March 18 - 31
Monday, March 18 – Another gorgeous day. Cleaned the motorhome in preparation for company tomorrow. Line dancing class, then we took a dry run to the airport to check out parking facilities. Once that was sorted out, we went in search of lunch and found Sushi 101 in the vicinity of the University. Interesting menu, good food. Had an interesting dipping sauce with the appetizer. I inquired about where they bought it, or the brand or if they sold it. The server said they just make it in-house and it is simply miso and vinegar and she brought me three small containers to take home.
Fun visit at Stewart & Jean's for happy hour with lots of appies that turned out to be supper. Figured I should get some laundry done up, so dragged the stuff over. The evening band was just starting up, and they were great. So I texted Robin shortly after getting the wash cycles going and told him there was a good band, so he eventually came over, just as I was switching loads to the dryer. We sat out on the patio while the dryers did their thing and heard some great music. Karen & Rich came by on the way back from pickleball and joined us. I returned and collected the laundry and we sat for a bit longer, but when the band took a break, we all decided to head home.
Tuesday - Alison, Aaron, Chloe and Marshall arrived mid-day. Late lunch at Garcias, then while Mom, Dad & Grampa headed to Total Wine and stocked up on craft beers, Gramma took the grandkids to the pool. Aaron and Alison got settled in Lance & Ursula's trailer and the kids bunked in with us.
Wednesday, March 20 - While Robin and Alison took in an early morning hike, Aaron hit the fitness room and I took the kids to the putting green. Groceries and hanging out together took up the rest of the day. Skip-Bo, Left-Right-Centre and Crib with the grandkids. Discovered kiwi grapes at the produce store – little kiwis about the size of green grapes, with no fuzz on the outside. Just pop them in your mouth like a grape, but they're kiwis.
Monday, March 18 – Another gorgeous day. Cleaned the motorhome in preparation for company tomorrow. Line dancing class, then we took a dry run to the airport to check out parking facilities. Once that was sorted out, we went in search of lunch and found Sushi 101 in the vicinity of the University. Interesting menu, good food. Had an interesting dipping sauce with the appetizer. I inquired about where they bought it, or the brand or if they sold it. The server said they just make it in-house and it is simply miso and vinegar and she brought me three small containers to take home.
Fun visit at Stewart & Jean's for happy hour with lots of appies that turned out to be supper. Figured I should get some laundry done up, so dragged the stuff over. The evening band was just starting up, and they were great. So I texted Robin shortly after getting the wash cycles going and told him there was a good band, so he eventually came over, just as I was switching loads to the dryer. We sat out on the patio while the dryers did their thing and heard some great music. Karen & Rich came by on the way back from pickleball and joined us. I returned and collected the laundry and we sat for a bit longer, but when the band took a break, we all decided to head home.
Tuesday - Alison, Aaron, Chloe and Marshall arrived mid-day. Late lunch at Garcias, then while Mom, Dad & Grampa headed to Total Wine and stocked up on craft beers, Gramma took the grandkids to the pool. Aaron and Alison got settled in Lance & Ursula's trailer and the kids bunked in with us.
Wednesday, March 20 - While Robin and Alison took in an early morning hike, Aaron hit the fitness room and I took the kids to the putting green. Groceries and hanging out together took up the rest of the day. Skip-Bo, Left-Right-Centre and Crib with the grandkids. Discovered kiwi grapes at the produce store – little kiwis about the size of green grapes, with no fuzz on the outside. Just pop them in your mouth like a grape, but they're kiwis.
Thursday - Robin, Alison, Aaron and Chloe headed off to check out a couple of breweries. Marshall wants me to make him a throw like the one I gave to Chloe, so we hit Mulqueen's to check out materials and decide on a theme. We started out looking for dinosaurs (nothing in the store) but then he saw wolves and figured that would be cool, especially once we saw some furry looking material that we could use for accents. I thought that was an excellent selection, as it's not something he would outgrow quickly. Big sale starts Friday, so I told him we'd figure out a design and how much fabric and return for the goods. The two of us met up with the rest of the family at Woo Chi's for lunch. Marshall was quite excited about a buffet with sushi AND Chinese food. After lunch, A&A took the kids back to the trailer (I guess to give Gramma and Grampa a bit of a break). Alison, Chloe and I went to line dancing in the evening.
Friday, March 22 - Robin and Alison headed out for another hike and called before they got started to say we should meet them at Goldfield (ghost town). Marshall and I returned to Mulqueen's as soon as they opened and picked up the material for his throw, then we returned and picked up Aaron and Chloe and made our way out to Goldfield. Fun day, and back in time for Aaron & Alison's initiation in Manager's Happy Hour with 25¢ wine and beer. Erica, Alison's BFF, arrived in time to take in the second hour. She stayed at the trailer with A&A.
Saturday, March 23 - GARTH BROOKS day for the ladies. Pool time in the morning for the kids, then the four girls headed off 4 hours ahead of concert time, as suggested, to avoid traffic congestion at the parking lot. The surrounding entertainment district was crazy busy, so we ended up grabbing some supper(?) once we got inside the stadium. In the meantime, we had a bit of a tail gate party in the parking lot.
Friday, March 22 - Robin and Alison headed out for another hike and called before they got started to say we should meet them at Goldfield (ghost town). Marshall and I returned to Mulqueen's as soon as they opened and picked up the material for his throw, then we returned and picked up Aaron and Chloe and made our way out to Goldfield. Fun day, and back in time for Aaron & Alison's initiation in Manager's Happy Hour with 25¢ wine and beer. Erica, Alison's BFF, arrived in time to take in the second hour. She stayed at the trailer with A&A.
Saturday, March 23 - GARTH BROOKS day for the ladies. Pool time in the morning for the kids, then the four girls headed off 4 hours ahead of concert time, as suggested, to avoid traffic congestion at the parking lot. The surrounding entertainment district was crazy busy, so we ended up grabbing some supper(?) once we got inside the stadium. In the meantime, we had a bit of a tail gate party in the parking lot.
The show was AWESOME (over 75,000 people in attendance) and he still has as much energy and voice as he did when I last saw him live 23 years ago. Getting out of the parking lot after the show was another thing altogether. The concert was over by about 10:30 and we didn't get home until 1:30 in the morning (normal driving time between our park and the stadium would be just under an hour). And when we left we couldn't turn in the direction I wanted so we had to take an alternate route, although not a problem. We just drove straight east until we got to Scottsdale and then got on the 101 and then 202 loops. We did make a stop on the way, as everyone was hungry. Pulled into a McDonald's and only the drive thru was open. Ordered our food and then waited and waited. Turned out that after midnight they cook everything fresh to order (which makes sense), so it was at least 20 minutes before we pulled back into the parking lot to eat. Unfortunately, Chloe had noticed a kind of sketchy looking guy hanging around, and she didn't want to stay, but I said I wouldn't eat while driving. Shortly after we got parked (and I had almost finished my sandwich), he started heading towards our car, which got her quite upset, so I started up the car and we left, just as he was about to approach our window. Probably just hoping for a bit of food, but he made Chloe really nervous, so best to just carry on.Sunday a lot of time was spent in the pool area. We hosted a pot luck dinner so our kids could meet our nearest and dearest in the park. Great company, great food and fantastic weather.
Monday, March 25 turned into a hair-straight-back kind of day. Started off with the ladies heading off to line dancing, while Marshall swam, then lunch at the grill. We then headed out to Saguaro Lake and took a ride on the Desert Belle for a tour of the lake.
Monday, March 25 turned into a hair-straight-back kind of day. Started off with the ladies heading off to line dancing, while Marshall swam, then lunch at the grill. We then headed out to Saguaro Lake and took a ride on the Desert Belle for a tour of the lake.
Back to the park in time for karaoke. Alison and Erica did a duet, then Chloe joined Alison for another duet (Chloe's first time doing karaoke and the oldies loved her). Then the fellow running the show asked Alison to join him for another duet – a country song she had heard before but wasn't overly familiar with, but she did a great job. While we were sitting listening to karaoke, Aaron headed over to the washrooms and on his way back he saw/heard the grill manager asking an older lady in the pool to please put her top back on and keep it on. Everyone else had vacated the pool and were standing around the edge. Aaron said not a pretty picture. After karaoke it was off to Organ Stop Pizza. The kids had a blast and Marshall was absolutely thrilled when the organist played his request - Bohemian Rhapsody. A busy and fun day.
Tuesday we said goodbye to Phil & Paula early, then the kids were on their way by 10am to catch their flight home. One of the last things Marshall asked before they left was if I'd have his quilt done when we got home. Explained, once again, that I wouldn't even get started until we actually got home, and that it would take a while. He seems really excited about the whole thing. Erica and I took the linens from the trailer over to the laundromat to get them all washed up and fresh for Lance's return. We hung around the pool while the stuff was cleaning. Erica was on her way by 3:30. We enjoyed happy hour and hors doeuvres with Bruce & Willie at their place. After dinner, we were sitting out enjoying the evening and Mike & Lynn dropped by with Charlie, then shortly after Jim & Colleen joined us.
Wednesday, March 27th we were back to our regularly scheduled programming. Had so much fun with the kids and I think they had a good time. Nice to be able to show them where we spend a good chunk of our winter. There was, of course, tons of laundry to deal with, what with two extra beds being used and every towel in the closet. Quiet day and quiet evening.
Thursday we headed over to another CalAm park (Valle del Oro) for their weekly Country Market – much bigger than the ones here, plus we had a specific mission for some flasks that we had seen. Quick stop at Costco and lunch at Souper Salad (one of our favourites) then back to the park for rest and relaxation, and my last line dance class. Sad face.
Friday Robin started rearranging the outside cupboards in preparation for departure. Last Manager's Happy Hour for us and many others. Fun times, and ended up with several others two sites over at Marv & Linda's for pizza and another fun evening of friendship and laughter.
Saturday more serious organizing outdoors, with the gazebo coming down and the propane stove and toaster oven being packed up. Lance joined us for dinner and Mike & Lynn stopped by again with Charlie while we were visiting outside. Jim & Colleen showed up shortly after for more comradery.
Now we're back to Sunday, March 31 and the serious packing was done today. Sun cloth removed from the front windows; bbq, tables, etc. put away; bikes loaded on the car; anti-skid mats put back in the cupboards and glassware put back in their socks. Meter read and final utilities bill paid. We're ready to hit the road in the morning. Marieanne stopped by to say goodbye (she leaves Tuesday). Went with Jim & Colleen further down the street to Bud & Angie's for happy hour and snacks. Great time and lovely to get to know this couple better. Back to the motorhome for some last minute organizing. Mike & Lynn came by for a final goodbye and visit. Popped over to Rich & Karen's a bit later to say goodbye and exchange contact information.
And of course, we had final goodbyes and treats for our favourite furry friends.
Tuesday we said goodbye to Phil & Paula early, then the kids were on their way by 10am to catch their flight home. One of the last things Marshall asked before they left was if I'd have his quilt done when we got home. Explained, once again, that I wouldn't even get started until we actually got home, and that it would take a while. He seems really excited about the whole thing. Erica and I took the linens from the trailer over to the laundromat to get them all washed up and fresh for Lance's return. We hung around the pool while the stuff was cleaning. Erica was on her way by 3:30. We enjoyed happy hour and hors doeuvres with Bruce & Willie at their place. After dinner, we were sitting out enjoying the evening and Mike & Lynn dropped by with Charlie, then shortly after Jim & Colleen joined us.
Wednesday, March 27th we were back to our regularly scheduled programming. Had so much fun with the kids and I think they had a good time. Nice to be able to show them where we spend a good chunk of our winter. There was, of course, tons of laundry to deal with, what with two extra beds being used and every towel in the closet. Quiet day and quiet evening.
Thursday we headed over to another CalAm park (Valle del Oro) for their weekly Country Market – much bigger than the ones here, plus we had a specific mission for some flasks that we had seen. Quick stop at Costco and lunch at Souper Salad (one of our favourites) then back to the park for rest and relaxation, and my last line dance class. Sad face.
Friday Robin started rearranging the outside cupboards in preparation for departure. Last Manager's Happy Hour for us and many others. Fun times, and ended up with several others two sites over at Marv & Linda's for pizza and another fun evening of friendship and laughter.
Saturday more serious organizing outdoors, with the gazebo coming down and the propane stove and toaster oven being packed up. Lance joined us for dinner and Mike & Lynn stopped by again with Charlie while we were visiting outside. Jim & Colleen showed up shortly after for more comradery.
Now we're back to Sunday, March 31 and the serious packing was done today. Sun cloth removed from the front windows; bbq, tables, etc. put away; bikes loaded on the car; anti-skid mats put back in the cupboards and glassware put back in their socks. Meter read and final utilities bill paid. We're ready to hit the road in the morning. Marieanne stopped by to say goodbye (she leaves Tuesday). Went with Jim & Colleen further down the street to Bud & Angie's for happy hour and snacks. Great time and lovely to get to know this couple better. Back to the motorhome for some last minute organizing. Mike & Lynn came by for a final goodbye and visit. Popped over to Rich & Karen's a bit later to say goodbye and exchange contact information.
And of course, we had final goodbyes and treats for our favourite furry friends.
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Until next time, dear readers.