On the Road Again

Hi All,

Saturday we concluded our wonderful visit with Millie. Thanks for your hospitality and your guide services. Friday we Zoomed Shabbat services from Millie's temple and Saturday we visited a winery and watched Hamilton in the evening. Throughout our visit we were careful, staying six plus feet apart in her condo and wearing masks in the car.

Sunday we hit the road with stops in LA and AL enroute to Greenville, SC.

Speaking of masks, a friend on the Wildlife Brigade sent us this. 

For those of you confused by hurricane names, here is a guide to tropical storm naming conventions for our warming planet. This season we went A to Z and now we are up to Zeta in the Greek alphabet!

Stay safe & healthy 

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Kansas Birding

Hi All,

Yesterday we visited the Quivera National Wildlife Refuge and today it was the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. Both places had thousands of birds, almost all too far away to identify even with our spotting scope. Still, we saw hundreds of avocets and white pelicans plus a smattering of other shorebirds, ducks, wading birds and a few Sandhills.

At Cheyenne Bottoms we got some decent views from this observation tower. Check out all that bird poop!

Tomorrow it is shopping and chores then off to Texas.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Colorado to Kansas

Hi All,

The National Monument was wonderful but the main reason we came to this area was to visit Laura & Doug Johnston, friends from Grand Teton. We had a great socially distant visit, dinner and opportunity to catch up.

They recommended Horse Thief Canyon for a flat, bird hike the next day. The cottonwoods were stunning along the river, birds were plentiful 

and we even got a "life bird" -Woodhouse's scrub jay (not our photo).

We were pretty sure it was a western scrub jay but when we looked it up, we learned that in 2016 that species was split into California and Woodhouse's scrub jay! 

When checking into campgrounds, we always check the local information in brochure racks. This was an interesting find

We left western Colorado on Wednesday and headed to the eastern edge of the state. It was a one night stopover and we barely left the coach but some local wildlife came to say Hi!

We had planned to go to New Mexico next but spiking Covid cases there and a statewide 14 day quarantine for anyone coming in from out of state, made us decide on Kansas instead. Thursday we drove to Pratt, KS near a couple of great birding spots.

Here's today's funny sign.

Stay safe and healthy 

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Colorado National Monument

Hi All,

From a distance, the Colorado National Monument looks like exactly what it is- a huge section of uplifted red rock sandstone with numerous erosion canyons. That's the Colorado River in the foreground.

The long drive to the upper plateau included two short red rock tunnels. Once at the top, the views are extraordinary.

This survivor of the erosion history is called Independence Monument.

This is Red Canyon. The drainage down the center supports cottonwood trees now showing their fall colors.

More stunning views.

Fallen rock is a huge rock slab that broke off but did not topple over.

Another erosion survivor.

This place is a compact gem of the National Park system.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Willard Bay

Hi All,

We started Thursday with a tour of the Bear River Refuge. The combination of low water and heavy phragmites growth reduced the quantity and diversity of bird sightings.

We saw many white pelicans as well as avocets and western grebes.

Next stop was Maddox for yummy shrimp steaks.

We ended the day with a campfire 

and watched the constantly changing flames.

Today was a quiet day with some chores and food shopping.

Tomorrow we drive to Fruita, CO.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Ogden Canyon

Hi All,

Today we traveled north less than 100 miles to Willard Bay State Park. The main draws of this location are Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Maddox Family restaurant for their shrimp steaks. All that is for tomorrow; this afternoon we explored the foliage and waterfall of Ogden Canyon.

Sandy found a scenic foliage loop and here's where we went.

A little late but pretty foliage 

Some trees are undecided!

Others are full on yellow.

This roadside waterfall is near the mouth of Ogden Canyon.

Very impressive multi drop waterfall.

Tomorrow we do birds and shrimp steak.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Goodbye Ginger

Hi All,

It seemed to happen so quickly. One day we had a fat cat that curled up next to whoever was on the couch and slept at our feet in bed.

Within a couple of weeks she had lost so much weight you could easily count each vertebrae. She ate very little and pooped not at all. She struggled to jump on to the couch.

The vet exam and bloodwork showed nothing serious and she recommended against very expensive radiology scans   that would probably show something that couldn't be treated for a 15 year old cat. The vet also confirmed that she was suffering.

So with heavy hearts but confident we were doing the right thing, we made one last trip to the vet.

In 12 years with us, Ginger learned how to chase fish on an iPad

Curl up on our puffy jackets

and our safety vests

and kept an eye on us while keeping her nose warm.

We'll miss you  😪 

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Giving Thanks to the Weather gods

Hi All,

The last few days have been stunning. Crisp, clear skies due to a wind shift keeping the smoke away.

The mountains are the sharpest we've seen

with a few afternoon clouds to create beautiful sunsets.

Well after sunset, the mountain range profile is incredibly sharp. Enlarge this image to see all the cracks and small canyons.

In previous years we have had frequent snow and sleet in early October. This year brings 70 degree highs and clear skies. We depart tomorrow for our seven week meander back to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.

First stop is Salt Lake City for new motorhome tires! 

Stay tuned for more wildlife adventures as we visit refuges and state parks in UT, CO, KS, TX, SC, GA and of course FL.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502