WRAPPING UP ALBUQUERQUE

Dear FFF
It has been a great adventure, but time to move on!  I leave the 16th for Columbus to get ready for Haley, and Abbey's graduations.  I have had a wonderful time helping my friends and seeing all the sights at the same time.  Last Wednesday I took my first hot air balloon ride...............absolutely fabulous!  Another thing to check off my bucket list.  Tomorrow Gina and I are headed for Santa Fe for some more history.  More later...................GJ

SUNNY SOUTHWEST

Dear FFF:

Arrived in Albuquerque Saturday, April 21.  Flew from Columbus to Houston in the smallest jet........held 50 people!  One of those that parks at the gate and passengers walk down the ladder and across the tarmac.  Haven't done that in a long time.  Two seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other.  Then boarded the same type plane from Houston to Albuquerque.

Let me tell you, New Mexico is not like the Midwest!  Everything here is BROWN!  However, the sky is the bluest blue I have ever seen, so I just keep looking up!  Joanne's house is quite close to the Sandia Mt. (brown) but it is still fun to look at.  The elevation is just enough higher than I am used to so I am getting nose bleeds every day.  Dry, dry dry...........they average 10 inches of rain a year.

Anyhow, I am busy helping my friend move, organize, and clean her house.  Like all of us, she has accumulated way to much STUFF!  We are finding all kinds of goodies she has forgotten about.  We have been having a good time!  We have found time to do some fun things; get pedicures, go out for lunch, take a trolley ride through "Old Town" (the original settlement) and have lots of laughs.  Next week I am going on a balloon ride over the Rio Grande and another day, Gina (Joanne's daughter) and I are going to take a tram up to the top of the mountain.  Then before I leave we are going to take the train to Sante Fe to check that out.  Notice from pics that we drove on the famous Route 66.

Will send more pictures after next week......................love, Gypsy Joyce

VACATION OVER

Dear FFF

Have had a ball the last three weeks but now I have to move on.  My friend Jo Ann, who lives in Albuqurque is in the process of moving and could use some help.  Now, who has any more experience in packing than yours truly?

I am going to drive back to Columbus this Thursday (about a 10 - 11 hour trip) watch Abbey in her play Friday night (Singing in The Rain) then fly out of Columbus for NM on Saturday morning.  Another adventure!

I did get a chance to go to a couple of blue grass jams with my friend Mary Walter.  She is the one playing the guitar................what fun!

Will let everyone know what is happening when I get "out west".

Love, GJ

SUNNY NORTH CAROLINA

Dear FFF:

I'm STILL on vacation!!!  Mary Walter & Blount have graciously invited me to stay with them as long as it takes to find a place to rent.  In case you don't remember them, they are the folks Mary Houchen and I came down to meet four years ago when I returned that book that had been ''captured from the Blount House back during the Civil War.  Their house is fabulous and is right on the Palmlico river.

I have talked to the churches and senior center and left my resume and references so, hopefully, they'll find a place for me...............until then, I will stay here and try and pay my way.  I've been enjoying cooking dinner and finding some outdoor work to do.  AND, they have the sweetest little dog (Maggie) that loves walking a couple miles a day with me. 

Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter........................love, GJ

FINALLY!!!!!

Dear FFF

Would you believe?  I finally made it down to North Carolina.  UM dental school fishished my "project" on Thurs. March 22.  I left the 23rd for Columbus....spent the night, then drove down to Washington, NC yesterday.  Spent the night at a local hotel and met up with my friends, Blount and Mary Walter this morning.  Blount had arranged for an afternoon sail on a 72' schooner down the Pamlico River.....how's that for a welcome party?  Mary Walter took lots of pictures and I will post them as soon as she forwards them to me.  I am am going to stay here until I find a place to rent.  Hopefully it will only be a few days.  I will keep everyone posted as soon as I know what I am doing. 

Love, GJ

Would you believe?

Dear FFF

Would you believe?  I'm still in Michigan!!!  The dental school has delayed me yet AGAIN, but I really am not too upset because they are only aiming to do a fantastic job on this bridge they are doing for me.  It will be so worth it to eliminate that awful partial I have had for so many years.

Anyhow, John has been so gracious to let me stay back in my old room here at The Union House.  It really is like coming home.....and he lets me cook dinner every night and bake cookies.  The school has scheduled an appointment for me March 21; if every thing goes well, I will leave for NC a few days after that.

As soon as I land somewhere, I will let everyone know......love Gypsy Joyce