Saturday, December 29, 2018

Lost Dog Wash Hike

Yesterday was perfect for a hike - calm, sunny, and "fresh" (hi 40sF/hi single digits C). Today, not so much, as the wind has been blowing all day making the same temperature & clear skies feel very cold!

The Lost Dog Wash Hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (NE of Phoenix) was a 2+mi/3+ km steady climb to the Taliesin Lookout.

Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architectural school in the desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. We have taken a guided tour of the National Historic Landmark buildings and were inspired to experience an aerial view.



Long shot of the Taliesin compound



Taliesin West is still an isolated property



Lunch view - so typical of the area with cactus, mountains and rubble 

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas!

What a lovely day we had.

It started with video visits with our kids. We called our daughter Janine and Colin first only to find out that while Magnus (18 mon) had been up since 6 am, Zachary (5) was still sleeping. It was thrilling to see him hurry down the stairs at 7:30 and hop across the floor. He went right to the stockings hung on the mantel, gave his a quick touch and then grabbed a stuffed animal out of Magnus' and gave it to him before opening his own! So sweet and typical of how he indulges his brother!



 Janine's sly comments on Face Book about this photo..."here we see the Canadian family in their winter plumage. We can see that the youngest has not yet developed the distinctive white crested red breast of the older members. " 


Son Tyson and his gal Veronica shared photos of their menu & meal
 - always creative with their food!





After the conversations, we jumped on our bikes and rode up into the hills. Bill is happy to be back on the bike as last Monday eve, as we walked to play cards, he stumbled over a low profile bike rack and shredded his knees (after safely riding 30 mi/50 km that morning!).


"B's knees" on Saturday


Our Christmas feast was at 3 pm in the Rock Shadows HallThe Park provided hams and each group of 16 brought the "fixin's". Long tables were arranged in a U-shape with the food placed on the lower bar with seating around the two arms (get the idea?). It works real well and makes for a more family-type meal than a huge buffet potluck. Of course, Rose Lynn signed up for veggies ( squash roasted with prosciutto wrapped around it and harvard beets).

Rain started while we were at our meal! So, with our neighbours Mike & Johanne, we walked home through the light shower. They invited us to their rig to play cards and it was still raining when it was time to leave! Think it finished some time in the night!



Hope you had a fun day,
warm or cold 
with family or friends!

Monday, December 24, 2018

Yuma Trip Report

Our trip out of town was full of fun, food, and friends. Thanks Walt & Jan for all the hospitality!

As predicted, our drive was good and, even though it seemed that the scenery of desert and mountains might be tedious, let us tell you about what we saw!


It started in Yuma with this "Christmas" Scene 
down the street from us in the RV Park



The owner came out to speak to Rose Lynn while she took the photos; she asked if the scene was offensive?   No, especially after she explained that the scene was a depiction of southerners (javelina) trying to get through America to Canada (the scarf tied to the burlap bag has maple leafs) with their "agricultural" goods! Creative use of props they had around, we guess!




Desert dust creates a white distortion on the mountain scenery



Some areas had lava rubble visible at the roadside

We also passed areas of agriculture such a huge dairy operations (one seemed to have over 200 acres(!) of cows with limited shade), large fields of flood irrigated alfalfa, and cotton fields with harvested bales and a cotton gin near the highway.

There was also a large solar-thermal operation Solana Generating Station (you can read about it at this link) and a huge landfill just west of Phoenix.

A very busy rail line (car carriers and containers) parallelled our highways about 2/3 of the route and passed through Yuma close to where we were staying - close enough to hear it rolling through!



Phoenix area freeways had a range of messages such as this seasonal offering. Two others were "Drive Hammered. Get Nailed" and "No Signal Lights? You're Sitting on a Throne of Lies".

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Road Trip to Yuma AZ

This afternoon we're driving to Yuma (on the Mexico border in the SW corner of Arizona) to have a Christmas meet-up with Calgary friends, Walt & Jan. It's a good day for a drive that will take about three hours through mountains and desert.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Update on Dec 17 Post


Christmas Cruise Revs Up Holiday Spirit

Published on December 21, 2018 in Apache Junction News

290 off-road vehicles cruise 55+ communities

Apache Junction has more than its fair share of wonderfully unique events, and the East Valley RZR Club’s Annual Christmas Cruise is on track to make that roster.
On Friday, Dec. 14, a festive motorcade of brightly decorated off-road vehicles staged in the parking lot of the Apache Junction High School before thundering through the streets of Apache Junction, visiting several 55+ communities and spreading holiday cheer.
This year’s official count of participants, per organizer Tina Ehle, was 290 vehicles. Two years ago, the first Christmas Cruise drew just 27 RZRs. “Thank you, everyone that came out,” posted Ehle on the group’s Facebook event page. “I’ve had several of the parks reach out to me already, saying what a great time everyone had.”

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

???


This 8" figure is part of our neighbour's Christmas display.

Comments? We're not sure what to think....

Monday, December 17, 2018

Christmas Light Parade @ Rock Shadows


Each evening before Christmas, around 6 pm, there is a festive procession of lighted golf carts and ATVs through the streets of our Park.




Last Friday we thought the group was driving by again but, no, it was an outside parade of hundreds of decorated ATVs, mostly Polaris "RZR"s. There were so many it took over 45 minutes to pass and apparently the group caused traffic jams in the local area!



This image is typical of the ATVs in the parade.
They are very popular for running through the desert in this area.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Cycling Joy

We've found a cycling group out of Mesa (Red Mountain Riders) who looks, visits, and rides the way we do!

On Friday we had taken our bikes into Tempe and were riding west along the Rio Salado Pathway along the Salt River wash. While on the ride we kept meeting up with this group and finally chatted and learned the details; they ride every morning of the week starting at 8:30 am.

Today we joined them for the first time and rode about 20 minutes on a chilly morning and then stopped for breakfast - that worked! The rest of the ride was a rambling tour of pathways, parks and some lakefront (!) residential neighbourhoods in Mesa & Gilbert. The leader took us by a lot of "low-rent" housing like this:



Friday, December 14, 2018

Didn't Need to Know About This...


Last evening friends brought over this Christmas treat 
that is popular in Italy.
They learned about it while living/serving there with the military.
We have seen these cakes but never tried them before now. Oh my!



Thanks, Eric & Beth - we love it!

And that's the problem!!!!!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Hike in Lost Dutchman State Park


Our snack stop view while walking on Jacob's Crosscut Trail 
in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains




Outdoor lunch-with-a-view at Mammoth Steak House 
in Goldfield Ghost Town

(We were walking above the treeline just under the towering pillars)

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Drip, Drip, Drip...


Just after 6 am this morning we heard "drip drip drip" from a familiar location under the kitchen cabinet; we have previously reworked/repaired the kitchen sink's hot water connection, so Bill knew exactly where to go to work! 

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Fog in the Desert?!



Saturday morning, 7 am, 51F/11C, after two days of intermittent showers!

Fog finally starting to lift now at 9:30 am

Friday, December 7, 2018

Christmas Activities

We've been hearing Christmas tunes and seeing Christmas advertising since the middle of November! Sunday we "decorated" our abode inside and out (a few decorations hung in windows plus a lighted snowman and a "Let it Snow" sign on our lot).



Wednesday evening we joined a busload of folks from our Park and attended Celebration of Christmas at a huge church in northwest Phoenix. It was a little over the top with costumes, sets (real & electronic) many voices of all ages, dancers, a live orchestra, "flying" angels and Cirque de Soleil type gymnasts, secular and religious themes (some  preaching too) plus a live horse and camel!!!

Monday, December 3, 2018

Desert Colour


(Cane?) Cholla Bloom

This 2" Cholla ("choya") bloom seems rather unseasonable (usually bloom in spring)  - perhaps due to heavy rains in October?



Desert Hackberry 

Apparently these dime-sized berries are enjoyed by both birds and humans and are typically seasonal in Fall



We were walking in the desert with longtime friends, Dennis & Sheryle, who are wintering in Mesa. 

(This is RL's cellphone version of an "art shot" that Dennis took!)

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Cycling with Friends

We had a great day on our bicycles riding through Scottsdale with Michigan friends Peter & Anita, and Alberta friends, Donna & Drew.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Been There. Done That.

It was all good!

The birthday party on Sunday afternoon for sister Lisa was a family love-in for a wonderful person. Her four children invited four generations and both sides of her family for food, fun, and tributes at her home.



Us, Lisa & husband Robert


Mom & Lisa - isn't this a fabulous photo?


We spent lots of time with Rose Lynn's Mom playing games, eating and meeting her friends. On Monday evening, while Bill played cards and watched hockey with brother-in-law, Robert, and two others,  Rose Lynn & Lisa sewed!

Our 4 flights were all on time (even early), our luggage made the transfer from PHX/YYC through YYC/YYZ, our layovers were really fun when our daughter and grandboys had lunch with us on our outward bound lap and our fabulous neighbours, Barb & Dave, joined us for a meal on the our way back through Calgary.

The weather was pitiful - wind, rain as forecasted, temperatures just above freezing for the most part, with snow on the ground the day we left! 



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Happy to be back in Arizona!

Friday, November 23, 2018

Flying Trip

Today we are winging our way to Toronto for a few days - Rose Lynn's sister is celebrating her 60th on Sunday and we didn't want to miss that!

We'll also visit with her Mom so it should all be great except for the weather which is forecasting rain for our stay😒 Hopefully temps stay above freezing.

More on our return...

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thanksgiving Day 2

Sunrise in Apache Junction

Looks like a fun day for us - the sky is now grey but we will still get out for a ride before our mid-afternoon meal with Eric and Beth* and their gang who live in this area. We'll go over early and play games with any who are not watching games on TV!

Nothing like Thanksgiving feast #2! So grateful for our health, friends and family.

*Eric is a cousin of our friend Jan (and Walt who are now in Yuma AZ)

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Reunion


We had a fun reunion with Ruth (in pink) and sister Linda


Ruth, visiting here in AZ with her sister Linda, is a friend we made at Paul's Park in Brownsville, TX. She is a mighty fine guitar player and was accompanist for many of Bill's talent show performances at the Park.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Mass by Leonard Bernstein


Our son-in -law's parents, Ron & Elise, joined us for an awe-inspiring afternoon performance of Leonard Bernstein's Mass at Arizona State University in Tempe. Over three hundred students, faculty, and community members were involved - singers, dancers, musicians and technical (media, sets, costumes, sound).

It's difficult to describe our experience - almost overwhelming in its scale and message.

Amazingly, ASU gave only two performances of this massive tribute to the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth. 

Read more about this piece? Click below:
MASS

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Sunsets Feel Cool at 70F?!

Strange, but as the sun goes down in Arizona, we find that it feels cool when the temperature drops below 70F/21C. However the sunsets can be pretty spectacular!


Friday evening looking south


Tonight looking NW

Friday, November 16, 2018

Rural Ride

This morning we rode east of Apache Junction, into the foothills of the Superstition Mountains.

🚲 warm with light winds (headwinds both east & west!)
🚲 more vehicle traffic than we remembered
🚲 horses and fancy houses on large lots
🚲 patio lunch at a favourite place, Handlebar Pub & Grill in A.J.
🚲 smoked acorn squash, oh my! (they only grill, no frying!)

Image result for handlebar pub & grill images

Low key exterior belies what is behind the facade
 - a charming tree-covered patio and creative food

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Smoked Acorn Squash

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Only in the US?

So, most of you know that we are "radioheads"; however, in the past two weeks we have begun to suffer PTSD* from listening to both CBC and NPR programming as the midterm US election cycle churns....

*Pontificating Trump Stress Disorder

Disclaimer: Rose Lynn created this version of PTSD and means no discredit to                                                  those dealing with this very real post traumatic condition.

Monday, November 12, 2018

Grandbearants

This morning, on Facebook Messenger, we had an hilarious visit with our daughter Janine and grandboys Zach, 5, and Magnus, 1; it was a day off work, school and daycare respectively! Janine loves to get a laugh for all with these disguises - can you see the crowns on them on the upper right?

"Always nice to have a call with the grandBEARants."

Saturday, November 10, 2018

"Hooky" Jam Resumes

Bill sat and sang/played with Chan, Del and Greg (visiting son of our neighbour) for some fun hours this afternoon.

It seems the large Park Jam that spawned "Hooky Jam" (their small home group) may not get off the ground this year; it may be reborn for park players only so perhaps that will result in a more manageably-sized jam.

Friday, November 9, 2018

Windy Night

Related image
We're up early today after a wild night of wind; it rattled every loose bit on the trailer and occasionally seemed to rock the whole rig. A check of the weather records suggests it was gusting, but not at overly high speeds (up to 15 mph/25 kph).

The past few days have been very warm and gently breezy so we have been enjoying eating our meals outdoors in the shade of our awning!

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Cycling while America Votes

Today was a treat!

We met up with Rose Lynn's cousin, Cheryl, who was staying with her son and family in Scottsdale (part of the Phoenix metro). She took us for a bike ride on some of her usual routes, we enjoyed lunch on a shaded patio and then went for a dip in the pool when we returned to the house.


This cactus was blooming behind a wall along our ride.
 A local told us it is an Organ Pipe Cactus.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Settled in Apache Junction AZ

Arrived back at Rock Shadows RV Park in Apache Junction to warm weather and warm welcomes from our neighbours.

After leaving Fillmore UT we settled in for two days at Valley of Fire State Park, NE of Las Vegas NV - it was calm and very warm, 75F/24C! We enjoyed a bike ride, some walking and the red rock scenery - a little R&R after the getaway and the driving...

Last night we were in Wickenburg at a horse camp (folks bring their "rides" - horses and ATVs for the winter!).

Dramatic, Desolate, Desert Scenes

After leaving Valley of Fire we drove through about 280 mi/450 km of varying types of desert scenery with very little population, a couple of  towns and lots of eye candy of the natural kind until we reached the metropolis of the Phoenix area. Nearing the big city we noted that the desert was very green and our neighbours report that October was unusually wet!


A bear or dog?


A Cardinal?


A sphinx?


What is this mountain sheep surviving on here?!






White Dome Road in Valley of Fire S.P.


Downstream from the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River


Green desert closer to Phoenix