we wandered west

I am ecstatic to be writing a blog post while gazing out at the majestic Sandia Mountains in New Mexico! I seriously feel like I age backwards when I am in the western half of the United States, especially the SOUTHWESTERN half! Even though we only arrived here in New Mexico the day before yesterday (from Colorado Springs, but more about that down below) I already feel two days younger today than I did even in Colorado!

We were thoroughly enjoying the Wisconsin Dells area when I last blogged and we have been on the move almost continually (or so it feels) in the two months since. We have been Scenery Swapping (as I call it) more frequently than we prefer, but it was due to both financial and scheduling necessity. There are zero Thousand Trails campgrounds in the middle of this great country, so we must pay out of pocket for campgrounds (utilizing every membership and discount program available) to make our way back to the land of the Thousand Trails! Although we are seeing and doing A LOT and are so incredibly grateful for that to be the case, we are both starting to gasp a bit for some air. This pace is beginning to wear on us… and on my hip as well, but that’s another story entirely. We are looking VERY forward to slowing down significantly once we get to Arizona in a couple of weeks.

After leaving The Dells we spent just over a week on Neshonac Lake in West Salem, Wisconsin and while there we took quick jaunts to both Iowa and Minnesota before cruising on over to South Dakota, then Wyoming, and then Colorado – all before arriving here in Tijeras, New Mexico. This is our… wait for it… 94th campground/homesite since we embarked on this journey back in February of 2016! We are coming up on ONE HUNDRED!!!

During these past two months we have visited some pretty amazing places such as Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Devils Tower, The Black Hills, Badlands National Park, Garden of the Gods Park, Pikes Peak, and so much more… those are just the most epic!

As you can see… we have been quite busy! Our biggest problem has been trying to squeeze in our necessary work while surrounded by such epicness continually luring us outside. (I know that’s not a word, but it’s my blog and I like it!) Talk about your first world problems! I have also been having some ongoing issues with my hip going on 3 weeks now and the extensive driving we have been doing has not helped one bit. So… although we have been having the empty-nest time of our lives, we are both ready to slow down a bit and focus on our work (and my projects) more. I (Pamela) am behind on just about everything, it seems. Greg has been putting in the necessary hours and working consistently, but he’s also feeling the need and desire to hunker down and put even more hours into his software business.

To that end, as I mentioned above we are heading to Arizona (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE STATE) next and we will be in various parts of Arizona for the remainder of 2019. We have two separate four week reservations (not back to back) secured at my favorite TT campground, Verde Valley in Cottonwood, and we are filling in the gaps with Trails Collection & RPI campgrounds, as well as hopefully some boondocking ! (Boondocking: Dry camping on federal or state land with no services, but often major scenery!) We have all of our reservations made through year end and we purposefully timed everything so that I can fly back east for the birth of our grandson, Atlas. I will also use that visit to celebrate the holidays and visit with with all my grown kids and grandkids and other friends and family as well. Greg will probably fly back in early 2020 to get his visiting in. This lifestyle requires lots of planning, but it is the most rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle that I can imagine. (At least until we get back onto a sailboat!)

Here are some pictures from our last two months (click on individual photo to enlarge):

Until Arizona… Happy Trails and Sunny Sails to all! Life is good!

4 thoughts on “we wandered west”

  1. Great pics! I’m so glad you are now in the West with the low humidity and great temps for your health! Praying for you alwaysforboth safe & enjoyable travels! Love you!

  2. Hi Pamela,

    I love Arizona too, and had it all planned out to move there. Albeit, God had different plans for me. But I am going to Grand Canyon University and I hope to fly out this spring for graduation.

    Keep the posts coming!

    Love you,
    Laurie Epps

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