Moving Along

In mid February the migratory birds begin their trip north from their winter home at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. It is our time to move along as well. These last few months have been jam-packed with beautiful nature, great people, learning experiences, lots of laughter and camaraderie. In fact, it's been so filled that I haven't had the time and energy to write about it all on the blog. Over the next few weeks I hope to touch on a few more of those episodes. They might involve Jerry's wildlife sitings while he mowed the channels, my taking part in the Biology department's duck banding sessions or any number of social events.


For instance, we enjoyed our own personal performance at the refuge by our favorite blues band from the Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio, NM. We can attest from numerous sessions, that these local musicians rival any band from Rush Street or wherever.
Bobbie, on the left, plays the meanest harmonica you can imagine. He owns the Buckhorn.


The other guys are employed in various day jobs, from geologist to auto service dept. manager. But ohhhhh, can they get down! This winter gig has really been okay!

In the past week or two we've experienced farewell lunches, tours, potlucks, cocktails and our last morning's going away French toast breakfast. As we rolled out of our spot number 14 in the volunteer rv park toward Highway 1, we noticed something along the path that didn't belong there. Our friends, Dorothy and Barry, had posted this goodbye wish for us. It just summed up what a great group of folks we've had to live with this winter.
Soon the migrating Sandhill Cranes and snow geese begin their spiraling, searching for those warm wind currents to ride north. The summer residents will appear, both the winged ones and their volunteer buddies who occupy the visitor center and help prepare the habitat for next season. The staff will regroup, train the new ones and make new plans for the coming cycle of refuge management.
The two of us have enjoyed learning a little more about the workings of a wildlife refuge, the community and the people. We're ready to move along but will carry a little of the Bosque with us. We'll see you down the road.