We drove the 300 miles to Corpus Christi yesterday. The day was sunny and warm. We saw some pretty Texas country and arrived in Corpus just in time for the rain. We had reserved a spot at an RV park that is a little on the expensive side but right on the beach. It’s built on a peninsula, so everyone has a water view. I’ll take pictures tomorrow.

Today, I washed clothes while Kip took the Jeep to get it washed. Later, we went to Office Depot in the rain so I could make copies of some forms I need to send in for Gus. I must have shown my disappointment in the weather, because the little girl helping me handed me my folder of forms, said there would be no charge and to have a nice night.

We looked at the forecast and extended our stay until Monday because Sunday is supposed to be sunny and warm. I guess I’ll clean house tomorrow. It’s really tough to care for the dogs when it rains. They don’t like to do their business or go for long walks.

We grabbed a burger at McDonald’s on the way home from doing the laundry. I saw this cart packed with the belongings of a homeless woman. I felt grateful that I am not living in that kind of situation…although, she has a pretty cool looking teapot.

This is our kind of camping. You have to be surrounded by beautiful, natural countryside, have a nice sized space, a picnic table, and at least one tree for the ideal spot. The Lost Alaskan RV Park, just outside the quaint little oasis of Alpine, Texas, qualifies 100 percent.

The town has all of the town square fun stuff like small cafes, coffee shops, a bakery, and unique stores, but doesn’t give you the feel it was designed for tourists. On the way, we passed through Marfa and the observation post for the Marfa lights, which is just 25 miles from Alpine.

We shopped for groceries at Porters. There is no Walmart. I bought some Fort Davis, Texas Cinnamon Toast Pecans, and I can’t leave them alone.

There is an Amtrak train stop here for the Big Bend destined travelers, and it is also the home of Sul Ross State University. Alpine purportedly has milder summer temperatures… probably because it’s surrounded by high desert mountains.

I could stay here for 2 or 3 days and explore, but we have quite a bit more ground to cover before we get home. I hope there is a next time…

Each morning we’re reminded by what is seen with practiced eye.

We must look up for our daily blessing. The day’s story told by the sky.

Some days, we see storm clouds but we’re anxious about nothing.

The cloud heavy with rain releases droplets to warn us it’s not bluffing.

Some mornings bring clear skies. The sun kissing the birds and trees.

The story she conveys through God given talent can bring us to our knees.

I look up each morning, Sometimes needing a subtle nudge.

I see the morning photo. The capture no one could ever wrongly judge.

Then comes the evening. It’s still the sky I look to. The photo calms me.

Splendid color, heaven sent. A moment in time soon made as still as it can be.

Sometimes the sky is restless. Unable to be calm as darkness settles in.

I am grateful for my friend’s gift. Scenes can last forever instead of seconds.

You’ll find no pridefulness. Just joy in the sharing of the story of the heavens.

Photographs by Dianna Kenobbie Diehm…

We spent the night at a rural little KOA campground in Benson, Arizona, which is not too far south of Tucson. We woke up this morning to two dogs who heard the call of nature at 3:00 a.m. Kip asked me when young dogs start to sleep through the night. We did manage a couple of hours more sleep after the wake-up call.

It was 27 degrees, so while we waited for things to warm up a bit, I made waffles and bacon for breakfast. Nellie made fast friends with a donkey, and Rylie rated the dog park four out of five stars.

We’re on the road again and hope to make it to Valentine, Texas. That’s where people go to mail Valentines so they’ll be postmarked from Valentine. Expect one from Kip.

Hope you’re all enjoying the new year!

The video below was recorded while we were still in California.

There is an old lady who lives in my mirror.

I wonder if others can see or hear her.

When I see my reflection while walking by,

That old lady in the mirror catches my eye.

Each new year that comes rolling around,

She looks a bit older and I am dumbfound.

I try not to stare because that would be rude.

I think she’s married, though I’ve not seen the dude.

My guess is that he really must fear her.

Why else would he let her live in a mirror?

I seldom see her face below the chin,

But if she was once… she’s no longer thin.

I’ve seen her cheeks expand through the years.

Her face is wider between her two ears.

I know I should be kind to elderly folk.

Now when I see one, no more fun shall I poke.

There is something that I hesitate to mention.

It’s something that really got my attention.

She looks so familiar when she comes into view.

A bit like my mother. Could that be true?

I’ve decided she really needs my acceptance

So I’ll give the mirror lady a little respectance.

God gave me this life and he wants me to live it.

I’ll get much more joy when I strive to give it.

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my first day to be SEVENTY!

Since Kip and I are taking the slow road home, I started comparing our trip to what it must have been like for the early day settlers. Did they have some of the same challenges as we modern RVers do?

Ma: Pa! Where is the rest of the wagon train? Are you lost again? I swear…you never foller directions. They said to turn right at the third Joshua Tree.

Pa: They said I should turn in the direction of the hand I eat with. I eat with both hands. I’m guess’n I got a little confused.

Meanwhile…

Kip: Why do I hear three GPS voices?

MG: Because I don’t trust the RV GPS. She gets stuck all of the time, and I put the address in your phone by accident. It must have fallen under your seat. I have mine on for reassurance.

After a while…

Pa: I think we’re going in circles. We’re back in that place that is going to turn into a Lake Havasu some day. Why are we repeating ourselves? I thought we were conquering new frontiers.

Ma: You’ll have to ask the head wagon. They’re up front with the two dogs and a grumpy cat.

It’s true…we are back in Lake Havasu City for three days. We were late getting in, we’re tired, and we needed to do laundry, clean the jeep, and clear out the RV, again. I also had some paperwork to do and after a week or so on the road, there is always something that needs attention. It’s still a whole lot of fun. We camped at Pismo Beach a couple of years ago and saw a very expensive motor home with a big dent in the side. The owner had taped a sign on the dent that read, “There are no bad days when you’re on an RV trip.”

The dogs are beginning to get used to waking up in a whole new world most days. They love to find new places to run and play and remind us that they are just pups…and we are not!

We will head for Yuma on the 31st and spend New Years there. I hear they have an old prison that’s pretty interesting. Hopefully, there will be other sightseeing opportunities as well.

Pa: I’m running out of clean britches. Do you need me to get the wash board out for you tonight, Ma?

Ma: Only if we camp by a creek, Pa…

We’re thankful for our national parks. We’ve been to several on our travels and have seen God’s beautiful country on display. The last half of this little video consists of photos taken on our drive through the Sequoia National Park…at least as far as we could get without chains.

We also saw orange and lemon groves ready to harvest. Olives and other delectables are grown in the valleys.

The slippers were Kip’s Christmas present. I got fresh tangelos.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. We’re on our way home, but we’re taking the long way…

My son used to say, “Mom, can I have some Martian mallows in my hot chocolate?

Tonight, after a day that started out pretty disappointing, I was determined I was going to end it by doing something fun. Kip built a fire in the firepit, and I roasted and ate ten or fifteen Martian mallows.

Maybe it was fifteen or twenty. Kip took a pass. He had an exhausting day at the Reagan Library yesterday.

Those teleprompters are more difficult than they look.

Anyway…you’re probably wondering how someone could have a bad day in beautiful Santa Barbara…

We have really been looking forward to taking Nellie and Rylie for a long walk on the beach, and today seemed like the perfect day. It was sunny and warm. We found a beach up the road, paid the $9 to get in, and headed to find the parking lot. It was then that we discovered all the signs posted everywhere. No dogs allowed!

The girl at the booth who let us in couldn’t have helped but notice our two dogs vying for her attention. Did she think we were going to drive to the beach and sit in the jeep? She hadn’t said a word.

We stop on our way out to ask her if there were any beaches around that would allow you to walk your dogs and she along with a ranger who had shown up in the meantime, both said there were none.

We couldn’t believe that could be true, so I googled it and found two within thirty minutes who allowed pets on the beach, and one was even a no leash beach. Though the sun was under a cloud by the time we got there, we had a good time, and the dogs were really funny. They never did figure out the rhythm of the waves.

No beach pictures…I left my phone in the car. These were taken on the way to the Santa Barbara beach that likes dogs. It really is beautiful around here.

One more day here and then off to see General Sherman’s Tree in the Sequoia National Forrest. We’ll be there until the day after Christmas.

Written last night…

As many of you know, our lives and those of my California family have been rather hectic since the first part of August. My brother, Billy, and I have been lazer focused on my stepfather, Gus, who underwent some pretty major heart surgery and has also had to adjust to advanced macula degeneration and the many life changes it involves.

He has been quite the trooper and has put up with my bossy self and my know-it-all attitude. I know he must have been so happy to see me go yesterday. Kip and I were there for 36 days. That doesn’t count the month I was there during and after the surgery.

This trip involved getting Gus settled into a new house and all that entails. I fear I fell way short of leaving him as organized as I should have, but it was really time to take my husband and my dogs and go. Gus’ eyes told me not to come back even if I left my car keys or my coffee mug behind, which I usually did when we left to head back to the RV over the 36 days.)

So, we left and decided we needed to go somewhere and take some time to figure out where we were/are. Right now, we’re in a lovely RV park near Simmi Valley. We’re taking off early tomorrow and will see the Reagan Library and then we’re going to spend three days in Santa Barbara near the ocean. By the time we leave there, it will be December 23rd. Christmas will be spent on the road, and it will surely feel weird. Did I tell you we have 4 kids, 8 grandkids, and 4 great grandkids? Christmas snuck up on me… I will never understand how people manage to keep their lives organized.

I did buy a tree today for the RV and the dogs helped me decorate it. They have really come a long way in their relationship- building with the cat. One of them puts their ball near the cat who is reclining in the recliner and the other one tries to get the ball while the kitty bats them with her paws. She enjoys the game a lot. I can tell. She had both paws around Rylies head today. It looked as if she was hugging him.

I have to call it a night, but I want to share this Christmas picture of me and some of my cousins that was taken at my Aunt Emily and Uncle Wayne Sanderson’s house. I’m the one in the dress with the fur collar. I just loved that dress. I grew into it about ten years later.

It was blue