---

After we left Albuquerque, we stopped in Hatch for a great protest lunch (See Save the Pig). We then stayed 4 nights at Jeff's cousin's home in Tucson. If you know Tucson, Jeff's cousin lives a half mile from the east end of Broadway Blvd, across the street from the Saguaro National Park.

Tucson was rainy and cool. When we arrived, their driveway was muddy and our 18,000 lb RV left some good ruts. Jeff racked the driveway while it was still muddy, because it turns to concrete when it dries. We made a rainy day trip to Tubac, a small artist town, about 40 miles south of Tucson and visited an amazing restored mission, San Xavier del Bac. It was completely restored a few years ago. PBS made a movie about the restoration process, which we watched.

We got to San Elijo State Beach on 2/24. We arrived after the Kiosk had closed and we drove to a site next to where we had expected to stay. It was quite a shock to see the whole south end of the camp ground closed. It is their annual maintenance period. The north end is still open. On Thursday 2/25, we went to a potluck lunch to meet the other volunteers and park staff

On Friday we drove to Russ' in North Hollywood. This 2 hour trip took 3.5 hours. A hand grenade was spotted on the I5 freeway and the freeway was closed for almost 2 hours in both directions. Just before we got to the exit where traffic was being diverted, the Freeway finally opened up. If we had gotten off as directed, the trip would have taken another 30 minutes to get back to the freeway

We spent a great 2 days with our grand daughters' Hope and Ella.

Today 2/28, we moved into our permanent site in the very south end. The beach is about 200 feet from our RV. This end of the park will open about March 17. We don't start working until Wednesday. Tough duty! We have been told that Spring Break is rather hectic here.

---