The view from my window

Most people know exactly what they are going to see when they open their window coverings in the morning. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I have to remind myself where we are and sometimes even, what direction are we headed. It may be just me, but it even seems to disturb my sleep sometimes if we are parked pointing the “wrong” direction.

Today, the view from my window is desertscape and the Catalina mountains. These are very comfortable surroundings for us. How many people all over the country would be waking up shivering this morning if they forgot to close their bedroom window and turn on the heat when they went to bed last night?

Let me take you back a few days to the middle of last week. Our view then was the Riverbend Hot Springs location. They’ve made tremendous changes in both the exterior appearance and the facilities since we started coming there in September of 2010.

Once inside, we usually go to the Minnow Pools, public soaking at three different temperatures. The hottest water comes in one end, then overflows into the next and the next before flowing down below to two cooler pools beyond the deck. The cooled water then flows down the rocks to the river.

The pools open at 8 am and since we have unlimited soaking while staying in the RV park across the street, we take advantage of that. It is so peaceful and quiet on the deck, listening to the breeze stir the cottonwood leaves and watching the Rio Grande.

We also took advantage of an hour in a private pool, the Cielo, while we were there. I didn’t take the camera when we went, but this is what the Cielo deck area looks like from below.

When we go back next spring, we will find even more changes since they are adding three new public pools. They also have a sauna but we’ve never used it.

Last thing on the agenda before we leave is a ceremonial cutting of the wristbands that allow us unlimited use of the public pools.

We recommend Riverbend Hot Springs to anyone who enjoys soaking in the warm water. Unlike the hot springs in Thermopolis, WY, the water doesn’t even smell!

Last Thursday afternoon we drove into the parking lot at Northwest Community Friends Church, which we will call home for most of the rest of the winter. We pull around back, plug in and make ourselves at home.

The last event we had before we left Kansas was our granddaughter Jadelyn’s eleventh birthday party and the first event we attended here was our pastor’s son’s first birthday party. His daddy decorated the cake and Emmett enjoyed it once he got used to the idea that it was okay for him to touch it. His preference? Frosting! A kid after my own heart. Happy birthday, Emmett!