:party: We are both thrilled with our new (used) motor home. We got a later start than we had hoped, but managed to get up the hills and around the curves to the campground. The first place we stopped was full so we drove another 40 miles and camped at Fool Hollow Lake State Park. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about making my first camping trip at a place called Fool Hollow, but what the heck, I have made a fool of myself many times before.

Denny really enjoyed the ride up and I didn't even scare him with my driving. He liked the "high" windshield - which means he liked riding up high. The view is great up there. The dogs each eventually found their spot and settled down on the ride. The male thought that all 90lbs should be on the dashboard so he could see out the high windshield as well. Denny couldn't understand why I didn't think it was safe, apparently a 90lb dog flying into his chest during a fast stop didn't worry him.

I am SO PROUD to say I backed the rig into the camping spot on the first try. :cheer: Denny kept telling me, "You good honey." I guess he was proud of me too. He knows how worried I was about driving and parking such a big vehicle. It rained every day but we didn't care. We sat under the awning or inside listening to the rain and a wide variety of music. Denny worked with his SaeboFlex and I read three books. He helped with dinner one night by carefully arranging all the chopped vegetables and chicken apple sausage slices in the foil packs. Then I gave them each a splash of red wine and some seasoning and he closed them up and we placed them on the grill. YUM, they were good and Denny felt great that he had helped.

We got him a scooter and he was SO happy to have some independence. He would load up the basket on the front with his gatorade, put on his hat and say, "Bye Bye" and off he would go. The park was all paved so he rode all around. I asked him if he spoke with anyone on his rides and he said he did. I asked him what he talked about and he gestured fishing and then smiled and said, "Fish GOOD!" I am so proud of him for getting out on his own and not depending on me to speak for him. :big_grin:

He had some frustration trying to use his camera. We absolutely have to find a professional quality digital camera he can hold with one hand. So far I haven't been able to find a remote shutter system for any of his current cameras. He isn't happy with a point and shoot model because he is used to setting all the F stops and other settings manually. He still knows how to do this to get the best shot and gets frustrated with his limitations. We did get a few good shots when the sun was out and I posted them in the gallery.

We went to a great presentation by the Rangers on the reintroduction of the Mexican Grey Wolf - formerly considered extinct.

I don't know if it was the change of scenery or what, but Denny was talking a great deal more than usual. Our last evening we were making plans and he just amazed me with the words he was saying. He actually said, "OK, so presuming....." and then he would pause and gesture to indicate tomorrow or later, then he would add "sell home..." and so on. It was the first time since the stroke that I felt like he was really able to say what was on his heart. I couldn't sleep that night for a darn - I was so happy. When we got home the next day, I was telling him I had to take my Dad (also a stroke survivor) into the doctor on Monday. For the first time he said, "OK, When?" In the past he has always said, "Where?" and pointed to his watch when he meant "When." I stopped dead in my tracks - looked at him and asked him if he knew what he just said. He grinned and just kept repeating "When When When!" :friends:

So, we are ready to go again. The next trip will be another first. I ordered the hitch system for our tow vehicle - a 1987 Suzuki Samurai Tin Top 4 x 4. So we will have wheels when we are parked. This time we plan a visit to Chama, New Mexico to visit our good friend - the pastor that married us.

Looking forward to making more memories!