Back to work

Well, tonight I’ve finished 2/3 of my weekly commitment working the VC.  The virtually longest day each week is coming up tomorrow.  It seems longer because I’ll be inside all day.  Sunday’s I start the day early with the bird tour.

This week I had the pleasure of taking Hazel on a tour.  She’s boondocking in Quartzsite right now.  Her two greyhound fur kids drove over with her, but weren’t allowed on the tour.  They did fine waiting in her car since it was a rather chilly desert morning.

Two other folks were on the tour as well, and we had a good time seeing all the waterfowl and quite a few raptors.  Amazingly, we saw six raccoons along the way as well.  We start shortly after dawn, so our chances of seeing wildlife are better.  No bobcats this Sunday, and the vermillion flycatcher didn’t even show up for the first time.  I’m going to have to give that little dude a dock in pay. 

On Mondays, I get to check the four overlook sites along Red Cloud Mine Road so I can let everyone know what birds are about on the ponds and lakes to tell the visitors about.  It only takes about an hour and a half, but I appreciate the chance to get out.  Found this little guy along the way.  Can you guess its name?  It’s a Rock Wren right where it’s supposed to be… in the rocks!

                              The little verdin was doing its acrobatics among the mesquite as well.

This evening, back at the rig, the noisy Gila woodpecker stopped by to visit the twin saguaros just off the patio. 

As the sun began to set, I think both Emma and I have to agree that this particular site that we have is the most scenic and serene of any site we’ve ever had on the 14 National Wildlife Refuges we’ve been on.  It may only have 30 amps, but that has become a nonissue for me.  My biggest worry had been using the AC, but it turns out using the heat pump uses more amps that the AC.  I haven’t blown a breaker yet in almost three weeks, and I don’t think I will. 

Tomorrow will be a full day in the VC with no escape in the schedule except maybe a mail run.  That’s OK though since it’s my ‘Friday’, and then I can start thinking of making that baked ham and raisin gravy on Thursday for our Christmas dinner.  I handed out the bags of cheesy pretzels to the other volunteers today, and I’m happy to report that they were a real hit.

                                                                            THE END(S)!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy