Monday - Feb 24
Laundry and golf - that was pretty much the extent of our day today. Golfed today with John & Donna and Peter & Christine (just 9 holes). Fun afternoon with almost as many laughs as strokes (golf strokes, that is). Robin parred the first hole and it was downhill from there. I worked my way up to par on the 6th hole, and then back down to a more normal level. Happy hour with John & Donna, then headed in for dinner when it started cooling down. Quiet evening in. Talked with Aaron (happy birthday) and Graham (almost an hour between the two of us).
Keep forgetting to mention that every night, at some point, we can hear a pack of coyotes somewhere not too far away. Some nights they are quite vocal and excited (probably just made a kill). They warn RV'ing pet owners to keep their pets indoors when they can't be watched, as the coyotes have been seen running through campgrounds carrying off cats and small dogs.
Tues – Feb 25
Backtracking to last night, some time after dark, one of the neighbours came over to say the owl we’ve been hearing was sitting on the telephone pole behind his site. Lots of people standing around watching as it surveyed its domain from on high, who-whoing every once in a while. This is the best video I could capture, and if you turn up your volume you can hear him whooting. It's obvious this is a great horned owl.
Laundry and golf - that was pretty much the extent of our day today. Golfed today with John & Donna and Peter & Christine (just 9 holes). Fun afternoon with almost as many laughs as strokes (golf strokes, that is). Robin parred the first hole and it was downhill from there. I worked my way up to par on the 6th hole, and then back down to a more normal level. Happy hour with John & Donna, then headed in for dinner when it started cooling down. Quiet evening in. Talked with Aaron (happy birthday) and Graham (almost an hour between the two of us).
Keep forgetting to mention that every night, at some point, we can hear a pack of coyotes somewhere not too far away. Some nights they are quite vocal and excited (probably just made a kill). They warn RV'ing pet owners to keep their pets indoors when they can't be watched, as the coyotes have been seen running through campgrounds carrying off cats and small dogs.
Tues – Feb 25
Backtracking to last night, some time after dark, one of the neighbours came over to say the owl we’ve been hearing was sitting on the telephone pole behind his site. Lots of people standing around watching as it surveyed its domain from on high, who-whoing every once in a while. This is the best video I could capture, and if you turn up your volume you can hear him whooting. It's obvious this is a great horned owl.
My day started very early (or rather, yesterday ran very late). I was lying there still wide awake at 1am when all of a sudden the coyote pack started in yipping and howling. Sounded like they were really close – perhaps just on the other side of the fence behind the RV’s across the road. Tried to catch the sound using the video on my phone, but missed the real symphony. Finally, with the aid of some warm milk, fell asleep sometime after 2.
The walkers left a bit later than usual this morning and were gone for about 2.5 hours. Late breakfast when Robin got back, and then we decided to take a drive out west of here, just to see what was there. Donna came with us. First we drove up to the end of San Joaquin Road (the road we are on), about 2 miles further north. It is a dead end road, but there sure seems to be a lot of traffic flowing back and forth outside the RV park. There are a few “subdivisions” up further, with several “for sale” signs, but nothing that even remotely tempted any of us.
Then we headed west on highway 86 (West Ajo Highway) and found a couple more areas similar to what was at the end of San Joaquin. Also found the Target and Skeet Shooting Club (which we can hear every day from the park). Huge place. We spotted it from the highway, thinking it was an RV park because we could see lots of RV’s lined up and they were flying the American and Canadian flags. Backtracked and discovered it was the gun club. There is a big gun show in town this coming weekend, so I guess folks were getting settled in for the event. Found a place called "Fred's" that several folks have told us about - another dive with great food.
The walkers left a bit later than usual this morning and were gone for about 2.5 hours. Late breakfast when Robin got back, and then we decided to take a drive out west of here, just to see what was there. Donna came with us. First we drove up to the end of San Joaquin Road (the road we are on), about 2 miles further north. It is a dead end road, but there sure seems to be a lot of traffic flowing back and forth outside the RV park. There are a few “subdivisions” up further, with several “for sale” signs, but nothing that even remotely tempted any of us.
Then we headed west on highway 86 (West Ajo Highway) and found a couple more areas similar to what was at the end of San Joaquin. Also found the Target and Skeet Shooting Club (which we can hear every day from the park). Huge place. We spotted it from the highway, thinking it was an RV park because we could see lots of RV’s lined up and they were flying the American and Canadian flags. Backtracked and discovered it was the gun club. There is a big gun show in town this coming weekend, so I guess folks were getting settled in for the event. Found a place called "Fred's" that several folks have told us about - another dive with great food.
Drove into a newer subdivision in the area and saw some nice houses. Made a note of one that was for sale, and we were all guessing the asking price (guesses ranged from $210K to $340K). When we got back to the park, I looked up the house and the asking price is $132K (down from $145K as it is in foreclosure). Tempting to whip out the cheque book! There was a slightly bigger one a couple of blocks away for $149K. We then headed to Casino Del Sol a short distance away to see if there was any entertainment in their lounge over the next few nights.
After visiting the casino, we came back to camp and had a rest. Then the four of us headed back to the casino to take advantage of their Club Sol promotion. Signing up for their Club gave us $10 in credits for the slot machines, and a voucher for the buffet worth $19. The food was good and it was $1 margarita night. When all was said and done, we actually came away with $15 from gambling (we were up $6 and John & Donna were up $9 from the $10 credits), we’d had a great dinner, played on the slots for a while, and only spent $5 for margaritas, plus a small tip. Might have stayed longer, and possibly won more (although more likely lost it all), but smoking is allowed in the gambling areas of the casino and we were all starting to feel the effects of the smoke. Thank heaven the restaurant was smoke free.
Back home by about 9:15, and off to bed shortly after.
Until next time dear followers, the definition of snowbirds: Women who are too old to get pregnant and men who look like they are pregnant.
After visiting the casino, we came back to camp and had a rest. Then the four of us headed back to the casino to take advantage of their Club Sol promotion. Signing up for their Club gave us $10 in credits for the slot machines, and a voucher for the buffet worth $19. The food was good and it was $1 margarita night. When all was said and done, we actually came away with $15 from gambling (we were up $6 and John & Donna were up $9 from the $10 credits), we’d had a great dinner, played on the slots for a while, and only spent $5 for margaritas, plus a small tip. Might have stayed longer, and possibly won more (although more likely lost it all), but smoking is allowed in the gambling areas of the casino and we were all starting to feel the effects of the smoke. Thank heaven the restaurant was smoke free.
Back home by about 9:15, and off to bed shortly after.
Until next time dear followers, the definition of snowbirds: Women who are too old to get pregnant and men who look like they are pregnant.