May 28-31st 2010 Heron Lake, NM

Picked up little Dylan (4 yr. old Grandson) after I got off work so he could go on his 1st camping trip with us. Headed to Heron, got there about 4-ish. Just hung out & had supper. Everyone went to bed early cuz JoAnn, Kyle, Kenny, Derek & Joe had to get up at 4:30 Sat. morning to go on a guided fishing trip. They were out all morning & into the afternoon. They had fun & learned some good tips. After they rested a bit, Kyle, Kenny, Derek & Dylan went over to Burns Lake to fish. No luck there. Ate supper & hung out.

Sunday after breakfast a bunch of us took the pontoon out on the lake. We were out there for quite awile. No fish were caught, I swear I don't think there are any fish in that lake.

Dylan's first camping trip recap: Friday night was not too good. When it was bed time, he cried that he wanted to go home cuz he hated camping & he missed his parents. I figured it was going to be a long weekend & it would be his last trip. Sat. was alot better for him. He played with Derek & Kyle took him fishing, so he was wore out & slept alot better. He did tell me he wanted to see his Mom & Dad a few times. He got to have his first boat ride & got to fish for the first time, he did like that. He fell right to sleep Sunday night, we wore him out good. Monday we had to pack up & leave, and he said, " NO, I don't want to leave, I love camping & I want to stay longer." I told him everyone else was going & his parents wanted to see him, so he finally just chilled.

We had a great weekend, so relaxing & fun. I am glad Dylan had a great time. He actually called me on Tuesday & told me he was ready to go camping again, & he wanted to see Kelly & Derek. Glad he changed his mind about camping.

April 9-11th 2010 Bonito Lake, NM

                                                                                   

Kyle & I left for Bonito Lake Friday after I got off work. We got down there about 4:30. Ron, Marge, Karyn & kids (plus they each had a friend with them ..... 6 kids just in their bunch !!!), John, JoAnn, Ina, JoLee, Kelly, Kenny, Derek, Chris & Nathan were all there.


Saturday morning Kyle & I  were awaken by a band, It wouldn't of been so bad if they were good but they were not in sync at all. (the young-uns were egged on by the olds (Marge & JoAnn) ... not funny at all). So I had to think of pay-backs all day, JoAnn was trying to butter me up all day too.  I did get her good later that night. She came out of the camper to dump her coffee pot & I ran into her camper, locked the door & she was stuck outside. HAHAHA. I put stuff in her bed & decorated her bathroom before I let her back in. She should know not to mess with the Sue.


JoAnn told us when we went to bed to make sure & put the chairs up. Ben was being silly so he stacked them all up in front of  JoAnn's door so she wouldn't be able to get out in the AM. Good job Ben !!!!
Well, Kenny gets up about 4 am & decides he is going to end the war between JoAnn & Sue, so he takes all the chairs away from the door. Kelly yelled at him & told him it was Ben not Sue !! Darn you Kenny, that would of been funny as heck for her to not be able to get out of her camper !!!


Kenny & Chris took Derek & Nathan hunting, they got 3 turkeys. They were all happy.
The weather was nice during the day but got a little cold at night. We've had colder down there, no snow this year. We all had a really good time.

Nov. 26- 27th 2009 Santa Fe, NM

Thursday morning, drove the camper up to the Sterrett's house in Santa Fe for Thanksgiving. Enjoyed hanging with all our family & friends. Spent the night. In the morning we made breakfast & then some of us went shopping. We left in the afternoon for the homefront. Ron, Marge, Karyn & girls (Ben had to head home for work), came & spent the rest of the weekend at our place. We hung out & did more shopping. Had a great time with all of them.

Sept. 4-7th, 2009 Heron Lake, NM

Kyle & I left after work on Friday. We drove to the Sterret's property at Heron Lake. We got there about 6 ish. John & JoAnn were already there. We set up the camper & then just hung out with them. John & JoAnn had a little guest running around in their camper (a mouse), so JoAnn & I drove to Chama to try & find traps, but nobody had any in the stores that were open. When we got back, Tracy & Ina were there. They hung out a bit & then when Tracy went over to her camper, she had a chipmunk in her camper. I guess the little critters were making themselves at home while they were all gone.

JoAnn went to Henry's (Heron store) Sat. morning & found traps. Joe & JoLee got to the lake & we all went out on the boat (except Tracy), some of them fished. . JoLee caught a little fish. We just hung out after the boat trip & supper. It was so relaxing. It started to sprinkle so the Saiz family headed to their camper. Kyle & I watched tv with the Sterret's. Kyle & I was in our camper getting ready for bed & JoAnn knocked on the door. She had a box that was under her sink that had insulation in it. It was a nest of baby mice !! There was about 5 in there. Yuk ! She left them outside her camper.

Sunday morning, the baby mice were gone (something must of got them) & JoAnn had a mouse in her trap. We believe it was the mommy. We didn't see any signs of any more mice. Tracy, John & I went to Chama shopping, did some other running & hung out at camp. The rest of them went out on the boat fishing. They caught a few more fish. Kyle built a campfire after supper & we hung out for awile.

Monday morning JoAnn got Kyle & Joe up early & they went out in the boat. The rest of us slept in & then hung around waiting for them to get back. We waited to fix breakfast until they got back, it was around noon when they finally showed up. After we ate it started raining pretty good so we played some dominoes & then packed up to head home. I always hate having to come home.

All in all, it was a great trip, relaxing & fun. I love Heron, it is so peaceful there.
*Kelly didn't go on this trip & boy did we miss her, ha ha. We got to go to bed at a decent time ... she wasn't there to keep us up all night like she usually does. I love my sleep Kelly !!

Aug. 14-17, 2009 Elephant Butte

Kyle & I left for the Butte after I got off work on Friday. Kelly, Kenny, Derek & Ronnie got down there Thursday & got us a great spot. Marge got down there Friday early afternoon. We got there around 5 pm. Later on we had a wind storm & a little rain. We have been through worse ones down there. We got lucky. It only lasted about 30 minutes. We sat in Ron & Marge's camper for awile, (thanks guys). It turned out to be a nice night after the storm blew thru.
Around 1:30 am, Kelly, Kenny, Kyle & I took the canoe out on the lake. The lake was smooth. We just paddled up & down the shoreline. We had a few other campers yell out to us. They thought it was funny that we were out there. There were some campers sitting there playing a guitar & singing & they had the nerve to tell us that quiet time was 4 hours ago .... they were making more noise than us. Go figure. They were the same ones who was laughing loudly & skinny dipping Sun. night until Kyle shined the light over there & they got out & was quiet after that.
Saturday & Sunday morning, Tracy & Paul came & hung out with us all day. We Played on their boat both days. They have a few different tubes we ride. I love the Popazzi one. Had a blast flipping people off. Tracy got me a few times, wasn't expecting it at all. Thanks Tracy !!! Joel also came up Saturday & Sunday. He had a few good spills on the Poparazzi, but he got right back on. He's funny.
Sunday night Ronnie was walking over to his jeep & came upon a rattlesnake. They spotted each other at the same time. He yelled for Kyle to bring a shovel. He gave it a few wacks with the shovel & killed it. Thank God ... that could of turned out bad. I hate snakes !!! I had never seen one at the Butte before...yikes !!!
Sunday Mike, Nancy & kids (Kenny's friends.... yes Kenny has friends) came up for the day. We all had a good day. Some had to leave that afternoon. Ron, Marge, Kelly, Kyle & I stayed. We had a little more relaxing night, we went to bed kind of early. I think we were all tired from the long weekend. It was great tho .... glad we got to go. Oh, & never got dunked on the jet ski this trip, chalk one up for me.

July 31 - Aug. 3, 2009 Robert's Lake, NM

Kyle & I left Friday when I got off work & drove to Robert's Lake. Marge, Ronnie, Mercedes, Kelly, Kenny & Derek were there & got us a spot. Saturday we all (except Kenny) went in to Silver City & watched the rodeo. Kalyn & Dakota were riding. When we left there we drove up to Glenwood to the Cat Walk & hiked it. We were all nice & sweaty after that. It was pretty hot. When we got back, John, JoAnn, Tracy, JoLee & Ina were there. Some of us went up to the cliff dwellings on Sunday & hiked that. The hike wasn't as bad as Saturday, it wasn't as hot & the hike wasn't as long. It lightly sprinkled on us on the way down. We had a flat tire on the camper so Kyle had to change it. Guess it's time to get new tires. They are pretty old. Sunday night we had a skunk visit our camp, lucky nobody got sprayed.

It was a pretty good trip. Got some exercise too with all the hiking we did.

July 10 - 13, 2009 Elephant Butte, NM

Kelly, Nicki & her 2 kids got there first & spread out on the beach to save us all spots. Kyle & I left when I got off work on Friday. Kenny, & Chris were there when we got there. Joel, AJ & kids got there a little later on. Tracy, Paul & boys came over later on.

Francine picked Kyle & Kelly up Saturday morning, they went to Santa Fe for Jim Duncan's funeral. Kelly had to pick Derek up from Grandma too. The rest of us played in the water all day & tried to stay cool, it was pretty hot there. They got back around 11:30 pm & Francine spent the night. She left Sunday morning. We got to ride Paul & Tracy's new toy... the "Paparazzi" tube. Some us got injured but it was fun. Kenny & Chris fished all weekend & caught 40 some catfish. We are going to have a fish fry at a later date at the lake.

June 13 - 15, 2009 Ute Lake; Logan, NM

Kyle & I went to Ute Lake in Logan on Friday. Marge, Ronnie, Karyn & girls, Kelly, John & JoAnn were there already. We camped in the campground. Ross & Dondee came to visit us Saturday. We all went to Jim Duncan's 80th Birthday party. Had fun there & great food. There was a concert at the park so we got to listen to music when we got back to camp. The weather got a little bad on Sunday so we didn't stay too long. The wind was so bad they pulled everyone off the lake.

May 23 - 29, 2009 Heron Lake, Chaco, Cuba, NM

Kyle & I went to the Sterret's place at Lake Heron Saturday morning. John, JoAnn, Kelly, Kenny, Derek, Ron, Marge, Tracy, Joe & girls were there. We got to take the boat out on the lake. We just hung out most of the time & played a few games. It was nice to relax. We all packed up early Tuesday morning & left. Kyle & I went to dump the camper & both took showers before we hit the road.

Drove to Cuba & then to Chaco Canyon. We stayed in the campground there Tuesday & Wednesday night. Hiked all over the place. One night we got to look at the stars in the observatory, that was awesome. We saw Saturn, the moon & cool stars. All in all it was a pretty cool venture. Sure glad we don't have to live the way people did back then.

Left Thursday morning & went to Cuba & camped at Rio De Las Vacas campground. It was pretty there. We had a bubbling creek running next to our camp site. We had chipmunks that wanted to eat breakfast with us, so I fed them crackers. When we left there Friday morning, we went over to San Gregorio Lake & hiked a mile in. It was very nice. Headed home after that. It was such a relaxing (except the hiking) vacation that we both really needed.

http://www.campingwithaview.com/Z_Campgrounds/Public/NM/Rio_de_las_Vacas/Home_RiodelasVacas.htm

April 10 - 12, 2009 Bonito Lake, NM

Easter Weekend. Friday Kyle & I went to Bonito Lake. Ron, Marge, Karyn & girls, John, JoAnn, Kelly, Kenny & Derek were there. It was cold Saturday night so we were inside the Sterret's trailer playing games. I looked out the window & saw that it was snowing out. Got 1-2 inches. The kids woke up Sunday morning & had to find their eggs in the snow. Derek went turkey hunting Saturday with his Dad & their friend Chis. He shot 2 turkeys, so he was a happy camper that weekend. Had a great time.

Mach 28 - 30 - 2009 Villanueva, NM

Kyle & I drove to Villanueva Campground on Friday. We met Kelly, Derek, John & JoAnn there. They stayed the night before & got snowed on. There was a little snow on the ground when we got up there in the afternoon. It was a little cold, but not too bad during the day. Kelly, Kyle & I hiked the "canyon trail" to the top of the big cliff that overlooked the campground & river. It was pretty up there.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/documents/Villanueva_005.pdf

Feb. 13, 14 & 15 - 2009 Alto & Arabella, NM

(Didn't take camper this trip). Kyle & I drove to Marge & Ronnie's when we got off work Friday. Got there a little late. The Sterret's & Hay's were there already hanging out. Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast & headed for the Hazen's house. We all went to surprise Karyn for her birthday. She was so surprised ... nobody let it out of the bag that we were all going. Not telling her was another surprise to all of us. The girls even knew about it.
We spent alot of time making Kahlua ... can't wait to drink it, hope it's good. Sat, we went for a hike around their property. Saturday night we had a crab boil ... yum yum.
Kalyn had a friend staying with her, but she was a sweetheart & slept out in their camper & gave Kyle & I her bed. Had a great time.

Nov. 27, 28 & 29 - 2008 Santa Fe, NM

Kyle & I went to the Sterret's house for Thanksgiving. Everyone was there. We stayed Thrusday thru Saturday. Kyle & I made breakfast for everyone on Friday morning. Went shooting Friday for awile. Played games & hung out. Had a great time. Kelly forgot to make jello shots so we were all depressed about that ... bad Kelly. She probably won't forget again because we gave her a bad time about it.

Oct. 3, 4 & 5 - 2008 Bonito Lake, NM

Kyle & I got there Friday around 5:30. Got camp set up & hung out. Marge, Ronnie, Karyn, Ben, girls (Kalyn brought one of her friends with them).
We had a crab boil that night for everyone's birthday. (Ronnie, Kyle & girls). It was quite a feat to do it for that many people. It was sure yummy.
We hung out & played games on Saturday. The guys took the girls fishing. Didn't catch nothing. Late Sturday night it started a light drizzlee & continued into the night & morning. Kyle & I slept in & ended up sitting in the camper all morning waiting for it to stop.... it never did so we packed up & headed home. Had fun tho.

Aug. 29 thru Sept. 1 - 2008 Heron Lake, NM

Kelly drove her suburban & had to pick up the boat at Mark's place in Albuquerque & then when we she got to Santa Fe she put it on her Mom's suburban to drive to the lake.

Kyle & I left Friday afternoon & met Kelly, Sonia & kids at the Sterret's house in Santa Fe. We got the cars switched around, ate frito pies & then got on the road.
John, JoAnn, Ronnie & marge were already up there. Sat. Joe, Tracy & girls came up. We did get to take the boat out on the lake. Water was a little cold. It rained some on Sunday for quite awile so had to stay inside. We played alot of games so we had fun.

August 15, 16 & 17 - 2008 Elephant Butte, NM

Kelly went early again & got us the same spot, which was great. Kyle & I left Friday after work.
Kelly, Kenny, Derek, Joel were there. Tracy, Paul & some friends of theirs came over Saturday & hung out all day. I tried water skiing but couldn't quite get up. Sooo close tho.
We ended up with a wind storm & a little rain. It cleared up later & was nice. Tracy, Paul & friends came over for awile Sunday & we played in the water before heading home.

July 25, 26 & 27 - 2008 Elephant Butte, NM

Kelly got there Friday morning & got us a great spot. Kyle & I got down there Friday afternoon. Kenny, Derek, Francine, Lane, Dylan, Joel came a little later. Some of Kelly & Kenny's friends camped next to us. It was very hot, spent alot of the time in the water. We had a great time tho.

July 11, 12 & 23- 2008 Fort Sumner, NM

Curt & Caitlin rode with Kyle & I over to Fort Sumner Lake. We left a little late Friday morning. Stopped at Caitlin's brother & got their tent before leaving town. We went & got our campsite & then drove into town & met Caitlin's grandma Bette at Fred's. We had a nice supper & visit with her. Went back to camp & set up Curt & Caitlin's tent & Dusty's tent for them, since they were coming late. Saturday we drove back into town & went to the Old Fort Sumner museum. Billy the kid is buried behond there. Caitlin's Uncle & his family met us at the lake & brought their boat. Hannah's dad brought her over Sat. & she spent the night with us.
On the way home we stopped in Santa Rosa & checked out The Blue Hole. That was pretty cool.

http://www.dtmag.com/dive-usa/locations/BlueHoleStRosaNM.html

June 27, 28 & 29 - 2008 Elephant Butte

Kyle & I left on Friday when I got off work & drove to Elephant Butte. Marge, Ronnie, Karyn, Ben, the 3 girls, John & JoAnn had got there on Thursday & got us a great spot. We got there around 5 ish. Kelly, Kenny & Derek came a little later. Tracy, Joe & girls got there about 10:30 pm. We had a great time. Tracy, Paul & boys came over too. Saturday night we were just finishing supper when a big wind storm came at us. We had to move fast & get everything put away, people can sure move fast when they have to. Our camper was real close to the lake so we had to get it out of there & pull it up on the road, So much for our lake front property. We didn't let the weather stop us. We still partied as everything was blowing around us. Tracy R. turned me on to red bull & vodka ... those are dangerous. Ha. The "Olds" & "young-ones" went to the campers but us "mids" stayed out in the storm. After Paul & Tracy left, we took the golf cart beer crusing. We saw alot of commotion over at the marina, alot of flashing lights. Found out Sunday that there were 50-60 miles per hr. wind & the marina got alot of damage. We drove over & checked it out Sunday morning. Not good. All in all... nobody got hurt. We had a great time.

May 23 thru 27 - 2008 Heron Lake, NM

Kyle & I left Friday when I got off work & drove to the Sterret's place at Heron Lake. John, Joann, Kelly, Kenny, Derek, Marge, Ron, Tracy, Joe, Ina, JoLee, Kyle & i were there. We had a great time. The boat wasn't in working condition so we didn't get to take it out this trip. We just hung out mostly. We did play some games, went on a hike, Kyle & I drove around all the campgrounds up there. It rained the first night & it was cold but it warmed up a little every day after that.