Lots of firsts in 2010

I thought I was going to post my 10 best adventures for the year, but since just about every day has been an adventure for me, I decided to just put the year in review with collages.  Before I do, though, I want to clarify something from yesterday’s post.  Several readers pointed out to me that the song should have been “Do Your Ears Hang Low.”  I would just like to explain that I was in an inner city Girl Scout troop in Chicago, and being teenagers, we always sang our version.  :)
I began the year finishing up my third volunteer stint right here at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.  I refer to that time as “Battle Rodent”  as I was trapping up to four mice a night inside my rig!  It was the first time I wished that I knew the Pied Piper of Hamlin.  :)

At the end of the month, I had to make a sad journey to Chicago as my 92 year old mother had passed.  Not a very joyous adventure.  :(  So many memories there…
February through April was spent volunteering at Balcones Canyonlands NWR.  Lot’s of firsts while I was there: the new refuge bird guide included my name as a contributor; I experienced the Texas Hill Country bluebonnet and wildflower extravaganza along the roadsides;  and led the first endangered species bird tours for the refuge.
The month of May was spent parked in my youngest son, Andy’s driveway where I met my fifth grandchild, Ruby, for the first time.  Lot’s of time was spent with her two older brothers, and I got a new, to me, rig!
June and July found Emma and I spending our first time in a private campground for two months.  What a time we had visiting Yellowstone National Park, and many of the Scenic Byways of Idaho!  One of the best parts was having my sister and brother-in-law spend the first couple of weeks with us.
There are not enough words to describe the grandeur and beauty of Grand Teton National Park.
In August, we journeyed into Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and enjoyed more scenic byways in Idaho.  Almost three months spent in Idaho was not enough time to see everything.
Malheur NWR was the first time I had volunteered in a high desert refuge.  September flew by so fast while I was there.  It was also the first time that I took a picture of an onion.  :)  Though difficult to see, I’ve tried to include pictures of my fellow volunteers.
October, 2010, is a month that I’ll never forget.  My rig broke down; we spent a night in a truck stop; the rig was towed 100 miles to Boise,ID; we spent over two weeks in the Camping World parking lot waiting for repairs and parts; I just barely missed getting caught by a tornado; and we all lost Margie and Bruce.  After visiting with my oldest son, Daniel, outside of Denver, I took solace in the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park.  There were too many firsts that month that I hope are never repeated.
Probably the biggest first of the year for me was the trans-Atlantic cruise that my sister, Pam, accompanied me on.  Three days in Barcelona, Spain, and then the two week cruise with stops in Cartagena, Madeira, La Palma, and Nassau before arriving back in Galveston.  Wow!  What a way to spend November.

I’ve made a full circle by finishing off the year where it began at Anahuac NWR.  What a year it has been.  So many places, so many new friends, so many memories!  I can’t wait for 2011, and looks like it’ll only be a short wait of just under six hours.  I hope you’ll all continue to travel along with Emma and me as we begin a new decade.  We wish all of you a Safe and Happy New Year! 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy  (you can click on any collage to enlarge:))