Farewell 2013

I've learned a couple of sayings from the people we've met.

Cocktails for 6

Dinner for 4

Sleeps 2

That's what living in a motorhome adds up to. Space is limited.

This time lapse occurred within minutes.

When the mountain is pink

It's time to drink.

This happens in the desert at happy hour.

Christmas

It's just not the same. Not because it's sunny and warm and beautiful. Christmas in San Diego is always that way. No, it's because we're not with our families. We're only a 6 hour drive away and shame on us for not making it happen, but it is what it is. We had a plan and unfortunately it did not include going to San Diego for Christmas - and not going home to WA either. I miss the crisp air and the possibility of some snow to play in during the holidays. Everytime it snows I get so excited.

Next year there will be no excuses. Thank you to Mom and my sisters,nieces & nephew

for the Christmas candy you made in the old family traditional style. Thank you friends & neighbors for the Christmas cards and phone calls.

I was not prepared for all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts we received from our newest friends on the road. Thank you everyone for including us in your holiday with your homemade goodies. I'll be better prepared next year. I'm so happy I brought our little fiber optic Christmas tree along!

Go Hawks!!!!  We're in the playoffs!!!

Tonto National Monument

Kay and her brother Jeff took us to the Tonto National Monument. These cave dwellings are open for adventurers to hike up and feel what it's like to be a part of their homestead.

We had also visited there a couple of years earlier when we drove the entire Apache Trail past Tortilla Flat on the one-way dirt road along the Salt River to the dam. 

The Salt River dammed up becomes Lake Roosevelt which is used for agriculture purposes. 

Potluck: Soup & Jello Shots

What a fabulous idea for an afternoon gathering. It's overcast and a bit chilly. The holidays are upon us. In addition to RV's at Canyon Vistas there are Park Models. These are manufactured homes that snowbirds live in rather than driving their home on wheels 1000's of miles to stay for the season. We were invited to a unique holiday potluck at a friends park model along the desert-front.

Everyone brought a homemade soup in their crockpot and a plate of jello shots to share. All eight soups were tasty and each jello shot was a different flavor combination.

Note the unique jello shot made in the skin of an orange and a margarita jello shot in the lime. I realized a whole new dimension has been added to dial-a-shot. Brilliant!

That night CV had their Christmas Carol sing-a-long in the ballroom. We had so much fun with that. Our group filled two round tables. The karaoke host started the 12 days of Christmas. When they got to our table we weren't very cooperative with the script. Our 3 turtle doves and 2 french hens were substituted with 3 in the ditch and 2 for the road........... Really, it wasn't my idea this time. I knew we were in the company of our peers.

Canyon Vistas RV Resort, Gold Canyon, AZ

We're here at Canyon Vistas RV Resort on the Fall Special. For the price of one month plus utilities you can stay from Sept 4 to Jan 1.  Who in their right mind comes here the beginning of September? Early fall, in my opinion, is the best time just about anywhere in the USA, except for the desert. We arrived here Oct 30 and stayed for two months.

There are many things to do at this resort: swimming, bocce ball, pool tables, state of the art gym, softball, expansive library, shuffleboard, pickleball, tennis, ping-pong, golf, woodshop, carving, sewing/quilting, pottery, stained glass, dice, singing, cards and other games. All these activities are free; just pay for supplies if you use them. There is a hosted happy hour every Monday and Thursday with live music. It's not my type of music and the line dancers take over the dance floor. I guess I'd better change my attitude about country music if I'm going to fit in with the crowd.

I was going to do some wood carving but Tim doesn't think I can afford to lose a finger. True dat. So Jackie and I decided each to make a stained glass mosaic piece. I really enjoyed my project.

Everyone gets around Canyon Vistas on their bike or golf cart. It is an active 55 & older place - so what are we doing here? Well, once I got over the "everyone is so old" factor I began to have a pretty good time. We met great people from all over the US and Canada. We've met nearer to our age. Most of the others are really not that old.

We went to a dinner show called the Arizona Opry for a fantastic performance with Jim & Penny; Brad & San; Terry & Leslie; Dennis & Jackie. A large group of musicians played old time rock and roll on multiple instruments. The lead singer performed his hit song: The Lion Sleeps Tonight. I recognized the song from The Lion King movie, but everyone else remembered him from The Ventures.

Jim & Penny

Brad & San

Terry & Leslie

Dennis & Jackie

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

This lovely day hike was a surprise to find. The trail around park branches off to many interesting side exhibits. It's hot in the sun and cool in the shade. Water keeps plants green and alive in an otherwise barren environment.

Many interesting things can be found in the children exhibits. I tried out this sundial to see if it was accurate. Just stand on the current month tile and raise your arms overhead with your hands palms together. The round tiles at the top represent the daylight hours. Where the shadow from your fingers land is the current time. It worked! I would like to have one in my yard. That may take some doing because we would need sun for that. Haha

Things we miss from home

Yes, we are enjoying the warm weather and blue skies, but there are some things we miss. Primarily landscape that is green, water you can drink from the faucet, and most of all - our friends. Oh, let me also add a couple of other things like a full-pressure shower and the mattress from our bed at home.

Just for the record, we both enjoy life on the road. Tim says he doesn't miss yard work at all or putzing around the garage. Especially in the winter. And I'm not much of a homebody - Tim always complains that I'm never ready to go home.

Here are a few of our favorite things we miss from home:

The great Northwest

Lots of green grass

Melissa

The Camper Girls: Barb K, Linda, Janet, Barb P

Brian

Steve & Carrie

Allen & Marie

 Thank goodness for smart phones, text, email, skype, whatsapp and viber! I use them all. It's easier than ever to stay in touch anywhere, at any time.

I miss you Kaela so very much. We can't wait to meet Joshua. Stay safe in New Zealand.

Kaeladeda

Thanksgiving

This was our first Thanksgiving on the road. We have so much to be thankful for. Our health, family, friends and each other. We are fortunate to be able to live this lifestyle we have chosen for ourselves. We are constantly looking at each other and smiling. Wow. We are living our dream.

We were sitting outside and a man stopped by and asked if he could take our picture. He is from Finland and said no one at home will believe that people live on the road in large RV's the way we do. It is quite the life.

Thanksgiving to me is going to Mom and Dads house for turkey on the rotisserie, stuffing, gravy, egg noodles, salads and pies. Eating outside on the patio and soaking in the sunshine. Margaritas, Cuba Libres, lots of laughter and loud voices. We're the Oswalds. In WA it's a delicious potluck with Kaela (and friends), Melissa (and friends); Brian and Barb. We changed from turkey to prime rib. And added some vegan entrees. We have blended well.

Thanksgiving felt different because neither of our girls were with us and our good friends Brian and Barb are in WA. They were all greatly missed. Kay was kind to invite us to her house. We had a great time. Her sister Leigh was visiting from Louisiana and together we shared a day of drinks, food and football. Yummy.

The Apache Trail

With our good friends and informal tour guides Dennis and Jackie we went to Tortilla Flat along the Apache Trail. This is a very historical part of the Old West as the Superstition Mountains hold many tales of miners and gold. The landscape is rugged and unforgiving to those not prepared.

We stopped at Canyon Lake along the way. It is a very large lake with a restaurant, marina, boat rentals and fishing. I would love to get out on it and play but we are going to have to wait until next time. 

We drove on for lunch to Tortilla Flat. I loved the look of the old saloon and the saddle bar stools.

Settling In

With no tow vehicle along, we are trapped in paradise. Although walking distance to one grocery store, it's tough to get around without a car. Our friend Kay came to the rescue and generously lent us one of her vehicles for two months. Thank you so much Kay!! We were now able to get those items we need for our coach to make life comfortable.

Kay lives in Chandler (Phoenix) and came to visit us on Halloween. She and I crashed the Resorts Halloween party and danced to the music. She is part of the Dial a Shot group and we have shared many over the years, especially while watching our respective football teams play. She is a New Orleans Saints fan and we're gonna have some fun with her this season.

We all watched some football together at her house and did some grilling. It's great to be with friends.