I rode the wildest roller coaster called life last year and after many lessons am ready for a simple Merry-go-round. At least for a little while.
Stuck in the driveway
The last new year started off with a new home, that’s on wheels of course. I’d been looking for Just the right 5th-wheel layout and price for several years.
The end of January a fellow Ranger friend attended training at the South Rim of Grand Canyon giving me an excellent excuse for a trip to the canyon. I miss the canyon during my winter off-season.
Sonoran desert, bridled titmouse, sunset, cardinal & sparrows
February I watched the birds, sunsets and walked in the desert.
Susie of Arabia & me, Colossal Cave, Saguaro NP & Casa Grande NM
I headed for south Texas to visit Mom in March taking in some interesting sights along the way, meeting fellow blogger Susie and having truck troubles.
Black-bellied whistling ducks, golden-fronted woodpecker, chachalaca, long-billed curlews & great kiskadee
I added several new lifer birds in TX.
Then the visit changed into moving Mom to Arizona. After being in denial for a two week visit I realized Mom couldn’t take care of herself any more.
Packing Mom’s house
April is a blur. I might have been on autopilot.
Walking along the resaca every evening helped. Even more help was talking to Mike nightly and him allowing me to vent endlessly, without trying to fix it.
K on the beach, her art & Oscar
Occasionally I could slip away to visit my Aunt K, sister to my father, a delightfully intelligent and creative person. We just became friends in the past seven years.
I arrived a few weeks late to work in May, but the canyon waits patiently.
In June Mom passed away. (K passed in October.)
July an almost new truck came into my life to tow the almost new RV. Thanks Mom & Dad for making this purchase possible. Every time I get behind the wheel I think of them towing their own 5th-wheel around the mid-west and south many years ago.
Hermit Rapids Colorado River
August proved to be the highest crest of excitement, a month of many firsts. I never thought I’d get to float the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, a dream fulfilled by my employer, The National Park Service. And then flying back over this vast landscape put it in perspective.
Celebrated Mike’s September birthday with another first, renting a boat on Lake Powell and seeing Rainbow Bridge.
Cottonwood Canyon, Buckskin Gulch slot canyon, Eagle’s Arch, Johnson Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, old movie set & Coral Pink Sand Dunes
My summer work season ends mid-October and a vacation was planned. But plans often go astray and because the new truck needed some pricey repairs the extended vacation covered less miles but was still a lot of fun.
Javelina, chipmunk, rabbit, scrub jay, home, quail & dove
November found me full circle and back to my winter home in Yarnell, Arizona. Back to watching the birds, wildlife and sunsets.
December brought change, at least the beginnings. A new haircut and starting the process of getting new teeth. Life usually slows down for me during my off-work season. That’s good because I have more changes to work on. And, as we all know, change takes time to adjust too.
You had a very eventful year in 2011. Here's hoping it is slower paced in 2o12. Love your pics! lots of beauty packed into one post.
You have such a cool life! And I love reading about it!
Quite a year you had. Sorry about the sad changes in your life. Your scenery photos are beautiful!
What a year you had, Gaelyn. In June we were on leave in SA and I somehow missed the post when your mom passed and also when your dear aunt and friend passed. I'm sorry to hear about your double loss. Love the photos – especially the birds. May 2012 be peaceful and happy. Kind regards to Mike and hugs to you, dear Gaelyn. Jo
It HAS been quite an eventful year… Thank you for including me as a part of it and your life!
You've had quite the year, Gaelyn. I am sorry to read about your mother and aunt. You've such a lovely life – I enjoy stopping by from time to time to see how you're doing. Hey to Mike. XO
You did have quite the month. I hope 2012 provides a breather.
Sometimes we have rough years, sometimes not so much. You had a rough one. May 2012 bring your peace and contentment, my friend.
What a year you had, I didn't realize you lost your aunt in addition to your mom, so sorry.
I've enjoyed your amazing photos of beautiful skies, mountains, rivers and wildlife. Best wishes for 2012. 🙂
Life is always throwing challenges at us, and you seem to have handled yours with grace and a smile. May your 2012 be full of happy, stressless adventures!
You had quite an eventful year. I'm jealous of that rafting trip!
Thank you for sharing Gaelyn — and I wish you a carousel of a year this time around — you deserve a quieter ride. I love your joyful posts, but I especially appreciate your ability to share the bad without whining.
I'm kind of a Pollyanna when I write because I have trouble expressing the down-sides, of which like everybody we have our share,
Happy New Year! And grab the gold ring when the carousel comes around!
Happy New Year, Gaelyn, and thank you for sharing your incredible story. May 2012 bring you much happiness and peace of mind.
I will be heading to Yuma/Algodones soon to check out dental work, so look forward to hearing how yours is going! Cheers!
Stunning and beautiful…
Thanks for sharing with us!
Enjoy 2012 and thanks again for your cyber support.
A) You have the most infectious smile! The picture of you and Susie – you're just beaming and I love it!
B) I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother and aunt.
C) Thank you for linking to these blog posts. As a new reader, it was so helpful to get some history while having you as a guide to what I needed to see most.
What a year for you, Gaelyn! How awesome that Mike listened patiently! I'm glad you had him around!
So sorry for your losses. may your memories be treasures.
Beautiful photos of birds and nature.
a wonderful montage of your year! full of the gamet of experiences life thros our way. happy/sad fun/dreadful beautiful/painful
I hope you enjoy your Winter break!
Gaelyn, the month your mom passed was when I was celebrating my mom's 75th. Now she is fighting breast cancer as you know. We have both had a hell of a year, huh? Here's to a wonderful 2012. Let's hope this one is exciting (in a good way) and peaceful as well! And if I did not tell you before, I am sorry for the loss of your mother.
Its truly been a rollercoaster year for you and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to have made the journey with you (even if it was in cyberspace).