December 30th

Well we had some problems with the blog yesterday, for some reason the laptop wouldn't/couldn't so I posted using the Ipad, now today everything is working.  Probably some kind of operator error, but hey I am a senior citizen.  LOL
  We are both doing well except for these lousy head colds, we probably picked up in Montana when it was cold and windy.  Into every life a little rain must fall, it seems that applies to frigid winter weather as well.
  We had an uneventful trip from Vegas to Phoenix.  We stopped in at Kingman for a rest stop and then again in Wickenburg.  It was very busy in Wickenburg with some kind of a rodeo thing going on, lots of horses and lariats in the air and cows running around in some pens outside the town.  Took the cut across on the #74 to the area around Carefree to the #17 highway.  The worst drivers we saw were from Alberta & Nevada, taking unreasonable chances on the 2 lane part.  No I never saw them in the mirror, they were not us.  The traffic on the 101 was pretty congested around Scottsdale with major road construction.  Fortunately all the problems on the 202 last year have resulted in better travelling this year.  Pulled in to our lot via the back gate, to give ourselves a chance to get organized.
  The place was pretty dusty and needed lots of clean up.  There was lots to unpack and put away.  Never saw any visitors until we were here for about 30 minutes and thereafter had quite a few stop in to welcome us back.  Got a first hand look at some of the wind damage from this past summer.  The tv antennae was ripped off and the fence knocked down and lots of the Styrofoam inserts in the carport over the Az room were missing, so not too bad at all.  Took a while to get the power turned on and the hot water tank & furnace going, it sure was cold in the trailer. No leaks this year, fingers crossed.
  Supper was at Ihop and was great.  I broke with tradition and never had the 2x2x2, we both had a good meal.  It was early to bed, I think around 10 or so, this lifestyle can be tiring.
  Wednesday it was a chilly morning, but warmed up nicely throughout the day.  Everyone is complaining about the weather, so I just tell them it was 26 below when I left home, so I am glad to be here.  Took the truck to the car wash and got all the road salt off.  It was quite a mess after living in it for 4 days.  There is usually an issue with the water marks when it dries here, so spent a significant amount of the time and the rinse agent.  Seems to be working better, but have not had the quality control inspection yet.
  Marg finished up the cleaning up and then went on to clean the patio furniture and the carport.  I got the fence back up and did some modifications so that it will last the winter.  Probably need to redesign the way we leave it to prevent it from tipping over again.  Took all the junk to the dumpster, including the tv antennae.  Marg sent word out with some of her visitors to see if I got lost and that she was looking for me.  It turned out it was just the number of visits along the road from here to there and back.  As I have said many times, you can't get anywhere walking inside the park.    Throughout the day one or the other of us had visitors pretty much all day long.  The best was Curtis, the park manager who came to drop off a 3 pass for the internet, otherwise you would not be reading this diatribe.
  We went for happy hour and renewed a bunch more acquaintances.  Larry was after me to ride with him tomorrow, but I had to decline saying I am not certain what shape the bike is in.  There is so much stuff in the Az room.  Speaking of which the original owner of this unit was there and last year came to see the changes we made, now Marg is going to show her the Az room.  There have been lots of changes in the park since last year and Marg got caught up on all them, the guys talk about other stuff, nothing that involves feelings or opinions.
  We left early as we had to go out to supper.  We went to a bar and grill where we have eaten in the past.  It seems we were either hungrier the last time or perhaps had a longer happy hour before going, because it was not all that good tonight.  It was pretty quick though, which was good because it was supposed to be poker night.  I went and Marg went for a big grocery shop.  It turns out there were not enough players, so we sat around and talked about hunting for an hour or so.  By the time I got back Marg almost had the truck unloaded.  We won't starve to death after all.  She bought lots of things, but the one that rates mention is the chicken breasts.  There were 3 large breasts in a package and the deal was -- buy one - get 2 free; so she got 3 packs for the price of one.  I see lots of chicken meals in the future.  She also got us steaks [$5 for new York steaks] as we are going to a bbq before the new years eve dance.  Kind of the party before the party.  She also got the stuff for the new years day party we have been invited to, I think it is a ribs and sauerkraut thing.  Oh yeh must pay for the Az opera tickets tomorrow as we are going to that in a few days.  An so it begins in the sleepy little rv park in Apache Junction.