We made it back from Yuma about 7:00 Saturday evening. It's about a 210 mile trip (one way). It took just over 3 hours, as most of the way the speed limit is 75. We had a good time with Ron and Jan, and they drove us around quite a bit. The clouds chased us all the way from Yuma to Apache Junction, and the rain started falling again around midnight. It's almost noon, and the sky is just begining to brighten up a little. The weather forecast looks good for the rest of the week with temperatures in the low to mid 70's. Our first baseball game is on Wednesday, and it's supposed to be sunny & in the low 70's. Just about perfect for sitting out in the sun.
Today our plan is to do some grocery shopping, and make a Target stop for basics. I had thoughts about firing up the Weber Smokey Mountain today and cooking some ribs, but the weather isn't cooperating. Maybe tomorrow.
Ernie
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Fun in the Sun
Ichiro, Junior, and Milton Bradley at the batting cage
Ichiro, Junior, and Milton Bradley at 1st base working on "pickoff plays".
Jack Wilson, Jose Lopez, & Franklin Gutierrez with David Aardsma on the mound
Rolls Convertible In the player's parking lot at Peoria.
Sign at Desert Valley YMCA outside of Scottsdale
Saguaro Cactus loaded on pickup at a local nursery. Approximately $1500 worth ($100 per foot)The weather is now in full cooperation with us. Yesterday we drove over to Cave Creek which is near Scottsdale. We found a YMCA, and made a stop there for Joyce to give it a cursory inspection. She said it was nicer than the West Seattle Y. We took backroads back to Apache Junction, and went through Paradise Valley. Pretty pricey houses out there with really nice scenery.
Today we went back up to Peoria to catch some Mariner's Spring Training. They have approximately 63 players in camp. All of the big names are there, and got quite a few pictures of Ichiro, Junior, Jose Lopez, Franklin Gutierrez, David Aardsma, etc. I even managed to snag a ball during batting practice. I'm not sure who hit it out over the right field fence, but Ichiro and Junior were both hitting when I went out to try for a ball. After practice I got Mike Saunders and Milton Bradley's autographs on the ball. We will catch more practice sessions, and should be able to add a few more signatures.
This evening we went over to the hall at the RV Park and played Hand and Foot. Joyce ended up in the money ($7.00) finishing 3rd out of about 25. I'll try to get her to one of the local Indian Casino's while she's "on a roll".
Tomorrow we will be heading over to Yuma to meet up with Seattle friends Ron and Jan. It's about a 3 hour drive, so I hope to get rolling by 10:00 a.m. We will be staying overnight and coming back to Apache Junction Saturday evening.
Until Sunday,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
Today we went back up to Peoria to catch some Mariner's Spring Training. They have approximately 63 players in camp. All of the big names are there, and got quite a few pictures of Ichiro, Junior, Jose Lopez, Franklin Gutierrez, David Aardsma, etc. I even managed to snag a ball during batting practice. I'm not sure who hit it out over the right field fence, but Ichiro and Junior were both hitting when I went out to try for a ball. After practice I got Mike Saunders and Milton Bradley's autographs on the ball. We will catch more practice sessions, and should be able to add a few more signatures.
This evening we went over to the hall at the RV Park and played Hand and Foot. Joyce ended up in the money ($7.00) finishing 3rd out of about 25. I'll try to get her to one of the local Indian Casino's while she's "on a roll".
Tomorrow we will be heading over to Yuma to meet up with Seattle friends Ron and Jan. It's about a 3 hour drive, so I hope to get rolling by 10:00 a.m. We will be staying overnight and coming back to Apache Junction Saturday evening.
Until Sunday,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Here Comes The Sun
Today got us back to what we always considered to be "normal" for Arizona. Clear blue skies all day with no clouds in sight. We went to a Big 5 store where we both got new walking shoes. So tomorrow we should be able to get back to our normal walking routine, and leave the treadmill behind. I've got a bit of a backache in my lower back that I think was because of the treadmill walking the past few days.
After Big 5 we went to Peoria for lunch and to check out whats happening at the Mariner's training facility. The players go through drills and workouts from 9:00 to noon daily. We may go back up tomorrow or Thursday. The gift shop was open, but $25.00 for a T-Shirt seems rather pricey to us. Maybe Joyce can check them out at one of her Target forays.
Tomorrow I am going to wash the car and let the rain drops fall where they may! It's supposed to rain on Saturday, but we will be in Yuma then. So with sunny and warmer weather for the next couple of days, we should be getting out exploring and taking pictures to add to the post.
Ernie
After Big 5 we went to Peoria for lunch and to check out whats happening at the Mariner's training facility. The players go through drills and workouts from 9:00 to noon daily. We may go back up tomorrow or Thursday. The gift shop was open, but $25.00 for a T-Shirt seems rather pricey to us. Maybe Joyce can check them out at one of her Target forays.
Tomorrow I am going to wash the car and let the rain drops fall where they may! It's supposed to rain on Saturday, but we will be in Yuma then. So with sunny and warmer weather for the next couple of days, we should be getting out exploring and taking pictures to add to the post.
Ernie
Monday, February 22, 2010
Would You Believe Hail?
OK, so this is absurd. We woke up to gray low clouds and rain (did we ever leave Seattle?)
About noonish we saw possibly the worst rain/hailstorm we've ever seen before. It was almost scary. The hail was so thick it obscured everything around us and even tho I know better I thought it might pound a hole right thru the roof - imagine how loud it sounded being inside this metal tube. Oh, and did I mention there was thunder and lightning to go along with it?
Finally we decided to venture out after the storm passed. We went to an outlet mall in Tempe. Not Ernie's favorite thing to do, but not much else to do on a day like today. He did manage to buy another pair of shorts to add to his khaki collection tho.
The huge black clouds were still hanging around when we went in and came out and once again when we neared Apache Junction it was pouring. We're thinking the clouds stack up against the Superstition Mountains and that's why we got so much.
We hope to see the sun soon. - Joyce
Tuesday morning 7:00 a.m..
Things are back to normal this morning and the sun is rising in a cloudless sky!! Whoop De Doo
I don't know if the temperatures will get out of the 60's today, but it's supposed to be back into the 70's tomorrow. I'd like to take a drive up to the Mariner's training facility in Peoria today just to take a look around. The parking area and practice fields are open (and free) and maybe the team store too. It will be nice just to get back out into the sunshine. I think that we were taking it for granted here. Dare I wash the car?
Ernie
About noonish we saw possibly the worst rain/hailstorm we've ever seen before. It was almost scary. The hail was so thick it obscured everything around us and even tho I know better I thought it might pound a hole right thru the roof - imagine how loud it sounded being inside this metal tube. Oh, and did I mention there was thunder and lightning to go along with it?
Finally we decided to venture out after the storm passed. We went to an outlet mall in Tempe. Not Ernie's favorite thing to do, but not much else to do on a day like today. He did manage to buy another pair of shorts to add to his khaki collection tho.
The huge black clouds were still hanging around when we went in and came out and once again when we neared Apache Junction it was pouring. We're thinking the clouds stack up against the Superstition Mountains and that's why we got so much.
We hope to see the sun soon. - Joyce
Tuesday morning 7:00 a.m..
Things are back to normal this morning and the sun is rising in a cloudless sky!! Whoop De Doo
I don't know if the temperatures will get out of the 60's today, but it's supposed to be back into the 70's tomorrow. I'd like to take a drive up to the Mariner's training facility in Peoria today just to take a look around. The parking area and practice fields are open (and free) and maybe the team store too. It will be nice just to get back out into the sunshine. I think that we were taking it for granted here. Dare I wash the car?
Ernie
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Rain, Rain Go Away....
This was Day 2 of grim black clouds and torrential downpours. Good for the home team (the desert), bad for the visitors (us!).
Yesterday we ran a few errands (Camping World, Target) then found a Mexican restaurant in Mesa for dinner. The food was supposed to be the kind made in Mexico City and it was certainly different than the usual fare, but very good.
Today we did our accumulation of laundry from 10 days (I did do a load of towels and sheets once already). Lucky for us the laundry room is only a few steps away and makes it very convenient. Since it was a rainy day, lots of people were doing their laundry.
This afternoon we went to a movie and saw "Shutter Island" with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was a good movie but a little long (almost 2 1/2 hours). We're home now and Ernie is cooking pork chops on the grill.
That's been about the extent of our last few days in case you thought we were outside soaking up the sun..... - Joyce
As you can see, there were no pictures again! That's because with the state of the weather, we haven't been motivated to go anywhere to take them. It's overcast again this morning, but I think we need to get out of here anyway. Since I didn't wash the car last week and it been raining since Saturday, maybe some reverse psychology would work. If we get another soaker like we've been getting for the last 2 days, I wouldn't even need the hose. I'm sure that the neighbors would all think that I'm nuts. Most of them have been walking around dressed like they're in the Yukon Territory, and I refuse to give up my shorts and Hawaiian shirts!!
Life's still good,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
Yesterday we ran a few errands (Camping World, Target) then found a Mexican restaurant in Mesa for dinner. The food was supposed to be the kind made in Mexico City and it was certainly different than the usual fare, but very good.
Today we did our accumulation of laundry from 10 days (I did do a load of towels and sheets once already). Lucky for us the laundry room is only a few steps away and makes it very convenient. Since it was a rainy day, lots of people were doing their laundry.
This afternoon we went to a movie and saw "Shutter Island" with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was a good movie but a little long (almost 2 1/2 hours). We're home now and Ernie is cooking pork chops on the grill.
That's been about the extent of our last few days in case you thought we were outside soaking up the sun..... - Joyce
As you can see, there were no pictures again! That's because with the state of the weather, we haven't been motivated to go anywhere to take them. It's overcast again this morning, but I think we need to get out of here anyway. Since I didn't wash the car last week and it been raining since Saturday, maybe some reverse psychology would work. If we get another soaker like we've been getting for the last 2 days, I wouldn't even need the hose. I'm sure that the neighbors would all think that I'm nuts. Most of them have been walking around dressed like they're in the Yukon Territory, and I refuse to give up my shorts and Hawaiian shirts!!
Life's still good,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ernie
Friday, February 19, 2010
Settling In
The Assistant Editor at work
All set up at Apache Junction
White Sulpher Springs own Tary & Wayne with their "outfit"
A succesful orange hunt
Going after the big oneYesterday Ernie spent hours cleaning the top and outside of the RV. I organized and cleaned inside. Late afternoon we were invited to our next door neighbors' for an informal get together with some other people. Today we were invited to a potluck with about 15 other 'neighbors' where tables were set up and we had a meal revolving around 'trash can turkey' (turkey cooked in a regular tin garbage can on charcoals).
We started walking again in our 'neighborhood' - we've found a loop comparable to what we walk at home, but no hills. No sidewalks, but very few cars. The area we are in is semi-rural and the Superstition Mountains loom over the valley floor - they're very dramatic and desert-like.
People who are here are from all different places: California, Wisconsin, South and North Dakota, Delaware, Florida, Washington(!), lots of Canadians and more. Most people arrived here in Oct and leave in April. Everyone seems very friendly. Lots of people have dogs (both big and small). There's a man who has 2 cats - he takes them out on a leash.
Tomorrow there is a 90% chance of rain which pretty much guarantees it. I think our weather will be similar to Seattle for a day or two.
Will see you in less than a month Ron and Diane - it will be warmer then too!
Taking it easy in AJ- Joyce
We started walking again in our 'neighborhood' - we've found a loop comparable to what we walk at home, but no hills. No sidewalks, but very few cars. The area we are in is semi-rural and the Superstition Mountains loom over the valley floor - they're very dramatic and desert-like.
People who are here are from all different places: California, Wisconsin, South and North Dakota, Delaware, Florida, Washington(!), lots of Canadians and more. Most people arrived here in Oct and leave in April. Everyone seems very friendly. Lots of people have dogs (both big and small). There's a man who has 2 cats - he takes them out on a leash.
Tomorrow there is a 90% chance of rain which pretty much guarantees it. I think our weather will be similar to Seattle for a day or two.
Will see you in less than a month Ron and Diane - it will be warmer then too!
Taking it easy in AJ- Joyce
Finally got around to downloading and getting a few pictures posted. We haven't taken very many yet, so this is the best we can do! We may take in a movie tomorrow if the weatherman is right, and it rains. It seems like an odd concept. I have held off on washing the car, as I do not want to take the blame for rain. Next week at this time we will be in Yuma overnight visiting with Seattle friends Ron and Jan.
We will try to get out a little more and get some pictures to make this a little bit more entertaining. Until then, Ernie
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Arrived at Destination
Arrived in Apache Junction around 1:30 pm. There are about 130 spaces in this RV park and it looks completely full. Ernie spent a few hours getting the RV set up for our 2 month stay which is more involved than staying somewhere for a day.
Uh-oh, they were just talking about a 'winter storm' arriving - I wonder what that means in Arizona?? It was 78 degrees today....
Will spend tomorrow getting settled in, doing some cleaning inside and out. -Joyce
Uh-oh, they were just talking about a 'winter storm' arriving - I wonder what that means in Arizona?? It was 78 degrees today....
Will spend tomorrow getting settled in, doing some cleaning inside and out. -Joyce
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