The time has come, the walrus said, to think of many things....... For us this is essentially family and the journey home.
What a nice hot day, I saw 89F/31C at one point on the car temp gauge. It was hot anyway and not a cloud in the sky.
We spent the day getting ready to move. Marg on the inside, me on the outside. It's interesting how all the stuff we bring fits into the available space. I don't think very many things go back in the same location or position as the last time we travelled, but we got it all back in. There are many tasks and all of them to be done before we leave the rv park.
We went out for lunch to Mickey D's and used one of the remaining coupons in our book. It was a good lunch. Then we went to the big Mesa market and looked around. Marg looked at a few things, well I guess I did too, but we came away empty handed. I was starting to get interested in an Australian golf hat & Marg was looking at rug runners for inside the coach, but I guess we couldn't convince ourselves we needed either.
For supper we went out to the Yogurt Kingdom where we had burgers and desert. There was a big ham supper for Easter in the park, but we didn't sign up for it. All of our friends here were after us to get our name down and then when we didn't they wanted us to just come anyway. When it started out we thought we would be too busy to go. Then when the day came, we just decided to spend some time alone for a quiet meal.
After we got back we went to Larry & Nancy's for happy hour. Said our good byes there. Then went over to Kenny & Doris's for pie with another group. Said our good byes there. Then we went over to Ron & Sue's to say good bye. There were other people wandering around saying good bye all day. We are all old enough that it isn't an emotional day, well not for the guys anyway, but we had a lot of laughs, a lot of fun this winter; so we are all a little melancholy.
Time for the snowbirds to head north.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
Saturday, 30 March 2013
March 30th
A cloudy day, but surprisingly very hot. Not as hot as the last couple of days, but still what we would call a hot summer day at home.
I got up early and went for breakfast. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, a good start to the day. It was a much smaller crowd than usual, but I think they still had over 50 for breakfast. The usual group of our friends were there and I sat with them. All the talk is about who is leaving when and a few questions about whether we are going to the Easter dinner. Answer hasn't changed, we are still not going, LOL.
When I got back Marg was on a cleaning kick and has most of the inside of the motorhome washed, dusted, etc. I finished washing the windows using my ladder and micro fiber cloth. I carry a step ladder in one of the outside storage bins. Lots of guys carry them strapped to the ladder on the rear of their units, but that's where I have the bicycle and the bin is long enough across the width to accommodate it. Also washed some of the other outside stuff and put away the solar lights. Tomorrow will be the main packing day, so we can get on the road early Monday. There are so many people leaving on Monday that a bunch will be leaving on Sunday. Little do they realize, there are so many thousands of snowbirds, that it won't make any difference as lots of them have the same idea. From experience, it seems that later is better than earlier.
We went out just before noon to Trader Joes, that is a really neat grocery store where Marg gets things she hasn't found anywhere else. The place was packed with all the yuppy crowd doing the same thing. They are very environmentally responsible with their products as well. In fact they don't even handle the plastic grocery bags, all theirs are the old brown paper bags with handles all of recycled material. It's quite a ways from here, so when we were passing the big mall, we stopped at one of the strip malls around it, where she got a few things. She needed to make up a gift for Ma and one for the park managers, Curt & Aggie. Although they stopped in for a few drinks last night, Marg always leaves them a gift to thank them.
When we got back Marg had run into Elmer who wanted to play pool He is usually one of our regulars, but he had some electrodes put in his head about 10 days ago, so hasn't been coming. They are to stop the tremors in his arm, he has them very bad. Anyway he has been convalescing, so not playing and wanted to see if he can still play 8 ball. Even thought the unit is not programmed, his tremors are greatly reduced. Jim was around, so the 2 of us went and played pool with Elmer, he's a really neat older fellow, so we were glad to do it. He played so well that I told him I was worried that when he gets the unit programmed, he will be too good for us. While I was doing this Marg went and delivered her gifts and I guess they were both well received. She also did her laundry up as the hamper was getting pretty full.
We went for happy hour and it was well attended. I think Kenny & Doris are leaving fairly early next week, but most of the rest will be a week or two before they leave. That would work for us as well, but we want to be within striking distance of the border so we can react very quickly to the weather. Currently it looks like about 4 days of poor weather in Montana, but that can change from day to day.
BBQ for supper. Some really nice steaks, she had marinated all day long. That probably had lots to do with how tasty and tender they were. After supper Marg defrosted the fridge in record time. It has been so hot here that the cooling fins at the back of the fridge were all frosted over. Took the hair dryer and her about 10 or 15 minutes, record time anyway.
I got up early and went for breakfast. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, a good start to the day. It was a much smaller crowd than usual, but I think they still had over 50 for breakfast. The usual group of our friends were there and I sat with them. All the talk is about who is leaving when and a few questions about whether we are going to the Easter dinner. Answer hasn't changed, we are still not going, LOL.
When I got back Marg was on a cleaning kick and has most of the inside of the motorhome washed, dusted, etc. I finished washing the windows using my ladder and micro fiber cloth. I carry a step ladder in one of the outside storage bins. Lots of guys carry them strapped to the ladder on the rear of their units, but that's where I have the bicycle and the bin is long enough across the width to accommodate it. Also washed some of the other outside stuff and put away the solar lights. Tomorrow will be the main packing day, so we can get on the road early Monday. There are so many people leaving on Monday that a bunch will be leaving on Sunday. Little do they realize, there are so many thousands of snowbirds, that it won't make any difference as lots of them have the same idea. From experience, it seems that later is better than earlier.
We went out just before noon to Trader Joes, that is a really neat grocery store where Marg gets things she hasn't found anywhere else. The place was packed with all the yuppy crowd doing the same thing. They are very environmentally responsible with their products as well. In fact they don't even handle the plastic grocery bags, all theirs are the old brown paper bags with handles all of recycled material. It's quite a ways from here, so when we were passing the big mall, we stopped at one of the strip malls around it, where she got a few things. She needed to make up a gift for Ma and one for the park managers, Curt & Aggie. Although they stopped in for a few drinks last night, Marg always leaves them a gift to thank them.
When we got back Marg had run into Elmer who wanted to play pool He is usually one of our regulars, but he had some electrodes put in his head about 10 days ago, so hasn't been coming. They are to stop the tremors in his arm, he has them very bad. Anyway he has been convalescing, so not playing and wanted to see if he can still play 8 ball. Even thought the unit is not programmed, his tremors are greatly reduced. Jim was around, so the 2 of us went and played pool with Elmer, he's a really neat older fellow, so we were glad to do it. He played so well that I told him I was worried that when he gets the unit programmed, he will be too good for us. While I was doing this Marg went and delivered her gifts and I guess they were both well received. She also did her laundry up as the hamper was getting pretty full.
We went for happy hour and it was well attended. I think Kenny & Doris are leaving fairly early next week, but most of the rest will be a week or two before they leave. That would work for us as well, but we want to be within striking distance of the border so we can react very quickly to the weather. Currently it looks like about 4 days of poor weather in Montana, but that can change from day to day.
BBQ for supper. Some really nice steaks, she had marinated all day long. That probably had lots to do with how tasty and tender they were. After supper Marg defrosted the fridge in record time. It has been so hot here that the cooling fins at the back of the fridge were all frosted over. Took the hair dryer and her about 10 or 15 minutes, record time anyway.
Friday, 29 March 2013
Friday
Holy Friday at home, not even a holiday here, quite a difference in the way the day is observed, I guess. It was a hot day, the last I saw it was in the high 80's and sunny.
I thought it was Saturday when I got up and went to go to the breakfast, only to discover my internal calendar was out by a day. I guess that's why they sell the day of the week wall clock here. My charming wife made me bacon & eggs this morning, so I still got my big breakfast, just a little later, LOL. Spent much of the morning attaching the bike carrier to the ladder on the back of the motorhome. Washed some of the windows, including the front one. It is amazing how streaked it gets just sitting here. Marg and some of her posse went to water aerobics, the last one of the season. I could hear the recording as I worked away, directing them to leap and thrash about in the pool. A good day for it, refreshing I am certain.
In the afternoon I played 8 ball with a couple of guys in the park. Funny there were only a handful of guys playing, usually all 3 tables are going strong in the afternoon. Another sign of the time of year, lots of people with other commitments in preparation to leave. There are people leaving every day now. In my minds eye, I have a vision of the line ups at the border, not the best way to spend a few hours. There are a lot of rv'ers moving about these days. It seems everyday there are large numbers leaving and arriving. The park here is still as full as ever, but mainly with a lot of short-stay travelers. Some just for overnight, others for a week or so.
In the late afternoon we went out for dinner with Kenny & Doris and Jerry & Patty. They had never been, so we took them to the German restaurant we enjoy so much in Mesa. As usual the food was very good and the beer refreshing. It was happy hour, so we enjoyed tall ones. It was funny, as after the waitress asked Doris what she would have, all 3 of us guys said we would have the same as Doris. Marg & Patty of course had non-alcohol beverages. There was an accordion player belting out lots of German tunes that made you want to drink beer or dance. LOL
When we got back to the rv park, we had a drink and the park managers, Curt & Aggie joined us for a beverage. A nice visit wound up the day.
I thought it was Saturday when I got up and went to go to the breakfast, only to discover my internal calendar was out by a day. I guess that's why they sell the day of the week wall clock here. My charming wife made me bacon & eggs this morning, so I still got my big breakfast, just a little later, LOL. Spent much of the morning attaching the bike carrier to the ladder on the back of the motorhome. Washed some of the windows, including the front one. It is amazing how streaked it gets just sitting here. Marg and some of her posse went to water aerobics, the last one of the season. I could hear the recording as I worked away, directing them to leap and thrash about in the pool. A good day for it, refreshing I am certain.
In the afternoon I played 8 ball with a couple of guys in the park. Funny there were only a handful of guys playing, usually all 3 tables are going strong in the afternoon. Another sign of the time of year, lots of people with other commitments in preparation to leave. There are people leaving every day now. In my minds eye, I have a vision of the line ups at the border, not the best way to spend a few hours. There are a lot of rv'ers moving about these days. It seems everyday there are large numbers leaving and arriving. The park here is still as full as ever, but mainly with a lot of short-stay travelers. Some just for overnight, others for a week or so.
In the late afternoon we went out for dinner with Kenny & Doris and Jerry & Patty. They had never been, so we took them to the German restaurant we enjoy so much in Mesa. As usual the food was very good and the beer refreshing. It was happy hour, so we enjoyed tall ones. It was funny, as after the waitress asked Doris what she would have, all 3 of us guys said we would have the same as Doris. Marg & Patty of course had non-alcohol beverages. There was an accordion player belting out lots of German tunes that made you want to drink beer or dance. LOL
When we got back to the rv park, we had a drink and the park managers, Curt & Aggie joined us for a beverage. A nice visit wound up the day.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Thursday
The last Thursday of this winter trip to the sunny desert of Az started off with heat and sun. It was also the last coffee & donuts morning, so we both went and sure enough the old jinx returned and our table was last to be drawn. All I can say is it's a good thing this is the last as my presence for the donut draw is like a --- well black cloud comes to mind. At the meeting they asked how many were leaving in the next few days and all but a 4 or 5 raised their hands. The moderator then said to Wayne, better buy less donuts for next week, LOL.
Hey I almost forgot to mention that I bought a new hat for golf. Decided I needed a cooler hat than the ball caps, as they are not ventilated and really seem hot when the temp gets up. The hat I bought is straw, or something like that and is similar to what all the Mexican field hands wear. Being very sensitive, my friends at happy hour call it my lettuce picker hat. What do they know anyway, it was nice and cool out on the golf course yesterday.
Went out for my last visit to the dentists office and then over for a haircut. It was seniors day, so there was a line-up of 4 guys in front of me. Well it was $10 for a cut, you can't blame them. LOL Marg went to water aerobics with her posse and did their best to mix the water in the swimming pool.
I got back just about when she was done, just in time for a sandwich and then off to the 8 ball tournament. It was Eastgate at our park & we really don't look forward to playing them, well at least some of them. They are the team with the most talent in our league & they certainly showed it today. Mike & I drew the top 2 players on their team and got thrashed badly, we not only lost all 3 games, but never got more than 2 or 3 balls down in any game. We were short of players, so we had to play twice. Our second match was against 2 players more in keeping with our skill level and we managed to win 2 of our 3 games. Overall team Carefree got taken to the woodshed, oh well, it's just a game -- right??
Rose & Len Krupka are just about ready to go home and we got together for a few cocktails with them. They came to the park and then we took them to the Chinese buffet on Signal Butte. We owed them a dinner from last year and we had a great visit with them, nice to see old friends again. And that was then end of another gorgeous day in the valley.
Went out for my last visit to the dentists office and then over for a haircut. It was seniors day, so there was a line-up of 4 guys in front of me. Well it was $10 for a cut, you can't blame them. LOL Marg went to water aerobics with her posse and did their best to mix the water in the swimming pool.
I got back just about when she was done, just in time for a sandwich and then off to the 8 ball tournament. It was Eastgate at our park & we really don't look forward to playing them, well at least some of them. They are the team with the most talent in our league & they certainly showed it today. Mike & I drew the top 2 players on their team and got thrashed badly, we not only lost all 3 games, but never got more than 2 or 3 balls down in any game. We were short of players, so we had to play twice. Our second match was against 2 players more in keeping with our skill level and we managed to win 2 of our 3 games. Overall team Carefree got taken to the woodshed, oh well, it's just a game -- right??
Rose & Len Krupka are just about ready to go home and we got together for a few cocktails with them. They came to the park and then we took them to the Chinese buffet on Signal Butte. We owed them a dinner from last year and we had a great visit with them, nice to see old friends again. And that was then end of another gorgeous day in the valley.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Wednesday
A nice day, the wind blew a bit and that was good as it kept the day from getting too hot.
Went and got an oil change this AM. It seemed every place was full with many of them being snowbirds doing exactly what I was, getting ready for the road. There are so many oil change specials here, most around $20 or $30 and they often throw in a tire rotation or like mine they vacuum the car. Marg dusted the blinds in the motorhome and cleaned house today.
Went to Phoenix to golf with Gerry Canuel at 1PM. It was a warm day to that, but we had fun. We went to Maryvale, it was our first time at this course. The course was in nice shape, the fairways had lush grass, fairway bunkers were ample and there was lots of water and very mature trees. It was quite challenging and neither of us scored real well, but I'm OK with that. The new putter was not working well today at all. The course played fairly quick, we were done in under 4 hours for 18. It was pretty funny, Gerry got a birdie & a bogie on the 18th hole. He hit a towering drive that hit a bird mid-air. All you could see was a big puff of feathers, but it kept flying, so didn't appear to be hurt and his score was one over par. I lost the last of the Nike balls Bill & Patti brought me back from the DR, I will miss them.
After golf I drove Gerry back to the condo and then back on the freeway to the RV park. It was the middle of rush hour and traffic was very heavy. The announcer on the radio said the traffic was clearing up on the route I was on thanks to the local fire dept. Apparently they had a jumper on an overpass with a rope tied around him, prepared to jump off into traffic and just before the police shut down the freeway, a firefighter talked him out of it. Now that was something I would never have thought about as being the source of a traffic jam. Some people!
When I got back to the RV, Marg had supper on the table. Apparently some of the guys had been around trying to get her to convince me to go into the desert tomorrow. I don't think it will happen as I have too much to do to get ready.
Poker night, but I was late by the time I ate. We had the usual crowd and it was good for a few laughs. A bonus was that my bag was full when I finished and it wasn't when I got there, so believe I made out OK.
Went and got an oil change this AM. It seemed every place was full with many of them being snowbirds doing exactly what I was, getting ready for the road. There are so many oil change specials here, most around $20 or $30 and they often throw in a tire rotation or like mine they vacuum the car. Marg dusted the blinds in the motorhome and cleaned house today.
Went to Phoenix to golf with Gerry Canuel at 1PM. It was a warm day to that, but we had fun. We went to Maryvale, it was our first time at this course. The course was in nice shape, the fairways had lush grass, fairway bunkers were ample and there was lots of water and very mature trees. It was quite challenging and neither of us scored real well, but I'm OK with that. The new putter was not working well today at all. The course played fairly quick, we were done in under 4 hours for 18. It was pretty funny, Gerry got a birdie & a bogie on the 18th hole. He hit a towering drive that hit a bird mid-air. All you could see was a big puff of feathers, but it kept flying, so didn't appear to be hurt and his score was one over par. I lost the last of the Nike balls Bill & Patti brought me back from the DR, I will miss them.
After golf I drove Gerry back to the condo and then back on the freeway to the RV park. It was the middle of rush hour and traffic was very heavy. The announcer on the radio said the traffic was clearing up on the route I was on thanks to the local fire dept. Apparently they had a jumper on an overpass with a rope tied around him, prepared to jump off into traffic and just before the police shut down the freeway, a firefighter talked him out of it. Now that was something I would never have thought about as being the source of a traffic jam. Some people!
When I got back to the RV, Marg had supper on the table. Apparently some of the guys had been around trying to get her to convince me to go into the desert tomorrow. I don't think it will happen as I have too much to do to get ready.
Poker night, but I was late by the time I ate. We had the usual crowd and it was good for a few laughs. A bonus was that my bag was full when I finished and it wasn't when I got there, so believe I made out OK.
Tuesday
Another good one, the temp hit 89F at the warmest part of the day. There was a bit of a breeze, so it was just one of those very pleasant days.
Went with the guys to the desert today, perfect day for it. We started out for an old mine, but he road was closed off, so we took a new trail. Had to cross a stream about 5 or 6 times. It was a marked trail, but it wasn't in our book. The guys have a book that provides descriptions and maps for the better marked trails here.
A helicopter was hovering around for quite a while just to the north of us. Not sure, but sometimes these are search or rescue missions.
The view when we got near the top were spectacular. We saw a herd of 14 mule deer, a cardinal, some lizards, etc. No snakes, we were kind of hoping with the warmer weather we might see one. We ran along a razor back or hog back for quite a few miles. Just enough width to get by and pretty steep sides. A couple of times our climb was so steep we couldn't seen any road when we got to the top, just went forward on faith.
There were only 8 of us today, so the Tracker, a jeep and a Polaris side x side ATV.
The cactus is getting ready to bloom and the desert is very green at this time of year. Lots of unique scenery.
The river was clear and fast flowing. The bottom was a nice sand, but it was almost too loose for driving through, even in 4WD low range.
One of the guys asked if I knew the name of the creek. I said it must be shit creek and we were up it without a paddle. LOL
The river was clear and fast flowing. The bottom was a nice sand, but it was almost too loose for driving through, even in 4WD low range.
One of the guys asked if I knew the name of the creek. I said it must be shit creek and we were up it without a paddle. LOL
The day ended early because we had to double back. The track became too rough to get all the way through. We got lots of Arizona pinstripes on the vehicles today. That's what they call the scratches you get out on the desert.
Marg went out for lunch with the girls [mostly wives of the desert rats] to Midwest Meats. A great deli and restaurant. They all agreed to go early so she could make her hair appt. That seems to have worked out well, but never really certain, the jury is usually out the first day or two on any hair cut with Marg. We went to happy hour tonight. The desert trips always end with enough time to get back for this 4 o'clock event. Supper was Mexican at Filberto's tonight as we had to be back for bingo. Gerry & Deb and his two sisters came to the park for bingo. I won a shared pot, so half a prize, nothing to write home about, but a win is a win.
Monday, 25 March 2013
Monday
Our last Monday in Carefree manor rv park, as we are planning to leave next Monday. The price of gasoline has decreased about 10 cents a gallon in the last 10 days, here's hoping that trend continues until Monday, when we put about 80 litres in the tank.
It was a nice hot day, in the 80's I believe. Needed the a/c in the car anyway, so it was pretty warm.
I went for a bike ride this AM, made about 6 or 7 miles, I believe. It was very good conditions first thing in the morning as the heat hadn't started to build yet. Left the rv just a little before 8AM and there were lots of walkers and bikers out and about, doing much the same as me. Lots of kids waiting for the bus so spring break must not be this week in AJ. Some people in the park have kids around, so it must be in some areas. Kind of confusing, like the time change. Arizona being one of 3 states that don't do daylight saving time, it never changes here. Until Alberta changed it was the same time here, but now all our tv programs on the satellite system are an hour out from what we are familiar with.
Went in to Scottsdale in the old town area for lunch. Dave & Kathy Trout drove in from Green Valley [south of Tucson] and Vern & Rene Culbertson were here for a few days. It was good seeing some of the kids again. Kids, hah, everyone is drawing old age security, LOL. Had a nice visit, compared ailments and then back to the rv park. I really fall down in that category as I really don't have enough medical issues to even get in the competition.
Got back in time for happy hour. The guys are going to the desert tomorrow and the gals out for lunch, see we also get information at happy hour. BBQ for supper and that was about it for the day.
It was a nice hot day, in the 80's I believe. Needed the a/c in the car anyway, so it was pretty warm.
I went for a bike ride this AM, made about 6 or 7 miles, I believe. It was very good conditions first thing in the morning as the heat hadn't started to build yet. Left the rv just a little before 8AM and there were lots of walkers and bikers out and about, doing much the same as me. Lots of kids waiting for the bus so spring break must not be this week in AJ. Some people in the park have kids around, so it must be in some areas. Kind of confusing, like the time change. Arizona being one of 3 states that don't do daylight saving time, it never changes here. Until Alberta changed it was the same time here, but now all our tv programs on the satellite system are an hour out from what we are familiar with.
Got back in time for happy hour. The guys are going to the desert tomorrow and the gals out for lunch, see we also get information at happy hour. BBQ for supper and that was about it for the day.
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