Waiting in Texas (Gordonville, TX)

Since my last post, we have traveled a lot of miles.  2117 miles since 8 October. We rarely travel that many miles in a short time.  Surprisingly, our cats did not complain about the long hours on the road.  They did want to explore each new stop though.  Sometimes that just wasn't an option with the overnight location.  Ever try to explain to a cat that it isn't a good idea to go outside...yea, doesn't work.

We spent a couple of nights in Williams, AZ.  A great little town within walking distance of the Grand Canyon RV Park.  We were a little worried about being so close to the train tracks.  It would not be the first time a train has woke us in the middle of the night, but to be this close really had us thinking we were in for a couple of sleepless nights.  Turned out we worried for nothing.  The trains were unusually quiet...quiet engine...only one short horn blast at the crossings...even the wheels on the tracks seemed quieter if that is possible.  Anyway, we had no problems sleeping.

We hope to return sometime in the future so we can explore more of the area and ride the train to the Grand Canyon.

 During our two day stay, we walked the streets a couple of times.  I enjoyed the old signs the most and took more photos of them than of the buildings.

 Next time, I plan to check out this gift shop.  Looks very interesting...

I did go into this shop....Of Course!  I could not pass it by with the door sitting open just begging me to come on in.  The Quilts On Route 66 was small, but fun to wander around and talk to other quilters.  

 

We stayed one night in Homolovi State Park near Winslow, AZ.  We stayed here a couple of times when we first started traveling in our old motorhome.  Great views of fantastic sunsets!

Desert Moon

I really miss the southwest landscape, so I was quite happy when we went straight into Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) from Homolovi SP.

I'm sorry to say that I did not take a single photo during our week stay in ABQ.  I spent a lot of time shopping, getting a green chile fix from Golden Pride (more than once), visiting with friends, and seeing our old haunts.  We even drove by our old house which was a big mistake since it is up for sale and falling apart.  Such a shame.

 We are settled in Gordonville, TX while waiting for our new motorhome to become available.  We have a couple of more weeks to go.

We could not ask for a better spot to relax and wait.  This is our view from the side yard.  Nice, eh?

On The Cutting Board

All summer long, my shop was very quiet.  I think I had two sales.  So quiet that I did not think to close my shop during our trip.  I just thought it would stay quiet.  It did not.....

Lots of Happy Campers!

On the very first travel day, I received an order.  I messaged back that it may take me a few days to mail since I wasn't sure how our schedule would go or where to drop off packages.  I am very thankful that she was very understanding.

New Apple and Owl Mug Rugs (coasters)

That order was the first of many during our travels south!  It was like the first customer broke open the dam and the flood of orders started!  I was excited and stressed trying to fill the orders on time.  I really did not want to close my shop since this was the most active it had been since leaving Florida.

New Southwest Vintage Trailer

With the long hours on the road, I did a lot of sewing.  All of the photos above and below are new listings.  Some have already sold.

Tea Towel, Ornament and Quilt

My fingers are crossed that my shop will see more activity through the holiday season.  During my quiet time, I had started working on some UFOs - 3 quilts and more mug rugs.  I need to get them done and listed.  Well, I better get back to the cutting board!

Happy Quilting!

Arizona Bound....

Cabbage Flower - Madrid

Yesterday and today, we are traveling.  We were planning to stay a week in El Paso, TX at Ft. Bliss’s campground, but we found the place unappealing and very noisy from the highway traffic outside our front window.   Friday night sounded like we were at the races with vehicles going full-throttle down the highway all night long.  Well, at least it felt that way...

Ristra display - Madrid

Saturday morning we woke up tired  and decided to leave three days early.  It was very windy at times and we worried a little about running into dust storms.  Except for a light dust storm and some bad gusts trying to push the motorhome sideways, it was uneventful.  We spent last night in Deming at the Escapees’ park and we are on our way to another Escapees’ park near Benson, AZ.  Traveling today will be a lot calmer.  I am looking forward to seeing southern Arizona again.  It has been awhile.

I didn't take any pictures during our stay so these are all from Madrid.

Si! I take requests!

So, this winter we will be volunteering in Southern AZ on a private wild life preserve of 312 acres and we will be the only 'campers' on the grounds.  We will start around the end of November and will stay for at least 3 months.   It sounds like an interesting place to spend a winter.  I'm looking forward to getting some good photos of the wildlife and getting some quilting done while we are there.

Tired Hitch getting some rays

~~~~~~~~~~~Patagonia, AZ

Dan sent out the following description to our families:

The name of the preserve is Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve (PSCP) and is located adjacent to the town of Patagonia Arizona (AZ). It is privately owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve valuable habitat and waterways for the preservation of bio-diversity. In Arizona TNC has 1.5+ million acres in their care and 12 major preserves. Only 4 are open to the general public. PSCP was acquired in 1966 and is the first preserve acquired by TNC in Arizona.

It is a very valuable piece of land because it is an endangered riparian habitat that has year around water flow in the creek. Riparian habitats support the majority of biodiversity in a desert landscape. It is host to numerous fauna, mammals, reptiles, endangered fish, and insects.

The access to water attracts this diverse collection. The most common question is “what animals can we see”…In which we reply Deer, squirrels, cotimundi, skunk, bear, coyote, cougar and javelina and …yes rattlesnake can be seen once in a blue moon.

Link   to the last people who volunteered there (2.5 years!) and wrote about it.

Pictures of the area

Madrid, NM

(El Paso, TX)

We said Good-bye to our son, Shaun.  We had a wonderful visit with him. It was so good to hear how he was doing - which is great and he looks great.  

Dan & Shaun

And to all my friends in Albuquerque -- I miss them already!  I really enjoyed visiting with all my friends and catching up on what they have been doing for the past year.  Thank you for the encouraging words to keep on selling my quilts and posting my adventures.

Madrid

We managed between visits, and errand running to take a scenic drive on Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe.  This is a road we often took on our motorcycle trips.  An excellent trip if you like taking rides on back country roads.

We did our traditional lunch stop at the Mine Shaft Tavern for lunch in Madrid – pronounced Mad Rid.  We stopped there for the atmosphere as well as for the food.  In the past, we were able to catch to the live entertainment.  We were never disappointed.

Howdy!

Beautiful Bells on display

The town was once a coal mining ghost town turned into a very colorful and lively artistic place to visit with galleries and shops.  I have always enjoyed walking down the main street after lunch.  There is always a lot of artwork - very enticing artwork - sitting in the front yards.  I try to do more window shopping, but I end up stopping to see what the shops and galleries have to offer along the way.  Don't these places look inviting?

Love the colors!

Excellent! Double doors with screens and red!

Madrid was the location for Maggie’s Diner in the movie “Wild Hogs” being filmed there.  Funny, that was not there before the movie.  Hmm, anyway, I have heard Madrid has an excellent Bluegrass Festival during the summer. 

Maggie's Diner

Funny movie, but I don't think it caught the wonderful essence of Madrid.

Today, we are in El Paso, TX.  We plan to stay a week because of the cold front coming down into New Mexico.  We don’t want to drive in any high winds.  I definitely don’t want to be in a dust storm!

Keep those comments and emails coming!

Día De Los Muertos

 Day of the Dead

I never get tired of wandering around historic Old Town Albuquerque - an old Spanish settlement founded in 1706.   There are several sites with information about the historic Old Town area.  I only picked out two of the sites. Here are a few photos I took along our walk...just to give you a taste of the old southwest....

shady walk

San Felipe de Neri Church rebuilt in 1793

Ristras

We walked around the Plaza surrounded by traditional adobe style buildings doing a little window shopping, wandering down little alley ways, smelling delicious spicy aromas, and viewing a variety of artwork. 

It is always a peaceful walk.  I find the multi-cultural artwork and the southwest colors are very inspiring.

Old Town is getting ready to celebrate the Day of the Dead and All Souls Day.  The Mexicans have celebrated the Day of the Dead for centuries.  

Later, the Spaniards moved the celebration date to coincided with their All Souls Day with the Day of the Dead to keep the ritual more Christian.   

If you want to read more about the history, please click on the following links:

Dayof the Dead History and Day of the Dead in Mexico 

Today, depending on the location the Day of the Dead is celebrated in many ways.  Basically, it is a time to honor the dead by playing their favorite music and fixing their favorite foods.  This is a wonderful way to remember loved ones and to celebrate life.  

Here's a Treasury filled with Day of the Dead artwork.  Enjoy!

Leaving Behind My Friends and Project Linus

Chama Quilt Show 2008 and Quilting Retreat

Since leaving Albuquerque, I have felt a little lonely for my friends I left behind. Even though we are in contact by e-mails, I still miss our Saturday meetings, the conversations, and our show-n-tell of our most recent projects.


I would like to share some of my pictures of my friends and a few of the quilts I gave to Project Linus over the past few years. I often scan the material's patterns so I can use the appliqué pattern to enhance the quilt.

Tumbling Blocks with Retro Dog


Fractions Pattern with bright paints.

Scrappy quilt was a UFO (UnFinished Object) for many years. I decided the little green men would be perfect.

Jumping Rabbit quilt. I love the Crazy 8 pattern. It is quick and easy.

Another easy pattern with butterflies.

Miss You Guys! Happy Quilting!