After yesterday’s grueling day, Kay and I switched roles Tuesday; she was grossly overbooked and I had it pretty easy. Her day began with contacting a jeweler in Tulsa to find a duplicate of the diamond stud earring she lost a few months ago. They were very helpful in her discussion with them, and asked that she send them the remaining stud so it could be exactly duplicated. Next, she had her annual mammogram—a not too pleasant experience us guys don’t fully understand. And then, she participated in a long difficult Duffer’s board meeting. The Duffer’s is a huge women’s 9-hole golf group here in Hot Springs Village. That pretty much wiped her out for the rest of the day, though she never complains.

Dan Olson and I tripped to Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area for a short walk and some photo ops. It always provides a sense of serenity to an otherwise chaotic world. Here are a few photographs from the walk.  

Even a few butterflies made an appearance.

As John Denver used to sing, “Some days are diamonds, some days are stones.” Monday was the beginning of a “not-so-good” week for me. I was overbooked in that just about every hour of the day was scheduled (is this retirement?). Early morning hours were spent preparing items for warranty work and consequent returns. These included a pair of Smith Optics sunglasses purchased some 20+ years ago. It is the second pair (of three pairs) that had delamination of the lens coating. Though the glasses cost lots of $s, they are warranted for life. Filling out the warranty information was a necessary nuisance.

The Induro tripod I use for photography has two center posts; the short one will not fit as its diameter seems too large. This is no big deal, except that when used in lieu of the long post will help lighten the weight of the tripod. This is important when it is carried on one’s shoulder for miles and miles! I have successfully dealt with parent company, the MAC Group, previously. By the way, these tripods are not cheap.

The last warranty item dealt with this Monday morning was a pair of 10X42 Eagle Optics binoculars. These are really good binoculars and I use them for both bird watching and butterfly watching. They will focus rather closely to allow for identifying butterflies that are only a few feet away, an important asset for me. The problem is that over the last few months, the focus adjustment doesn’t work. Eagle Optics was absorbed by VORTEX, but they still honor the lifetime warranty—good company! The warranty forms were completed and emailed.

Then, the wheels began coming off. First, was a Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church Board of Trustees meeting. I thought it began at 10 AM, and was on time; however, it began at 9 AM and the closing prayer was just beginning when I arrived. At least I’ll be forgiven. Next, was an afternoon filled with golf, and double bogeys; and of course, the resulting score was not good—I bought the beer. Finally, a silver lining in the day’s cloud: the initial travel planning session with Kay in the evening for planning our summer trip to the Pacific Northwest in the July/August timeframe.

Kay had a great day, as usual; she always has great days, and it’s one of the many reasons I love her. She always has a great attitude. She used part of the day packing for a girls trip to Biloxi, Mississippi, in a few days.

Kay met Aker’s mom at Bryant so that Aker could return home. She had a great weekend at KK’s and DD’s, her first time to overnight alone with us. As with the other grandkids, she is growing up entirely too fast, or perhaps we’re growing old entirely to fast!

After early church, I drove to Lake Sylvia in Ouachita National Forest to hike the Lake Sylvia Trail. It was the first time to visit the US Forest Service (USFS) Lake Sylvia Recreation Area. It was obvious that COVID19 had taken its toll on maintenance. The picnic and day use area was closed, the camping area was open but prohibited hikers from parking. However, there was a parking area further up the road. Information on the internet indicated that the trailhead was difficult to find, and with that mind preset, I didn’t look very long. There was another trailhead at the parking area, and I began hiking/strolling that trail. Immediately, there were a few Fire Pink blooms adjacent to the trail. 

And then I heard a buzzing sound, and a hummingbird darted into the viewfinder screen; it was so fast that I could hardly change focus. Luckily, I was able to make these two photographs. This proved to be the highlight of the week.

The trail was short, and only a few additional wildflowers were observed.

After many wonderful trips, Kay and I have decided to part ways with our beloved motorhome. It’s for sale! It has been kept in enclosed storage when not being used (less than 30,000 miles), and waxed each year. My back no longer tolerates sitting in the driver’s seat for the long trips we like to make, and I’m not disciplined enough to stop for the day after a hundred miles or so. Every single trip made in the motorhome is captured in this blog, beginning with our intent to buy in the summer of 2011 and driving it home November 2011 after having it custom built. PLEASE, pass this information on to those you think may be interested.

It’s a 2012 Adventurer 35J, consistently maintained and in near immaculate condition, driven by a non-smoking, no pets couples; it has been kept in enclosed storage.  REASON FOR SELLING: Medical (back issues while driving); WEIGHTS/MEASURES: Length 35’6″, Ext Height 12’8″, Ext Width 8’5.5″, Int Height 7′, Int Width 8′.5″, Ext Storage 107.6 cuft; Fresh Wat 85gal, Wat Heater 10gal, Gray Wat 60gal, Black Wat 43gal, Propane 28gal, LP 28gal, Fuel 80gal, Wheelbase 228″, Power Awning 17’, GCWR 30,000lbs; CHASSIS: Ford F53 24,000-lb, 362-hp V10 SEFI Triton engine; Full-body paint; 5-sp auto trans w/tow haul; 22.5″ Aluminum wheels, Michelin tires (low miles, 2 years old), hydraulic auto leveling jacks; Hydro-Max brakes w/ABS; 175-amp alternator; CAB CONVENIENCES: Upgraded Jensen System, Touch color screen; Blu-Ray home theater sound system; Rear and side view color cameras w/color touch screen; Cruise control; Power chrome side mirrors/heated; Fog lamps; TriMark KeyOne lock system; Digital HDTV Amplified TV antenna system; Solid wood cabinets; Corian countertops; Microwave/convection oven; Filtration System; 3-burner gas range; Refrigerator/freezer with ice maker/4 door; OnePlace System control center; Resteasy dual control Ultraleather (power queen) couch; Swivel adjustable cab seats, passenger w/footrests; Vinyl floors (except in MBR); MCD solar/blackout roller shades; LED lighting; Dash desk/workstation; Tinted Dual-glazed/thermo-insulated windows; Two powered roof fans; Safe–Integrated; TRC Surge Guard–Integrated. BEDROOM: Queen bed, Bedside night stands, Ceiling Fan; HEAT & COOL: 40,000 BTU low-profile furnace; TrueAir (2) 13,500 BTU AC w/heat pumps; ELECTRICAL: 55-amp converter/charger; PowerLine Energy Management System; 5,500-watt Cummins Onan Auto Generator Start System; 1,000-watt inverter; Battery Disconnect System; Automatic dual battery charge control; PLUMBING: Exterior Service Center; TrueLevel holding tank monitoring system; Permanent mount LP tank w/gauge; On-demand water pump;10-gallon water heater w/instant-on

Condition: Used
Year: 2012
Make: Winnebago
Model: ADVENTURER 35P
Class: Class A
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Mileage: Less than 30,000
Fuel Type: GAS
Gross Vehicle Weight: 24,000
VIN Number: Supplied upon request
Engine Type: V10
Sleeping Capacity: 5
Sleep Options: MBR Queen; Rest Easy Queen; Dinette
Air Conditioners: 2, heat pumps
Awnings: yes
Slide Outs: 3, including full wall slide, all with covers
Length: 35
Engine Manufacture: Ford
Fresh Water Capacity: 85
Leveling Jacks: yes
Exterior Color: Brown, Beige, Tan
Interior Color: Beige
Price: To Be Negotiated (similar units selling for approximately $75,000; we’ll sell for less but don’t want to be taken advantage of)

Thursday was April Fools’ Day, but the only, but the only joke was a Facepost post by a 70+ year old Arizona friend who said that his 70+ year old wife was pregnant; you’re the man, Rod. Kay continued with dental work, something she started a couple of years ago. Pretty soon she’ll have all new and/or repaired teeth. 

Friday was her day for continued beautification with pedicure and manicure/dip. And then, she and several of The Book Club members spent the afternoon at the horse races at Oaklawn. Photo buddy, Dan Olson, and drove us to Rick Evans Grandview Prairie near Hope, Arkansas, to check out the wildflowers, dragonflies, and butterflies, but we were somewhat disappointed as few dragonflies and butterflies were present, and those that were flitted about so furiously in the cool winds that making photographs was near impossible.

From there, he drove us to Terre Noir Natural Area near Arkadelphia, Arkansas, but similar conditions to those found earlier in the morning prevailed.

Saturday was home day for both Kay and me., but it was not without excitement. Kay and I were enjoying cocktails on the deck late this afternoon, relaxing with the sights and sounds of the lake and watching birds feeding at an overhead feeding station (about 4 feet from where we were sitting). A Red-bellied Woodpecker joined some small songbirds at the suet.

And then, all of of sudden out of nowhere, this dark shape flies screaming not more than a couple of feet over our heads. At the same time, we heard bird wings beating wildly as they attempted their successful escape. The hawk landed in a nearby tree and posed suspiciously for a couple of minutes for photographs. It sure helps being in the right place at the right time.

Easter Sunday, the end of Holy Week, is normally church day for Kay and me, but because of the expected crowd, I avoided attending. Instead, a long drive in Ouachita National Forest provided my worship for the day; Dan Olson accompanied me. We saw several wildflowers roadside, but most were covered by dust.

PHOTOS

At one stop, both wildflowers and butterflies were in abundance, but the butterflies didn’t stay put long enough for many photographs.

It was back to normal on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; I played golf and pickleball during this time, and made it to a couple of trails in the Village to make photos while Kay fulfilled many social obligations while still playing pickleball and golf. The False Garllic, Crested Iris, and Mayapple are among my favorites.

On Friday, Kay picked up Aker from school for a weekend stay at KK and DD’s. This will make the first two nights she has spent with us by herself. She is growing up way too fast!