12/22/13

Winter Solstice, Valances and Good Tidings to All!


While fighting the cold, a bitter winter day five or six years ago, I made a vow to escape winter once retirement happened.  And we have, fleeing successfully for the past two years!
The pictures below are from our last winter at home in 2011.  This snow was much heavier than normal but it does happen occasionally.  I do not like snow; can tolerate maybe two hours of it!
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Yesterday was the winter solstice…the shortest day of the year.  I always look forward to the day that signifies the increasing daylight.  Suffering in the past from seasonal affective disorder….I hate the long, cold and dark nights.  Our annual trip to the sun has eliminated the depressive symptoms.  Looking at pictures of the desert sunrise is great medicine!
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Sunrise at Dome Rock
We’re getting excited as our exit day approaches but also a bit worried that winter will follow us into Texas where we will be visiting Larry and Debbie Gamble.  Another mod, BAL stabilizers are on the schedule.
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The long awaited valances are finally complete!  Pleased to say they are up and there are no complaints.  Enjoyed taking the sewing machine out of storage and dusting it off.  The last time it was used was when curtains were made for the old 13' foot Casita.
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The material is leftover upholstery from a chair…(see previous post).  The cafĂ© rods are from the Dollar Store and they were secured by zip ties.  The blue in the window is not the ocean but a tarp that’s covering the trailer!
Just mentioning the old trailer makes me nostalgic.  We sold it  after two years in order to get a bathroom.
This was our first love……a 1990 13’ Casita.  Sure hope it’s somewhere still on the road!
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Just had to share the pictures from our first Casita!  We never, ever realized how that purchase was going to change our lives. Changes including travel all over the states and a new family of friends….our fiberglass trailer friends!
Wishing everyone out there a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Please stay safe on the road for another year of travel and good times!

22 comments:

  1. Wow didn't realize the snow got to you. We were boondocking nicely in AR w/solar until the clouds came. Only COE we can find open & electric on is Warsaw. . .where the freezing rain got us - no snow but near zero temps tonight. We're warm tho inside. Love the valances!

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    1. Now you understand why I shudder when you talk about the ice and freezing temperatures! Just cannot handle it! Glad to hear that all is well and you are snuggled in and warm.

      Be careful as you navigate around in this coming deep freeze! Hope to see you this winter under blue skies and bright sun!

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  2. Beautiful job with the valances. Looking forward to seeing you at Q.

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    1. Likewise! How early do you usually go? We may go early in the week.

      Thank you for your kind words on the valances.

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  3. The first couple photos make me realize why we decided to retire in south Texas....though we’ve had temps in the 20’s...no snow!...that 13 ft Casita is really nice...I remember one waiting for delivery when I picked mine up and thinking maybe I should have got that size...nice valances...stay warm and Have a VERY Merry Christmas...Horst sends

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    1. I know we rarely have any real winter weather here in the south but I don't like even a bit of ice or snow. Glad we live close to Florida and have relatives in Phoenix....lots of places to go in the winter!

      Hope you and yours have a wonderful Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!

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  4. Ahhh, the yearnings. Am hoping to get away with Eggcarto sometime in late Jan or February for a few days. Quartzsite is beyond my "how far I want to go" right now - somewhere in the southern part of the state. You two have a good winter and continue to look toward the longer day.

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    1. Hey, Emily. Hope you are able to take off for a little spin this winter. Our plans have changed again and we have eliminated the rally that was going to push us. I'll try to stay in touch as we head across Texas.
      Want to hear about your first TorC Christmas!!!

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  5. Love that little Patriot! If I was going to tow, that's what I'd get for sure.

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    1. We pulled it 6200 miles with a Sienna mini van and never knew it was back there!

      Merry Christmas, Kim! Hope to see you out on the road this coming year!

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  6. Quite the seamstress....just lovely! First season without snow...kind of missed it but I quickly realized how grand life is without a shovel in hand. Happy holidays and a ho ho ho!

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    1. Carla, you have had so many changes these last 6 months! I am thinking that the lack of snow will be an easy adjustment!

      Enjoying reading about your time at the gulf. I have not been to Gulf Shores and now can't wait!

      Merry Christmas to you and Jer!

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  7. Yay for longer days and desert sunsets. Great looking job on the windows. Like the looks of the 13 footer, but don't think Wanda and I could do the Casita dance in one. Merry Christmas to you and David.

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    1. At that time we did not realize the joys of a bathroom! Don't want to go back to being without one!

      Have a great time at Christmas and maybe our paths will cross on the way to Q.

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  8. I'm hoping this weather returns to normal very soon!! The snow is beautiful to "look" at but live in...not so much!! We have never spent time in the desert but I sure enjoyed reading your post about your winter there. I think it is something we should definitely experience. What are the temps in January, February and March??
    Love, love, love the 13 footer!! We travel with our doggies (two Shih Tzus) and I'm afraid it might be a tad small for us. Love the valences...you did a great job!! The blue is perfect!!

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    1. Two years ago we spent time in the hills east of Phoenix where it was a bit colder than southwest area of Arizona. We learned to sleep with the heat off, (no furnace), and it was consistently 42 F every morning. Cloudless sunny days with temps in the 60's and 70's are why I'm heading to the desert.

      Thank you! And Merry Christmas!

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  9. Oh my...almost forgot to wish you both a very Merry Christmas!!

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  10. Lynne, what a beautiful difference the valances make! They turned out GREAT!

    The little 13' is so cute. I would love to only have to worry about that much weight behind me. But bathrooms are non-negotiable at our age.

    Wishing you a joyful, sunshiny trip out west!

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    1. I was pleased! It does make the inside feel more homey!

      I still miss our little 13 ft. We had to put so much time and energy in it, just to make it habitable.

      Wishing you lots of sunshine where ever you are!

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  11. Love the valances. What are the zip ties attached to? It's the next project on my to do list.

    We went from a 13' Scamp to a 17' Casita and what a difference it makes. We get to stay in touch with our Scamp because my brother-in-law currently has it. It holds a lot of memories for us, as your 13' Casita did. But there are more memories to be had, with all the comforts of home, of course.

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  12. You appear to understand how special and how precious the little trailers can be. As I look back, not sure how we made it on the big western tour of 2009.

    The zip ties are secured to the blinds....the secure piece that hold the blinds to the wall. It was necessary to cut two holes in the back casing that holds the cafe rod. and very challenging to slip the zip tie in and around the rod. This was not my original idea.....I copied from someone who was at a fiberglass rally.

    Thank you for your comment!

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    1. Thank you for the information on the valances, Lynne.

      Merry Christmas and the Happiest and Healthiest of New Years!

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