Happy New Year!

Last year was the ideal year for me. I wandered around this beautiful country, mostly staying in State Parks which really afford an opportunity to see this land at it's best. My goal from day to day became finding another gorgeous sunset. Okay, yes, I did also focus a little on finding Starbucks too. Intersperse that with visits with my really terrific family and you can see why I glow when I write or talk about 2008.

For my friends who really don't get the RVing lingo, there is a huge difference between an "RV Park" and a "State Park," although I park my RV in each of them from time to time. RV Parks are commercial enterprises set up for the comfort and convenience of the RVer. State Parks were generally established, many through the efforts of the CCC in the 'thirties, to preserve a beautiful natural or historical setting.

So RV Parks often have clubhouses and laundry rooms and activity centers with paved parking spaces. On the other hand, in State Parks grungy bathhouses may be the highest offering toward creature comforts while you can count on spectacular views or wildlife or a piece of history preserved. People in State Parks have enjoyment of nature in mind while people in RV Parks are either simply parking for the night as they travel on a journey or they are staying for a while to enjoy the company of other RVers, and perhaps also to get to know an area.

This year I want to expand just a little to include meeting new people in my repertoire of experiences. That is why we begin our year here at the Escapee's RV Park in Livingston Texas.

As "luck" would have it, a single woman of about my age pulled into the parking space next door to me. So, combining the two kinds of adventuring, I invited her to join me in exploring Livingston State Park today.

The park is on Lake Livingston, a huge. constructed reservoir which stores water mainly for agricultural use downstream. Hurricane Rita created huge waves on the lake that damaged the dam. Repairs were completed, then Hurricane Ike hit this year. I'm glad I don't live downstream!

The shoreline is home to many winged water lovers. I love to watch birds as they go about their daily business, and these were quite able to ignore the disturbance we created on the shore.

A couple of "Escapees" got into the mix!

I will be looking these up in my bird book. (Or maybe my friend Allison will pop in and identify them for me if she isn't too busy!)

Here's a closer-up of them.

Here's my new friend Sue with Chorro, who actually got to run free most of the time.

And finally, wishing you all a Happy and Radiant New Year, the old Vagabond V herself with the Wandering Wonder Dog.

Today was a good New Year's Day.