Christmas with a Gnome

We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas by ourselves, deciding to shelter at home once again. Without our Kitty, we really weren’t in much of a mood to celebrate.

We did, however, decide to buy a real Christmas tree, and we unearthed all our old ornaments. It was fun to see them again and reminisce about where we had purchased them.

Christmas at Home

Our Collection of Christmas Ornaments

We also installed a Gnome Christmas tree on our balcony and gave him a rotating series of assorted props. He was a big hit with the neighbors, and one couple even sent us Christmas cookies and a note that said how much they were enjoying the Gnome! 

Our Gnome Tree, with His Various Props

I finished the year with a tooth extraction – a hole in my head for Christmas!

Farewell, Kitty

During the end of our time at NERI, our Kitty did not seem to be herself. She sometimes wouldn’t eat, developed what appeared to be separation anxiety, and didn’t want to be left alone. Luckily, Tim was able to work remotely on his cataloging project at the RV. We started to become concerned about her and emailed her vet for advice, but we knew we would be home soon and would be able to take her for treatment.

On our drive home, Kitty’s condition worsened, and she became very ill. Since we were in the middle of nowhere, we decided to drive almost nonstop to get home. 

Our first stop upon returning to Loveland on November 5, was the vet’s office. We left Kitty there overnight and knew they would take good care of her. I think Tim and I were both shocked to see how quickly she had deteriorated by the next day. We petted her in her oxygen chamber, and she could barely lift her head.

We talked with the vet and learned that there was nothing that could be done for her. It didn’t take us too long to make the heart wrenching decision to let her go. I just couldn’t bear to see her suffer so much with no hope for recovery.

Despite COVID restrictions, the vet was extremely compassionate. We were able to be with Kitty until the end, and she passed away in Tim’s arms. We were heartbroken and still miss her so much.

Rest In Peace, Kitty

Back to New River Gorge National River

Back in the fall of 2019, Tim and I had been talking with New River Gorge National River (NERI) about returning there in April 2020 for a two-month museum contract. Obviously, that contract had to be put on hold because of COVID-19. In mid-August 2020, however, the project was back on.

We left Colorado on August 18 and drove to NERI in the RV. We felt comfortable going there since we would be working by ourselves with little contact with anyone else. We arrived at our favorite volunteer RV site and scheduled our COVID tests, which were required before we could start work. Negative, as expected, and we began our contract on August 27.

Our RV Site at NERI

Since we had worked previously at NERI, we were familiar with the museum and what we would be doing. We spent most of our time cataloging items in the collection. We then photographed and labeled all the newly cataloged history items and rehoused all objects using archival-quality storage materials.

We found permanent locations for the items and reorganized both floors of the museum storage facility in the process.

Cataloging, Photographing and Organizing the Museum Collection at NERI

Because of COVID, we kept to ourselves, both at work and on our days off. Since we had previously toured the park, we didn’t feel too bad about not venturing out.

We remained at NERI until the end of October and headed back to Colorado on November 1.

Starting a Travel Fund

In May 2020 I turned 70 and started to collect my own Social Security. Although I had been receiving spousal benefits since Tim claimed his Social Security benefits in 2018, I had waited to collect my full benefits until age 70. (We had run the numbers back in 2018 and had been surprised to find that that strategy for collecting Social Security was the most advantageous for us.)

At the end of 2019 Tim and I had decided to establish a separate travel savings account where I would deposit my Social Security check. We also started depositing the money we received from our museum projects, as well as “bonus” money like stimulus checks.

Let's Hope the Travel Savings Fund Will Grow Quickly!

The travel fund would be used to pay for all RV expenses, all travel to and from our museum projects, and all other fun travel. Since we were no longer getting our travel fix with the RV, we figured that we would need a dedicated source of funds for future travels. With my larger Social Security checks, our travel fund would grow much more quickly.

Our Pandemic Lockdown

I must admit that I was very grateful to have a home to return to.  Our home became our sanctuary in which we would ride out the pandemic.  It was so fortuitous that Tim had suggested getting off the road when he did.  Being a full-time RVer during the pandemic would have been a nightmare for us.

After returning from SAMO, we spent the next five months at home with virtually no contact with the outside world.  Surprisingly, we adjusted rather quickly to lockdown.  We continued to cook all of our meals and really did not miss going to restaurants.  I discovered curbside pickup at King Soopers and Walmart and almost never set foot in a store.  I had to make an exception for Costco, however, but I only went during senior hours when it was not busy.

Tim never seemed to be at a loss for how to occupy his time.  He signed up for a GIS class at Front Range Community College during the summer semester.  The class was held remotely via Zoom, and he really enjoyed it.

The pandemic seemed to encourage old friends to connect virtually with one another again.  I was able to participate in quite a few Zoom happy hours with friends from Miami, while Tim joined calls with his more far-flung relatives.

The Kitty loved having us around all the time and spent many an hour on our laps.  She is the only one I photographed during this time.

Who Are You Looking At?

A Scary Drive Back to Colorado

Instead of spending four nights on the road on our way back to Colorado, we decided to make a mad dash (for us!) towards home. We wanted to avoid spending time around other people and try to stay as safe as we could.

We made it as far as St. George, Utah, the first night and Grand Junction, Colorado, the second. Traffic was fairly light, and the weather was good. Tim and I took turns driving, and Kitty took turns sleeping on our laps.

The First Part of the Drive Was Easy for Everyone

The weather began to change shortly after leaving Grand Junction. Traveling on I-70 over the Rockies in the winter is always a gamble, and today was not our day. It started snowing, and an accident slowed the traffic way down. Visibility was deteriorating.

Freezing fog soon reduced visibility to almost zero, and Tim could stay in our lane only by following the red tail lights of the car in front of him. He did a masterful job of driving, but I don’t remember the last time I had been so scared. I think I held my breath the whole way and didn’t calm down until we had descended the mountains.

A Scary Drive (And I Didn't Photograph the Worst Part!)

Pulling into our garage an hour or so later was the best feeling in the world!

Finishing Our Project at SAMO

Our project at SAMO was challenging, but quite rewarding and would turn into the largest deaccession in the history of the National Park Service. It’s truly amazing how much paperwork is involved in deaccessioning museum collections that no longer exist. Beth and the staff at SAMO were great to work with and assisted us throughout the process.

Lots of Paperwork - Even the Kitty Had to Help

Although our original commitment to SAMO was for two months, the park asked us if we would like to extend our stay through March 2020. We readily agreed.

Unfortunately, the realities of the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic soon became a factor that could not be ignored. Although we were mostly isolated from everyone while working at the LaKretz Center, the park decided to send us back to Colorado on March 18, 2020.

Before we left, the entire staff thanked us with a lovely luncheon. It had been a great group of people to work with.

Thanks for a Great Going-Away Lunch

All Packed and Ready to Leave

Visiting Channel Islands National Park

Our last outing with Beth was a trip to Channel Islands National Park. Comprised of five islands that were isolated for thousands of years, the park features unique animals and plants that are found nowhere else on earth.

Tim and I had previously visited Santa Cruz Island, so we picked Anacapa Island for our destination today. We boarded our boat in Ventura and enjoyed watching the dolphins that followed us the entire way to Anacapa and back.

Anacapa is a volcanic island with huge sea cliffs, caves, and natural bridges. Arch Rock, a 40-foot natural bridge, is a symbol of both Anacapa and Channel Islands National Park. I took way too many photos of the island’s natural features.

Anacapa Island - Sea Cliffs and Arch Rock

We checked out the lighthouse and the other buildings that supported its use and wandered around the trails on the island. We especially enjoyed checking out the plentiful seabirds and admired all the vivid yellow and red flowers that covered the landscape.

Exploring Anacapa Island

Sarah, Tim, and Beth at Anacapa Island

Seabirds and Blossoms on Anacapa Island

Seeking a Little Bit of Culture

In addition to exploring the sites within SAMO, we also enjoyed venturing a little farther afield on our days off. We became friends with Beth, who was also at SAMO for a short-time detail, and together we visited the Getty Center, the Huntington Library, and Santa Barbara. Tim and I also made a trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on our own.

The Getty Center was first on our agenda. Perched high above Los Angeles, the Getty offers an impressive art collection as well as expansive views of the city. We decided to take a tour of the architecture and the unusual gardens, which are a living work of art, and it was well worth it.

Getty Center

Sarah and Tim in the Central Garden at the Getty Center

The Huntington Library encompasses not only an immense research library, but also an art museum and botanical garden. Tim especially loves to visit libraries, so this was a perfect destination for us. I could have spent hours wandering through the gardens and admiring the flowering trees.

The Huntington

The Huntington Botanical Gardens

Tim at The Huntington

Santa Barbara was a bit farther afield, but we all wanted to visit the city. Tops on our list was Mission Santa Barbara, often referred to as the “Queen of the Missions.” We also visited two other historic sites in town, El Presidio de Santa Barbara and Casa de la Guerra, but we made time as well to explore the waterfront.

Mission Santa Barbara

Exploring Sites in Santa Barbara

Tim and I try to visit presidential libraries whenever we can, and Ronald Reagan’s was nearby. Although the libraries we’ve visited play up the importance and contributions of the featured president, this one seemed to be particularly over-the-top. Still, I’m glad we came.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Exploring Our New Surroundings at SAMO

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the largest urban national park in the country, but it is not your typical national park. Instead, it’s a patchwork of many small parks, all within a stones’ throw of Los Angeles. Tim and I spent many of our days off exploring the park’s myriad historic and cultural sites and driving the gorgeous scenic highways.

One of the first places we visited was the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch, approached by a long, tree-lined alleé. The ranch features a Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion that was designed for razor magnate King C. Gillette in the 1920s by Wallace Neff, architect of California’s Golden Age. The park’s main visitor center is housed in the original ranch stables.

King Gillette Ranch

At the western end of the park is Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. Here, one of the main attractions is the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center, and we enjoyed viewing the exhibits. A horse ranch for more than one hundred years, this land was once home to Chumash Indians who lived here for thousands of years.

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

We took a great ranger-led tour and hike at Paramount Ranch. Paramount Pictures began a long era of film production when it leased the ranch in 1927, and the ranch is the only site in the National Park System dedicated to interpreting American movies and television shows. Unfortunately, Paramount Ranch was a victim of the Woolsey Fire, which destroyed much of what was known as Western Town.

Paramount Ranch

Another site heavily damaged by the Woolsey Fire was the Peter Strauss Ranch. The ranch was named for Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Strauss, the last owner of the property, which was originally purchased in 1923 by Harry Miller. The historic ranch house, built in 1926, was destroyed by the fire. It was still interesting to poke around the site to discover the elements that remained.

Peter Strauss Ranch

Tim and I couldn’t visit this part of California without driving many of the most scenic highways. The Pacific Coast Highway was my favorite, but I also loved driving through the many canyons and along twisty Mulholland Highway.

Scenic Highways

Arriving at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Before leaving Boulder City, Nevada, on New Year's Day, we decided to take time to visit Hoover Dam. We had previously taken the tour, so we just took a drive to check things out.

Hoover Dam

We could not arrive at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO) until January 2, so we had planned to stay in Palmdale, California, on January 1. 

Knowing that we would be on the road on New Year’s Day, I had packed cans of black-eyed peas and collard greens. I figured we wouldn’t be able to find a restaurant serving a traditional Southern New Year’s Day dinner, so I came prepared. The canned foods left much to be desired, particularly the collard greens, but I wanted to make sure I had good luck for the New Year.

We arrived at SAMO the next morning and settled into our temporary home at LaKretz Field Station, a two-bedroom apartment with a large living/conference room where we would work. We met the staff and learned more about what we would be doing.

LaKretz Field Station - Our Temporary Home

SAMO’s museum storage facility had burned to the ground during the Woolsey Fire in 2018, resulting in the destruction of virtually the entire museum collection. It was a devastating loss. Our job was to complete the paperwork to deaccession or permanently remove the lost items from National Park Service ownership and custody. In other words, the items had to be “taken off the books.”

The Remains of the Museum Storage Facility