After traveling for a few months, it’s always a good feeling to get back home: a place that’s familiar and where you have friends and family….especially during the holidays. For us, that is San Angelo.
After our time in Reno, we were excited to get a start on our journey toward Texas. On December 5th we drove south on US 95 to Las Vegas and made a stop at Lake Mead. We spent a few days with friends Steve and Joan who are volunteering there and showed us around. Our plan is to volunteer there during February and March to try a different form of workamping than at our Reno gig, so it was great to have a look around.
We stayed busy during our 4 days there: we learned how to play Pai Gow poker, attended a Christmas craft fair and parade in nearby Boulder City, saw beautiful Christmas light displays at Ethel M Chocolate Factory, and enjoyed meals and game time together. We also shopped at Cowboy Christmas, the longest running gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo where over 400 vendors display everything cowboy and western.
From Las Vegas we traveled south on US 93 along the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway. We saw many of the scraggly Joshua trees. When Mormon settlers first saw the trees, they named them “Joshua tree” because it reminded them of their bushy-bearded biblical leader. There were also lots of saguaro cactus along the route. Interestingly the saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona.
In Phoenix we picked up I-10 to the east and headed for Texas. Judging by all the signs, New Mexico must get some severe dust storms—luckily we didn’t encounter any on our trip. This series of signs repeated every few miles for quite a while on our drive!
After I-10 we headed north on US 67. We were blessed with good weather and arrived in San Angelo on Dec 14th, where we would spend 5 weeks reconnecting and relaxing in our hometown. Here are some of the highlights:
Family
The best thing about being home is spending time with our family. We enjoyed Christmas and time together during our 5 weeks in San Angelo.
Friends
Reconnecting with our San Angelo friends is always fun while we are home. The Road Lizard’s running group is a big part of our activities. We did the annual Christmas Party, New Year’s run and brunch, and volunteering at the Concho Christmas lights display. Thanks again to Ross and Kristi for the cookout and to Sharon and Marty for the farewell breakfast!
We made time for some fitness fun, as well. Mike earned his 500K jacket from the Bandera Endurance Trail Run after completing a 50K run. He’s been working toward that for several years now. We also had fun bowling and golfing and just enjoying the nice San Angelo climate. Of course, there has to be some reward afterwards, so we always visit The Latest Scoop ice cream shop–the best ice cream anywhere!
Sammie and Chloe
Our visit home ended on a sad note as our sweet girls, Sammie and Chloe, crossed the Rainbow Bridge together. They had a good long life and gave us such joy for 16 years. We will miss having them with us on our travels, but know that they are pain free now. Thanks to so many family and friends who offered their condolences and prayers during this sad time.
Hi, we love reading your adventures and especially those about San Angelo and the Latest Scoop ice cream place. Take care and safe travels.
Hi David and Carol–great to hear from you again. Hopefully we can meet up again one day…maybe at the Latest Scoop! We do love coming back home to San Angelo and are glad you enjoyed the post:)
I’ll take the chocolates, too! Enjoyed the read!
Pam, I only wish the chocolates were really that big! You can’t have too much of a good thing:)
WOW! What a great visit back home for you and Mike. Nothing like connecting with family and friends again. I’m so very sorry for your loss of Sammie and Chloe 🙁 I remember them fondly and feel lucky to have met them years ago. I know losing them was is very difficult for you both. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sandi. After 16 years of loving our sweet girls, it was indeed very hard to see them go. We know they are happy together now and no longer in pain, though. I’m glad you got to meet them:)
Nice job on the article, y’all are living the dream. I sure was sorry to hear about Sammie and Chloe. Stay safe and continue the dream. ❤
Thanks Sherri–it was hard to lose them after 16 years together. We are enjoying our traveling, though, and are glad you are following along with us!