White Sands National Park - Alamogordo NM - January 2013

White Sands National Monument, it’s not a national park, contains a significant portion of the world’s largest gypsum dune field.  The glistening white dunes rise 60 feet in height and covers 275 square miles.  Kathy is pictured here on our way into the parks visitor center.  

No, we are not in New England after a nor'easter.  We are beginning a 16-mile scenic drive that leads from the visitor center into the heart of the dunes and back.   Wind is a dominant factor in the park often blowing at gale forces especially from February to May. Wind storms can last for days in the spring.  

Here you can see the natural beauty of the park.  The color of these dunes really is a coral pink, and they’re most beautiful near sunrise and sunset. They get their color from rubbing against each other as the wind blows the tiny gypsum pellets (sand)  throughout the park.

You can see here how the plants have adapted, extending root systems to remain atop the ever shifting dunes.  The plant in the center of this photo is a Yucca plant which is native to this area.  

They looked like igloos from a distance, but they are covered picnic areas where visitors can have lunch and enjoy the park.  White Sands National Monument is also home of White Sands Missile Range.  When testing is being conducted the park is closed to visitors for obvious reasons.  

That's right bring your favorite sled and enjoy the ride.  Some dunes are tall and steep enough to provide a good ride on a plastic toboggan or sled.  Most sledders use waxed plastic snow saucers. 

With only 300,000 visitors a year, the park is seldom crowded.  Notice that the road is completely covered.  The park uses plows to push the sand to sides providing access for visitors. The white sands dunefield is active.  The dunes can move from west to east as much as thirty feet per year.    

Hiking is one of the parks most popular activities.  It was very cold when we visited the park.  Most of the visitors had on cold weather jackets.  In the summer the rangers recommend you carry a gallon of water during hikes as temperatures can exceed 100 degrees.  Stargazing is another feature of the park during the summer.  

Here is another example of how plants have adapted to the dune fields.  The rain makes the sides of this mound harden to form a nature barrier.   We truly enjoy our short visit to the park and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.  

Hot Spring National Park, Arkansas December 2012

I just want to make it clear that we called the National Park Visitors' Center BEFORE we left I-30 near Little Rock.  We were told that US 70 was open and appropriate for us to drive in a 40 foot motorhome towing a minivan.  We were also told that the National Park Campground was open for business.  It was only when we were committed to the route that we realized how much snow the area had received a few days earlier.

No, we are not driving in Alaska, we are on US-70 in Arkansas headed towards Hot Springs National Park.  This damage is a result of a huge snow storm that blanketed the area a few days prior to our arrival.  Had we not gone up visit Kathy's Mom for Christmas, we would have been right in the middle of the snowstorm that created this mess.

You can see the crews trying to clear the roadway.   Hot Springs has some snowfalls, but usually the snow is gone within a day or two.  This storm closed buildings and created power outages all over the town.

These are some of the fallen trees the crews have to cut and remove to ensure safe passage for travelers.  This is only one of the many areas we had to navigate on our route. The road is two lane on some parts to allow cars to pass, however, some of the road is still blocked by fallen trees with only one lane to drive.  It was a little difficult driving a 40 foot motor home with a toad vehicle trying to keep from running into things.

I did not mention that it was raining heavy throughout our trip.   When we arrived at the road to access the campground we found that the road was closed and had to make other arrangements. 

 We finally arrived at Catherine's Landing Outdoor Destination some 20 minutes from town.  The facilities were excellent.  We were surprised at the number of guests who were staying at this campground this time of year. This picture was taken on Saturday December 29th which was a sunny but cold day.  Tonight's low is expected to be around 18 degrees.  

Water. That's what first attracted people, and they have been coming here ever since to use these soothing thermal waters to heal and relax. Rich and poor alike came for the baths, and a thriving city built up around the hot springs.  The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is closed for a major maintenance project.  A temporary park Visitor Center, along with park store, are located on the Lamar Bathhouse at the south end of Bathhouse Row.

As the newest spa to Hot Springs National Park, and historic Bathhouse Row, Quapaw Baths & Spa offers guests a unique way to experience the acclaimed thermal mineral water in their four large capacity soaking pools and new Private Bathing Area. Their expertly trained and experienced therapists provide relaxing massages, facials, and revitalizing body polishes designed to leave their guests completely rejuvenated.  Kathy and I decided to have the couple's Spa Treatment with a 20 minute soak in mineral water and a 25 minute Swedish massage.  The experience was so rewarding that Kathy went back the next day for a scalp & foot treatment as well as another Swedish massage.  She is well relaxed. 

This is a picture of the Buckstaff Spa decorated for the holidays.  One reason for coming to  Hot Springs National Park was for me to purchase my Senior National Park Pass which allows life-time access to National Parks and other Federal properties, plus half off on campground accommodations.  It's a great deal for $10 available for US Citizens aged 62 and over.

MCD Innovation Gold Series Day/Night Shades

The old and the new!  In this picture you can see our old pleated day/night shade on the left above the dinette.  Both shades are in the "Night" position.  Notice the light coming in where the 2 vertical string holes are located.  The new pull down MCD light blocker shade is pictured on the right window above the couch.  The new shades are superior to the old.  There are six different light blocker fabrics to choose from. 

In this photo, both shades are in the "Day" position.  The Day shade utilizes MCD’s exclusive ClearView™ Solar Sun Screen to provide superior outward visibility, unsurpassed daytime privacy, and outstanding heat protection.  You can see out, but no one can see in. The night shade material, in the first photo, provides complete light blocking, 4-ply vinyl fabric. The advanced design allows you to effortlessly raise either shade with just a pull-to-release motion.

Since we installed the new shades ourselves, we decide to include step by step instructions for our friends who own a Monaco RV.  We found it easier to start by removing the existing window valance.  Remove the screw from the bottom left and right supports. 

Next, remove the plastic string holders on each side.  Be prepared for the blinds to drop open as you release the tension.  I could not believe that these screws were 3" inches long.  

Pull the metal portion of the shade below the bottom of the valance and twist it side to side, then pull out and up on the shade to access the upper screws that hold the shade in place.  See next photo. 

With the shade pulled outward its easy to access the upper installation screws.

To make things easier for me, I got Kathy to remove the upper screws.  It was easier to open the window which allows you to see and access the upper support screws.

Use a long Phillips Screwdriver #2 to remove the upper screws.  One on each side releases the old shade.  Move it out the way.

Next remove both upper screws that hold the valance in place.  Longer widths may have 3 or 4 screws to hold the valance.

You can then remove the entire valance.  Lay it on the floor with the back facing up.

Next, you installed the metal clips that will hold the shade in place.  Normally only 2 clips are used for shades under 30" inches.  For sizes larger than 30 inches, 3 clips are used .

Here you can see the clip installed.  The clip incorporates a slot in the center so you can adjust the clip from front to back.  

We also removed screws from two of the upper support brackets.  This was done to allow use of these holes for installation screws to reattach the valance. 

Here's Kathy fastening the new shade into the clips.  You can see she is placing the shade in the top of the clip then rotates the shade to clip it in place.  You will hear it click into place. Once installed, the entire assembly is ready to be mounted.  In the photo below, Kathy is pushing straight down to get the shade to click into place in the middle clip.  

In this photo you can also see the gold metal clips used to hold the top and front of the valance together.  They will be used to help with the installation. 

Here Kathy is starting the screws for anchoring the valance.  Be careful to only install these screws a 1/4" into the wood support or you will attach it to your floor.  You can see there's a gap that makes re-installing the valance fairly easy.   

Notice that the clear plastic wrap is still left in place around the blinds.  You should remove the small cardboard piece during this step, but leave the clear plastic wrap.

While I held the valance in place (I'm really there you just can't see me), Kathy uses a drill to fasten the 3 screws to anchor the unit to the bottom of the cabinet.   The final step is to Very Carefully remove the clear plastic wrap around the blinds.  

And we are done!  You can see the "Clear View" Solar Sun Screen shade pulled down on the two large windows and the complete light blocker shade pulled down on the smaller window. We installed 9 shades in about 3 hours.

Here's our left over screws.  The long screws were used to fasten the plastic string holders back on the 4th photo.  Can't remember where the other screws came from. We are delighted with the new shades.  Complete measuring and pricing information is available on the MCD website.  

Amazon Camper Force Program

Welcome to Heartland RV park in Campbellsville, KY.  This park is one of several local campgrounds which become the 4-month home of many of the Camper Force individuals who work the holiday seasonal period for Amazon.  Three of the Amazon distribution centers hire Camper Force people.  They are located in Campbellsville KY, Fernley NV,  and Coffeyville KS.  These centers do not have enough local residents available to work temporarily to supplement the full-time personnel to handle the increase in orders during the busy holiday season.

This is the office for the RV park which starts to get pretty busy around the end of September as the work campers arrive.  

Here's the clubhouse which Amazon uses to greet new Camper Force workers.  During the meeting, you get your shift information, job assignment, and are briefed on pay and other pertinent information.  Additionally, they take photos of you for your Amazon ID badge.  The building is also used for park gatherings such as pot luck dinners and other park functions.

 Here we are parked in site number 90.  The park has 111 sites of which 58 are occupied as of this posting. All the sites have been reserved for additional personnel scheduled to arrive in the next couple months.

You can see in this photo that the campground has several layers.  All sites are gravel with full hook-ups. Amazon pays for our campground site, including electricity and wifi, each month of employment. We arrived August 30th for a September 3rd start date.  Not too many RV's in the park!  If you look very closely, you will see the Amazon name on the white building in the distance.  That is where we walk to work.

This is the level where we originally parked until the first rain storm.  We learned that the water does not drain well from this level and decided to move to a lower level.   Also, some sites are larger than others. 

The primary reason we selected this RV park is that its location is right across the street from Amazon.  We can walk to work in a matter of minutes which helps a lot when you get up at 5 a.m. 

I took this photo of a scanner used at the local Walmart.  We use a comparable scanner at Amazon but due to proprietary reasons no one is permitted to take photos inside the building.  

One great benefit of working here in Campbellsville is Amazon Camper Force workers can eat at Campbellsville University.  You can purchase a 10-meal pass for $55 dollars which means meals cost $5.50 per person.  You can't eat and drink at McDonald's for that amount and the food is considerably better.

Here's a picture of our new friends, Dave and Judy.  They own the fifth wheel parked next to us. We are at one of Judy's favorite dining places the local Dairy Queen.  We enjoyed the chicken tenders and also the Ice Cream for dessert.  They are in their second season as work campers for Amazon.  They have a wealth of local information as well as being great neighbors.