While I Was Away...

The thing about going to a remote canyon campground is that there is no cell or wireless service.  Such was the case on our recent trip to Villanueva State Park near Las Vegas, New Mexico.  Just a short 2+ hour drive for us and we were in a canyon with the Pecos River flowing next to our campsite.  

Three days of very little connection with the outside world was refreshing.  We hiked up to an overlook and found that there was indeed a little service... enough to respond to some family messages... but not enough to send a selfie that we took (which is a really bad one BTW).  Our 10-year old dog had decided she was a little tired and was going to lay down (a rare occurrence for her when we are out on a hike).  

Side Note: I don't think I let my readers know that she received a diagnosis of cancer in March. 😭 A friend had suggested a supplement that has helped some human cancer patients in their own battles with the disease and she gave us some samples to try out.  She had developed a limp that was getting much worse, very quickly and after just a few days of using the samples, the limp was completely gone.  

That was when we decided that she would get to enjoy camping with us as much as possible for this year's camping season.  Her limp has not returned, and she is enjoying life to the fullest (at a pace that is a little slower than her typical frenzy).

View from the lookout point

Back on trail... The park map showed that the trail was a loop.  However, we lost the trail shortly after the lookout point.  We turned back and tried again... shortly after, it was evident that the trail was not clearly marked, and we didn't have much interest in wandering around trying to find our way back down.  We turned back once again and retraced the trail back down.  

We did, however, encounter many wildflowers. Here's a sampling...  Notice that that little cactus is laying on its side, roots not fully in the ground... and yet, it still bloomed.  I think there is a lesson is this for all of us to learn. 😉

As we relaxed by the river, we enjoyed the birds that were around.  Lots and lots of doves.  There was even a pair of doves building a nest in the tree next to our site.  It was interesting to watch.  It was also entertaining to watch a squirrel and robin face off with each other.

Cathedral Windows - 2.0 ~ #21/52

I Found A Quilted Heart hearts... a short trail of love left for others to find

My rendition of the stained-glass dome at the Cathedral we visited in Beaumont, TX in March

I stitched on my stained-glass pieces as well as a few quilted hearts...  One of the hearts was left to bless someone at the Pecos National Historical Park.  

What a rich history we explored on day 2!  A site that encompasses many different cultures and eras... the pueblos of the Ancestral Pecos people, the Spanish conquistadors in search of gold and the friars that brought a new religion to the area, the Apache and Comanche tribes; the travelers of the Santa Fe Trail and the Civil War battle that lasted just 3 days.

It was an enjoyable stroll compared to the rugged trail we navigated the day before!

Each evening found us relaxing as we read until our eyes could no longer stay open and ended up with a book falling out of our hands... usually shortly after 8 pm.  And we would sleep soundly for 10 hours!

Were it not for a neighbor RV camper running his generator for hours on end, the trip was peaceful and restful time.  We were trying to give them grace for the disruption... but it was frustrating to have the noise of the (construction-grade) thing!  (Dave assures me that had it been a small Honda, it would have been tolerable.)  

All I have to say is that the companies building newer campers with refrigerators that run only on battery need to rethink this!  There really needs to be an option for propane as well.  We are able to go boondocking for days and days (probably 5 days) before needing to consider charging our batteries.  A propane fridge really is the way to go... and no microwaves! (Rant over)

Upon our return, I have assessed the projects I have in que... The Rail Fence quilt will be a quick top to finish.  Mom is not wanting it heavily quilted so it may even be done by the month's end.  I have two more memory bears to sew together and a beautiful red Dresden Plate quilt top for a customer.

Vacation is over... time to get to the studio.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy’s Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

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