Merry Christmas from Arizona- Dec.11, 2020

 After returning home in early November, we are settled in for the winter here.  We miss the community activities we enjoyed last year, but we have more time for 'at home' projects; lots of radio for Terry and sewing and reading for me.

Our summer at Silver Falls in Oregon was a little more exciting than usual.  The wildfires entered the back country acres of the Park and we had 20 minutes to evacuate at 6 am leaving our trailer behind.  Thanks to the hard work of the fire crews the fire was stopped and only burned 120 acres.  We were able to remove our trailer to stay in another park for 14 days until the area was safe for our return.  We learned a valuable lesson and now have an 'evacuation bag' packed and stored away.

The fire cloud over the Park - seen from Silverton on the morning we evacuated.

 When we returned to get the trailer, the smoke was very dense.

Our work at the Park seems more enjoyable each year.  Terry gets to drive more equipment and I get to help the rangers with routine tasks that take their valuable time.  This year Terry's brother, Phil worked in the Park too.  They loved helping each other complete jobs and he was there for the evacuation and we were able to stay with him in Vancouver, WA the first few nights.

On our way to Oregon in June we spent 2 weeks at Great Basin NP.  Friends from our host days there, Nate and Anna and family were there too and stopped us as we drove by their site.  We were thrilled to see them again.  What a surprise that we both chose the same week to return for a visit!

View from the Baker Creek Trail on a wonderful hike with another friend at Great Basin, Clare.

  Clare took a great photo of me too on the trail.

Sharing these words and photos of a few of our experiences this year reminds me that in spite of the pandemic and it's restrictions, the value of old friends, family and new friends in our lives can give us so much pleasure.  It may take a little more effort to stay in touch, but it is so worth it!  No matter where we are there are so many little beauties,  simple pleasures and unexpected surprises to enjoy.

We wish you and your family lots of pleasure, beauty and peace for the Christmas season and the New Year!