PREPARING TO HEAD EAST

Tuesday we said goodbye to Doug and Jen who were headed back to the "res" to resume their daily lives. We hung out at the park for awhile, and then spent come time in Roswell at the library hooked up to their WiFi.  SUPER library; new modern building and lots of places to hook up the technology. I was particularly fascinated with the huge children's area with its many whimsical papier mache sculptures

Back at the ranch, we met Donne Kahler, a writer who was taking her shakedown trip in her brand-new Scamp. ( 13 feet long, and smaller than a Casita!) Deonne had some questions about hooking up her fridge, and later we invited her to come over for supper and wine. Now here's a gal whom we'd like to know better. Absolutely charming, great sense of humor, and writes a fun blog. http://www.gonescamping.com/ – the comments on the blog are almost as interesting as the blog itself!

On Wednesday we picked up the truck in Ruidoso ( Doug and Bill had taken it over on Sunday to have the fender replaced, and we had rented a car.)  This took a lot longer than we had thought, given what the body shop had told us that morning. In the meantime,we stopped in to Mescalero to see Doug and Jen once more as well as to visit Jen's brother's grave site way back up in Elk, where the tall pines keep watch quietly. By the time the truck was ready, it was about 5 or so, with a drive of more than and hour and a half back to the camper. 'Twas a long day for all of us.

Xian didn't much mind, he'd found a new friend who thought he was just the bomb!!!
   The following day we had to say goodbye once more to a new friend. Deonne was to move on the next day, and we had to put on many eastward miles. (BOO HOO!! ) Nonetheless,I really think that our paths will cross again.