I had a hard time going to sleep last night (10/27) and then woke up just before 5:00 a.m. this morning with a list of things I wanted to do running through my head.

Wanted, not needed to do. Later in the day I said to myself … you are retired, you do not NEED to do EVERYTHING in one day and exhaust yourself. I hope writing this will remind me!!

Anyway, first up was some storage reorganization. That did need to be done. A new mixer I ordered was due to arrive and I wanted to get my Kenwood mixer in my under bed storage. The mattress is on a platform with gas struts so lifts up and there is a LOT of storage under there.

Not even full. The mixer is in the far back corner behind my snowshoes. Some winter clothes, extra supplies, various bits and pieces that I don’t need often. It is a handy spot! The only slight downside is that to get in it, I need to pull off the comforters and pillows, pull the mattress a bit towards the foot of the bed … and of course put all back when I’m done. Still a great place for off season stuff and extra supplies.

I pulled the other stuff under the dinette out and gave the area a good vacuum and wipe down. Amazing how dust and pet hair finds its way EVERYWHERE.

Those chores, breakfast for all, walks, shower for me and it was time to head to my folks.

I ordered some new clothes and bedding for them and had it shipped to me here at the RV park vs the nursing home, thinking I could organize it a bit vs opening boxes there … kind of forgetting that I had to transport it on my bike. I should have taken it in 2 trips but stubbornly decided to load up for 1 trip.

I and all stuff arrived safely, but the load on the back had started to shift. I was fortunate that it was a short, mostly smooth ride.

Mostly smooth ride … the quarter mile near the RV park is dirt & gravel … a bit tricky on the best days. There is one corner that took me by surprise yesterday being very soft from the flooding. After nearly falling yesterday, I’ve been walking my bike through that bit. The rest is good road.

I hadn’t taken all tags off the stuff … the clothes need to have their names on them somewhere so that after the laundry people can get the right things back to the right people. I didn’t want to remove tags or write names until I was sure all fit and that they liked my choices. The nursing home is kept very warm … I am always too warm. I dislike being too warm!!

They liked everything and everything fit – yea! I ended up bring the clothes back to the RV to de-tag and add names as I needed fresh, cool air. The new bedding I left appropriately marked so my return load was much lighter.

I got back to receive my own orders: coffee, wheat berries, miscellaneous supplies and the new mixer. Unboxed all, put all away, broke down boxes and took them to garbage bins.

Call me done for the day!! But Emmett needed a walk and we all needed supper.

It is 7:00 p.m. as I write this and I am OUT of gas. Supper dishes to do, last out with Emmett and then I am calling it a day.

But … my new mixer:

I think that I have decided to keep it on top of the dinette. Even though it is much lighter than the Kenwood, it fits on top, I am ok with aesthetic and much more convenient. We’ll see.

I’d like to bake tomorrow but think I might need a low key day vs learning to use a new appliance along with a trip to the nursing home.

Meanwhile, the days since returning to the RV park have been low 50sF daytime and down to 30-32F overnight … sunny and beautiful.

Tonight’s sunset:

The morning started cold at 37F but sunny with barely a cloud in the sky. Emmett and I walked, we all had breakfast, I prepped the motorhome for a 1.5 mile travel day and then went in to see my folks before leaving the nursing home parking to return to the rv park.

I’m glad to be back with full hookups but also miss being so close.

We took the spot I intended to move to before the flooding escalated:

It is across a driveway from the office and the primary laundry room. The laundry room next to my previous site is being renovated so this is convenient for me as well as packages are delivered to a bin on the “back porch” of the office. It is very quiet now as far as coming and going so I am happy for the convenience.

The river sites and walk are not walkable at the moment due to debris and standing water:

You can just see the river. On Friday the river extended to where I’m standing to take the photos.

On the north end of the river sites, it doesn’t look too bad:

I was very surprised today. It looked better today than yesterday and it is hard to believe how high and fast the water was and how it is now within the river banks.

Although we can’t walk by the river, there is plenty of area away from the river … although we have to share it…

I woke very early this morning and even though I didn’t have to do all of the in and out of a normal disconnect, and only a 1.5 mile drive … I am feeling like it was a travel day and we will have an early night!

My new local friend, Diane, picked me up and we went to the RV park so see how things looked.

The road in had a few large puddles but was not covered and surface was firm. The river was still running fast but was within its banks. The river sites now look like river bottom: dirt, sand and other river debris. They will likely have to redo all of the sites and roads to those sites. The walk is covered and we will not be walking by the river. There is good walking on the other side of the park.

The water came up to my former site but did not cover it. Only one site in the upper section got water and not too much. Power is on and water is from the city system and is good.

I could have gone back today, but it is supposed to rain overnight again plus it is nice to be next to the nursing home to visit and to be able to take Emmett.

The forecast is for the river to continue falling to its normal level even with tonight’s rain. And this week is to be sunny and dry.

Unless something unusual happens, we will move back to the RV park tomorrow late morning after a morning visit with Emmett.

I would not have wished this flooding at all, but it did give me an opportunity to see how things went for several days without full hookups. I used the generator a little, my EcoFlow battery backup as usual for USB charging, vacuum charging, grain mill and stand mixer. I was in water conservation mode which went fine. Actually, doing dishes with less water is more challenging than showering with less water!

The creek (Rio Grande River) rose!

It has been raining heavily from remnants of one of the Pacific Coast tropical storms. The river reached flood stage the evening of 10/22. Photos below: first photo yesterday morning 10/23/2026, 2nd from several days ago and then 3rd again 10/23 when the sun came out.

There was a lot of activity yesterday morning. The RV park was maybe 15 rigs, most people staying long like me or some seasonal workers: travel nurses, construction. Most staying through the winter had installed skirting to help with cold air under rigs.

It appeared the water was rising so several sticks were set out to measure. In an hour, the 2 foot sticks were half covered and all of the little islands of river sites were under water.

I started prepping to move sites and also filled my onboard water (62 gallons), emptied waste tanks and filled all empty containers I had with good drinking water … thinking that if things really went south, I was prepared to dry camp (no power, water, sewer).

Since I was disconnecting, I drove to Monte Vista (17 miles) to top off propane. Also topped gas and did a big grocery shop.

Then I went to the nursing home and took Emmett in for a visit which was a huge success. When we first arrived two weeks ago, I only took him into the entrance as I had not cleared him for going all the way in. But that is done so we walked in, past lots of activity and to my folks’ room. He was smiley, wagging tail and greeted all who put their hands out. No barking or anxiety at the strange place or people … Excellent!! We had a good visit and then left to check out the RV park.

First, I was stopped by a police officer about 3 blocks from the park who told me I could not reach the park as it was entirely flooded. I didn’t think that was correct. He allowed me to pull over and make call. Park manager was upset as I was the second park guest who had been stopped and the meadow sites were dry as was the road. Officer (VERY young!) let me go on with the admonition that it was at my risk.

No issues getting to the park but the fields next to the road had standing water that was not exactly standing, but a bit active.

I didn’t take additional photos as things were happening fast. The RV park seemed unsafe. The water was not only much higher, it was running extremely fast close to “shore”. I picked up a package delivered in the morning, spoke to the manager and made the decision to return to the nursing home for the night. In the 15-20 minutes I was in the park, the field water had covered the road and was flowing in. Not deep yet. I followed a truck out so could see depth and that the road was solid.

So.

10/24/2026

I am parked at the nursing home. Safe and level with full propane, gas and food. There are fields around the nursing home for walking with Emmett easily. I am not out in the boonies … a block off the main street of Del Norte, so easy for me to do whatever I need to do … like driving a bit to top batteries, getting any groceries or other supplies I want AND there is a very nice laundromat in walking distance.

I was exhausted last night as were Emmett and Oscar … partially/mostly anxiety probably. We all slept well.

Although I “know” a number of people from the RV park, most left as I did and I don’t have phone numbers. BUT, I walked with a woman not from the RV park who has permission to walk in the park and we have become friends. She drove into the park yesterday morning to check that I was ok and kept in touch during the day as well. She is of my vintage and just moved back to Del Norte. So … a local friend with a car :) !!

Although a bit of a pivot in plans, it is certainly not disastrous for me as it is for people who have/will suffer horrible property damage. My thoughts and prayers are for so many who lost so much: Pagosa Springs to Wolf Creek to South Fork to Del Norte and maybe Monte Vista … plus small towns in between.

Depending on the source, this is the worst flooding in the area since the early 1900’s.

My spot on higher ground by the nursing home:

Above, the building somewhat visible beyond is the grocery store.

Not done with rain …

Grumpy faced Oscar!

It is probably hard to see from the photos, but obvious to me walking by the river every day. It is running HIGH and FAST!

There is a chart with the minor, moderate, max that shows the crest near 6 foot tomorrow evening corresponding to the warning.

I suspect that here in the RV park, the river will overflow the banks possibly to the walkway and maybe even to some of the river sites. The river sites are closed for the season.

My site is not only another 300 feet or so away but also approximately 3-4 feet higher. I don’t believe any RVs here are in sites low enough or close enough to be flooded, but it is the closest I have ever been in any situation to flooding.

Some of the household is not that concerned, although Emmett has pretty much been damp all day. We started 2 walks with no rain, but always got caught towards the end.

I did NOT ride to visit my folks. I told them I wasn’t going to if weather forecast was correct but my mom called me in the afternoon to make sure that I was not riding and was safe in my RV.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

It is nice to be “sitting” with no need to move! I took Sunday as a day for myself, but otherwise have been riding my bike to the nursing home to visit and have lunch with my mom and her husband.

The bike ride is easy on a nice bike lane and so far weather is cooperating. I’ve been lightly sprinkled on twice but otherwise missed some rain and wind squalls. The ride is 1.5 miles and takes me 10-15 minutes. I’m usually gone about 2.5 hours. Emmett and Oscar are doing fine with that … glad to see me but not over the top and they both look like I woke them up!

The staff and my rv neighbors are all very nice and the grounds beautiful with opportunity for short or long walks. It is a good place to be!

Sunrise over the Rio Grande.

Sunset over the RV Park.

Above, the Rio Grande from the River Walk.

Snow on the mountain tops and lovely sky and tree colors.

I have been a bit up and down as far as energy … felt really good the 3rd day, then a day where I struggled … altitude, I think. I always feel better after the bike ride so pushed through it all.

Today, felt very good after a very good night’s sleep.

Emmett seemed to be struggling a bit also. He was off his food for 2 days but last night and today all normal. I read that dogs, particularly senior dogs (Emmett is 8 1/2) sometimes stop eating as they adjust to altitude.

We are settling in nicely at this point and enjoying all of it.l