I have finally found some time to write! In the past year, we had so much fun!
- Rhonda Tell Me Your Story
- Nov 20, 2022
- 13 min read
It's mid November 2022. Larry and I are in Cholula Mexico. Between some volcanos, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=Popocat%C3%A9petl&type=E211US714G0#id=1&vid=c6e5ab33f8ab5fb39a6b7586a94c372b&action=click
We are heading to Oaxaca city tomorrow to see some friends, Ross and Jacques, we met in February 2020. They were staying in El Rancho RV park.
Larry and I have had many adventures since we saw them last and they also have done some interesting things. We are excited to catch up with them.
Warning: Lots of pictures!
We ran around Cholula and Puebla for a few days. This is the church that was built on top of a pyramid. Super cool!
We’ve been doing our usual walking around the town to take in all the interesting stuff.
Around our trailer park in Cholula
We stayed at Las Americas RV Park in Cholula. It’s a nice little stop.
Fuerte de Loreto, Cholula, Mexico
Cool story about a church turned fortress. We learned at as much as we could. We read Spanish better than we speak it.
Walking around the park that has all the museums
Museo de la Evolución Puebla
Pool time at Las Américas RV Park.
I had my own private pool.
So how did we end up here in Cholula mid November 2022. Well, we did a lot of driving from Mexico through the states to Canada. We spent the summer in Hague and started down through the states in mid July. Working our way back to our house in Ajijic Mexico.
In April, I decided to take an adventure to Spain. First, I took a plane to San Francisco, to make an important visit to Sonoma county.
I was way over due to see this fabulous lady-Mom 💕❤️
I was there everyday and I think she was getting tired of me.
I made a visit to Berkeley to see my beautiful cousin Amanda.
I had a wonderful Easter brunch with my mother in law, Marcia and Kerry, my sister in law. Nilsson side
I had the best time with these two hiding and rehiding Easter eggs. It was great to see my nephew‘s Oliver and Rowan. They like reptiles too! Bonus!
Printers gave me one copy of my new book.
My good friend Nansee took my scenic redwood/ocean drive with me. We got to chat for a few hours while driving through some of my favorite places.
Sonoma County coast
Pat, my good friend and favorite ‘Spin’ instructor! https://www.sonomacounty.com/restaurants/taps-restaurant-and-tasting-room
We had a snack and a few beers at Taps on the Petaluma River.
Heidi let me stay with her for a few nights. She has visited us twice in Mexico in the last year.
The next planes took me to Europe and eventually Spain.
This was a dream I had for over 12 years. I had to seize the opportunity. I walked the Camino del Norte with some old Safeway friends, Vern and Nancy Powers. 508 miles in 44 days!
Vern and Nancy are on the right. My new friend Lisa is next to me. She’s from Germany.
While I was in Spain, Larry traveled solo up to his hometown of Hague to spend time with his family and get his house ready to sell.
Larry and I met back in Edmonton Canada when he picked me up at the airport after traveling by multiple planes for 29 hours! It was great to see him 😘
We spent 5 weeks visiting with family and having local adventures at the river, lakes and lots of bike rides.
We left Hague in mid July.
Picking up our motorcycle that was in storage across the border in Montana. Canadian border control wouldn't let Larry take our Mexican plated bike into Canada. I'm very displeased with them.
Fort Peck, Montana, our first stop after the border.
It was a beautiful lake and a well thought out campground. https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/fort-peck-lake-reservoir-and-recreation-area
Welcome to Great Falls, Montana, said Mr. Badger
We stopped to visit with Chris And his wife Lindsay. Chris was a Lanyard court neighbor from almost 30 years ago. He moved from California a few years ago. He and Lindsay have a thriving detail business. We had a great dinner out on the Missouri River at MacKenzie’s Pizza Co. https://www.mackenzieriverpizza.com/ Afterwards we got a tour of the town. Super fun!
We took their adorable boys, Christopher and Nathan to ride bikes along the river. They have great kids…….. We want to adopt them as our grandkids! So polite and friendly.
We loved our visit and hope to meet up on the sand dunes some day. They have an RV and a Can-Am Maverick, X.3 side by side. I need to drive it!
Stevensville, Montana was an amazing stop. We had to stop, literally cuz the truck broke. Brakes and rear axle.
But we found snakes hiking around!
This area is so beautiful and a week wasn’t long enough.
My super generous cousin Mike, hosted us complete with a truck to drive until the repairs were done!
He just recently moved from California. He bought a house with some acres. He’s doing a remodel currently but this is an awesome place on top of a hill with fantastic views.
And he has a brand new tractor with air conditioning and a stereo!!
After some brief instruction, he let me drive this beauty.
Larry and I got to pull out fence posts. It was all fun and games until……..
Somebody got hurt. It was a freak accident. I really wasn’t trying to kill him. Three broken ribs and the wind knocked out of him. It was frightening. He’s still mending after 4 months.😢
Great visit and a great place to explore. Lots of hiking trails, lakes and history. And cousin Mike!
We found this incredible campground in Bozeman Montana that had three hot pools outside and more inside with dry and steam saunas. All included in the price! Big win. We enjoyed an evening with my childhood friend Cindy. We visit her every time we are close. Our families have been friends from before I has born.
We also got parked in an Airstream section of the park. A very nice stop.
They had giant chess too.
This cute place was right off the main road but quite nice. They had lots of farm animals and a great shower. Right after we parked, another airstream arrived and parked next to us. We were the only 2 campers there.
Wayside RV Park, Broadus Montana.
Heading to Lead, South Dakota to visit Bob and Laura. Super nice couple who welcomes us each time we are in the area. We met Laura in February 2020 in Catemaco, Veracruz. We were camping and she had rented a casita for the winter. https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regions/veracruz/catemaco/villas-tepetapan-rv-park-9617
Laura took us hiking to some waterfalls. Roughlock falls. https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/parks-monuments/roughlock-falls-nature-area
It was an easy hike but you could feel great about yourself. There was trails through dirt but also much paved walkways. You can access the top viewing area by a wheelchair path with close parking. A very well planned recreation area.
Laura has many traveling stories and we enjoy the time we spend with them.
And she's a great photographer.
Bye Laura. Bye Bob. Bob is awesome! He cooks for my husband like I won't and coffee is always on when Larry gets up. We are really spoiled here.
Lake Vermillion, South Dakota https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/lake-vermillion-recreation-area/
Cat approved!
Lake view
Nice trails and places to walk around
Beautiful sunset
Made it to Kansas City to see Tommy! We’ve been friends for many years. We worked at Sonoma State together. He retired a few years before me and moved across the country
Gypsy loved this campground until a big dog chased her up a tree
Larry had to stand on the roof of the truck to get her down.
We went to this incredible steamboat museum in the city. https://www.1856.com/
We walked along the Mississippi River
This cool bridge has an elevator to let boats go threw
Larry’s trail
Fun hike
This place was like a drug trip
Loved it
Had to leave the motorcycle at Tommy’s when he had to head back to Canada. Larry’s dad passed away.
Tommy has many beautiful rose bushes
Joe, Tommy’s brother, Tommy and us in their big backyard. They have a huge garden and tons of bird feeders.
Blue Springs Lake in Lee’s Summit. on the outskirts of the city. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Facilities/Blue-Springs-Campground
We drove two days for 10 plus hours. This campground was a big dirt lot associated with a hotel. It was a place to sleep. Casselton, South Dakota
Last leg to Hague. We left at the crack of dawn.
Mom and Dad, Eva and Pete Fehr
Pete and Mitch in the corner
Above is my uncle George. He went into the hospital again the beginning of August. He lived in Washington state and we talked a lot. it was hard knowing how sick he was.
This is my brother James. He also ended up in the hospital at the beginning of August. He had complications from Covid. He had another stroke and his blood sugar was sky high. His transplanted kidney stopped functioning. He was gravely ill for over a month. He’s on the mend but as of right now, November 2022, he’s in the hospital. The good thing that has come out of this is I have talked to him more than I have in the past 5 years.😊❤️
The best part of going back to Hague was I got to spend more time with my favorite Brother Gerald!😊
We look a bike ride along the south Saskatchewan River. We stopped to hydrate of course.
We spent a lot of time with Mom.
And this goofball ❤️
Ger helped us a bunch at the house. There was some work to finish up so we could sell it.
We made apple pies from what we picked off of Darryl’s tree.
Mom came to visit us at our campground in Darryl’s backyard.
Trouble with a capital T ! Gerald and Darryl. Both are single, ladies.
I love trains!
I'll make everyone pose with me and my trains.
Brother Ron and his energetic grandsons, Elijah and Josiah.
We did some powerwashng.
Painted a fence. I wanted Pink but we went with the original 'Basic fence white' .
I just love color
Found some snakes in Hague.
Gerald is now a snake lover....he hangs out with me too much.
Aunt Susan's baby, Hugo. I wanted to steal him. Gypsy wants a pet dog.
Gerald cleaning the patio of our Love Shack......Baby!
Happily spreading color and good energy
My two handsome Men
Goodbyes are hard
Last operation. Secretly done while Darryl worked.
Gerald closes the gate as we drive off again
First stop across the border, Kenmare, North Dakota. Cat approved. That's a beer behind my smartfood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenmare,_North_Dakota
I squeezed in an early morning walk to an outdoor Pioneer village museum. It was good and the price was right. Free
Richmond Lake Aberdeen, South Dakota. https://eventseeker.com/venue/1268318-richmond-lake-recreation-area-aberdeen-sd
We arrived after Labor day weekend and had the whole place to ourselves.
Great place to walk and relax
Back to Kansas City to pick up the motorcycle stored at Tommy's house. We went back to the same campground because we liked it. Great price and close to Kansas City. Blue Springs Lake Campground. https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Parks-Lakes/Blue-Springs-Lake
Found this tiny snake on a big hike. Lots of trails around the lake.
Pin Oak Rv Park in Villa Ridge, Missouri. It was just outside of St. Louis. https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regions/missouri/villa-ridge/pin-oak-creek-rv-park-1652
Found Larry hiding in the flowers again
We spent the day in St. Louis around and inside of the Gateway Arch
It was spectacular
From up inside
A boat ride.....Of course!
A bike ride.....Hell ya!
We found this beautiful park that had tropical plants that reminded me of Mexico. Tower grove park. https://www.towergrovepark.org/
When I found out the corvette museum was pretty close, we headed in that direction. We left our rig in the parking lot when we toured it. https://www.corvettemuseum.
One of my favorites
My happy place
Dinosaurs!
Mammoth Caves
I got a special seat on the bus
Train!
I had to peek at the Dinosaurs. It was too expensive for me
We met halfway between Cave City, Kentucky and Hendersonville, Tennessee to have dinner with Vince and Marlene. Vince and I worked together at Safeway starting in 1983. They are special people and we couldn’t pass by without a visit. They had to kick us out of the restaurant because the staff wanted to go home. Vince and Marlene moved from California a few years ago.
We got insider information from Vince and Marlene about parking at the Titan Stadium for free. It was short walk across the footbridge to the center of Nashville.
Do you see the Batman building?
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
We had a great lunch at Acme Feed and Seed………complete with live music.
Of course we stopped at the Johnny Cash Museum! https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/
Larry and Johnny
Made a stop in Lavina, Tennessee to see Robin. We met Robin in Jocotepec in February 2020 at Roca Azul RV Park.
https://www.clubrocaazul.com/copia-de-inicio Robin let us stay at his beautiful property for a few night. There is lots of grass and shady trees plus he has a lovely garden.
He took us to a country fair.
They had a great petting zoo.
We found a snake show. I got to hold a Florida kingsnake
The Zipper! My favorite fair ride
Robin volunteered to ride with me when Larry declined. Robin can check that off his bucket list now.
This cutie climbed up on Robin but I missed the shot😢
Robin gave me one of his roses as we were taking off. Robin in super sweet and a great musician. He even wrote a song about me.
I still like him anyway. 😂🤣
New friends David and Shirley. David is full of great stories. They both were very interesting .
We met Shelley and Randall from American Cruise Line. They were on a break and chatted with us about traveling. They even posed for a picture.
I got a very nice email from Shelley later that evening .
We parked our rig for free at the public boat launch. We were a short bike ride from the center of Memphis.
We got to squeeze in a few hours at the National Civil Rights museum at the Lorraine Motel. This is the place that Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.
You could easily spend a day at this remarkable museum. https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/
Downtown Memphis
We biked around until 4 pm. Then we headed to our campground .
Jessieville Arkansas. https://crystalridgervpark.com
Crystal Ridge RV Park. We were 30 minutes from Hot Springs.
We didn’t have any neighbors
Larry found free drinking water in Hot Springs
They had a big tower at the top of a hiking trail that had amazing views.
Arkansas…Who would have known?!
We found a great Gangster museum with very interesting history. I would recommend it. Larry says it’s The Best museum he’s been to!
Larry and Al Capone
I just wanted to hold the gun
It was a peaceful place
Hiking behind the bath houses
Look at this cutie. He likes chips
Just liked this house
Art in the restroom
The famous Quapaw Bathhouse.
They were too expensive for me.
We found a great lake and it was free. The water was warm too.
I left my heart here
I wanted this beauty but Larry said no.
Hiking behind the bathhouses on the hill
Riding our bikes around town
I found a pond and a new friend
We spent two nights at Lewisville Lake by Dallas.
We ran into Dallas for a few hours
Found an old church
We found out at 4:30 pm that we only reserved two nights and had to leave….😢
We did a long night drive to Tow, Texas and surprised our friend Bob by coming a day early!
We love Bob! We love Bob’s house!
Sunsets are phenomenal
Walks are better here
My good friend Rian ….from 5 grade.
Look at these clouds
Bob’s porch
Toby, Bob’s fearless guard dog
Colorado River near Burnet, Texas
Bob with Pie and Ice cream! He spoils us 🥰
Stacey from Lake Buchanan RV park let us use the pool and the internet.
Larry said the pool was too cold
Gypsy is very comfortable at Bob’s place
This place is beautiful
Rian thanks Bob for getting her car out of the ditch
Good sunset before we left
Bye bye Handsome Bob 😘❤️
Bye Rian. See you soon
Heading to Laredo. Last stop before the border
We stayed at the Laredo welcome center. Free and fabulous
Larry pulled this beauty out of his hole with a stick……..It scared the shit out of him!! 🤣😂
We made it! 🇲🇽
First stop, Guemez Tamaulipas at Berta and Miguel’s Ranchito
Everyone get involved in making dinner
Our cozy campground
Miguel’s horses
Larry brought me a present!
Up before sunrise for a long drive back to our house in Ajijic, 🇲🇽
So close
Home! Thank goodness our neighbors Lynn and Gary have keys to our house! We couldn’t find ours. She even made us dinner to take back inside. We are lucky to have them! 💕
Our friend Tino visited us the next day.
Stroll on the Malecon
Happy to be back and see our plants
Fun walking by our lake again
On October 8th, Uncle George passed away from colon cancer. He was a very special person in my life and guided me when I needed it the most. 😘
Hiking our hills
We started painting on the mural with a new artist, Churro.
Larry climbed in too
He’s always hiding from me
We went to our friend Chile’s art opening in the cultural center in Jocotepec. Chile started our mural but was very busy and couldn’t finish.
All of these beautiful pieces are for sale
Chile’s art
Love this one
Artist introductions. Chile is on the far right
We had a visitor for a few days
Look how big this hibiscus is
More painting
We rode our bikes to Chapala and around the Malecon
I just love the color and art
We have some pretty incredible sunsets in Ajijic
Found this little guy on my walk up the hill. He came out of someone’s gate. I found out he was a rescue.
Churro brought his friend Eleane to help. She’s from El Paso, Texas but she spent most of her life in Vancouver, Canada
I did painting of my own
Larry goofing off……again.
Hector, Thelma, Abraham and Indra made a special trip to Ajijic to have breakfast the Sunday before we left.
Hector took a promotion with Bausch and Lomb and they are relocating to the Phoenix area in December. We loved having them close by in Guadalajara but Phoenix isn’t out of our way when traveling through the states . We love them.❤️
The front of our house
Our beautiful mural
This cool guy!
November 1- We headed back on the road. Our renters Wayne and Elaine were happy to assume the household duties for the next six months. Adios Ajijic 😘
First stop was outside of Morelia. Copándero, Mexico.
Balneario el mirador. We loved it here. 5 warm to hot pools and cheap. $14 a night
Morelia, Mexico for Dia de Los Muertos and my birthday. Our campground at the waterpark was a short drive.
We found some kiddie rides in a park on the way back. I had to ride. 30 cents!
I got 2 cakes for my birthday! Best day ever! 🎂🎈
Second stop, Teotihuacan, Mexico. We were just outside of Mexico City for a week. We went to the pyramids the first day
It was amazing!
That’s me at the top of a small one.
Larry is always hungry for sweets
One of our trips to Mexico City. Chapultepec Park.
The castle was a museum and with our temporary residency cards we got in free! Yes!!
This park was huge. It had a lake and a zoo. We walked our asses off.
They had two City blocks lined with these amazing art sculptures. So much color.
This guy was between a major highway.
See me? There’s the lake behind me.
This was the most amazing day.
We dressed warm because it was a cool early morning at 1000 feet above the ground.
We took our first hot air balloon ride together. Very special.❤️
The pilot uncorked champagne after a successful landing. The first landing didn’t stick as we were blown along the ground until we climbed up again. The second one was perfect but the farmer was mad because we didn’t have permission.
The treasures we find out walking the neighborhoods.
Another trip into Mexico City. We were headed to the Freda Kahlo museum. Unfortunately you need to buy tickets online before you go. They were sold out for the next two days. We couldn’t come back. We found the studio of Diego Rivera and Freda Kahlo and drove the short distance through some beautiful neighborhoods.
After we drove across town to get to the boat rides on the canal. our friends Hector and Thelma suggested it.http://guanajuatomexicocity.com/mexico-city/xochimilco-canals-mexico-city.html
We brought a few beers and a snack. It was a 2 hours ride around the island.
It’s so much harder than it looks. Hard work!
We drove to Cholula after a week in Teotihuacan.
So that about catches everyone up! I spent more time exploring, walking, biking, hiking, jogging and being present where we were. I still took 40,000 pictures and I have thousands of new stories. When I stop moving so fast and I can sit down long enough, l’ll write them.
If a picture is worth a thousand words I just read two full lenght novels! I enjoyed them both.