Contrasting views................apolitical.

 The popular Duel in the Desert came and went and, despite courage and bravery and a strong will, no medals came his way.    But he was very popular with his GoPro videos that captured friends and neighbors matches.    He edits them down to manageable size and hands them out to very appreciative players.

The desert is slowly starting to bloom.    We drove about an hour  to an arboretum and took a guided tour through the history and stories of the varied gardens.

Not too hot but sunscreen was useful.  

  

 This plump, water saturated saguaro needed some help to stay upright.

Later in the week, friend Bonnie and I drove 20 min to Pichacho Peak SP to see the Mexican poppies and their opposite on the color wheel, the purple lupine.  

 And then, yesterday, we decided to mix it up a bit and we drove the long 10+ hours north.    We needed to get the new car back home since we haven't figured out how to tow TWO cars behind the RV.     We'll go back next week and start packing up and more slowly make our way home.

Colorado has seen massive amounts of snow this year.     We watched the forecast closely, studied the CDOT road updates and decided that Sunday was the best day to navigate the high pass above Telluride.    There had been some avalanches and mitigation of known slide areas so we hoped the delays and warnings would be over.      It was a beautiful drive.     That sign says 'avalanche area'.

We'll enjoy fresh snow (coming down now) from our windows before we head out once again for more adventures.....someone is turning 16 soon.

AZ days.......

It has been cold and rainy and snow came down in record numbers of feet north of Phoenix.   But now it is moderating and we are seeing the thermometer hit 70 for the first time.   

One day we wandered to the nearby Catalina mountains with intention to take a loop Jeep trail.   We started out in high desert with stately saguaros looking plump and majestic.   It is said that they gain over 1500 lbs when they take up lots of water.    But then a friend also said that the weight causes them to fall over and one crashed on a house and through a window in their neighborhood.    Anyway, back to the scary part..........

The rain had muddied the roads and there were deep ruts in parts but mostly dried.    The ranches became farther apart and cell signals disappeared.    We came to a 'road closed' sign but continued on, thinking it was left over from flooding from previous rains.     Then farther in, we came to a stream covering the road in 2 places with a higher sandy island in between.    We hesitated and I thought we would just turn around.    The higher elevations and scenic views were ahead so the driver decided we could cross ..... we were in a Jeep after all and the water was shallow.   

  

 We drove fast through the stream and up onto the island and then felt ourselves sink into the muck.   It looked like beach sand with some weeds on top.    I stepped out to survey the situation and my shoes were quickly mired in the sand.    I had a momentary panic attack thinking that maybe we were stuck.    It was just an uneasy feeling that not all was well...... I quickly saw the headlines in the local paper of elderly couple dying of dehydration and starvation when they ignored signage and came ill-prepared with little food and water.      We both walked around and pondered the partially buried tires and I said in a quiet voice "Are we stuck?".    Since I was with my 'guy who can solve all problems and fix anything', I was waiting for the NO that he would surely say.    But he said YES!!    That was the scary part ..... My panic turned to real fear.        And then he said, " you direct m e so I can back up and I'll put it in 4 wheel drive" !!   What !!   I thought we were in 4 wheel !!!!   All of a sudden I could breathe again.    He put it in the proper gear and drove right out of the nightmare in my brain.
I know it doesn't sound so scary but sometimes I wonder if we should be wandering the desert or the Colorado mountains on our own and this minor adventure has made me think that maybe we need to be more cautious on some of our outings.        We crossed back with little effort and met up with another 'elderly couple' in their Jeep doing the same thing.    It made me happy that there would have been someone to rescue us in this desolate area.

 We get frequent balloon sightings ..........

On the weekend, we went to Jeff and Jen's to babysit the grand dog.    He's getting up in years and prefers to stay close.

 After all the rain, the spring season is blooming.    These are two yards in their neighborhood  that are just glowing from the color.

This week, the Duel in the Desert has started with over 800 pickleball players descending on Palm Creek.    P plays on Sat and Sunday in both men's and mixed.    More medals ???

It's all about the pickle ball....

This week it's been all about the Member/Member tournament.   The weather gods apparently thought it was a good idea to throw in a few curves with rain and wind.     Schedules and matches were all rearranged and it was cold and windy much of the time.
  
Palm Creek is a very large RV resort.... they also have nice small houses for those who want to give up the mobile house.     But their big claim to fame are the Pickleball facilities.    They have 32 lighted courts and wonderful supporting facilities.     National tournaments are held here.      In the above pic, you can get an idea of  only a portion of the courts.

  This morning at 8 am , it was 29 degrees and down jackets, gloves and hats were in order.   But the wind had subsided from the day before so it was more tolerable.    Every year, I'm surprised how cold AZ can be ..... it will warm up quickly by next month, but woolies are always required in Jan/Feb.  
   
Paul and his partner Therese, medaled in their age/skill bracket.    Paul had to drop to the 65-70 bracket because of Therese's age so he had to play against all the young kids.      He and his partner Tom did not medal in the Men's division but held their own.    P was having issues with his wrist and needed an ace wrap and a massage with the MaryJane cream in order to hold the racket.   His personal nurse has prescribed several days of rest.  

January days....

Spending time on the golf course, sitting around fire pits at night and many hours on the pickle ball courts is what makes up our days in sunny Arizona.  

And when we have a chance , we get to spend time with the cute grand dog.  Guinness is  one of the more aloof members of our family until the treats come out.  

This grandkid is not aloof and is auditioning for the lead in "Indiana Jones Meets the Dragon".    

Change of plans..........

It's not quite Arizona !!    But it's very pretty and cold and I think it's in my DNA to love snow.

The biggest hill in Cobble Creek is in our backyard on the 3rd green....it

 was fun to watch the happy kids. 

We had good intentions of heading to the southwest  but flights were full of all those pesky paying passengers.     But, United operates non-stops during ski season direct from the huge international Newark terminal to tiny Montrose  that doesn't even have a control tower.     So we jumped on board a half empty plane for an easy trip back home.  We'd figure out our next move south when we got there.        As we started our descent, the Capt with the nice voice said we were diverting to Denver.   Seems the snowplows in MTJ were having trouble clearing the runway to the wider width needed for our Airbus and we didn't have enough fuel to hold.    So we landed in the falling snow at the big busy DIA that can handle most any amount of the white stuff.   The passengers were told to go to Customer Service for rerouting ...... Instead, my smart companion checked for the next flights and there was one in 45 min..... he listed us on the flight and before we got to the gate , we had been assigned seats.    It was  a long long hike from our arrival gate to the regional jet gates but luckily, we're used to the altitude.       So we climbed on board the miniature jet and after deicing, we lofted into the snowy skies.    I stuck my earbuds in and turned up "Queen's Greatest Hits" and tried not to think about flying in the snow over those high mountains in a tiny tube.       We arrived uneventfully but our luggage didn't.      The next flight  in 2 hours with many of the passengers who needed to get to their ski vacations in Telluride, was cancelled.      We were amazed that we actually made it.   Our luggage showed up the next morning.   

So, here we are in beautiful Cobble Creek with about 6 inches or more of fresh fluffy snow.     We're leaning towards driving the new car down to AZ in a couple days.    Because everyone needs 2 cars and an RV for 3 months in AZ.   It's been really cold there as well so we aren't missing much.  

And this is what happens when you go to a Mexican restaurant with friends on your January 1st birthday.   A celebration of one handsome,  sexy 76 year old who charms everyone .....until skill and cunning takes over on the pickle ball courts and he shows his other competitive side.    

Christmas 2018

 This cotton field is next to our RV resort in AZ.   In previous years, we've arrived in January and the fields are just dirt.   It was a big surprise to find out what they grow.   I had no idea cotton was a big crop down here.   I wanted to walk over and pick a little boll but it was a busy road and I'd probably be arrested for thievery or trespassing.    I remember very well, in a classroom in North Dakota as a young child, holding a cotton boll that someone had brought in.....I was amazed .   To me, it was only something I had read in books and there was no reality to it.  


And then we came to Connecticut.   We awoke on Christmas Eve to beautiful snow ... just enough.

 We had to make cookies altho Santa only took one bite and I don't think any of the dozen or so were ever eaten.    But it is required.
 

On Christmas Eve, we usually go see the latest Star Wars movie and then go to our favorite Italian restaurant, Franco's .     Alas, there was no Star Wars so we saw Bumblebee.....about the cute yellow Beetle that becomes a Transformer.   Cute but not Star Wars.    But the veggie pizza, the grinders and the pasta dishes were perfection.  

 As usual, the Christmas gifts were perfect and generous and the food was a mix of tradition and favorites.      Mason was very patient when he got up at 5 am and waited and waited for the rest of us.    Finally, he took out his saxophone and played revelry to get us up and moving.    It worked.   He now plays 3 different instruments and is trying his best to figure out the piano.   He has quite a talent.  

 

Before dawn on the 26th, the house was up and moving furniture.    New family room  furniture had been ordered to arrive before Christmas but it was delayed.   So we got to be slothful and eat and drink on the old stuff on Christmas.   But no more.     Andy and I were moving out the  old ottoman and someone captured us.    Not sure where Andy is getting his height but having a strong, tall and helpful young man around is a good thing.  

 Caesar still lives altho the whole cricket thing is time consuming.    I bought 50 on Thurs eve and they were gone by Sat morning.   So I got 75 the next time.   They are 10 cents a piece and he gobbles them in a flash.....the crunching is a bit unnerving.   The alternative is to feed him some kind of roach (no thank you !! ) or some creepy worm.     He does come out and crawls around their arms and shoulders......but he's fast on the floor.    The cat seems to have no interest.   Nor do I.....unless we're separated by glass.  

And so we head back to cold AZ.    We'll stay put for awhile with no plans to wander..... Tis the season of Pickleball tournaments and working on the golf game.    

December shows up.....

I worry about this lone heron.     He's been a resident for a few years and some say he once had a mate.      He stands along the edge of the pond but now it is mostly frozen.    From what I've read, they can survive cold and snow but most go south.   I wish he would so I don't have to worry.  

 

Almost 3 years ago, our favorite Ford Explorer got smashed by a kid in an old heavy jeep.   Since then, we have pondered the need for another car.    

    We've adopted Aunt Romayne's Beetle but it  mostly goes to pickle ball.     The big Jeep is great for climbing mountains but not for comfort on the roads nor, in my opinion, safe on the busy interstates....it doesn't even have a back up camera.     We have driven many different brands and models and read all the reviews and pondered the need/desire for 2 cars .... ( I don't consider the Beetle a car for most purposes...but it is cute ).       Finally, we made a decision and now we have a German majority in the garage.  (45 years difference in their age)  There is still room for the mountain climbing Jeep and the golf cart.    

It's a beautiful car with all the bells and whistles and will probably be our last car......after all, we keep cars about 10 years  and will we still be driving at 85 ??   Aunt Romayne drove until she was about 93 so maybe we will...... !    But then  we'll get a driverless model......

We had to drive over to Glenwood Springs for the nearest dealer.    The 2.5 hr drive was quite beautiful this time of year with the fresh snow and clouds.     Coming home was a different story.    I -70was closed for hours and we had to navigate the back roads in order to keep moving.  It took us 4 hours and one of us drove in comfort and the other drove the Jeep.   

We're delaying our departure to AZ by a few days but beginning the process of list making and organizing.    

I'll miss our morning sunrise.......

Home again.....

We left at sunrise yesterday..... beautiful view of Manhattan in the center and LaGuardia on the lower left where we had just taken off from.     I took a long snooze later in the day.

  

Had a great Thanksgiving day, celebrating Mason's 13th birthday as well.    He made a trip to the pet store the next day to pick up his bearded dragon.   The store had sold 13 in the past few weeks.

He/she  has multiple names but is Caesar for short......he eats live crickets......available on Amazon if you need any. 

We saw 2 movies at the theater with heated reclining seats ( !! ).    Loved "Bohemian Rhapsody" despite it's lukewarm reviews..... still humming..     Did not understand a bit of "The Crimes of Grindelwald" and the boys weren't sure about it either.   Johnny Depp was dark and Jude Law was easy to look at.     

Looking forward to a couple weeks at home before we migrate south.....

It welcomed us once again.........

Connecticut is white and cold and we are back to enjoy it !!

Back on the western slope....

We're home again...... it's always a bit longer to fly west and this trip just seemed rather endless.    We didn't get home until after 8 and since it was Halloween, we managed to avoid the hordes (or not) and having all that left over chocolate.  

    

This was the color from the front door of their house.....there was an occasional maple that showed it's fall colors but otherwise, it was disappointing.   

We made a search for the perfect pumpkins.   I  lobbied for 'smaller is better' but their choices were reasonable .   Mason wielded the sharp knife but left me with cleaning out the slimy innards.   Andy was all in.   

The trumpet and sax player  had their usual 3 hour band practice that night so didn't get to do the neighborhood thing.    They did have 'trunk or treat' after practice and I think that's a clever and convenient option.... and safer than in their dark  and sprawling neighborhood.  ( yes, I realize that's just an old person's opinion and carries no weight).

In the big regional competition on Saturday they came in 2nd (in their division ) for the 1st time this year.    Actually, as disappointed as they were, I think it will make them sharper and more determined for the Nationals  on the 10th at Met Life stadium in NJ.   I wish we could be there for it.

Otherwise, it's good to be home for a bit ..... I'll wander back in a couple weeks as Jon continues his training.