Our April in Arizona

It's April 1, and we fooled ourselves. The time in Utah is Mountain, and the time in Arizona is Pacific. We didn't realize that until late morning. Hah! We were certainly up early today! We are starting to get into a routine as we sort out our new home. We had a pleasant breakfast and then went to the club house to sort out access to the facilities. Everything works on a key fob, and we just couldn't get one for several hours and then it had to be programmed three times before it worked properly. Anyway, all enjoyable stuff as the staff were so helpful and apologetic. We met our neighbours to the east - Fred and Linda. We had a crisis with the plumbing and Fred turned out to be the guy who does the handyman chores for the owner. After lunch we went over to Gold Canyon RV Resort where Ellen used to stay. I think it might have been a bit sad for Ellen, as she has so many good memories from living there. More shopping, car wash, and mailing of cards before it was swimming at the pool followed by late afternoon drinks.

Yesterday was April 2nd and we did a number of things: We went for walk, I went and bought an old bike I saw on Craigslist, we picked up a bike for Jette that our neighbour Linda had arranged with a friend, I checked out Harley rentals at Superstition Harley (big dealership!), Ellen and Jette swam in the afternoon while I worked on pimping my ride, and then we had a pleasant dinner al fresco. A little TV and then to bed.

April 3 Ellen wanted to go to see Phylis and Carl so we did that. They live out in the desert, so lots of fauna around their large piece of land. Carl showed me his shop - it has everything including a Ford Model A that came from South Africa. We talked guy stuff while Ellen gabbed with Phylis. We will be at their place for diner tonight. Then it was off to do some shopping - groceries mostly, but I needed a couple of bike parts. We had lunch when we got back, and I finished tweaking up the rides. Will try to get a picture soon of our three bicycles that we have bought or arranged for our time here. Spruced up in the PM and headed over to Carl and Phylis' place. A relaxing evening of talking and eating. We got home at about 1015.

This morning we had arranged a tee-off time at Augusta Ranch exec course. It was just right for us being so golf rusty. Ellen went off to a happy hour and early bird in the late afternoon with her old gang from Gold Canyon. Jette and I had a spaghetti dinner after biking over to the the local supermarket for some essentials like wine, cheese and a baguette loaf. Ellen got back about 6 or 7 and we chatted and did our on-line duties. An early night tonight. Looks like I am going to be missing the bike week events down here....

Today, was the 5^th, a Saturday. We had our usual brekky at about 8AM, and were on the road to shopping by 9. We went to the market and spent the morning there buying a few bargains. It was huge – we didn’t see it all. Lunch at home again and then I went off to do a little shopping for bread at Bashas and banking with Wells Fargo. Jette and Ellen went to the pool. Instead of heading directly back from shopping, I took bicycle a tour around the complex. Ellen and I then played a little tennis before it was ‘happy hour’ and then a spaghetti dinner. We watched a video after dinner and that took us to bed time.

Today was Sunday, April 6. We decided not to go to church. Instead, we watched lots of other people go to church as we went on a long walk in the Superstition wilderness – not. Actually we hiked around the development which is pretty extensive as you can see on the map. It was another beautiful day. After lunch, Jette and Ellen biked over to Basha’s and shopped for the day’s evening meal. I headed off to the library and met them later at the pool. The rest of the afternoon was pretty lazy with reading and sudokuing. Dinner was pork chops and veggies accompanied by a Turning Leaf cab reserve. We watched another video after dinner – ‘American Perfekt’ (not recommended unless you really enjoy Amanda Plummer) before calling it a day.

April 7. We have been here a week, now. Today was a shopping day and we got away at about 9 AM. I dropped the girls off at a very swank shopping mall and they cruised around looking at fashions. I headed for Costco and picked a few things before heading back to the house. Just as I got in, Ivy the owner knocked on the door. She wanted to do a little weeding and to tell us that a prospective buyer would like to view the place on Thursday, April 17^th with the listing agent. They will be in touch about that, I expect. Ivy is interesting. We chatted about her life and family and I helped her a bit with the weeding. She stayed and met Jette and Ellen when they got back from their swim and so we had a nice foursome for happy hour. Jette and Ellen had bought mahi mahi which Ellen prepared and we then had an enjoyable dinner.

April 8, I had booked a twosome for 11AM at the same golf course that we played last week. Only Ellen and I will be going, as Jette is still nursing her bursitis. Before golf, Jette and I attended a 30 minute meeting for all residents of MBV to find out what is going on. The free donuts brought a good turnout. Ellen and I teed off about 11AM at Augusta Ranch and enjoyed a pleasant round in the desert sun. It was perfect. When we got home, Jette had been shopping and after a rest, we enjoyed a splendid barbecue chicken dinner with good wine, cheese, veggies and salads.

Wednesday, April 9^th we decided to go hiking in the Superstition Mountain area on the way to Tortilla Flat. We headed out on the Apache Trail at about 9 AM. It was a little cloudy and cool that day, but the temperature was just about right for our hike near Canyon Lake. After hiking we went along to Tortilla Flat and enjoyed a light lunch. We continued out drive toward the Roosevelt Dam and lake, but decided not to drive the 22 miles of a very winding dirt road to get there. So we retraced our steps and headed back to the house for swims and relaxation. Dinner was leftovers and Jette and I picked up a video for the evening entertainment. As usual, we were off to bed about 10 PM.

Thursday, April 10, we began by getting out for a walk after breakfast. Then we headed off to do a lot of shopping at Costco etc. We were back home for a light lunch and a relaxing afternoon. We caught the early bird/happy hour at Rosa's, a nice little Mexican restaurant that was recommended to us by Ivy who owns the house we are renting. Another video that night and then bedtime. Yawn!

On Friday, we mostly spent the day preparing for the evening party. I was the chili chef, and created a pretty good chili, I think. I had bought all the ingredients the day before, and got it bubbling away before lunch. That afternoon we went for brisk walk, Ellen went by bike to pick up a few extras, and then it was the usual swim before guests arrived shortly after 4:30. We had nine folks come, all old friends of Ellens from her Gold Canyon RV days. There was Pat and Anne, Bob and Pat, and Bill and Donna. It was a good time and the chili was a hit along with all the other goodies we provided.

Saturday we went to the flea market again, split up and each of us bought a few things. We were back home for lunch a little after noon. It was another lazy afternoon. Jette and Ellen went swimming and I puttered around repairing my car key (battery replacement) going for a bike ride and hitting some golf balls. Ellen also went for a bike ride over to Gold Canyon RV Park. Leftovers were dinner and we watched another video before bed.

Sunday, April 13, went hiking in the Superstitions. We took the Dutchman Mine train (104). We were out about 2 hours. It was great - wonderful scenery and not too tough hiking. We washed the dust off the car when returned and then it was lunch time. We lazed the afternoon away again as the temperature climbed to over 100. We had a relaxing meal at home, and then the usual video before bed.

Monday, we left for Tuscon at 8AM and arrived at our destination, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum at about 1030. We spent about 3 or 4 hours there. So much to see and do. Very entertaining and educational. Quite a lot of driving that day, though. We arrived back home sun tired, as we were out doors in 38 degree heat for most of that time. Just a lazy evening after a busy day...

Tuesday, we teed off at just after 8 AM at Augusta Ranch again. A pleasant round that took us to almost to lunch. We had to make a shopping trip, so went to a local Albertsons on our way home. Got a message that Carl was in the hospital, so we are waiting to see how he is doing and whether the dinner we are hosting for them tomorrow is off or not. Phylis will let us know how things are going.