Nikki: Well I'm on my own now and need to make the posts. Like most artists, the written word is an odd animal for me. It was nice doing my part by being the memory helper for Ken. So, here goes ----
I've stayed put while waiting for the TrailManor repairs to be finished. But, it's a good thing for me, because I'm working on building a pace and pattern of being. I tend to run from one commitment to another, almost always on overdrive. Why? Anyway, my goal is to learn to ride and tame that wild horse called "Time." Feel free to track my successes and failures here on the blog.
Yesterday I ate lunch under the awning. When through eating I decided to copy what I've seen lots of RVers doing. Just sit and watch. What fun! What great fun! A road runner, in dashes, worked his way across the open sand till he reached the side of a nearby building.
I'm almost ready to take the Big Baby on an adventure. I bought the Rand McNalley RV 5510 GPS. It was easier than learning to understand different grades of roads. A national highway, state
highway, county road, even a neighborhood street must meet certain regulations to qualify. Big Baby can't fit under some bridges, or make it through narrow-low tunnels. I'm learning to back it into camping spots (See the attached picture from Fools Hallow Lake, AZ), but I'm not ready to 'cowboy' it on little back roads.5Nov11
Nikki: Yesterday was full of wonder and gifts, if viewed with perspective. The land around Desert Rose Baha'i Institute http://www.drbi.org/ looks like swept sand. I now know why! The wind was intense, not quite storm status, but the sky couldn't be seen.
The ACE motor home has idiot proof systems built in. I decided to empty the waste water, then hole-up in the cozy motor home. Wind blowing, hard to keep the storage areas open, and I got the 'Black water' dumped. I think I shut the black water valve before opening the 'Gray Water' val. All of the sudden the pump stopped working. The good part was I knew enough to try some things which Ken suggested once I called for help. He then asked me to look at the fuse box. Yap, there was a red light. Ken told me where extra fuses were kept. None matched the blown one.
In my drive through the intense wind, looking for fuses, I saw a beautiful sight. A young boy - maybe a 4th grader - was racing the wind. It was magical to see such a private, playful time of celebration. The boy was fast, and sleek, and poetry in motion. His dark skin, plaid shirt and blue jeans were in perfect harmony with the air filled with rose colored sand. I was thankful for the blown fuse, and us not having a back-up on hand. Otherwise I would have never seen this amazing sight.
No photos from the wind storm, nor the Wind Racer. I didn't want to get grit in the camera. Today I'm making a dish for a potluck Baha'i Feast. Tomorrow morning I'll head to Roper Lake State Park http://azstateparks.com/parks/ROLA/index.html. It's a 3 hour drive, and might not have Internet access. I'll write the daily posts, but they most likely won't show here till a week from today.
6Nov11 - Roper Lake State Park, AZ
Ken: Nikki called. Sitting under the awning, enjoying lunch and warm weather. Watching a flock of grouse wander around near her. Her next stop was the outdoor hot springs pool for a soak. I haven't hear from her since...
Nikki: Driving through desert mountains is amazing. Red rocks and cactus casting long shadows into adjacent canyons.
In getting the motor home ready for travel, after being planted for a couple of weeks, was interesting. There was no room for “I can’t do this” because Ken wasn’t around to do it. I broke the task into the things I knew worked, and then didn’t give up till my different tries resulted in success. I’m going to apply this basic practice on all areas of my life that are important enough to want success.
Roper Lake Campground is lovely. The hot springs soaking pool could have been a little hotter for my taste. Walked back to the ACE and made a lovely winter vegetable soup.
I’ve spent the night working on paintings for the Co-Op Arts December show, “Small and affordable.” I’ll post them here, along with prices – then you blog loyalists get first pick.
7Nov11 Roper Lake, AZ
Nikki: It’s lonely here. No Internet! No distractions! Nothing here but me and unfinished paintings. The wind, rain and cold temperatures didn’t help matters either. Anyway, I thought it would be Heaven. Instead unresolved demons have nowhere to hide.
Having fought enough ancestor demons, I know to start with prayer, meditation then action. The “action” for me is to use the time in a wise, disciplined and systematic manner. The day flew by. I’ve got a good start on 11 paintings. I even faced the cold and road my bike around the campground. These quail were bold guys who came into my camping spot.8Nov11
Nikki: Worked on 3 paintings, and am pleased with how they are shaping up.
“Biltmore Rose” 6” by 8” is $89 (plus shipping). If you're interested, email me – or phone nkinne@alaska.net or 907-388-3235.
It was 34F this morning. Arizona isn't supposed to be that cold. The day started with a bank of fog so thick I couldn't see the motor home near me. When it cleared, there was snow on Mt. Granham.
It was 34F this morning. Arizona isn't supposed to be that cold. The day started with a bank of fog so thick I couldn't see the motor home near me. When it cleared, there was snow on Mt. Granham.
9Nov11 Nikki: Last night I woke to a pack of coyotes yapping - talking to each other, which evolved into howling. The voice like qualities are what woke me. I thought teenagers had snuck in to the campground to party hardy (on a Tuesday night – in a locked down state park).
The day warmed to 68F, giving flat blue sky, desert purple, burnt sienna, raw sienna and dashes of green. It was a perfect place and time for me.
Two more paintings completed today. “Savanna Sundown,” 6” by 8”, $89.
“Biltmore Lily” 6” by 8,” and you guessed - $89
Work is done for the day, and now I get to bike until the bugs attack in mass.
10Nov11
Nikki: 3 more paintings completed today. “Odd Thousands Plus 500” is, to me, the pick of this litter, but still priced the same as the rest. $89 plus shipping. The reference photo is on the 30Aug11 blog post. Work is done for the day, and now I get to bike until the bugs attack en mass.
“Beaufort Beauty” was done on hot press watercolor paper. Framed, it is also this year’s Holiday price, $89.
The last one completed today (after hours) is “Hunting Island Sunrise” done on cold press watercolor paper, and will be framed for the good price of $89, plus shipping. Tomorrow I head back to Desert Rose, but plan to travel via I-10. I think the trip will be cut to 2 hour, rather than the 3 it took to get here.
11Nov11 Desert Rose, AZ
Nikki: Driving the ACE was fun today for the first hour. The other 2 & half were on I-10. But, if I had fun (for the first time) in driving, there is hope it will become as pleasurable as pulling the Trail Manner. Still, feeling brain dead after the hours of intense focus.
TrailManor's gray water holding tank still hasn't arrived. So, it is still on hold for another week while I travel with my artist friend, Bev VanAmburg.
12Nov11 Desert Rose, AZ
I really miss Ken. Pasting the posts in this blog has taken hours. And, I'm not sure anyone out there is reading this stuff.
I loved getting to spend the Holy Day with other Baha'is. Also, I met a new friend. A woman who is driving a bigger RV than I am all by herself - full time. We hope to get a few more cups of tea in between now and my heading back to Alaska.
[No further posts due to laptop computer problems]
