TAKING A PEEK DOWN THE ROAD – ONE MORE WEEK IN SACRAMENTO

Here is what I learned about myself during the past six weeks in Sacramento:  if/when we give up the full time life and settle down, I won’t be blogging!   But now it is time to blow the dust off the keyboard and warm up my fingers… we’re scheduled to leave a week from today.  We have a reservation at Anza Borrego State Park in the last half of December, with tentative plans to head south via the coast.  I’m so ready for a new view. 

It’s been a busy, busy time.  Lots of quality time with the family’s trio of super seniors, the above-85 generation.  Fun times with both my sisters (I’m in the middle, and both sisters now live in the Sacramento area).  Good visits with friends from our prior lives here, and with RV’ing friends who passed through Sacramento during our stay. 

I had another birthday; now just one more year until Social Security!  Odel flew to DC to visit his daughter and her family for five days, then came home to resume an eight session course of physical therapy, improving a bothersome shoulder problem.

What else?  Let’s see… repairs to the Jeep (doors wouldn’t lock) and a new windshield.  The microwave part of our microwave/convection oven died, and will be replaced on Monday. 

The biggest news?  My cousin Rosanna came to visit, and made an offer on a house in Placerville - accepted!

Some of you have met Rosanna and her mom, my Auntie Carol, in person.  Others of you have read about them and their animals at Paws and Hooves Ranch (motto: “Where we’re busy being happy!”), maybe on my blog, maybe on The Bayfield Bunch, maybe on the blogs of other travelers in southeastern Arizona.  Located between Chiricahua National Monument and the Dragoons, about an hour southeast of Benson and an hour north of Bisbee, Odel and I have spent many happy, busy days there.

As Rosanna, Carol, and all the animals grow older, upkeep of the little ranch is becoming a big job.  Rosanna had been daydreaming about moving for awhile, with no specific plan.  When she visited Sydney and Frank (my sister and BIL who moved from Bisbee to Diamond Springs, California, last year) earlier this month, she found her spot – a smaller home on 1/3 acre in a rural area.  Nice views, plenty of privacy, one mile from the supermarket, with an unmanicured, fenced backyard for the dogs that will be making the move.  Lots of TREES, a big change from her place in Arizona.  She made an offer, it was accepted, and a big life change is underway.

Anyone looking for a horse property in SE Arizona (Cochise County)?  Rosanna’s home is new-ish (15 years, maybe?), 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, nice big kitchen.  Lots of windows.  BIG barn, corrals of various sizes.  A good well.  A big, outdoor, clay oven!  A level site for a large RV with a 30 amp hookup and water.  The acreage is completely fenced and gated.   A covered carport - two, I think.  Good horse riding in the area – John and Brenda took their horses over to Council Rocks in the Dragoons a couple of weeks ago.

Rosanna has her place listed for sale now, and a lot of work ahead.  Guess Odel and I better zip on down there if we want to get in a last visit.

So, our countdown begins.  Odel has his last PT session at 8 am next Friday… then off we go.  See you on the road!