Storms Archives - Tena Stetler

Feb 26th #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge – Favorite Memory – Sand Dunes

Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 2-19-2020 My Favorite Memory & Why. Wow, had to think on that one for a bit. Has to be first my wedding day many moons ago. He is my soul mate. Next our adventure at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Please have a seat, grab a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie. Lets get started.,

After giving it a lot of thought, I decided that My Favorite Memory was our wedding day. On that date I married my best friend, hero, and sole mate. Next our first dry camping trip in our new to us used fifth wheel years ago. We’d chosen a full hook up campsite at a KOA Campground in Southern Colorado for our maiden voyage. New to RVing, we wanted to try out everything, make sure it worked and we knew how to use it before embarking on a big adventure. It was a three day weekend. On Saturday, we thought we had a handle on everything and decided to venture to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. No services (water, electric or sewer). No problem,, our fifth wheel was self contained. We were lucky enough to find a space in the Sand Dunes National Park for our trailer. The Park and Preserve is in southern Colorado. It’s known for huge dunes like the towering Star Dune, and for the seasonal Medano Creek and beach created at the base of the dunes. The back-country Medano Pass Primitive Road winds through a canyon toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Trails lead to forests, wetlands and alpine lakes like Medano Lake, which is home to trout and tundra wildlife.

If you look close you can see our chow’s tail just behind my husband Bruce at the top of the dune. What a trip.

Walking across the sand beach before the Sand Dunes after braving the rushing creek waters.

Saturday night the clouds rolled in fast and furious. Thunder, Lighting and torrential rains beat down on our trailer. From the safety of our fifth wheel, we watched lighting streak across the sky then strike a huge pine tree across the road, turning it into a ball of fire. The couple who had pitched a tent a few yards in front of the tree, fled to the safety of their car. No on was hurt, thank goodness. The storm raged for what seemed like hours. Yes of course our dog chose this time to want to go outside. The answer was a resounding NO. Told her to hold it. About two in the morning, the storm was finally over and we opened the trailer door to take the pup for a walk. (Bless her heart she didn’t have a accident) The view outside was breathtaking. The freshly rain-washed mountain air was cool and crisp, but the star strewn Milky Way spread across the dark sky was unbelievably spectacular. I’ll never forget it. We’ve camped for twenty five years since then and never came across a view or experience quiet like that. We stood outside for a long time just taking in the scene before us.

Next morning the Park Rangers stopped at all the campsites to check on the campers. He told us that several tents had been destroyed. WOW! The normally dry Medano Creek was raging two and one-half feet high. We had to carry our dog across the raging waters to get to the Sand Dunes side that morning. Rain soaked sand is so much easier to walk in. LOL We hiked the dunes with our dog on a leash and parrot in a specially designed back pack. That was a trip to remember!

Taco our parrot visits with a little boy we met on a very wet hiking trail at the Sand Dunes the morning after the storm. I’m in the background. No Taco is not loose, she is in a parrot flight-suit and lanyard.

So there you have it, my favorite Memory & Why!

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom on a new WIP (very exciting) so let’s see what other authors list as their Favorite Memory. L&SR

What is your favorite memory? Please list them in the comments.

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

I have a sweet treat for you. Charm Me is on sale for 99¢ for a limited time. Download a copy today and join the adventure. BUT I also have FREE audiobook codes! WooHoo. Let me know in the comments, if you’d like a code.

A little about CHARM ME –

Summer Dawn Rylie’s an extraordinary elemental witch whose troubled past haunts her. She’s created a calm life for herself teaching yoga and keeping people at a distance. Her life takes a one eighty degree turn when she enrolls in a women’s weapons class and meets ruggedly handsome Devlin Sawyer.

Devlin, a former Navy Seal, has sworn off women after two long-term failed relationships, but there is no denying his attraction to Summer. She intrigues him like no other woman ever has. Despite her attempts to ignore him, Summer is drawn to Devlin. His magic signature is strong, but he’s no warlock. Will Valentine’s Day magic find them a future together?

Award winning A MAGIC REDEMPTION is on sale for .99 cents for a limited time! Download your copy today and join the magical, time travel, fantasy adventure! A little about award winning magical, fantasy adventure

Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.

Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.

When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Thursday, February 27th, I have a special treat. I attended the watch party for the the winner of History Channel’s Forged in Fire Season 7, Episode 22, Weston Paas of Hearts Fire Forge in Colorado Springs. I’ll tell you all about it. You don’t want to miss this one.

Then next week, March 4th, we take a look at Characters Who Remind Me of Myself & Why. Boy that’s going to take some thought!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 2-19-2020, A Magic Redemption, Charm Me, Great Sand Dunes National Park, hiking, My Favorite Memory & Why., RVIng, Storms, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 16 comments.

Jul 8th Fourth of July – A Memorable Camping Trip

What a fantastic Forth of July we had. Went camping at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Ok, I admit it, we camp in style. We’ve left tent camping behind years ago. My family likes the comforts of home without all the to-do lists, not to mention, hiking trails and wildlife right outside our front door. Thursday, the Fourth of July, you couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was clear with a few wispy clouds, a balmy 82 degrees, slight breeze, in short, beautiful!

Our campground overlooked the entire city. Yep we planned this. Wanted to see the fireworks set off over the entire city. And we did. Stayed up until midnight watching the different displays all over Colorado Springs.

The next morning was shrouded in mist, really cool, after the warm 4th. It was a welcome relief as was the evening showers Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Got a chance to relax outside with hubby, dog, parrot and turtle then enjoy reading some of the books I’ve been saving on my ipad. Since time seems to travel at the speed of light these days, our four day weekend was a welcome respite. We also hiked around the numerous trails in the park, saw deer, chipmunks (drove our dog nuts), wild turkeys ( the kind with feathers, not the human kind well, maybe there were a few of those too) LOL.

Sunday came too soon. With storm clouds on the horizon as the sunset, we had to pack up and head toward home. My hubby had to return to work, I to my writing cave and my work in progress which was awaiting my arrival to the keyboard. Sigh. Once home, I discovered that my book AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT is a semi-finalist in the Raven Awards. Yippee! Voting is now open, I’d love your vote. Here is the link to vote. http://uncagedbooks.com/raven-awards/semi-finals/