Dinner with Cousins

This morning our walk took us along a short nature trail near the campground. As always, we enjoyed the variety of plants (and a few scurrying ground squirrels). Ken got a closeup of some brightly colored ocotillo blossoms that were around eye level--most ocotillo flowers are much higher in the air.

We visited the new Nature Center. The building mainly houses a classroom and gift shop, but some aquariums held snakes and at centipede. We chatted with Ranger B about the rattlesnake we encountered on the Wind Cave Trail yesterday. He said that in 43 years, no rattlesnake bites of humans had been reported. In fact, he thought we were lucky to have had a chance to spot one!

Tonight was our final visit with Jan, and Ron came after work to join us for dinner. His friend J.C. was unable to come because she has a sinus infection that has kept her home from work the last few days. We fixed Roasted Chicken with Rosemary, Lemon & Spicy Peppers, a recipe that came with her As Seen on TV Nu-Wave oven. As usual, it came out juicy and flavorful. We steamed the asparagus in her electric steamer. These tools work well, but of course we wouldn't have room for them in Venture.

It was very nice to have a chance to catch up with Ron. He's a Volvo parts man and lucky enough to be working for a prosperous dealership, no mean feat in these economic times. We said our goodbyes and got final hugs before we left. Jan is leaving town Friday and is busy tomorrow showing real estate and getting ready to go.

We have to get ready to move on ourselves, but we don't say goodbye so much as "til we meet again." Jan is planning to attend a 90th birthday celebration for Aunt Helene the end of September, and I'm hoping to fly into Cleveland for that. And Phoenix is often on our route as we traverse the country, so it won't be long before we visit again.

Lee and Jan checking the Nu Wave chicken.

Lee, Ron, and Jan gathered around the table.

Happy (aka Tripod) waits patiently with his shoulder brace stretched out.

While dinner cooked, Ken was computing. He attracted the attention of all three dogs. Sadie and Muffin belong to Jan's friend Tina, who was out of town. Happy actually jumped up on the couch by himself for the first time since he hurt his shoulder. (Muffin had jumped down just before I snapped this shot.)

This afternoon we ran around looking for clip-on sunglasses for Ken. He had a pair that came with his glasses--very handy since they attached magnetically--but somehow they got broken. It was hard to find clip-ons that would fit Ken's lenses, since they are evidently wider than most. We did find a pair that are workable he can use until we find some that really fit well.