Finally getting some rain

July 2 - Happy Birthday Darlene! I did not sleep well at all. Woke up with a sick stomach and drank 2 cups of chamomile tea which did help a bit. We were just getting back from our morning walk and opening the dumpster doors and Terry was at the RV loading up all of our “found” fire wood. We had 2 big stacks that campers have left behind and the park manager didn’t want it left at the camp hosts’ during the fire ban so they would not think we could have fires and they could not. Bill helped him load it and went with him to unload and I started breakfast. I thought he would be back shortly so decided to make a half batch of Bisquik biscuits since there was no bread for Bill’s toast. I made a fruit bowl of strawberries, the last banana and a nectarine and made us each an omelet. Well I did mine first and then his and ended up putting his in the oven to stay warm. By the time he got back (they went to the other host site and loaded up his wood and unloaded it also) I had eaten my fruit, omelet and 2 biscuits with my homemade apple butter. I left 3 for Bill and he had 2.

Finally we got headed out to do our work for the day. We drove up to pick up reservations and there were none so Bill went to rake the 4 sites and I took the Mule and went to weed. I started from our site this time and wanted to work towards where I last left off. Xena had seen us come back on the Mule but not come in and started whining and baying and after a while I was afraid she might have fallen or something so went back to check and she was fine. I sat just long enough for a drink and then left and she was quiet. It was really hot this morning and there was no wind and I kept sipping my water and sitting in the Mule but I only managed to be out an hour. I was getting so nauseous again that I came back and poured a big glass of Gatorade and started feeling better. I managed to get 4 sites done.

Bill went back out to use the big bladed edger like my dad’s and I just sat and rested. When I felt good I got my shower and was just getting lunch on the table when Terry brought Ann, the new host at Windsurf Beach around. She will be tent camping where there are no utilities at all, not even water. I think she committed to being here for 2 months. We think he’s going to give her our Mule and give us the extra hosts’ golf cart. She is from south Florida and said she was fine with the heat.

After lunch I drove into Ignacio to take my book back to the library and see if they had any in that Bill had ordered. They had 2 of his so far. I looked for the 2 thrift stores that are supposed to be in town and the one was downright scary. It was a house in a neighborhood and she was selling stuff in her back yard. I passed on it and couldn’t find the other one so just went to the grocery. Mostly needed eggs, bread and some produce to get by until Thursday and Friday. The produce they have on sale is a good price but the rest is really high so I left with 2 oranges, bing cherries, lettuce, roma tomatoes, a loaf of bread and package of wheat buns in case we want to grill on the 4th!

I treated myself to a baby swirl cone at the 7 2 11. Yum! Didn’t last long enough on the drive home but it sure was good. I could see lightning on the way and there was rain all around us again and it finally did drop some for about 10 minutes but mostly we got wind. Bill had to go chase his bucket again and we put away our chairs.

The wind didn’t let up. I made some glazed carrots, heated up the leftover chicken, salmon, risotto and scalloped potatoes for dinner. It was windy and drizzling so we didn’t go back out except long enough to take Xena for a short walk.

July 3 – I slept really well last night, but have finally been that tired. We got up at 7:30 and it was a lot cooler out this morning. I guess last night’s rain cooled it off some. I wanted to get going so I could get my work done before it got super hot. We walked the loop then had cereal and fruit for breakfast. We rode our bikes to the office to check on reservations and we had a few. I dropped Bill off at one of his raking sites and I went back to weeding. It was really pretty nice out and I managed to get 5 done and chatted with one of the couples leaving. They have a big 5th wheel and are coming back in 2 weeks.

New door window

Swallow Condo with mama looking out the door

One of the sites that has a shelter has a swallow condo and several other swallow nests. I also spotted some wasp nests, so later Bill came back with me to spray them and to see the condo. I thought once we did our work I’d have some “me” time but before the sun came over the RV I thought we could replace our door window. We took it out very easily and cleaned the new pane to put in and I put the sealant around it and ran out. Paco didn’t give me enough so Bill drove down to Newell’s to see if he had any left from when he and Barry replaced their windows and luckily he had some of the same stuff. I finished sealing and I held the window from the outside while Bill put the inside frame on and all the screws back. Then I scraped out the sealant that oozed out. I went in and looked out and can now actually see out of it. We really love our new window as it also matches all the others from the outside. Now we want to replace the outside frame as it was white but due to the sun has faded to a yellowy color and we want to get a black one to match the metal frames around the other windows. It was good to get that little job out of the way.

Bill wanted to go up and check out Rosa camp and talk to Manuel about some stuff so we did and ended up seeing Barry and Terry. Manuel said he would get us the window frame when he goes to Denver the first of the week. He’s got to get one to replace his that is cracked and thinks for sure they will be less expensive at Camping World than at Tarpley’s in Durango. We’re not in a rush so think that’s what we will do.

We came home and had lunch, then Bill did some window cleaning on the truck and I sorted the laundry and read for a while. Later I did the dishes so I could set up my little ironing board on the island and ironed my capris and Bill’s shorts. I read some more of my Janet Evanovich book and although I just started it last night I finished it today. It wasn’t nearly as long at Red Mist was and so funny. I made 2 italian sausages into little meatballs and cooked them then poured a jar of Classico sauce over them to simmer for a couple of hours.

Finally I got my shower and then made supper. By then it was raining and blowing again. At least it rained harder and longer this time, but still not nearly enough. It slowed down long enough for me to go out and pick some basil and oregano to toss into the sauce to liven it up. I made 2 slices of garlic toast and microwaved a big spaghetti squash. We didn’t even eat half of it. Of course, Bill was disappointed it wasn’t pasta but he eats enough carbohydrates as it is. This way I didn’t have to make salads so it was a lot less dishes for him to wash, he should be grateful that I’m thinking of him.

We thought the rain had stopped and wanted to walk the loop with Xena and check on new arrivals before Rizzoli and Isles came on and we only got part way down our side of the camp and the drizzle started getting worse. I did get to warn the family that there were some wasps in their shelter and to let us know if they weren’t dead AND to not disturb the swallow nests. They have 3 boys and already saw them standing on the picnic tables trying to get near the nests. The ranger was supposed to put a sign up but didn’t know that shelter had nests. I also wanted to tell the next family over that there are dryers at Rosa as all their stuff was outside today and got drenched and they had strung a rope and hung it out but then it was raining again so didn’t think it would get dry tonight.

We watched our show then took the Mule out to check on the last arrivals during the rain. Only a couple tonight but tomorrow they will be pouring in. I forgot but when Bill went down to Newell’s he found out that they gave his Mule to Ann, the new host and he got a golf cart, so we get to keep our Mule. Bill was very happy over that. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day for us. Bill might be directing traffic at the boat ramp in the AM and I guess I will rake any sites that vacate and I need to do a load or two of laundry. We both drive shuttle from noon to 3 and then we wanted to go to Ignacio to the casino for our “free” gambling money but we won’t get to have the lunch buffet.