Spring Break

Jon and Andy and Mason showed up for a break from school and work.    Before they could play, I made them work.   Jon  transplanted 3 peonies and pulled out 4 roses.   It's too early to plant new ones but the nice deep holes are ready.    Andy power washed the front of the house.    I supervised closely to avoid stripped wood trim and broken windows.   I had done the back earlier in the week.      Then it was time for some playing around.    We got in a fun round of golf and Mason had plenty of time to drive the golf cart.     They are both avid Pickleball players (well trained and coached by their grandfather ) and despite the spring winds, they got in many hours on the courts.     We played "Ticket to Ride, Europe " most evenings

 and the competition was raucous.

And then they drove to Aspen/Snowmass for some spring skiing and Mary Beth flew in to join them.

Spring came to Colorado.    After a long long winter season of record snows,  the grateful well- watered trees and flowers came to life.    The aspen are opening up and the roses are leafing out, the peonies are poking through the ground and grass is greening.  

On the weekend, Mike and Jenna drove over from Denver and we drove the 2.5 hours to join the party.    It's been too many years for us to try it again, but we remember many many ski trips and fun times on the slopes.  

Mike got a few runs in as well and gave a shout out as he passed our rooms.

 

We had spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and ski runs.

 Spring skiing brings out the strange  costumes. Bikini tops and bare torsos were abundant.   And sunburns ......    Saturday night we went to a popular Mexican restaurant and took the required group photo.    The menu was a bit limited since they were closing the next day but we enjoyed  freshly made guac, chips and salsa and varied tacos and fajitas...... and despite being out of several brands of beer, we managed quite well.

Jon and group planned to leave on the early early flight to Denver..... But, without a crew, the plane wasn't leaving, so they came back to the hotel and we all sat down for breakfast together.    They were successful on their 2nd attempt to fly to Denver but their connection to LaGuardia was delayed by 2 inches of hail and severe weather.    They will eventually land about 6 hours later than planned.   Meanwhile, we had a beautiful drive back home, through the snow capped mountains and then the blooming fruit orchards near us.    

 It's been a good week !!

I noticed that some glitch in the blog has made it look a bit wonky on some devices.    I tried to fix it but my elementary skills are not up to the task.  

Home

 Mother Nature is showing her finest colors in AZ and the views from our site at Cave Creek SP were splendid but I longed for the mountains.

 Nearing Moab on the 3rd day, we enjoyed the sandstone sculptures with the La Salle Mtns as a backdrop.   Moab was packed to the rafters with spring breakers, slick rock riders , off road vehicles and Jeeps.    The hotel building continues at amazing speed and I wonder how soon the beautiful back country will be over run and damaged.     The double waiting line to get into Arches NP at 9 am was at least a mile long.  

Our beautiful San Juans are magnificent from our windows.     The snow melt will be well into July and then the wildflowers will be bountiful and beautiful.  

   After 2 days of tedious unloading and cleaning, the MH was moved to it's favorite place, Centennial RV.     We hook up to electricity for a month or so while the temps are in the freeze zone at night and then will move to the storage area.     The new owners are very nice and motivated.    They have been totally booked for the summer since last fall.   We used to stay here on our trips west when we lived in FL and the views and proximity to the best of the west is perfect.      

Unbeknown to us, we had a hitchhiker on board.     Lurking in a hiding place, was this cute Oregon Duck !!    Our friends and neighbors in Palm Creek are known for their highjinks.    In past years, they have slapped colorful bumper stickers on the unsuspecting as they pull out and head home.  ( by colorful, I mean things you might not want your grandchildren to read about you ) .   They once attached a VERY large bra to the ladder on the back that flapped in the breeze going down the highway.    They hide things inside as well.     We were very fortunate to be recipients of the traveling Oregon Duck.    Most of the group are from Tillamook and the rest from Arkansas.    It's a fun group and we will show the Duck the best of Colorado and beyond.

I'm off for my first round of golf.    The course is in great shape from all the water this year but it is chilly out. (high of 44).    Yesterday it snowed lightly.             It's good to be home !!

Moving right along......

We made the familiar trek back to CT for Andy's 16th BD.    I remember the moment of his birth so vividly and often can't figure out  where the years went !!

Caesar, meet Shy!   The dragon has grown since our last visit and now takes walkabouts and both the cat and I find it a bit unnerving.   No apparent confrontations have resulted.

On a clear but definitely chilly day, Jon drove us down to the Jersey side of the Hudson River to find some of the Revolutionary and Hamilton historic sites.

     

Apparently, this is the rock that cradled the head of Hamilton as he lay dying after the duel.

When not exploring history, we had a pretty long learning curve in order to play Catan . We got better as the days went along but we were never much of a threat to the competition.



And then, we were back in the desert.....almost like time travel, except it involved long flights.   We're packing up and saying  goodby to our neighbors and friends.    As the temperatures finally warm up,  we look forward to our migration north once more.  

Before we headed out of town, we got to see Jeff and Jen's new (old) home that will soon be undergoing a huge renovation.    Can't wait to see her vision come together.

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.......