IT WAS A VULTURE PEAK/WICKENBURG KIND OF DAY……

We have been very fortunate with the nice weather these past few days but it sounds like we are headed back into the weather dumpster again about mid week.  Figured we had better get all our outside ventures under our belts before we are once again driven inside by cold cloudy skies:((

TEDDY BEAR CHOLLAS

 

After another nice morning desert walk we were off in the Jeep again with our first destination being Vulture Peak just west of Wickenburg.  Because of the nasty Teddy Bear Chollas there we didn’t take the Pheebs this time.  We knew the trail was too rough for Jean but it was those prickly Chollas we wanted her to see.  First few hundred yards of the the Vulture Peak trail lead through a Cholla garden before descending steeply into a wash so we concentrated our walk to this flat path area.

Fair number of people on the trail.  It was Saturday so a lot of city folks are up into the Wickenburg area for the weekend.  Despite the hikers, it was blissfully quiet in the desert with panoramic views in all directions.  Distant hazy blue mountains blended into the serenity known as the Sonoran desert.  Just another one of those mighty fine Arizona mornings……………..

 

COLORFUL TRAIL HIKERS

On our way east back to Wickenburg we pulled into the LOS CABALLEROS GOLF CLUB & toured ourselves around a bit.  Aunt Jean is an avid golfer who still likes to get out at least once a week on her favorite Sarasota golf course.  We figured she might be feeling a little homesick for some putting greens, tee-off times, long fairways, sand traps, Alligators, & water hazards.  She was on the edge of her seat as we slowly drove around looking at all the nice landscaping & super smooth green grass.  I think she was getting the ‘golf itch’ as we passed a few duffers making their way down a fairway on their golf cart.

 

I THINK JEAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN GETTING A LITTLE HOMESICK FOR THE ‘GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME’

 

APPEARS TO MAYBE BE A RIDING & ROPING VENTURE HERE IN THE GOLF COURSE COMPLEX

 

PRETTY FANCY SCHMANCY IN THERE & WE FELT LIKE THE CLAMPETT BUNCH INSTEAD OF THE BAYFIELD BUNCH

It was only a few miles into Wickenburg & we were soon downtown & had the Jeep parked.  Short walk in the warm Arizona sun soon had us seated at Anita’s Concina.  Shredded beef Tacos made their way to our table along with some Mexican dish for Kelly that had a name something like Armadillo.  I think it was Quesedilla.  Kelly said it tasted really darn good anyway…….whatever it was.

 

  

While sitting in Anita’s I had a feeling we might run into Mike & Pat from MIKE & PAT'S TRAVELS today.  I sometimes get those uncanny feelings….& then they happen.  I knew they had company from Florida & might be out & about.  After leaving Anita's we only walked about 3 blocks, came around a corner, & ran right into Pat & Mike with their Florida company.  Introduced our Florida company to their Florida company.  First time I had seen Pat or Mike since arriving here back in November.  We continued our walk & about 20 minutes later, in the lobby of the DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM, we ran into Pat & Mike again with their Florida company.  Since introductions had already taken place we did not have to introduce our Florida company to their Florida company all over again.  Been meaning to get over to see Mike & Pat but I just gotta be the worst person in the whole world for dropping in & visiting folks.  Wasn’t always that way but I guess times have a way of changing. 

 

MIKE GIVES US A BIG WAVE & I CAUGHT THIS QUICK SHOT OF PAT BEFORE SHE SLIPPED ON DOWN THE STREET

I have two best friends back home in Canada. One lives in Stratford about an hours drive away. We meet in a coffee shop a couple times a year & I probably haven’t been to Jim’s house in well over 20 years. The other fellow lives just a stone’s throw across the road from me. We get out on some great coffee tours but I haven’t been to Richard’s house in about 4 years. Yep, I am probably the world’s worst guy for visiting people alright……..:((

DON’T ASK…..& I WON’T TELL

Aunt Jean was beginning to tire so we headed for the Jeep with a brief stop at a home made ice cream shop.  Small Chocolate, Maple Walnut, & Amaretto cones did it for all three of us.  We were back in Congress by 2 p.m.  No sooner got out of the Jeep when a car pulled in wondering if we had sold our Motorhome yet.  Some days, if it doesn’t rain….it pours.

JEAN CHECKS OUT ONE OF THE LOCAL FELLAS

 

OUTSIDE THE DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM

Rest of the day was quiet & anyone driving by our house would have seen a lot of zzzzzzzzzzzzz’s coming out the windows.  Even little doggy zzzzzzz’s. 

ALL & ALL, ANOTHER GREAT DAY SPENT WITH AUNT JEAN:))

GROANER’S CORNER:)) Granny was visiting town for the first time. She checks in at the hotel, and the bellboy takes her bags. She follows the boy, and as the door closes, she looks around and shakes her fist at him.
"Young man, I may be old, and straight from the hills, but that don't mean I'm stupid! I paid good money, and this room won't do at all! It's too small, and without a proper window! Why there's not even a bed!"
The bellhop looks at her and says, "Ma'am, this isn't your room, it's the elevator."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

A PERSONAL TRIUMPH FOR AUNT JEAN:))

 

CLIMBING THIS ROCK TODAY WAS A PERSONAL TRIUMPH FOR AUNT JEAN

Our 2 portable fold up camping chairs were in the fire pit this morning.  Our decorative wind sock was on the ground & an empty water bucket had rolled away.  All signs of Thursday night’s wind.  Not the big winds we have encountered in other parts of the southwest but a brisk wind nonetheless in the night.  All was calm at sunrise this morning.

IT WAS A GREAT MORNING FOR A DRIVE IN THE DESERT

 

SO NICE TO SEE JEAN OUT & ABOUT IN THE DESERT AT HOUSE ROCK

  

THESE 2 GALS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR GOLD

LOOK OVER THERE JEAN, I THINK I SEE A STAGECOACH COMING

Just a picture perfect Arizona morning as we loaded ourselves in the Jeep & headed off out into the desert about 10:15.  Ever since I posted the current header photo with all those rocks, Aunt Jean has been wanting to see that very place.

  

HANGING ON TIGHT

Another location Jean was looking forward to seeing was House Rock.  I have posted about our travels there maybe half a dozen times & this morning, House Rock was our first stop.  How nice for us to be able to bring my 85 year old dear Aunt out here into the surroundings we love so much.  Jean couldn’t get over how big the rock was & the fact there were just sooooo many rocks in the desert.  Had ourselves a nice little desert walk just south of House Rock with many stops to marvel at our surroundings.  The quietness, the serene stillness of the desert air & the sweeping vistas of the ever greening Sonoran desert.  Truly a beautiful morning to be exactly where we were.  And, of course the 2 rock hound ladies kept a close eye on the desert floor for that elusive twinkle that might suddenly signal another ‘Lost Dutchman Mine’ gold strike:))

HOUSE ROCK IN THE BACKGROUND

 

YA KNOW, IF THESE 2 KEEP IT UP, I REALLY THINK THEY ARE GOING TO STRIKE IT RICH

From House Rock we slipped through a mountain pass into another valley to the west.  We were headed for a windmill but  as we approached the area we saw another vehicle there so turned around & headed back through the pass from whence we had just come.

 

Our next stop was Jean’s main destination.  The cropping of rocks in our header photo.  One wrong turn later we did find the formation of rocks & spent about half an hour here.   Jean was so happy to see this spot she was scampering & clambering up & over the rocks like a young Mountain Goat.  She was so proud of herself to be able to do that.  It was only months ago Aunt Jean had a serious medical set back & for her to make it all the way out here to Arizona this winter & do some rock scrambling is truly amazing.  It was so great to see her enjoying herself so much.

   

Jeep roads in the desert are generally anything but smooth & we did take some good jolts & bounces today.  It’s hard enough for Kelly & I sometimes but Jean took it all in stride despite a debilitating back condition.  She just wasn’t going to miss any 4 wheeling adventures in the desert.  She is a real trooper.   Arriving home around 2 wrapped up a great 4 hour romp in the desert.  It was just the very thing great memories are made of & today, we sure did create us some great memories.  In other words…..a great time was had by all:))

 

Seems I no sooner wrote the paragraph in last night’s blog about being disappointed with our rig’s ‘For Sale’ response & this morning we had a flurry of inquiring emails.  Late this afternoon I can say we have a deal pending on the Damon.  We will know Tuesday if things fall into place.

 

With that thought in mind, we slipped up to the CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE, picked up the Damon this afternoon & brought it home.  I wanted to do a final check of the oil, transmission fluid, etc.  Also wanted to make sure the house batteries were topped up.  We have a few things like sun screens etc that go with the Damon so also wanted to put them in as well.  If our deal bogs down on Tuesday we at least now have other offers to consider.  But, here’s one of the things I like about our pending Tuesday deal.  The prospective buyer has been a Bayfield Bunch blog reader for about a year now & is not only familiar with our coach, but familiar with us as well.  And, for Kelly, Pheebs & I, that just makes it all kinda special:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((   A noted psychiatrist was a guest at a National Organization for Women gathering, and his hostess broached the subject in which the doctor was most at ease. "Would you mind telling me, Doctor," she asked, "how you detect a mental deficiency in somebody who appears completely normal?"
"Nothing is easier," he replied. "You ask him a simple question which everyone should answer with no trouble. If he hesitates, that puts you on the track."
"What sort of question?"
"Well, you might ask him, 'Captain Cook made three trips around the world and died during one of them. Which one?'
The woman thought a moment, then said with a nervous laugh, "You wouldn't happen to have another example, would you? I must confess I don't know much about history."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

SURE IS GOOD HAVING A HANDYWOMAN AROUND THE HOUSE:))

Remember when you were a kid & put your arms straight out from your sides & ran across the playground.  You were an airplane of course.  And remember how easy it was to bend your arms back, down a bit, & instantly become a jet, flying across the playground twice as fast.  Ya, I remember doing that too.

It was Pizza night at hour house.  Kelly slipped over to the CONGRESS DEPOT MARKETPLACE & brought us back a large Pizza supreme for supper.  We have taken a real liking to these Pizzas & always look forward to them.  Seems the only time we ever have one though is when we have company.  I don’t look forward to picking off the black olives that Kelly likes but she trades me the mushrooms she picks off.  We do kinda work things out most times:))

NOW, THAT IS ONE MIGHTY FINE LOOKING & TASTING PIZZA

  

Despite listing our Motorhome in the RV Auto Trader, Craig’s List, & couple other spots, we have not had what I would call a real favorable response.  No doubt our price is right, but the number of Class A Motorhomes for sale right now would stretch from here to the Moon & back.  It is just not a seller’s market.  Of course our terra cotta walls are not everybody’s cup of tea & no standard generic RV furniture doesn’t help either.  Selling anything is not my cup of tea & I’m finding all this rather stressfully discouraging.  It’s why I have always preferred trading things in.  True, you don’t get as much for your trade, but I’d rather do it that way & have the deal over & done with in a couple hours & quickly return to a normal peace of mind.  I much prefer mental wellness as opposed to money wellness.  I obviously do not have a business oriented mind……………

Was able to get the Sunseeker’s camera cleaned & put together again.  Nice clear image now that the condensation is gone.  Problem I had was getting the camera re-installed in it’s bracket on the back of the rig.  Screws are soooo tiny I could not get them lined up & started despite many, many, tries.  I am all thumbs when it comes to finicky stuff like that.  And, then there is the patience factor.  So, once again, as always, it was Kelly to the rescue.  I briefly explained what had to be done & minutes later the camera was once again securely mounted on the back of the rig, complete with it’s sun shade in place.  Sure is nice having a handywoman around the house.

 

We knew when we first saw the Sunseeker’s layout we would probably have to think about making some changes to that dinette affair in there.  No, we are not going to paint anything, but after trying out the uncomfortable dinette for the past 5 days, we know it has to be carefully removed.  Without the dinette & table affair we do have enough room for a couple comfortable ‘wall hugger’ recliners & a nice table in between.  If I try to do this myself it will end up looking like I tried to do this myself.  Not good!!  So, in this case we will have to seek out someone to have it professionally done. 

CHECKING UNDER THE SEAT CUSHIONS TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE INVOLVED IN SOME RENOVATIONS 

And, for any of you ladies out there unsure of driving your big RV, whatever it may be, Motorhome, 5th Wheel, Travel Trailer etc, be heartened by Cindy’s experience over at RAY AND CINDY'S TRAVELS.  She went, with only a couple lessons, from flat parking lot driving to steep mountain grade driving with a dually Chevy truck & ‘large’ 40’ Montana fifth wheel &…….she survived:))

It was still 56F Wednesday night around 7 p.m. so maybe there is a little hope for some warmer Arizona weather finally headed our way.  Every time I feel a little grumbly I just have to remind myself of the 60 plus cold snowy winters I spent in Canada.  That kind of brings things into perspective right quick.

So, which is it?  Television programming just continues to get worse, or I just continue to get older.  D’ya suppose both those things could be happening at the same time.  Well, one things for sure….television programming just continues to get worse!!

Had we done anything of significance today I would have written about it.  I did manage to get a few backyard bird photos this afternoon.  Although we had planned a desert Jeep rumble, we just never got ourselves organized enough to go.  Hopefully Friday we will get out there & kick ourselves up a little dust…….

FINALLY, THIS GOOD OLD FLORIDA GAL IS GETTING HERSELF SOME REAL WARM ARIZONA SUNSHINE:))

GROANER’S CORNER:))  The patient was lying in bed, still groggy from the effects of the recent operation. His doctor came in, looking very glum.  "I can't be sure what's wrong with you," the doctor said. "I think it's the drinking."  "No problem," the patient said patiently. "I'm sure by tomorrow you'll sober up."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.