Camping at Navajo Lake with Dan & Libby

In just 3 days of camping at Navajo Lake, we had a full range of weather -- from sunny, hot, and dry, to hurricane winds and a sandstorm, to pouring down rain, to sunny, cold, and breezy -- with rainbows, shooting stars, crazy clouds, and beautiful sunsets thrown in.

_______________________________________

At the beginning of August, Alan and I loaded up the camper, and the dog, and drove to Navajo Lake, in northern New Mexico.  We were joined by our friends, Dan & Libby, and their two dogs.  We thought we knew where we were going . . .

We ended up in a different spot than we were planning on -- but, it actually turned out to be even nicer.

When we first arrived, it was hot and dry -- perfect weather for a dip in the lake . . . 

Admiring the beautiful double rainbow . . . 

The clouds looked threatening, but it didn't rain . . . that night.

The next day started off beautiful, again . . . 

After lunch, the wind picked up, and then it REALLY picked up.  It was crazy -- felt like a hurricane.  I'm glad we were in a camper and not a tent.  There were tents, rafts, and other floatie things flying away and into the lake.  Then, a full-blown sandstorm hit us.  There are no pictures of all this, because Alan and Dan were trying to put the awning down and protecting themselves outside, Libby was in her camper with their dogs, and I was in our camper with Royal.  I didn't want the camera to get ruined, either.  Then, it started pouring down rain.  It finally eased up enough for Dan and Libby to cook baked potatoes and steaks!  But, we ate inside our camper, and then played some cards . . . 

The next day was sunny and beautiful, but cold and breezy . . . 

This group, camped next to us, never stopped -- and never slept, apparently.  We're pretty sure that most of them stayed up at least until 4:30 am, which would have been no big deal, except that they were LOUD -- all night!

We had a great time -- even with the noisy neighbors and the crazy weather.  We'll definitely camp here again . . . if we can find it!

music by Eric Clapton

California, Here We Come - Part 4, Temecula Wine Valley

After returning from Catalina, Alan and I headed south along the coast of California, and then inland -- to the Temecula Wine Valley. . .

We checked into the Inn at Europa and met the owner, who gave us some recommendations for our "wine tasting tour".

Our first stop was Doffo Vineyards, family-owned and operated by an Argentinian family.

Their red wines were delicious -- and Alan enjoyed checking out the grandfather's collection of vintage motorcycles, especially Ducatis . . . 

The vineyard at the Leoness Cellars . . . 

The 3rd stop on our self-guided tour, Danza del Sol . . . 

The last stop on our wine tasting tour, Europa Vineyards. . . 

Good thing it was right next door from where we were staying -- the Inn at Europa. . . 

This is what happens when you go to four wine tastings in one afternoon . . . 

But, we really enjoyed ourselves, here in the Temecula Wine Valley, and we would definitely stay at the Inn at Europa again.  It would be worth it just for the amazing 3-course, gourmet breakfast.  Yum!