On the Road Again!

We got off to a snowy start on our 2009 RV trip. To avoid a snowstorm in Flafstaff, we took the southern route through Tucson, into New Mexico, then north to Colorado. We hit snow at Raton on the Colorado/New Mexico border. After driving for about an hour through a blizzard, we relied on our gps to guide us to a Walmart parking lot in Trinidad, CO, where we spent the night.

The next morning it was sunny and clear. We arrived in Norfolk, NE, Tuesday evening and are now parked next to Gene's daughter's house. Lori plans to head east with us next Monday so she can visit with her brother John in Ohio. We'll stop in Lincoln, NE, on the way and visit granddaughter Crystal, husband Ben and baby Addie, as well as the rest of the grandchildren . . . Melissa, Ben and his girlfriend Amy.

Jay and Liz Visit Phoenix

A bolt of energy and sunshine blew through Phoenix! Gene's grandson Jay Taylor and his wife Liz spent the night with us on April 10th. They are both volunteer teachers at a mission school in Chihuahua, Mexico, and were on their way to California for a break. They will serve in their volunteer positions until the beginning of June. Then it's back to the U.S. to find employment. We loved having them!

Jack Tegan Nichols

What is more precious than a newborn baby? Jack Tegan Nichols was born on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at 9:39 a.m. to Janet and Shawnda Nichols, my granddaughter. Janet went into labor at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, and Jack was born a short six hours later. Good job, Janet! They had a home delivery, with grandma Paula present as Janet's coach. There were tears of joy as he made his entrance into our world! Welcome, Jack!

Coincidentally, my brother's name is Jack, and Jack Tegan was born on my brother Phil's 71st birthday. Carol made t-shirts for her brothers that say: "If you don't know Phil, you don't know Jack!" We'll have to have one made for little Jack Tegan.

A Tribute to Jan

My friend Jan and her granddaughter Ali

I lost a friend this week, but heaven gained an angel. Jan found out about a year and a half ago that she had inoperable pancreatic cancer. Despite her battle with the disease, loss of weight, doctors appointments and chemotherapy, she managed to strengthen the relationships with those around her.

Jan spent time with her grandchildren and was at Ali's first birthday party in February, one of her goals. She took a trip to California last summer with her three sisters, Barb, Toni and Gerri and came away with some great photos and memories. One of her last outings was a Valentine stay at a the Gainey Ranch Hyatt with Jack, her dear friend, where they danced and rode in a gondola.

Last Saturday, her family helped her throw a "Celebration of Life" party. She invited those close to her for a final goodbye and hug. She told us all to love those around us and treasure every day. It was a difficult goodbye, with laughter, tears and a beautiful sunset!

Jan was six months younger than me. Her sister Barb married my brother Phil when we were teens, and we became fast friends. We raised kids together, camped out, water skiied and shared many happy times together.

Jan passed away peacefully with her sisters, Barb and Gerri, by her side. We will all miss her beautiful smile, charm and grace. Goodbye, dear friend!

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

A Black-tailed gnatcatcher nesting at the visitor's center.


Wildflowers grow among the cholla.


Entry sign at Anza-Borrego State Park.

The Sam's Radio Hams Chapter of the Good Sam Club to which we belong held an RV campout in Borrego Springs, California. We spent the first night, Monday, March 9, parked at the Peg Leg Smith's area out on the desert near Borrego Springs. The wind blew and rocked the rig that night, but each day it got calmer and warmer.

On Tuesday, we moved to The Springs at Borrego, an RV campground that was quite luxurious . . . heated pool, four hot tubs, golf course, club house, library with wireless internet, etc., etc. Twenty rigs and 41 chapter members made up the group.

Our first activity was a wild flower tour lead by a volunteer with the Anza Borrego Foundation. We formed a car caravan and drove into Glorietta Canyon about six miles from the center of town. With the help of our guide, we identified 43 different desert wildflowers. And were they gorgeous! Varieties included desert dandelion, brown-eyed evening primrose, checker fiddleneck, Parish's gold poppy, purple mat, desert chicory, blue heliotrope, various mustard plants, and chuparosa. The hummingbirds love the red trumpet shaped flowers of the chuparosa, but my favorite was the ghost flower. We found them growing right out of the boulders and blooming with waxen, grey-green folliage. We picked the best week to visit; in a few days they will all vanish as the desert heats up.

We also did a little bird watching. A black-tailed gnatcatcher (photo above) was nesting at the Anza-Borrego Visitor's Center. There were also nesting verdin at our RV camp. Also saw cactus wren, roadrunners, black-throated sparrows, a king bird and a kestrel.

It was great visiting our friends at the campout. We had invited Dean and Ann Dierks and John and Phyl Cade, longtime friends of Gene, and they enjoyed meeting the Sam's Ham group. We had many group meals, played games, attended a wine tasting and campfire cookout hosted by the Springs, and overall had a wonderful, relaxing week.

Baby Boom!

We had a baby shower at our house yesterday in anticipation of the arrival of "baby Nichols". Granddaughter Shawnda and her partner Janet are due on Easter Sunday. They do not know if it will be a girl or a boy . . . they want to be surprised. If it's a girl, she will join two great granddaughters born this past year. Gene's granddaughter, Crystal, gave birth to Addison Ann Davy on May 8, 2008; and Sue's grandson Matthew and wife Nikki welcomed daughter Ariel on June 15.

The above photos show Shawnda and Janet at the shower with Paula, Shawnda's Mom; infant Addie taken in July; and baby Ariel who attended the shower with Mom, Nikki. We have the feeling that the next generation will continue to expand. With 13 grandchildren between Gene and Sue, it's inevitable!

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring comes early in the desert. Yesterday, February 13, we took a drive up to Superior, Arizona, to see the snow on the peaks east of the valley. There were a few flowers along the roadside, but it will be a few more weeks before the desert is in full bloom. After having a delicious lunch (try the pozole!) at Los Hermanos in Superior, we stopped at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and walked the loop through the garden. A few aloes and hedgehog cactus were just beginning to bloom, and Queen Creek was rushing and full of sring runoff.

Our yard, however, is a different story. The African daisies that sprouted in November now cover the front yard. We're enjoying the colorful display knowing the flowers will dry up once the heat hits.