Birthday Celebration 2016

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO.     H78  L49

Once again my birthday showed up right on time, just like it has for the past sixty six years. As usual Judy worked hard to put together a nice celebration. I don’t know how she can surprise me each year, but she does. She enlisted the help of all of the staff here at the park.

First thing that morning, we went to the park’s “Chuck Wagon breakfast”.  There I noticed posters with my first grade picture and the caption “Guess whose Birthday is today”.  I didn’t get off with just that though.  She also organized a karaoke party and pot luck that evening.  I can truly say that everyone had a great time especially me! Thanks to everyone who made this a BD to remember.

I am posting a lot more pics than normal.  Remember “click” on the pics to enlarge.

Mike, Marc, Hazel & Gina               Karen, Teresa & Sherry

    

Boss Bob serenading me                Jim (singing “GA on My Mind”

    

Dancing to “GA On My Mind”      Boss Bob & Joan

    

Richard (Texas Boy) Teresa, Byron         Susan & Larry

   

 The Workamper Crew                      Teresa, Donna & Ken

   

AJ & Bruce, me

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week

 

 

 

 

 

Day Trip: Mesa Verde

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, Colorado   H78  L51

Judy and I are still a little infatuated with our workamping area because the weather is so nice and there are so many choices of interesting places to visit nearby. A few days ago we drove about an hour east of Durango to Mesa Verde National Park.

Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, Mesa Verde National Park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

Here are a few pics

     

     

   

View of the area

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: In a week or so

 

Day Trip: Silverton, Colorado

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO.     H 85  L 50

Judy and I headed north from Durango to Silverton, Colorado a few days ago. The weather was perfect for the fifty mile scenic drive along part of the San Juan Mountain Skyway. The drive took us through the “Coal Bank Pass” at an altitude of 10,640 Ft.  The trip loosely parallels the route of the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge railroad.

    

Silverton was a gold mining town when it was first founded.  Today the  population is a mere 500ish and its economy is tourist based.

    

Around the Park – A nice perk with this job is free breakfast at the park’s daily “Chuck Wagon Breakfast” buffet. The campers pay $8.49. Thanks to fellow workampers Ken and Donna and now AJ and Bruce for their morning treats.

Ken and Donna (13yrs at Alpen Rose)

   

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next bog: In a week or so

Meeting Up with fellow Bloggers Steve and Debbie

Durango, CO.     H 66 L 36

Last Sunday Judy and met up with fellow RVers Debbie and Steve.  They have been on the road for about two years and are having a great time living the nomadic life style. The weather was not very cooperative during their stay in Durango, rainy and cool everyday of their stay. Steve and Debbie were able to stop by Alpen Rose RV park for a quick meet and greet and a short park tour. I am looking forward to them staying at Alpen Rose on their next visit.  Once Judy and I got off of our shift we joined them at Serious Texas Barbeque, a local eatery to continue our visit. This was our second visit there and it was much better than the first. Things are usually better with friends and good conversation.  Click to checkout Debbie and Steve's Blog.

Judy and I invited Debbie and Steve to share an evening out at The Diamond Belle Saloon for Monday evening Happy Hour. We already had plans to go there with fellow workkampers Ken & Donna, Mike & Gina, and Mark & Hazel. I thought it would be a nice way for Steve and Debbie to spend their last night in Durango.  We all had a fun time visiting and enjoying the local entertainment in a very relaxed environment. Judy and look forward to seeing Steve and Debbie when they return to “The Valley of the Sun” next winter.

Fun Evening at the Diamond Belle Saloon

Debbie and Steve                           Mark, Mike & Gina

   

Ken & Donna

     

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog in about a week

Honeyville and Diamond Belle Saloon

Durango, Colorado     H60   L32

The weather continues to be unpredictable. A couple of days ago we had rain, hail, sun, snow, and a frozen mix, all in one day!  It sure makes it hard to plan for any day trips. Our RV friends Doris and Greg have been staying at the park for the past week and we haven’t been able to go on one day trip.  We last saw them about a month and half ago when they visited us during their stopover in Mesa, AZ. They will be heading out tomorrow on their journey back to VA.

We have not been confined to the RV though. A few days ago Judy and I visited “Honeyville”, about ten miles north of where we are living in the Animus Valley.  You can purchase just about anything that has to do with honey.  The products include; mountain honeys, whipped honeys, jams & jellies and wines and honey bourbon.  To learn more about Honeyville, Click

    

    

Monday evening Judy and I were invited by fellow workampers Donna and Ken to join them at the Diamond Belle Saloon, housed in the Historic Strater Hotel. The hotel was built in 1887. Click here to learn more about the iconic western hotel.  Doris and Greg also joined us in fun filled evening of entertainment.

   

 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

PS.  Guess who got the first slice of pizza of the season at Alpen Rose RV Park? 

Thanks Bruce and AJ. 

Weather Needs to Change

I think it is time the weather here in Durango matches up with the season. The unseasonable weather has kept us close by the RV for about a week and a half. Everyone here keeps letting us know that it is much cooler than normal for this time of the year. Not to mention that rain and frozen mix have been showing up very frequently.

Even though the weather has been iffy, Judy and I are having a great time.  The workampers here are very friendly.  Last night we got together for a very good “Red Bean & Ham and Corn Bread dinner”.  Linda and Bob, former workampers here, who are staying here for a few days surprised all of us with a delicious pot of Jambalaya.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by

Next blog: In a week or so.

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