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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, December 31, 2010

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.  :)
40 Anahuac NWR 2009I 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…
41 Balcones  NWR 2010February 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.
42 Spring 2010The 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!
43 Yellowstone NP 20101June 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.
44 Grand Teton NPThere are not enough words to describe the grandeur and beauty of Grand Teton National Park.
48 Craters of the Moon NMIn 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.
51 Malheur NWR, Oregon9Malheur 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.
52 On the way to Anahuac 20105October, 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.
54 trans- Atlantic cruise 201017Probably 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:))     

27 comments:

  1. A few stumbles along the way, but all-in-all, it looks like a really good year!!

    Happy New year!

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  2. we wish you good health..joy and safe travels in 2011!!!..Happy New Year!!!

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  3. Life has it's ups and downs, and you handled them all very well.

    I can see why you took the picture of the onion, but all your pictures are wonderful.

    Great description of your year. Thanks.
    Happy Tails and Trails, Penny, TX.
    www.pennys-tuppence.blogspot.com

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  4. Your adventures have been a pleasure to follow. Your pictures have enriched my life. I hope you have a good year to come, and share lots of good images.

    Happy New Year

    Safe travels.

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  5. Happy New Year. May both you and Emma have the most marvelous 2011 ever.

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  6. Nice job on your post today Judy & I can see you put a lot of thought & effort into it. Nice way to sum up your year. All the best from the Bayfield Bunch in 2011:))

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  7. Happy New Year Judy, it's an absolute pleasure to follow you and your travels. May 2011 bring and Emma many more exciting adventures!

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  8. I hope you and Emma will have a great 2011 with lots of new adventures.

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  9. Wonderful post! I am sure you enjoyed walking down Memory Lane, even though parts of it contains painful memories. Thanks for sharing with us!

    And as for Ears or Boobs or whatever... I will forever after think of YOUR version when I hear that little song!! :-)

    Happy 2011... Bring it on!!

    Kerri in AL :-)

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  10. What a good summary of your eventful year of 2010, Judy. Your pictures are phenomenal and you did a wonderful job with your collages.

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  11. Great post summarizing your year, Judy. A pretty eventful one at that!

    Happy New Year and all the best to you and Emma.

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  12. Judy my new friend in 2010, I am crowning you the queen of the New Years Eve blog! Yours is just simply beyond words fabulouso! Your daily blog is always such a treat with your wonderful photography and your humor and wit that I so love, but this is just over the top!

    The very best to you and Miss Emma in the coming year of 2011!!!

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  13. A colorful and fun recounting of the year ... the downs make us appreciate the ups all the more. Happy 2011.

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  14. It looks to me like all in all you had a great year, and now you and Emma can look forward to another great one in 2011. Maybe we will meet up when you head east. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  15. A great thumbnail of yours (and Emma's) last year...ups, downs and all of that...Hope to meet you two ladies someday down the road...if we ever get back there!!! Happy New Year!

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  16. I so enjoyed the photo collages of your year! What a great idea. I may have to steal that one since I have been swimming around in how to summarize our year as well. I'll be sure to give you credit, Judy. Especially since I joined you later in the year, it gave me a great snapshot to help catch up. Happy New Year to you as well!!

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  17. What a great life you have. The low point, I know, was losing your Mom, but the rest of your year was fabulous. Have another great year in 2011.

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  18. Nice collages! What a smart way to summarize the year!

    I showed them to my 17-yr old and she had nothing but praises! She was asking what was that round orange ball, I guess from reading the comment is an onion.

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  19. Happiest of New Years to you and Emma!

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  20. Happy New Year 2011 to you and Emma!! I can't wait until you drift back in our direction once again. Your life is full of adventure and exactly what life should be about: discovery and learning and helping. Miss you and hope to raise a glass with you soon.

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  21. A great summary of your year. I am not sure I have the will do go the same. Have a great 2011!

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  22. Wow, what a year. You are an inspiration to us all. Your love of life is evident in every post. Thank you.

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  23. Judy, Thanks for this post. I especially enjoyed (y)our trip to Craters of the Moon - I had no idea. . . I also enjoyed your cruise and your photos of it.

    Looking forward to armchair traveling with you again in 2011. LG

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  24. I'm sorry I'm so slow to look at this post - but all I can say is WOW! An excellent idea, and I love the collages.

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