This and That…Sunshine and Rain

January 7, 2016  

We are still at the Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, AZ. We have decided to extend into February. There is a problem with our grey and black tanks which will have to be taken care of before we head out to far. So after talking about it we decided this was our best plan of action. We are enjoying our time here so in the end it was not a hard decision to make. 

We had rain here Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday the sun came out and we had a reprieve for the day. Today we awoke to rain on the roof and now as I write this the rain has stopped and I can see a patch of blue sky. Certainly not complaining we never expected it to be all sunshine and the best part it does not have to be shoveled. Plus, it will not turn to ice and or slush which in turn would freeze to make walking more of a challenge. So, no, we are definitely not complaining just recording a little of our life in this time and place. 

On Wednesday, December 30, 2015 we decided to take a ride over to Congress, AZ and check out an Escapee Park, North Ranch, we had read about. A very nice park and if we owned a jeep or an ATV we would definitely have it on our places to stay.  We went across on Wickenburg Road then Vulture Mine Road it was a wonderful ride and we got to see some of the area which was nice. We rode up as far as Yarnell, then turned around, backtracked to Wickenburg, and headed  towards Avondale. From there we headed West on I 10 and home to the Crusader after a quick stop in Buckeye for a few groceries. The plan had been to drive as far as Prescott and circle back through Phoenix but it was getting a little late in the day so we just turned around and enjoyed the ride back down the “hill”. 

Up the "hill".

The sign said watch for rocks.

Down the "hill".

It is hard to believe it is 2016. 2015 seems to have flown by quicker then the year before. We did enjoy a lovely New Year’s Eve Celebration here at the park with an interesting group. Though, it ended a little early, when the ball dropped in New York this group was done celebrating. Tom and I came back to the Crusader and waited up until Midnight, here in Arizona, before we called it a night.

January 2, 2016"s Sunset

Sunday, January 3, 2016 we took a ride over to Quartzsite, AZ to check out  the RV sales areas, we will be going back soon. We also wanted to find a RV repair shop, which we did. After checking out the reviews for the Camping World near us and the one we visited in Quartzsite it looks like we will be driving the Crusader over to Quartzsite to be repaired in the next couple of weeks.

Sunday's Ride

Last year's "home' at Quartzsite

As mentioned before it has been raining on and off since Monday. It was also a little chilly on Monday so we decided a Mocha and Kahlua was in order.

Here’s hoping the Saguaros have been able
to store their yearly supply of water.

“You may not always end up where you thought you were going.  

But you will always end up where you are meant to be.”   

                                                                                                                        ~Unknown       

Happy New Year’s Eve

We would like to Wish Everyone a Wonderful and Safe Celebration!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Skies

December 28, 2015

Today the sky is a beautiful blue. Tom and I, well he did take care of a few household chores and I am starting to crochet an afghan.

We have not been doing a lot these last few days just enjoying our lives. We had a quiet Christmas, together. We did get to speak to our children so that was nice.

Saturday it was pretty windy and the Crusader did do some rocking. In the evening we took a ride over to Surprise, AZ to see the latest Star Wars movie. We had decided it might be fun to see it in Imax and it was the closest theater we could find. We did really like the movie and we were glad we watched it in Imax but probably not enough to spring for the cost of the tickets again. Regular 3D would probably have been just as good. 

Yesterday morning we decided to try the breakfast here at the club house. It was pretty good and not having to cook made it even better. Plus, we sat with nice a couple from Minnesota,  it is always nice to meet and chat with someone new. In the afternoon we took a short ride and then stopped to say hello to a couple we met last week. Spent a pleasant time sitting a getting to know them a little better. They have stayed in this area before and gave us a few hints on places to visit. Another couple, the women are sisters, walked over and we ended up staying a little longer then planned. It was a very nice happy hour.

Hope everyone is enjoying this Beautiful Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2015

 

 

 

  

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2015

Today has been a day of reflection. Remembering Christmas Eve's of the past. In the beginning when it was just the two of us we would spend time at each of our parent's homes. Then, since we where lucky and everyone got along, for a couple of years we had both families come to our house Christmas Eve to celebrate. Eventually everyone was married with children and celebrating the Christmas Season with our own families.

I remember so many Christmas Eve's walking up the church steps with our children, some years with snowflakes coming down, thinking how special it was to be able to join with family and friends at Mass celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Then coming home and putting the baby in the manager to start our Christmas Eve together sitting by the tree celebrating the evening. Such special years when the wonder of the season was in their eyes.

Then grandchildren came along  and for a couple of Christmases we were lucky enough to have them all under one roof with us. The joy of being able to go to Mass, maybe I should say attempting, as a family, and celebrating the child's birth. Then coming home and after putting Jesus in the manger having them open the bags with their pajamas in, changing into them, and sitting together by the tree. Then waking up Christmas morning to the excitement of Santa having left gifts under the tree.

One of the best parts of Christmas morning is the mess
made of wrapping paper. There is something special
about a room with children sitting in the middle
of the colorful paper like the little gifts they are.

This is our second year being "snowbirds" we love the lifestyle. The one drawback is being away from our children, grandchildren, family, and friends.  It is especially hard during the Christmas Season to be missing out on special moments with our children and grandchildren. Yet, Tom and I realize how lucky we are to have each other when so many are alone.

Tonight Tom and I will be thinking of and missing our children and grandchildren as we Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ at Mass. We will also be thinking of and missing our families and those no longer with us.

Our Christmas wish for each of  you is that you always know how much you are loved!

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Shopping

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Not planning real well we braved the crowds and drove over towards Goodyear, AZ to do some shopping and pick up groceries. It actually was not as bad as we thought it would be until we stopped at Walmart in Buckeye were it was a "little" crowded. Live and learn as they say, whoever "they" are, shopping two days before Christmas not the best idea. We did survive and made it back to the Crusader in one piece listening to Christmas Carols all the way.  Looking back not a bad day in the end.

Christmas Dinner at the Park

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Today we went and shared an early Christmas Dinner with other RVer’s here at the park. They provided the ham, yams and a creamed cheese corn casserole and we all brought side dishes. There, of course, was more then enough food to go around and everything, at least that Tom and I tried, was delicious.
The best part of the dinner was spending time with these two very nice couples we ended up sitting down with. We had such a nice time talking and getting to know a little bit about them. We are looking forward to spending more time together and getting to know them a little better. The best part of this lifestyle is the people you meet along the way.

Jerry, Joyce, Molly, and Charlie thank you for letting us join your table.
We had such a nice dinner because of the company.

This beautiful time of the year is flying by.

Hope everyone is able to take the time to enjoy each and every day.