicted, this was a good thing. The next couple of days are to be warmer and then a couple of much colder days after that.

On 11/22 I went past Si Señor Restaurant – Tortilla & Tamale Factory. It was much too early for the restaurant to be open but I saw people in the Factory. I went inside and asked about buying tamales and was told that I could get them at Si Señor Express.

Therefore, I planned my walk today to go past Express, inquire about tamales and perhaps purchase same. I got there at about 7:20 and thought all was well because the sign on the door said Open at 7:00.

Wrong, the place was locked up tight and I could not see anyone inside. It was about 3 miles to get there so no advantage over Andele Restaurant in Mesilla – I'll buy my tamales from Andele.

I saw E2 Restaurant on El Paso Rd and decided that would be a good place for breakfast. I say that because they were open. It turned out that was their one redeeming quality and I will not be stopping there again. There are very few restaurants that I have walked by that open before 8:00 so I was hoping.

Talked to my neighbor for a few minutes this afternoon. He and his wife are Part Timers that live in Virginia City, NV and have come south to avoid the cold and snow of northern NV.

He was trying to fix a water leak . That seems to be a common affliction with RVs. They will be leaving on Monday for a couple of weeks to get their 5th Wheel repaired. It seems that he hit a post and tore a hole in the left rear comer of the trailer – another common affliction.

They should be back here a few days before I leave. I don't know where I am going to go but will be moving on when my month is over and I have gone to my dental appointment.

28 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

My wish for strong winds to blow the leaves off the tree above me has come to pass. There is a High Wind Warning in effect for today and through the early hours of tomorrow.

Desperado has been rocking-n-rolling since 11:00 and most of the leaves are gone. However, right behind these winds comes the much colder temperatures. I will probably have to unhook soon and go get a propane re-fill.

Yesterday I received my Lap Desk which I am using at this very moment. Upon receiving it I removed my dinette table from its wall bracket so now I have only the Lap Desk to use as a sit down table or desk. My last year in a Reno apartment I did not even have that so it is going to work just fine.

I got it from The Lap of Luxury in Eugen, OR by ordering on-line. The wood desk is bamboo with a foam filled 'pillow' attached to the bottom. The 'pillow' is about 4” thick so the desk top is at a very comfortable height to write or to use my lap top computer.

My neighbor was very helpful once again today. The metal bracket on the wall that the dinette table connected to used those screw heads that are a recessed square. He had the perfect screwdriver to fit them so I was able to get the bracket off.

These 5 screws were the only ones with that screw head that I have found so far. Why they had to use them rather than a Phillips like all the other screws they used I'll never know.

I now have my folding canvas directors chair where I plan on putting a recliner. I have two banker file boxes where I'm going to put an open faced storage cabinet of approximately their size. The good news is it looks like everything is going to fit. YAH

I still have some of the old cabinets overhead that need to come down plus the valance and mini blinds. Then I can paint, put up wiring raceway, new curtains, new wall light, new wall speaker and buy the recliner.

All of this will cost money that I don't have at the moment so it is a work under construction.

29 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

Today completes my first year of The Peregrinating Graybeard. I have now posted 365 daily postings for what I consider to be my first year as a Fulltimer.

The first three months were mostly in Mexico with my Scion and Teardrop Trailer. Then there were two months of motel living while trying to sell that rig. Finally, in May I bought Desperado and began the more traditional life of a Fulltimer.

I posted a blog for every day for a couple of reasons: 1) to see if I had the discipline for daily post 2) to experiment with what I might blog about. I have proved to myself that I can meet the daily posting challenge.

The second reason is still a little undefined but I think I will continue my same format. I will write a travel log when I'm traveling and comment on what I see, hear or read as the mood strikes me.

I am nor trying to document a Fulltimers log of perpetual vacation travel but rather the everyday life of someone living in a Class C RV full time with limited financial means that happens to move from place to place. I'm comfortable with that.

I didn't dress warm enough for the first part of my walk this morning. The wind was still blowing and I was chilled until I got me back to it and the sun on my face.

I stopped a little short of five miles and had breakfast at Pancake Alley. It was good but overpriced in my opinion. I'll probably stop there again but want to try another restaurant on the route first

After breakfast I did a grocery stop at Save Mart. Went home and got my laundry done. Then spent the remainder of the day trying to stay warm.

It was cold all day, with a high in the mid-40s, wind blowing hard at times. My shade tree in now almost naked. The forecast is for a much colder morning tomorrow and the next. I' hoping for the best with regards to all my plumbing.

30 November
Sunny Acres RV Park
Las Cruces, NM

I was out walking a few minutes later this morning and was better dressed for the cold. It was a good thing because the temperature was 22°. Fortunately, there was no wind.

I first stopped at The Bean in Mesilla; this is an espresso coffeehouse that also serves a limited menu. I did not ask but believe the name comes from the Bean brothers, Sam and Roy.

Roy is the famous Judge Roy Bean of Texas that was in partnership with his brother Sam in Mesilla just before the Civil War. Sam was a successful businessman and took a destitute Roy into partnership when he came to NM.

I had a latte there while I waited for Andele Restaurant to open. After 8:00 I went across the street to the restaurant and had breakfast plus I bought a dozen tamales.

I commented before that they were priced at approximately ½ what I paid in Silver City. Well, they are approximately ½ the size so I'm not getting any bargain however they are good.

The weather has been a repeat of yesterday. I have another cold morning tomorrow and then IF the forecast is to be believed it will start warming. It will still be in the mid-60s but that is 20° higher than the past two days.

The early morning hours are to be above freezing – that is the even better news IF it happens.