Merry Christmas! This is our first Christmas since we retired, and it’s been a pretty good one.
Yesterday we were invited to an open house at our neighbors John and Janet, so we went over there for dinner. Janet is a good cook – she made chili, appetizers, cookies and a soup with potatoes, hamburger and dumplings. Some of the other guests had spent a few years in Alaska so we talked with them about what we can expect there.
In the evening we joined almost everyone else in the Park at the Christmas service. We really enjoyed most of the service – someone read the Christmas story from the Bible, and everyone sang well-known Christmas carols. But there were also some guest singers who didn’t seem to know how to stay on key, and we could have done without that part!
This morning there was frost on the car, which was a surprise to me. I didn’t expect Arizona to get cold enough for that. But it did warm up a bit later in the day and it’s a lot better than the weather in the Midwest right now. We and 6 other couples met together for brunch, with everyone bringing a couple of dishes. Randy made smoked salmon and bagels, Bloody Marys and individual bacon, egg and cheese quiches. Other folks brought ham, biscuits and gravy, fresh berries, egg casseroles, monkey bread, and a lot of other great food. Everyone also brought a $5 gift for a gift exchange. I picked up an envelope with a $5 lottery ticket in it, which had the potential to win up to $500,000 - but unfortunately it wasn’t a winner! The gift package Randy selected had a 6 pack of beer in it, so although my gift had more potential, his gift will be enjoyed a little longer. We tried not to overeat at the brunch but we wanted to try a little of everything, so we decided we didn’t need to have the big prime rib dinner that Randy had planned for tonight. Instead of dinner, we played pool with our next door neighbors. And now he is practicing his new Guitar Hero!
December 22, 2009
Hey, it's all the way down to 51 degrees here. Might have to change from sandels to shoes!
December 20, 2009
Not much happening today. It is a little laid back. Went to church this morning here at the park. There is a group called Resort Ministries that provide ministers to parks through the season. They do a non-denominational service for the park community.
This afternoon was spent doing some cleaning and candy making. It seems like this place is always a mess. When you live in a small place anything out of place creates a mess. We are still trying to fit into this coach. Sometimes it feel like we will make it and then we buy something, oh say maybe a piece of gum, then you have to rearrange everything. (I may exaggerate some but it does not feel like much).
Tonight was the Workamper's Christmas party. We had a nice dinner of Salad, Spaghetti, Bread Sticks and Dessert. Jeannie, the park manager was the sponsor. We played a few games, had a visit from Santa and all in all had a good time.
This afternoon was spent doing some cleaning and candy making. It seems like this place is always a mess. When you live in a small place anything out of place creates a mess. We are still trying to fit into this coach. Sometimes it feel like we will make it and then we buy something, oh say maybe a piece of gum, then you have to rearrange everything. (I may exaggerate some but it does not feel like much).
Tonight was the Workamper's Christmas party. We had a nice dinner of Salad, Spaghetti, Bread Sticks and Dessert. Jeannie, the park manager was the sponsor. We played a few games, had a visit from Santa and all in all had a good time.
December 19, 2009 Arizona Desert Museum
Today we went to the Arizona Desert Museum, a little west of Tucson. It's mostly an outside museum and is well worth the trip! It has a huge variety of cactus. These photos are of a pipe organ cactus, the heart-shaped beaver cactus, a living and dead saguaro cactus, and a view across the plains.
Birds are and important part of the desert eco system. The outside museum includes several areas where you can see local birds, including owls, hawks and hummingbirds.
There are separate areas where larger desert predators, such as cougars and wolves, are visible.
We had such a great time at the museum that we skipped lunch, so we were really ready for dinner by the end of the day. A friend had recommended the Pikachu Steakhouse. When we got there it looked a bit like a dive, but since it was recommended, we decided to try it. That was the right decision because the food was really good - baked potato, Texas toast, side salad and a big steak, cooked on the outside grill. Well worth stopping for, although afterwards I felt a bit like this big boy!
Birds are and important part of the desert eco system. The outside museum includes several areas where you can see local birds, including owls, hawks and hummingbirds.
There are separate areas where larger desert predators, such as cougars and wolves, are visible.
We had such a great time at the museum that we skipped lunch, so we were really ready for dinner by the end of the day. A friend had recommended the Pikachu Steakhouse. When we got there it looked a bit like a dive, but since it was recommended, we decided to try it. That was the right decision because the food was really good - baked potato, Texas toast, side salad and a big steak, cooked on the outside grill. Well worth stopping for, although afterwards I felt a bit like this big boy!
Friday December 18, 2009
Wow, only one week to Christmas. The time is sure going fast. The Ole RV Park is all lit up with Christmas lights. There is a contest for the best dressed Park model and RV. There is a $100 at stake and many are vying for it. We have done some decoration but not enough to be in the running. I really don't care who wins because we all win by how the Park looks for the season.
Last night we did a tag-a-long out to dinner and to see Christmas lights. We had a total of 18 go to dinner and 14 continue on to the lights. Dinner was at a place called "Heart Attack Grill". They serve burgers, fries, soda and beer. What is unique about them is the size of the burgers, the fact that the fries are cooked in Lard, the soda is the full sugar type from yester year and there is no light beer in sight. They name the burgers; "Single Bypass", "Double Bypass", "Triple Bypass" and "Quadaruple Bypass". No question "Health Food" is not allowed. Each patty is at least 4 ounces and comes with a thick slice of American Cheese on it.
When you arrive you are seated at a counter, similar to an old diner, then a "Nurse" comes around and puts a hospital gown on you.
The nurse then takes you order and give you a French Fry boat. The French Fries are all you can eat so you can fill your boat as much as you want. Your burger is cooked by the "Doctor" with the assistance of another nurse. When you receive your burger you can take it to the condiment bar and dress it as you wish. It should be noted that if you order either a Triple or a Quadruple and eat all of it then you will be shuttled to your car in a wheel chair by one of the nurses. The food was great, the atmosphere was unique and the entire group had a wonderful time at the Heart Attack Grill. And yes we did have one guy eat a triple and yours truly did eat a double (I won't do that again).
After dinner we went to Glendale Glitters in Glendale, Arizona.
This is a Christmas light display that begins in Murphy Park and covers many of the streets of downtown Glendale. There are some where in the neighborhood of 1 1/2 millions lights. Needless to say it was beautiful. There was one tree that had lights that looked like each was about 12 inches long and contained a string of chasing lights. The tree looked like a shower of falling stars. It was very unique and beautiful. On some of the palm trees they wrapped the trunk and then on the under side of each leaf they strung lights along the entire leaf spine. It made for a great display if you stood at the base of the tree and looked straight up. We spent about an hour looking at lights and started back home.
We made it as far as the Cold Stone Creamery in Casa Grande and inspite of the huge meal we had all eaten we decided to indulge in Ice Cream. I know that those young ladies working there will never be the same after having to put up with ten rowdy RVers. Once again the food was great. I don't have any idea what the calorie intake was yesterday but I can say with confidence "It was TOO Much".
Last night we did a tag-a-long out to dinner and to see Christmas lights. We had a total of 18 go to dinner and 14 continue on to the lights. Dinner was at a place called "Heart Attack Grill". They serve burgers, fries, soda and beer. What is unique about them is the size of the burgers, the fact that the fries are cooked in Lard, the soda is the full sugar type from yester year and there is no light beer in sight. They name the burgers; "Single Bypass", "Double Bypass", "Triple Bypass" and "Quadaruple Bypass". No question "Health Food" is not allowed. Each patty is at least 4 ounces and comes with a thick slice of American Cheese on it.
When you arrive you are seated at a counter, similar to an old diner, then a "Nurse" comes around and puts a hospital gown on you.
The nurse then takes you order and give you a French Fry boat. The French Fries are all you can eat so you can fill your boat as much as you want. Your burger is cooked by the "Doctor" with the assistance of another nurse. When you receive your burger you can take it to the condiment bar and dress it as you wish. It should be noted that if you order either a Triple or a Quadruple and eat all of it then you will be shuttled to your car in a wheel chair by one of the nurses. The food was great, the atmosphere was unique and the entire group had a wonderful time at the Heart Attack Grill. And yes we did have one guy eat a triple and yours truly did eat a double (I won't do that again).
After dinner we went to Glendale Glitters in Glendale, Arizona.
This is a Christmas light display that begins in Murphy Park and covers many of the streets of downtown Glendale. There are some where in the neighborhood of 1 1/2 millions lights. Needless to say it was beautiful. There was one tree that had lights that looked like each was about 12 inches long and contained a string of chasing lights. The tree looked like a shower of falling stars. It was very unique and beautiful. On some of the palm trees they wrapped the trunk and then on the under side of each leaf they strung lights along the entire leaf spine. It made for a great display if you stood at the base of the tree and looked straight up. We spent about an hour looking at lights and started back home.
We made it as far as the Cold Stone Creamery in Casa Grande and inspite of the huge meal we had all eaten we decided to indulge in Ice Cream. I know that those young ladies working there will never be the same after having to put up with ten rowdy RVers. Once again the food was great. I don't have any idea what the calorie intake was yesterday but I can say with confidence "It was TOO Much".
December 12, 2009
While I was in Missouri and Illinois it never occurred to me to look at the stars. But here I am usually out after dark and I am amazed all over again at how beautiful the stars are in the clear Arizona sky.
Last evening we played pool with our neighbors. Randy and Harry beat Judy and I five games in a row! At least by the 5th game we made it into a fight down to the last ball. I’ve got to get in some practice!
Tonight the RV Park hosted a 50’s Sock Hop. I recall some early 60s Sock Hops, and they were nothing like this. The “live band” was a couple who, I think, usually do country music, because there tended to be a twang to their music. The guy made a kazoo sound that he used in almost every song, under the impression that it sounded like a horn section. They couldn’t keep a steady rhythm, even though they were using recorded music. And they had a very odd idea of what music was played at a Sock Hop - they played everything from Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” to “Something” by George Harrison. . . although it took us awhile identify the Harrison song, since they sang it as a country ballad. Fortunately we sat at a table with friends so we were well entertained. It was a BYOB party, which that helped a lot! I participated in a hula hoop contest but it didn’t take me long to drop out.
Last evening we played pool with our neighbors. Randy and Harry beat Judy and I five games in a row! At least by the 5th game we made it into a fight down to the last ball. I’ve got to get in some practice!
Tonight the RV Park hosted a 50’s Sock Hop. I recall some early 60s Sock Hops, and they were nothing like this. The “live band” was a couple who, I think, usually do country music, because there tended to be a twang to their music. The guy made a kazoo sound that he used in almost every song, under the impression that it sounded like a horn section. They couldn’t keep a steady rhythm, even though they were using recorded music. And they had a very odd idea of what music was played at a Sock Hop - they played everything from Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” to “Something” by George Harrison. . . although it took us awhile identify the Harrison song, since they sang it as a country ballad. Fortunately we sat at a table with friends so we were well entertained. It was a BYOB party, which that helped a lot! I participated in a hula hoop contest but it didn’t take me long to drop out.
December 11. 2009
Here is something I learned in Arizona. . . around here birds often build nests in cactus. I am not sure if they create a hole in the cactus or if they enlarge an existing flaw, but they hollow out an area large enough for their nest. Because they are workiing with a living plant, the area around the nest sort of scabs over and becomes a separate piece of the cactus. After the cactus dies sometimes the hollowed out part can be found. Randy found one of these recently - everything around the nest area has fallen away, leaving just the nest cavity.
The opening to the nest is smaller than the rest of it, and makes it look like a crumpled paper bag. And it's about as lightweight as a paper bag.
The opening to the nest is smaller than the rest of it, and makes it look like a crumpled paper bag. And it's about as lightweight as a paper bag.
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