Alpen Rose and First Impressions of Durango

Durango, CO   H62  L40

Judy and I have been here just a tad over a week and our first impressions are that this is a really great area and our work situation is going to be very enjoyable.  Workampers routinely are required to report to their chosen work area before the winter weather fully breaks.  As we pulled into Alpen Rose RV Park the area was on the receiving end of a winter system dropping snow in the higher elevations and a frozen mix on the valley floor.  Our first four days here we certainly got a tiny taste of  winter. Hey, that is why we go to Arizona for the winter. Five days later Judy and I reported to our first day on the job, sunny skies and seventy degrees. That is more like it. There is a good chance we may see one more round of winter weather as May 15 is the date used for most gardeners to plant their flowers.

    

   

Judy and I had not planned to seek a workamper position in a new geographical area this year but late in the cycle we decided it would be good to see another area.  The workamper positions we have worked for the previous four years were paid positions. Here we work two days for our site and have four days off.  This job is low on responsibility especially for me, mostly I just escort RVers to their assigned site and help them get situated.  Judy works in the office taking reservations and helping customers.  This is much different from the other jobs where we were responsible for just about every aspect of campground operations. I think I like the less responsibility aspect of this job.  The owner/managers Bob and Joan and defacto workamper coordinator Jim have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome.  Judy and I are sure we made the right decision to take the position here.

The afternoon Judy and I drove into Durango, we were taken by the beauty of the Animus Valley where the city is situated.  The San Juan Mountains tower above the city and the Animus River meanders through the town.  Fort Lewis College is located here.  The old historical downtown area has many unique shops and restaurants. You can also take the Durango to Silverton small gauge train for a scenic forty-five mile ride through the mountains.  Judy and I are sure we are going to enjoy exploring the many attractions during our stay here.

     

   

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in about a week

 

 

Mesa, AZ to Durango, CO.

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, Colorado   H43  L32

The Meandering Maddoxes pulled out of Sunland Springs Village, Mesa, AZ last Tuesday morning begining the 2016 travel adventures.  Judy debated whether or not to take her CRV and follow me as I pulled the RV. She decided to, so we will be able to drive it on day trips.

Judy and I took a workamping position at Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango, CO. It is located only four hundred miles from Mesa. The position will require much less time on the job, only two, eight hour shifts, then followed by 4 days off. More about this later.

After heading out Tue, we drove north through the Arizona Rim country to the Winslow, AZ area.  It was a fabulous drive. We stayed at the Meteor Crater RV Park for a couple of days so we could view the crater and revisit the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert after forty years. Judy and I stopped by in 1976 on our way to my assignment on the USS Norton Sound AVM1 in Port Hueneme, CA.

Meteor Crater

The crater was created by the impact of a meteor approx. fifty thousand years ago.  It is the best perserved inpact crater on earth. The meteor was 160 feet across, traveling at 26,000 MPH. To learn more Click Here.

  

Petrified Desert

The Petrified Forest is a place where dinosaurs once roamed over 225 million years ago. A time when lush green forests ruled the landscape with 200 foot tall conifers. Volcanic mountains erupted toppling the trees. Swept away by waterways and covered with volcanic ash and sediment, these trees became entombed and over millions of years became petrified. Through gradual erosion, gigantic logs and remnant pieces became exposed for the world to experience. To learn more Click here.

    

         

Judy struck this same pose 40 yrs ago, the rock has not changed, and neither has she.

Painted Desert

The Painted Desert encompasses over 93,500 acres and stretches over 160 miles. It begins about 30 miles north of Cameron, Arizona near the southeastern rim of the Grand Canyon to the Petrified Forest about 26 miles east of Holbrook, AZ. Along the way, it grazes the backyard of the Wupatki National Monument Indian Ruins. The Painted Desert derives its name for the multitude of colors ranging from lavenders to shades of gray with vibrant colors of red, orange and pink. It is a long expanse of badland hills and buttes and although barren and austere, it is a beautiful landscape of a rainbow of colors.

    

More about Durango, next time.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: Thursday

On the Road in Two Days

Mesa, Az.   H65 L53

Tue Judy and I will be heading out on a new adventure in SW Colorado.  We have been very busy closing up the new digs and saying good-byes to our friends, many of whom will also be traveling to various places in the US and Canada.

In the interest of safety I replaced the “E” rated tires with “G” rated tires on the fifth wheel. I also had to replace the wheels because of the increase to 110 PSI per tire, vice 80 PSI. The fifth-wheel weighs in at 15,050 Lbs and the “G” load tires gives me a better safety margin. I purchased a set of  Sailun 637s. After much research and not finding even one negative comment on all the usual RV forums I made the decision to go with them.

Ready to Roll                                             New Tires and Wheels

                  

This will be our first time in SW Colorado. This week we spoke with many people who have experience in Durango and they indicated it is a great place. Here is a link to where we will be, Click.

Judy and I plan a stop near Winslow, AZ  Tue night.  Meteor Crater, the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest are close by so maybe we will get a chance to visit them.

 

That is all or now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Snowbird Season is Coming to an End

Mesa, Az   H86  L53

The Meandering Maddoxes time in Arizona is down to just over a week.  Many of the seasonal residents here in Sunland Springs Village have already departed.  Our preps are already under way.

I made the decision a couple of months ago to suspend the blog bacause our daily activities were  going to be so routine, that I didn’t think the blog would be interesting to our regular followers. As for Judy and I, we had a fantastic stay. Our time here is spent mostly having fun in beautiful weather. We have formed many friendships here and look forward to joining back up with our friends in Oct.

Lots to do at Sunland Springs Village   (click pics to enlarge pics)

        

 

Judy has become an avid “pickle ball” player (similar to tennis) and has become very competive at it. Pickle Ball, is the fastest growing sport at “55+ active adult communities. In fact, eight new courts are going to be added during the off season. 

I played lots of shuffleboard at different levels of competition.  Sunland Springs Village’s (SSV) shuffleboard club plays three times per week. I also played with Superstition Sunrise RV Resort’s out of park league one day per week and also the Tournament Player’s League one evening per week. My goal was to make it to the final four in one of the major tournaments. I reached my goal in the last major tournament of the year, “The Easter Bunny Classic”. I took second place. Maybe I’ll make it to first place next year.

     

Judy and I stay busy the entire time we are here. We also found time for the swimming pool, card playing and social time with our friends.  Judy and I also had visits from RV friends and family members.

Tina, Faye, Scarlett                             Doris & Greg

      

Judy and I will not be going back to Oregon this year.  We are going to take the opportunity to visit and work in a different area.  When we leave AZ we will be going to Durango, Colorado. 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.