Our RV site at the Mountain Views RV Park in Creede was right on the Rio Grande River, which allowed us to watch the twice-daily parade of river rafters as well as men and women fly fishing from boats. While Alan caught a few small trout from the river using a conventional rod/reel, the highlight of our trip was a fly-fishing trip to a mountain creek in the Wiminuche Wilderness Area. We first learned how to cast the fly rod in the campground. The next day, our guide Robert, accompanied by his canine companion Willow, picked us up early for the [View Full Entry]

---

---

Creede Elevation 8,862; Mineral County Population ~ 900 We arrived in Creede June 1st to clear blue skies, with chilly daytime temperatures and overnight freezing. Since much of the country was sweltering or being flooded, we didn’t complain too much. The weather did warm up nicely during the month. Creede is an old silver mining town whose heyday was the late 1800’s. Quite a few colorful Western characters spent time here over the years. Silver was mined until the mid 1970’s, and a mining company plans new exploration this year. Evidence of old abandoned silver [View Full Entry]

---

---

One of our favorite destinations is Santa Fe, New Mexico. Our original plan was to drive from Napa, California east through Nevada and Utah to Creede, Colorado. However, we really wanted to spend a few days in Santa Fe before hitting Colorado. Our new route took us south from Napa, back through the San Joaquin Valley, then east to Barstow, where we picked up I-40 and headed to northern Arizona, then into New Mexico. We were glad we changed routes for two reasons: the Santa Fe detour, and the easier drive into the Colorado mountains from the south. We both love [View Full Entry]

---

---

We arrived in Napa to an extreme heat wave of over 100 degrees for several days—very unusual for mid-May. Thankfully, the heat broke and we had lovely weather for the next two weeks. The wineries beckoned, so we drove off in search of some fine, but reasonably priced wines. Alas, they were few and far between. Most wineries charge a tasting fee of $5 to $15, and many of the wines we sampled were OK but not worth the price, in our opinion. But not to complain—two weeks in the lovely Napa and Sonoma Valleys were quite enjoyable. Alan set up [View Full Entry]

---

---

After our Hawaiian detour, we made a couple of stops in the LA area before heading north. The Galco Soda Pop Store, featured on a TV program, is an old grocery store which now has a huge variety of soda pop, micro-brewed beers, old-fashioned candy, and a small deli. Anyone our age will remember the soda pop you had as a kid. They have 'em! Of course, we bought a case to take on the road. We also visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. We enjoyed the Kennedy Library in Boston last year, so we were especially [View Full Entry]

---

---

In April, we exchanged our timeshare for Maui, Hawaii. Airline miles came in handy, since we couldn’t exactly take our bus! We absolutely loved Maui. Our friends Fred and Betty recommended the Old Lahaina Luau. We feasted on pit-cooked roast pig, side dishes, and an open bar. Diane enjoyed the mai tai’s a little too much and was quite toasted by the end of the show, which was quite entertaining (the show, that is). The highlight of our trip was a helicopter tour of the island. As we flew over the sugar cane fields, we gradually ascended into what is called [View Full Entry]

---

---

Indio, California, near Palm Springs, was our home from January through March. This was the first time in almost 3 years on the road that we spent more than a month in any one place. So, to head off potential boredom, Diane found a part-time temporary job in Human Resources at the local hospital, thanks to our friend Dee, who works there and made the referral. It was great to give the brain cells a little workout, meet some new friends, and get a paycheck too. We reconnected with friends we met two years ago and really enjoyed the desert weather. [View Full Entry]

---

---

After leaving New Hampshire in October, we headed south for family visits. We stopped in Virginia to see Alan’s dad, brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephew. Diane flew to Pittsburgh to visit her family as well. Speaking of family, Alan’s son Mark and wife Heidi recently became parents, which makes him a grandfather! We stopped in Tampa for a visit and were thrilled to catch up and pour a little love on baby Alex. Thanksgiving found us with friends Patti and Bill at Riverbend RV Resort, near Ft. Myers. We had a great time, played some golf, and deci [View Full Entry]

---

---

Danforth Bay RV Resort in Freedom was a great place to spend a few days in October. Our campsite overlooked a peaceful lake surrounded with brilliant fall foliage. We attempted to drive up Mt. Washington, home of the “World’s Worst Weather,” according to conventional wisdom and L.L. Bean TV commercials. Alas, our first attempt failed; the road was closed halfway up due to 70 mph winds and blowing snow. We were successful the second day, as we rode the Cog Railroad instead. With steady clicks, the cog engine pushed us slowly up the mountain. Near the top, we sp [View Full Entry]

---

---

It was moose hunting season in Maine when we left Quebec. Along the way were several weigh stations where hunters were milling about, probably swapping stories about the ones that got away. Nevertheless, there were quite a few moose kills on trailers. In deference to the squeamish, I won’t post any pictures. Actually, I didn’t get the chance to take any, as we were driving in a misty rain the whole time. We didn’t mind the rain that day, since Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park were clear and crisp the next day. The park was lovely in the fall, and [View Full Entry]

---

---