Agree with both Jenny and drhort. I don't live quite so high (6th floor), and I'm in the west (Denver), but my balcony has the same orientation as Jenny's. No buildings to compete, and the one tree that's finally tall enough to give me a squirrel problem (first time this year -- Ponderosa pine), still make my normally zone 5a between 5b and 6 due to the microclimate. Also, the plants placed along the brick wall have a warmer environment than the ones along the railing, so that's where I put my cold sensitive plants. All spring and summer flowering bulbs get planted in October and lined up against the wall, together with perennials in pots that don't give the kind of insulation I'd like. I may have to wrap them in bubble wrap and/or burlap, but I can grow anything here that's labeled zone 5, even 6. As for wind, that is a problem, can't deny it. It sometimes blows things around, but I've planted wind-resistant plants at the west end where the wind is more severe. My western exposure is open to winds coming from the mountains, no obstruction to slow them down, and we have winds in the winter at ground level of up to 65 mph. So up here they're even stronger. That's why I wrap some of the perennials in winter. My two cents, so take it for what it's worth. I'll be interested to see what you actually do. Judith

just how far have you already been in the southern states? we liked dallas ft worth(this is based on staying on I20 since you might have time line to follow) of course we went to the kennedy site...(being a child of the 60's) el paso area is a great stopping point for carlsbad caverns, white sands, in new mexico. i'd rather visit border town of juarez...it used to be less trashy than tiajuana(out of san diego) a stop in tucson, and south to tombstone.(az 80)going on to I8 and yuma. home to the yuma prison...and sand dunes where part of star wars was filmed. taking 8 right into san diego...and tourist heaven. from the zoo to the beaches, seaport village. cabrillo nat momument (and best view of the entire town) old town, first mission... if you have the time, up the coast to above mentioned hway 1. hurst castle is a must, as is monteray and carmel. i can go on but give us more details!

Alisande, I know what you mean about abandoned buildings. It seems like such a waste to let them go. When I lived in New Mexico I'd explore ghost towns. There were many up in the mountains. Often associated with a mine that petered out. Here's a pic of what is left of Lake Valley. The name is as appropriate as Greenland! Or sometimes I'd happen across an old homestead that didn't work out. Ron

I know, I don't think either of the CafePress designs are as nice as your old ones. I still think something similar must be out there, somewhere... I think the Mimbres collection at the Western NM University in Silver City is the largest one in existence. On our last visit, they told us they rotate different pieces through the display routinely (too many items to display all at once.) It's just fabulous, so if you get back out this way, maybe pencil that in! I had to get comfy with bats in my last home, because they lived in the attic of our old detached rock garage. That building also housed our washer and dryer. I will admit there were a few evenings I did a U-turn with the laundry basket, when I saw a bat flitting around the light bulb over the washer. I don't mind them, but don't really want them flying around my head! But they never gave me any trouble. Interesting little critters.