The Bears are Back!

Yikes!  As we sat out on our porch yesterday (it must have been about 7 p.m.),  this little fella came trotting up the road toward us...(you can see our baseball capped neighbor, Kristin, sitting just left of his head)

He must either be a young'un or he is mighty hungry, to come sauntering into a very populated area that way.  He looks thin to me, but check out those pads on his feet - they are huge!  Rita, another neighbor of ours here in the campground, was coming up behind this guy with her camera.  She shared this picture (and the next) with us and we are so glad she did!  If she hadn't, you may have thought that this whole blog entry was just a tall tale...

We've heard that a woman above the campground had been setting out food for a mama bear and her 2 cubs last year. The mama bear reportedly got a bit pushy and had to be put down. We don't know if there is food being set out for bears again this year, but the area has been visited by several bears this summer - both at night and during broad daylight! One climbed up on our campground hosts' porch railing at about 10:30 one night last month and was drinking the hummingbird feeder dry when he was discovered.  Corlene (our host) happened to be awake and saw him; she chased him away by slapping a flyswatter on the cushion of her porch furniture.  You don't mess with Corlene! 

At about 4 a.m. several days ago, Rita (our resident photog) spied this guy checking out the dumpsters in the campground.  It is a grainy shot; she was out of range, but you can definitely tell that it is a pretty massive bear zoning in on our refuse!  Thanks, Rita, for your keen eye and quick reflexes!!

Well, that's about all I have for this entry, but it was mighty exciting stuff, eh?!?!?! 

Sometimes just a little bit goes a long way.  Take care, all!!

Just Hangin'

So, what have you all been up too?  We have just been hanging around here in our sweet, little escape-the-summer-heat, mountain home of Ruidoso, New Mexico - and we're loving every minute!  The gold finches and hummingbirds are busy feeding, the golf balls are flying straight and long, and life is grand!  =]

We had a wonderful visit earlier this month with Dennis' daughter and her family.  Amy and Rick, Anna and Ellie, and Balou and Boomer (the dogs) brought their RV up and we all had a grand time.  We enjoyed hiking and a picnic lunch by Lake Bonito on the 4th.  It was great fun; however, most of the other visitors to the area had the same idea, and it was a pretty crowded place to be... but a pleasant day was had by all.

While the gang was here we also shopped, played cards, and enjoyed many tasty meals together.  We had one very fun (but very soggy) round of putt putt golf, as well.  I imagine that the 6 of us huddled in a cave on the 15th hole while the rain pelted the other patrons must have been quite a sight! 

It was a bitter-sweet camping run for Amy and her bunch as they were taking their last turn in their camper.  With the kids' busy schedules, they find that there is precious little time left for family camping trips right now.  They had listed their RV on the market a few months ago and, just before coming out to visit us, learned that they had received a viable offer.  No worries, though; for in life one must never say 'Never!'  Camping is in their blood, and I predict that Amy and her lovely family will camp again another day!

Oh!  Denny and I want to introduce you all to our new dog, Rusty.  I found him while I was out shopping one day with Amy and the girls.  Denny and I like the fact that Rusty doesn't need to be walked in the wee hours, require a special diet, or chew on our sandals.  This little metal fellow is just the ticket for us right now!

Yes, that is a knit sweater about his shoulders, and yes, I did make it for him.  I know, I know... I have really gone 'round the bend!!  And I am so new to the '50's!!!!  Pray for me - or, more importantly, for Denny!

Until next time... Be good, y'all!!