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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Back to work

After having a nice little string of days off, it was back to the salt mines today.  Smile  Trail maintenance was on the docket for the morning.  Denny and I headed off to the Escanawba trail to mow and weed whack.  Somehow, Denny got to ride the mower, and I had to hike the 2 miles of trails loaded down with one heavy  weed whacker.  My job was to whack away at all the growth that had engulfed the four or five benches along the trail.  I got the first one done, but when I got to the second one, I couldn’t get the blasted whacker started.  I just don’t have the oomph anymore to pull the cord fast and hard enough to engage the motor.  I struggled with that thing for 20 minutes before finally giving up.  Did I mention that it was sunny and hot, and I was sweating bullets?  Eventually, I made it back to the beginning of the trails and occupied myself with a portable drill repairing a couple of the boardwalks.  I sure got my exercise today!

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After lunch and some time in the visitor’s center, I headed back to the rig to enjoy some time outside with Emma.  One of the brown thrashers came flitting through the shrubbery.

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This Northern cardinal has also chosen the area around my rig as his territory, and has been singing away for days.

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This blue-grey gnatcatcher was also working the area gleaning insects from the leaves and branches.  It’s the first one I’ve seen here on the refuge.

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After relaxing for a while, Denny came over to the community area to empty the ashes out of the fireplace.  Fonda, Denny, and I had a cookout planned for tonight’s dinner.

_MG_9977In short order, I had the New York BBQ chicken cooking on the grill.  Since this is another meal that’s hard to make for one, I jump at the chance to fix this meal when there is a group I’m with.  It was delicious if I do say so myself.  We enjoyed the campfire after dinner until the bugs chased us inside.  It was a busy day, and I know I’ll sleep well tonight.

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                                                THE END!!  (could this be Denny’s best side??Smile)

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

Posted by Travels with Emma at 9:56:00 PM

23 comments:

  1. MerikayMarch 24, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    At least you tried to do the weed wacking. I never have been strong enough to start pull starts. I remember a few very frustrating events when I was a young wife trying to do the yard. Not any more!

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  2. RobbieMarch 24, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    I love cardinals...to me they bring Christmas to mind as my grandmother always had to have these beautiful glass cardinals on her tree every year!!

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  3. Sue and DougMarch 24, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    nice 'ending'!!

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  4. Jim and SandieMarch 24, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    We love cardinals. State bird of VA where my hubby grew up and where we met. Does Denny know he's your ending? LOL

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  5. meowmommaMarch 24, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    you need to get that gnatcatcher to bring more friends!!! that way maybe the bugs wouldn't be such a bother...

    awesome looking cookout!

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  6. Al BossenceMarch 24, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Don't feel bad, I've never met a weed whacker I could start yet!!

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  7. GypsyMarch 24, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    I think they are making those pull cords harder to operate in the past few years. The one on my generator is difficult at first, but if I use it frequently it seems to get easier.

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  8. Carol KMarch 24, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Your "the end" pictures always make me smile. It's sure good that you are such a hard worker, Judy. Better you than me, ha ha.

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  9. Donna KMarch 25, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Judy, I'm SHOCKED!! Just kidding, I got a chuckle out of your (or Denny's) ending! That chicken sure looks good.

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  10. Sam&Donna WeibelMarch 25, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Tell Denny to put a new plug in that weed whacker it might start a lot easier, change mine every couple months as they get oil soaked. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  11. Dennis and DonnaMarch 25, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    They need to make weed wackers for short people..Not only can I NOT get it started, but I can't hold it up high enough to wack anything but my feet!!! Nice job on the chicken...we need smelloblog!

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  12. HappytrailsMarch 25, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Love your ending pic.
    Hey, starting the wee eater is no fun, Gerri pulled her rotator cuff while at FDR State park this summer and still has problems with it.
    Take care and be safe.

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  13. Cyndi and StumpyMarch 25, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Of all the birds in your photos today, I like the NY BBQ chicken, the best! It was a tough call, because I REALLY love cardinals and miss seeing them!

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  14. Margie and RogerMarch 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Loved the 'bird' on the grill. Looks yummy. Beautiful cardinal photo.

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  15. VeraMarch 25, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    You are one busy lady! That chicken looks delicious. Hope you slept well ☺

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  16. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    That chicken looks delicious, is there a recipe? Has Denny seen "the end" yet? :)

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  17. Paul and Marti DahlMarch 25, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Are you sure that was chicken on the grill and not some of the birds around your campsite? ;c)

    With all the hard work you've done I'm sure they'll double your salary in no time!

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  18. Alan and Marilyn McMillanMarch 25, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Great pics -- again. Maybe more gnatcatchers will show up if they smell what's cooking:) Looked yummy -- let me know beforehand when you'll be cooking & maybe I'll show up & join in! I'd be sweating too if I were trying to start a weed-wacker. Great ending to a great post!

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  19. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Judy: Take a look at the KGW Raptor Cam at: http://www.kgw.com/lifestyle/raptor-cam tomorrow. We now have 4 eggs in the nest. Perhaps you already know about this but thought I should give you a head's up. RWC

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  20. pidgeMarch 26, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Love the bird pictures and the chicken looks great on the grill. I saw a beautiful bird yesterday I am hoping you can help me with. It is a wood pecker, but not sure if it is the one from around here or what. Will post it in my next blog.

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  21. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsMarch 26, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    Looks like Denny could have stepped up and handled the whacker. Next time, grab the mower keys early!

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  22. DianaMarch 27, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. DianaMarch 27, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Nice bird shots and butt shots!

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