February 2010

The first week in February was at the same time our last week housesitting in Magdalena for Margreet and Ian. We were ready to hit the road again, but not before taking full advantage of the winter in New Mexico and enjoying some winter fun In Taos and surrounding area.

Back to Margeet and Ian for a last visit before heading to warmer weather in Arizona and eventually all the way South to Mexico. We left Magdalena and the snow behind and swapped it for some very unusual rainy weather in Arizona which was followed by hot days in Mexico.

Darren on Ian's Fergie (tractor) cleaning the drive way to and from the house.

Sonja took Jackson and me to the artshow in Socorro and we made all kinds of interesting things, including Valentines cards.

Ian let us borrow his Truck and we took off to Angelfire in the Northern part of New Mexico for some fun days in the snow. We took a sleighride with these two beautiful Percherons pulling us through snowcovered forest.

Darren opted for snowboarding, he took some lessons in the morning and came off the big mountain with me in the afternoon, dare devil!

I had not been on skies for at least 15 or so years but I guess it is like riding a bike once you can you can, what fun. We had lots of snow and lots of sunshine ideal.

Rest stop high up on the mountain wearing lots of extra clothing borrowed from the snowmobil company.

We went on a trail over private land, each on our own snowmobil, guided by the owner of the property all the way to the top of the mountain, almost 12000 Feet high. It was the most beautiful ride with a great outlook from the top. I was a little aprehensive becuase of the noise these machines make but it was a very enjoyable experience and not too noisy.

Another wintersport, ice fishing in one of the many lakes. If you think you need a lot of patience for fishing try ice-fishing and make sure to wear a warm outfit to boost.

Back in Magdalena where we celebrated the birthdays of three generations. A belated birthday party for Alisson and Margreet as they had their birthdays whilst in Niger. Plus celebrating Sonja's birthday from the day before.

Horses in New Mexico can not get enough food of the land in the winter and need some extra feed. The four of us went to get 100 bales of hay from a farm South of Socorro, for Micky and Diamond. Quite a job but fun and on the way back we stopped and ate the Worlds best chilli burger.

Olympic games were held in Vancouver this year and America had a good coverage on TV, even Chrissy was mesmerised by the ice skating.

From Magdalena we went South toward Silvercity and stopped for the night in a small town, from where we hiked the catwalk. A very well laid out hike of two hours along the cliffs and through a canyon.

Huge big duststorm through which we drove on our way into Tuscon. The weather had gone haywire and we left Silvercity a little earlier than planned to get away from the rain.

In Tuscon we visted the desert museum which had a great display of all the plants and animals found in the Sonoran desert. Nice pussycat( Bobcat).

Old Tuscon filmstudios, where many a Western movie was made and still is made. This was an enactment of a shootout in front of the pub.

Normally Darren always get picked to help out on stage or.............but it was my turn this time I was the travelling medicine mans assitant a for that I got one of is "special concotions" which cures everything!

Beautiful sunset in the Sonora desert in Arizona.

We spend a few days at Tuscons 5 day Rodeo Festival. The opening parade was huge with at least 100 floats and loooooots of horses.

Young or old the Tuscon rodeo is for every one.

8 seconds wonder. That is all it takes to win the title but most cowboys bite the dust in a lot shorter time.

We stayed in Tuscon till Tuesday and made an early start for the boarder to Mexico which we crossed in Nogales. The distance to where we want to go is not far but the check points and condition of the road make it a slow ride. We will show and tell you all about it in our March update.

February 2010

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