manually set up and calibrate, but with a little practice and patience, it works wonderfully. The nearest dealer to repair and upgrade the automated system on the roof of our RV is in Albuquerque, which we hope to reach in the latter part of October. Our reason for moving to Leasburg Dam State Park near Las Cruces was the varied procedures and appointments associated with Renée’s medical problems, as well as numerous procedures the doctor had ordered for Chuck. In addition we had noticed that Lobo had become somewhat lethargic. Tests have shown that he is having a relapse of the Lyme disease that he contracted in northern Virginia. So he is also among the patients that are helping to stimulate the medical industry in southern New Mexico. Chuck began a four week chemical peeling of the head and neck. An area on the arm was also diagnosed as skin cancer and removed (not the arm, just the small area of skin on the upper arm!). It is quite painful and bloody at times. He told the olive-skinned young lady at the doctor’s office that it was the price he had to pay for being white. It took her a few moments to catch the humor. After a strenuous three week special diet, Renée’s potassium was brought into the normal range again. However, her blood pressure had begun to rise and she had to be put back on medication. This has to be carefully monitored since a side effect can be an increased potassium level. It has been a very stressful time with the medical problems. Along with all of this came the terrible news that Chuck’s 25 year old nephew lost his battle with Crohn’s disease. It was a difficult decision to make but considering Renée’s delicate condition, the necessity for her to stay near her doctors during this time and her diminished ability to drive, he decided it was best to stay with her instead of traveling alone to Florida for the funeral. We hope that next month will have a bit more cheerful news. To be continued…… |
Travel Journal September 2008 begins at Pancho Villa State Park, NM on the Mexican Border
traveling we did during the month of September was to and from doctor’s appointments. The longest of these trips was from Columbus, NM to Tucson, AZ (261 miles). This was the trip to the retina specialist to verify that Renée’s two operations in August were fully successful. We stayed overnight with our friends, Bea and Phil Shapiro, then back to Columbus where we stayed at Pancho Villa State Park until September 14th. These days were filled with other doctor’s appointments including Renée’s dental work toward the implant bridge. During our stay there Lobo’s friend Puddles returned and he was delighted to be able to visit with her. On the 14th as we were preparing to leave, Chuck started the computer program to store the satellite dish. After completing, the program stated that the dish was stored (folded up on top of the RV and flat against the roof). When he went outside to do a visual check, the dish was still standing. After several more tries, he climbed on the roof and manually lowered the dish. As we arrived at Leasburg Dam State Park (north of Las Cruces) (see travel route), the automated dish setup would not function. Over a year ago Chuck had bought a manual system with tripod on eBay to use whenever we would get stuck in a heavily wooded area where the roof system would not have a clear view to the satellite, so we got the chance to test it all out. This is not a simple small dish |
| Please click on picture to enlarge |
| Each comments entry box in the guest book is limited to approx. 250 characters including spaces. For longer messages please e-mail us at morton@rmortonc.com |
Travel Journal September 2008
Our Motto: Home is, where our RV is.
| Each comments entry box in the guest book is limited to approx. 250 characters including spaces. For longer messages please e-mail us at morton@rmortonc.com |
 |  |  |
| | |
| Looking across the border towards Mexico |