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A look back at the decade 2010-20

Sunset rays on Zoroaster & Brahma temples from Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSeems I often look back, I do love those memories.  As I put together this post I realized that much has happened in the decade 2010-20, many changes, lessons, loss and gain.  For someone who looks at life six months at a time, a decade seems like forever.

last light Wotans Throne Wedding Site Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaWotans Throne North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Where was I ten years ago at the end of 2009?  I’d been blogging for a year where I met many people who have changed and touched my life.  You know who you are.

Elephant Addo Elephant National Park Eastern Cape South AfricaAddo Elephant National Park South Africa

If it wasn’t for blogger Joan sharing her love of all things nature in South Africa I might not have started the last decade visiting her amazing country.  Trip of a lifetime.  Then because I love the place so much returned two more times and am ready to go back again.  Maybe 2021, want to go along?  My Dad passed away not long before this trip and so his memory went with me.

Havasu Falls Havasupai Indian Reservation ArizonaHavasu Falls Arizona

Summer of 2010 was the third season I worked as a Park Ranger on the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park.  Explorations continued on the Colorado Plateau camping at Toroweap and hiking Havasu Canyon.  Hard to believe I was posting almost every day.  Where did I find the time?

Truck & 5er Jacob Lake ArizonaGreeted 2011 with a new to me bigger 5th-wheel, which I will finally own next decade.  I was still writing about my month in South Africa mixed up with every day life.

Mom in car along Park Road 100 Padre Island TexasA visit to Mom in south Texas along with the realization of her decline followed by a move to Arizona where sadly she died several months later.  Yet in the last months of her life, we finally became friends, respecting and loving each other in a new way.  For that, I am deeply grateful.

Fishtail Rapid ~RM139.7 Colorado River trip Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFishtail Rapid Colorado River Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

My return to the Grand Canyon brought me another trip of a lifetime as I was paid to raft the Colorado River, which I blogged about for months.

Annular solar eclipse series North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnnular solar eclipse composite Arizona

Spent most of the winter of 2012 in Yarnell.  Returned for my fifth summer season at Grand Canyon and my first time photographing a solar eclipse.  I attended my first class reunion, 40 years after graduating from high school.  Mostly it was a calm year with life in a good balance of work and play.  Or maybe I was resting up for the next year.

Spotted Hyenas Kruger National Park South AfricaHyenas Kruger National Park South Africa

Because in early 2013 I returned to South Africa for two months, their summer our winter.  The land and people grabbed and hung on to my heart.

I returned to Yarnell in the spring and left for the North Rim shortly before the Yarnell fire.  I lost a bunch of storage shed stuff while many friends lost their homes.  I moved back to Yarnell in the fall to help with the cleanup, both physically and mentally.

Joan in cave opening along Waterfall trail Tsitsikamma National Park South AfricaJoan in cave opening along Waterfall trail Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa

In early 2014 I once again returned to South Africa, this time for three months, my entire visa time.  Joan and I covered 5000 miles, visited ten national parks, camped 80 out of 85 nights, and had the best time ever.

Rainbow over canyon North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaNorth Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I returned for summer at the Grand Canyon, learned to embrace monsoon, and was fortunate enough to see a partial lunar eclipse.

Monk Multnomah Falls OregonMultnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge Oregon

After returning to Yarnell in the fall, Berta and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest.  I bought the current slide-in camper and began exploring with my home on the back.

Brown pelicans Corvina Beach Salton Sea State Recreation Area CaliforniaBrown pelicans Corvina Beach Salton Sea State Recreation Area California

Then just kept on exploring during winter 2015 visiting Anza-Borrego, the Salton Sea, and Joshua Tree.

Three Gossips Arches National Park UtahThree Gossips Arches National Park Utah

Now being a two RV owner I had to make two trips for my eighth season at the North Rim.  Well worth it when I can take comforts along during summer jaunts.  However, didn’t take it when Bill and I visited Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capital Reef in the fall.

snow cemetary from RV window Crazy Horse RV Park Kanab UtahView from RV of cemetery Kanab Utah

Then spent a cold, snowy winter in Kanab, Utah in the 5th-wheel.

Wildflowers Badwater Basin Death Valley National Park CaliforniaDeath Valley National Park California

In early 2016 I used the truckcamper for trips to Valley of Fire, Death Valley for Superbloom, Mojave National Preserve, and Quartzsite.

trees rainbow sunset clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBryce Canyon National Park Utah

I became a semi movie star in a film student’s documentary about my nomadic lifestyle.  I’ve recently added a link to that seven minute film on the sidebar.

Sunset RR tracks Kirkland ArizonaBack to Grand Canyon for the summer and in the fall moved to Kirkland, Arizona, only 15 miles from Yarnell, so I could help Berta after her knee surgery.  Wasn’t sure about living near the railroad tracks until I shot sunset at the end of the line.

Crested organ pipe cactus Darby Well Road BLM Ajo ArizonaCrested organ pipe cactus Sonoran Desert Arizona

Winter of 2017 I split between living in the 5th-wheel in Kirkland and traveling in the truckcamper.  I like that combination and wish it wasn’t so much hassle to move both these RVs.  One trip out took me to the southern Arizona desert at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Darby Well Road BLM, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Old Tom Arch High Sierras Alabama Hills BLM Lone Pine CaliforniaOld Tom Arch High Sierras Alabama Hills California

Another jaunt went west to Valley of Fire, Death Valley, Alabama Hills, Manzanar National Historic Site, Fossil Falls, and Mojave Trails.

sunrise Angels Window North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSunrise Angels Window North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Returned to Grand Canyon for my 10th season.  Little did I know it would be my last.

late light Kelso Dunes Mojave National Preserve CaliforniaKelso Dunes Mojave National Preserve California

In the fall I had the 5th-wheel towed to and stored in Kanab, Utah while me and the truckcamper went to Yarnell, Mojave’s Kelso Dunes, Death Valley, and Alabama Hills.

phases lunar eclipse arc Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI returned to Kofa for the January 2018 lunar eclipse.

Berta and Sierra Yarnell ArizonaThen back in Yarnell the end of February Berta was diagnosed with brain cancer and the world took a different spin.  I promised to help her as long as I felt able.  In mid-May she went to her daughter’s in Portland, Oregon.  And in July she passed away.

I not only lost my best friend in the whole world but I lost my job too.  I stayed as caretaker for Berta’s Yarnell home.  Paid to have the 5th-wheel hauled to Yarnell.  Then I stayed for the summer followed by winter in one of the deepest pits of depression I’ve ever been through.  Grieving is a bitch, as I’m sure many of you know.

hoodoos Swamp Canyon Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSwamp Canyon Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

I did slip off once in the summer to Bryce Canyon National Park where I was encouraged to apply for the following summer.  A day trip to Flagstaff for fall colors.  And in November took a friend to his home town of Winslow, Arizona.

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahFull moon Hoodoos Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

I lost that same friend to cancer in early 2019.  Followed by a job offer at Bryce for the summer.  So I had the 5th-wheel hauled to Utah and was settling into learning about the wonders of Bryce Canyon when I fell in mid-August and broke both my wrists.

sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaSunset Congress Arizona

Between surgery, healing, and PT, that’s taken up the rest of the year either in Cedar City, Utah or Congress, Arizona with three more PT appointments left.  Progress in mobility and strength continue.  I’ve made 1.8 of my two PT goals, using my big heavy camera and dumping the camper’s tanks (and you don’t want to know about that one).

As you can see by all the links included I’ve blogged about most of this decade 2010-20.  A decade full of ups and downs, and lessons in life.  Now, it’s time to look forward.

Happy Holidays!

Xmas socks rearview mirror North Ranch RV Park Congress Arizona

My stockings are hung on the rearview mirror
in hopes that Santa can find me this year.
The life of a nomad keeps me on the run,
it’s really a life that is full of fun.
But it often means I don’t know where I’m at,
and Santa sometimes has a problem with that.

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Update on two weeks of PT

Lots of interesting exercises and some gray rainy days during the last two weeks of PT (Physical Therapy).

sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaAfter I got settled into my RV space at North Ranch last month I set up several weeks of PT mostly Mon, Tues, and Wed like I was doing in Cedar City.  I do have about a 15 minute drive now instead of the 10 minute walk and my appointments tend to be in the morning instead of afternoon.  But it’s all good.  I’m getting lots of practice backing up, leveling by not too much, and plugging into electricity because I have to move my home on wheels whenever I want to drive somewhere.

window view birds yucca North Ranch Congress ArizonaMy social skills at the park have only improved a little.  Met some gals that meet up twice a week with their various beading projects.  I don’t think I could hold a hair-size beading needle right now and don’t have my bead stuff with me. Other than for making earvines which I was told I could teach. They have a bead supply that puts mine to shame and could open a store.

birds tree Altostratus undulatus cloud Congress ArizonaPaid $5 towards Thanksgiving dinner and signed up to bring a dessert that came from Safeway.  Lunch at 2pm in the activity center for 200 people was delicious. Met three delightful couples at my table.  I am grateful to have a place to be.

roofs Palm tree snowy Weaver Mts reverse sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaGray skies dropped only a little rain that day but it rained on and off all night and snowed less than 2000 feet above on the Weaver Mountains.  Strange to look at those mountains from this opposite side from Yarnell where I watched for years.

fingers squeeze clothespin North Ranch Congress ArizonaPT starts with arm cycling for five minutes to improve upper arm strength.  Picking up marbles one by one from a small jar and then putting them back for fine motor skills.  Squeeze a clip with each finger 20 times.  Go ahead, try that with your pinky finger and thumb.  After a few other exercises the therapist stretches on my wrists with noticeable increase in mobility.

Sierra cat window in camper North Ranch Congress ArizonaIf it’s not a PT day, or I cancel due to wet weather, it’s a hang at home day when it’s gray.

sundogs and circumzenithal arc Congress ArizonaJoann came for a visit and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon chatting plus a drive out Ghostown Road and late lunch at Nichols West.  Plus we saw sundogs and a new to me phenomenon called a circumzenithal arc, or a grin.  Both are caused by sun reflecting off ice crystals in clouds.

rough can lid North Ranch Congress ArizonaI still do PT at home but I thought the can opener was going to defeat me. Pressure and turning at the same time not so easy on these healing wrists. Good thing I don’t usually eat caned food so no need to buy an electric opener to take up space.

PT is helping.  I’m now typing with all fingers again.  I still can’t attach the sewer hose.  It’s a PT goal.  Along with using my big camera.  Have to see what happens in another two weeks of PT.

life 25 Comments

Moving into my tiny house, on wheels

Fall color SR14 East Dixie National Forest UtahIt’s that time of year when my summer Ranger job is over, the big 5th-wheel goes into storage, and Sierra and I will be moving into my tiny house.  The truck camper is adequate for living on the road as a solo woman.

Sierra cat on stacks Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThankfully I didn’t unpack a lot of decorative chachkies this spring.  Under the current circumstances with two broken wrists I’ve needed help packing everything.  Saturday morning a packing party occurred with four helpers and a lot got done in the 5th-wheel.  I mostly directed what goes where.  After a couple hours I was exhausted and ready for a nap.  Hard to move food until the last minute.

inside camper Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSurprisingly, other than the food and clothes, there isn’t that much else.  Computer, phone, and camera stuff is about all.  Sure tells me I have way too much stuff in the 5th-wheel that I really don’t need.  One of these years I’ll need to have a yard sale.  Guess all I need is a yard.  I do make thrift store donations every time I move locations.

Silent City hoodoos Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMonday and Tuesday out of town friends will help with a few more things to move.  Plus go check out the park.

Wednesday morning I have a doctor appointment with my surgeon in Cedar City.  Guess that will include x-rays to see how the healing is going.  Hopefully I’ll be referred for Physical Therapy, a walk across the hall, and set up appointments.  In the afternoon I have an appointment to get my chipped denture tooth repaired.  Then back up to Bryce for a bloody cold night.

truck camper & 5th-wheel Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe 5th-wheel will be moved and put in nearby storage Thursday afternoon.  And that night Sierra and I will start our tiny house adventure parked in a friends driveway in Tropic.

Friday we’ll move to the KOA in Cedar City.

Then I’ll get the calendar formatted, printed, and shipped.  I’m still open for orders.

To pay for your calendar open https://www.paypal.com/ and sign into your account. (If you don’t have a PayPal account sign up for free.) Click on the “Send Payment” tab and type in geogypsy2 @ gmail.com (without the spaces). If necessary, add a funding source like a credit or debit card, or other PayPal account. To finish sending, simply click the “Send Payments Now” button.  I will be notified of your $24 payment followed by an email to you upon its receipt.  Please reply to me with your full name and physical mailing address.  I will send an email when your calendar has bee shipped.  Thank you in advance.

Gaelyn Bryce Canyon National Park UtahDreaming of returning to Bryce Canyon in the Spring

life, Uncategorized 21 Comments

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