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Our Downsized Life

Our Downsized Life

The Best Things in Life Aren't Things

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Walking Ghost Tour Through Austin’s Haunted Streets

by Peggy Staver
Old Capitol Park

Explore the eerie side of downtown Austin, Texas! Join us on our unforgettable walking ghost tour, filled with chilling tales and haunted landmarks.

Categories Hiking, Texas Tags downtown Austin, ghost tour, walking ghost tours

Elephant Butte Lake – New Mexico’s Largest State Park

by Peggy Staver
elephant-butte-dam-over-rio-grande

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is the largest state park in New Mexico. It is also home to New Mexico’s largest lake. Activities available in …

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Categories New Mexico, RV living, RV Travel Tags elephant butte lake, kayaking, waterfowl

Ojito Wilderness – Beauty in the High Desert

by Peggy Staver
Ojito Wilderness Feature

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Ojito Wilderness is 11,000 acres of vast high desert, with mesas, box canyons, arroyos, and badlands.

Categories New Mexico, Free things to do, Hiking, RV Travel Tags hiking, nature conservation, Pets

Hiking in the Foothills – Embudito and Michael Emery Trails

by Peggy Staver
michael-emery-trail-mew-mexico

We take the dogs on an adventure to the Embudito and Michael Emery Trails – part of the Albuquerque Open Space trail system.

Categories New Mexico, Free things to do, Hiking, RV Travel Tags hiking, nature conservation, new mexico, Pets

Saturday in Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Peggy Staver
train-stopped

Join us as we ride the Rail Runner to downtown Santa Fe and walk through historic downtown.

Categories Free things to do, New Mexico Tags Historic Churches, Historic Markers, historical, photography

Hiking in Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument

by Peggy Staver
Bandelier Monument Feature

A visit to central New Mexico wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Bandelier National Monument. The monument is about 85 miles northeast of the …

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Categories Free things to do, Hiking, Nature, New Mexico, RV Travel Tags bandelier, national monument, photography, travel

Finding Hidden Pictures at Petroglyphs National Monument

by Peggy Staver
petroglyphs-carved-in-rock

The Petroglyphs National Monument is one of the most recommended places to visit in the Albuquerque area. Their stories on those rocks.

Categories Free things to do, Hiking, Nature, New Mexico, RV Travel Tags national monument, new mexico, petroglyph, photography

Through the Cibola National Forest to the Sandia Crest

by Peggy Staver
Sandia Crest View2

When we drove Hwy 165 through the Cibola National Forest in mid-February, we saw fewer than five vehicles on the road. On that visit, we …

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Categories Free things to do, Nature, New Mexico Tags Pets, photography, sandia crest, travel

Hiking to the Top at Tent Rocks National Monument

by Peggy Staver
tent-rocks-national-monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is located on the Pajarito Plateau, with elevations ranging from 5,570 to 6,760 feet above sea level. And it was …

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Categories Free things to do, Hiking, Nature, New Mexico, RV Travel Tags #tent rocks, hiking, nature photography, photography

Sandia Cave and New Mexico Hwy 165

by Peggy Staver
Feature photo Sandia Cave

The view from the Cave Trail shows Hwy 165 meandering through the Sandia Mountains.

Categories Free things to do, New Mexico, RV Travel Tags cibola forest, las huertas canyon, nm hwy 165, sandia cave

Hiking the South Piedra Lisa Trail in the Cibola National Forest

by Peggy Staver
dire-trail-scrub-bushes-mountain-in-background

The South Piedra Lisa Trail in the Cibola National Forest has an elevation gain of 1,272 feet into the Sandia Mountains. The trail ends at …

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Categories Free things to do, Hiking, Nature, New Mexico Tags hiking, Pets, photography, travel

Exploring Carlsbad Caverns

by Peggy Staver
carlsbad-caverns

No bats and no crowds. Vistiting Carlsbad Caverns in January.

Categories New Mexico, RV Travel Tags carlsbad, caverns

5 Tips for a Better Wildlife Experience

by Peggy Staver
woodland-trail-newton-hills-state-park-south-dakota

Sometimes you just need to get away. I get it. Leave the wildlife of the city behind – the traffic, crowded shopping centers, and constant …

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Categories Free things to do, Hiking, Nature Tags hiking, nature photography

A Sunny Autumn Hike Through Dogwood Canyon

by Peggy Staver
tree-reflections-in-creek

On a sunny day in late October, we returned to Dogwood Canyon to complete the trail we started in June. Due to a late start …

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Categories Branson, Hiking, Missouri, Nature Tags autumn colors, hiking, nature conservation

A Summer Afternoon Hike at Dogwood Canyon

by Peggy Staver
Feature Image Dogwood Canyon

After receiving an offer for a free weekend stay at The Lodges at Timber Ridge, we scheduled a late June getaway. While we enjoyed exploring …

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Categories Branson, Hiking, Missouri, Nature Tags branson, dogwood canyon, hiking

Branson’s Unique Spots: Towers, Trails and Local Treasures

by Peggy Staver
Feature photo Branson 2023

We purchased a discounted weekend stay at one of Branson’s resorts while exploring an RV Show in downtown Kansas City. It was only a month …

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Categories Branson, Free things to do, Hiking, Missouri, Nature Tags hiking

Breckenridge Colorado: Your Active Senior Getaway

by Peggy Staver
Revised feature photo

After returning home from Arizona’s early spring heat, we wanted our summer getaway to be a place with cooler temperatures. We also looked for a …

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Categories Colorado, Free things to do, Hiking, Nature Tags colorado, ebikes, hiking
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Welcome to Our Downsized Life.
We hope you find our website helpful for your RV life, remodeling projects, and travel destinations.

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Latest Posts

  • Walking Ghost Tour Through Austin’s Haunted Streets
  • 5 Tips for a Better Wildlife Experience
  • A Sunny Autumn Hike Through Dogwood Canyon
  • A Summer Afternoon Hike at Dogwood Canyon
  • Branson’s Unique Spots: Towers, Trails and Local Treasures

Living on the road, we use our Kindle to read books and magazines. Amazon has a special on Kindle Unlimited now. Check it out at Here.

The Free Activities Category is added to places costing $10.00 or less. These destinations are worth the small entry fee.

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