Fun In Las Vegas

For some reason we can never bypass Las Vegas. The truck just turns off the interstate highway and it seems to know its way to the RV park. Ritchie and Corrine had emailed us to let us know that they would be in Las Vegas when we were passing through and then Fred and Colleen also emailed to say that they would also be in Las Vegas so what could we do? We just had to let the truck take us to Sam's Town.

It was great to have a few beverages with friends from home and catch up on the news. We enjoyed showing Ritchie and Corrine around the strip (too bad Ritchie was not feeling well and had to head back to the hotel early). We shared some stories and a few dinners while we were together. On Friday they left their truck and trailer in Las Vegas and headed out on the motorcycle to tour around Arizona for the next week.

And our winter holiday would not be complete if we weren't following Fred and Colleen home. They left Las Vegas Friday morning and we started for home today. Roads are clear, I'm still in capris and sandals (not sure for how much longer) and the weather forecast is great. We should be home on Monday!!

Lazing About In Laughlin

We took a new route to Laughlin last Sunday. We headed north from Mesa through Phoenix, Glendale (home of the Phoenix Coyotes), Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria and finally more than an hour later hit the open road. We took the route through Wickenburg to Kingman (which is on the historic Route 66) and then on to Laughlin. We saw miles of joshua trees and barren desert. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the scenic trip. We dropped Abbey off at the kennel (she seems to remember the place) and then headed over to the employee parking where we left our 5th wheel. We spent the evening feeding the slot machines and strolling along the river walk.

On Monday morning I decided I had to find a beauty salon and the sooner the better. Lucky for me there was a salon on the hotel and they were not too busy. Well, as a matter of fact I was their only customer. An hour and half later I walked out a much happier person. I joined Senor Ping poolside and we spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading while soaking up some sunshine. I also squeezed in a bit of shopping at the outlet stores before feeding the slot machines at a couple more casinos. No jackpots for us!!!

Tuesday was windy and cloudy but we spent a couple hours at the pool and then did some more shopping and gambling. Overall the gambling was poor, weather was fair (Wednesday morning the temperatures hit a record low) and the shopping was good. On to Las Vegas!!!

Homeward Bound

Tomorrow morning Senor Ping and I will begin our trek home. We have enjoyed the past 2 months here in Mesa and have made tentative plans to return next February. We will spend the next 3 nights at a hotel in Laughlin while Abbey enjoys a few days of R&R at the kennel. On Wednesday we are heading to Las Vegas for a few nights and then we'll start for home.
In the mean time we want to wish everyone a Happy Easter and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Tortilla Flats/Canyon Lake/Apache Trail

With our guests, Glen and Trudy Bews, we boarded the "Dolly", a paddlewheel steamboat and toured the magnificent Canyon Lake.



The Paddlewheel Steamship "The Dolly" awaits our arrival.


We stopped for a great lunch at Tortilla Flats, a touristy ghost town, Burgers to die for.


An awesome band provided entertainment for our lunch.


We also saw mountain goats lakeside

Beautiful Sedona!!!

Senor Ping and I took a scenic drive to Sedona last week. We went north through Payson and stopped at Camp Verde for lunch. We also toured Montezuma's castle before winding our way over to Sedona. Near Strawberry we came across some snow on the side of the road. The temperatures went from a balmy 65 F in Mesa to 36 F when we spotted the snow banks. Down in Sedona it was back up to a pleasant 60 F.
Sedona has a world wide reputation as being a spiritual mecca. There are numerous spiritual guides and readers in the area as well as gift shops selling every possible trinket from the area. We did a quick tour, stopping to take many photos, as we soon realized that this is a place we would like to return to in the future (not for the "vortexes" ) because of the beautiful scenery.

Lenore goes Golfing!

With the Superstition Mountains in the background, Lenore prepares to attack the beautiful island green at Apache Creek Golf Course



She reached the green but just barely. Her ball lodged tightly against the rotting timbers separating the green from the waters.




Another beautiful view of the pretty 14 tee at Apache Creek. This photo was taken from the Championship tees. Two water hazards to cross.


Scenic Apache Creek Golf Course.

St Patrick's Day Parade

On March 17 Val Vista Village celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an Irish Stew Lunch and a parade. Senor Ping and I skipped the lunch but lined up with the rest to watch the parade.



These guys were called the Lawn chair brigade and they had quite an entertaining routine.



Canadian representation was strong as the RCMP Musical Ride also took part in the parade.

Old Town Scottsdale

Great little tourist town... Old Town Scottsdale, expensive restaurants, lots of art galleries, public sculptures and parks. We took the tour on the Old Town Trolley. We were entertained by lots of artistic renditions of horses. Bought birthday card for Megan!

Cubs Win, Cubs Win, Cubs Win!!!

Alfonzo Soriano hit the first pitch out of the park, and the Cubs went on to win 6-4 over the Oakland A's.

Lots of scouts were in attendance, in fact, they were seated in the row behind us. (Good seats, right behind home plate in row 11).

Check out the BeerMe Guy photo.

Also on hand were several hall of famers including Rollie Fingers, Ferguson Jenkins and Joe Morgan! For a five spot you could get their autograph.

Farewell to New Friends

We have made many new friends in Mesa. One of the couples we have enjoyed our time with is Bill and Margie. We met Bill and Margie a few days after we arrived in Mesa. Within hours of meeting, Senor Ping, Bill and Dave were jamming together.


Over the past 4 weeks there has been much music and laughter. We have also enjoyed many conversations pool side, during and after dinners, while shopping, bike riding and just visiting. On Wednesday the guys had their last jam session. Hopefully their neighbors enjoyed the music as much as the rest of us. On Friday morning we said our farewells with promises to keep in touch. If all goes well, they may make a trip to "flatskatchewan" in the summer.


In the meantime, Senor Ping is still playing guitar, practicing some new "old songs" and Abbey is enjoying the serenading!!

MIni Kish Reunion in Mesa

It has been a busy week but I will try to catch you up on what's been happening. On Monday evening Senor Ping and I went to visit with my cousin Cindy and her husband Brian. They have a winter home about 15 minutes away from us and I'm so glad we were able to get together. My Aunt Vi and Aunt Win were visiting with them so we had a mini Kish reunion. Brian was very helpful giving us some suggestions for scenic drives while we are in Mesa. Hopefully we will be able to get together with them before we all head to our northern homes. We would still like to get together with Sandy and Dennis if we can work it out and if any of the other Kish cousins are in the area be sure to let us know. We'd love to see you!!

Just Three Guys

Yesterday afternoon Senor Ping and two of his guitar playing buddies played in the courtyard at the RV Park. I think it is safe to say they all had a blast. They played a wide range of music that appealed to all the audience. Some of the people we talked to were quite impressed to hear that they had only known each other less than 3 weeks. It's too bad Bill and his wife are leaving next Friday and their home is Redding, California. It might be a bit difficult to get together and jam over the summer!

Keeping Busy in Arizona

Senor Ping commented this morning that I hadn't updated my blog in over a week and I responded that our days have been busy and the internet connection has been weak which makes it very frustrating to do any updates.  However, I am now sitting in the sunshine, sipping my coffee and so far I have posted 2 entries.  I thought I'd finish off today by filling you in on what we have been doing here in Mesa.

Senor Ping is very busy playing guitar and jamming with some great musicians he met when we arrived. This afternoon  Bill, Steve and Senor Ping will play in the courtyard from 2 - 4.  The courtyard is adjacent to large pool and there is often  entertainment during  Happy Hour.  It is usually BYOB and everyone visits, dances and has a great time.  The trio also played at Steve's birthday celebration last night. Bill and his wife are leaving next Friday so they are hosting a Burrito Party tomorrow and I am sure there will lots of music to go with good food and lots of laughter. 

We have  been shopping a few times (well, maybe more than a few).  Mesa is very easy to navigate around and we have been out to the Flea Market, Costco, Guitar Center as well as usual trips to the mall and supermarket.  There is a supermarket within walking distance of the park so it's easy to pick up a few things when you need to.  We have done some site seeing but there are so many things to see and do I am sure we will have to come back a few more times.

I've kept up with the aquacises each day and we usually head to the pool for a couple hours in the afternoon.  The park also has a great library so I have been trying to read the books I brought first and then I will borrow a few from the library.  On Thursday I am going to take a sewing class instructed by the  mother of  my cousin Emily's son-in-law (can you figure that one out??).  My neighbor is also taking the class so it will be a chance to get to know a few other people in the park.

Senor PIng and I are going to have dinner with my cousin Cindy and her husband on Monday and will also get to visit with my Aunt Vi and Aunt Win (they are visiting for a week).  We'll be thinking of the rest of the Kish Klan when we get together.

Along with all of these activities there are the daily walks with Abbey, bike rides around the park, laundry (the laundry room is across the street, lots of machines and very clean), time to watch the curling on TV as well as lots of time to sit back, relax and smell the orange blossoms that have started to bloom.  

Variety Night at Val Vista

The Variety Night at Val Vista was held on Monday and Tuesday evening.  We purchased tickets for Monday's performance before Doug and Bill were asked to provide the pre-show music so I went to see parts of both evenings.  

The program began with the Drillettes marching in with the Canadian and U.S. flags.  The Drillettes are a group of women similar to the drill team that accompanies  marching bands.  Some of them marched and others could barely walk.  This is not a group I would consider joining even though deep down I've always wanted to learn to twirl a baton and wear matching outfits with 30 other women ranging in age from 60 - 85.  I did however get some new moves I can try out with the grads this year.  They also presented the park with all of the provincial and territorial flags from Canada and I had to hold Senor Ping down to keep him from yelling "Go Riders!!" when they waved the Saskatchewan flag.

The evening's entertainment ranged from a barbershop quartet (they were very good), skits , singing (much like middle years air bands), tap dancing, jokes, poems, and a wonderful group called the 4 Amigos who had everyone rolling in the aisles.  Senor Ping left early but I stuck it out until the end.  After all, I've sat through 30 years of Christmas concerts, room programs, music festivals, dance recitals and airbands so what was one more!!

On Tuesday evening I went to listen to Bill, Steve and Senor Ping do the pre-show music, took a few pictures and then headed home.  

A Drive Along The Apache Trail

The Apache Trail is a historical loop through the Tonto National Park. The 85 mile drive started in Apache Junction. We passed by Goldfield with plans to visit this gold mining town another day. We made a quick stop in Tortilla Flats to browse through the gift shop and saloon. The road then turned to a narrow (and in some places one lane only) trail up, down and around the mountains. The view was spectacular. We passed by Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam. After the dam the road reverted to pavement and we stopped in Globe for a late lunch. The drive took most of the day and the photos hardly do the scenery justice but we recommend the Apache Trail to anyone visiting this part of Arizona.

Saguaro Lake

On Sunday we took a drive to Saguaro Lake, approximately 30 miles from Mesa. The lake is one of four reservoirs on the Salt River formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam. The lake is part of the Tonto National Forest and there are a variety of services such as a marina, day camping and overnight camping facilities accessible by land or by boat. We took a 90-minute paddleboat cruise on the Desert Bell. The tour included sightings of blue herons, turkey vultures, ducks and other birds, interesting rock formations and of course many varieties of cacti including the saguaro cactus. We also saw hikers, kayakers, fishermen, water-skiers and pleasure boaters during our tour.

Lazing by the Pool

The last few days the temperatures have been climbing and Senor Ping and I have been taking advantage of the numerous pools and hot tubs in the park. There are lots of pool chairs but you have to time your arrival and departure so that you get a chair with full sun. Usually by 3:30 the crowds have thinned out as everyone is on their way home for Happy Hour.

Exercising in Mesa

This RV Park offers a variety of water exercise programs starting with deep-water aerobics at 6:15 AM to Guys and Gals water exercises at 11:00. I believe there are 7 different sessions offered between the 3 pools. I chose one of the sessions offered at the indoor pool because it has still been chilly in the morning. The class is offered daily at 9:00 AM (although the instructor told me they actually start at 8:53 AM). The activity level is similar to that of the class offered in Eatonia during July and August with a few more participants. The first day I attended there were 30 of us in the pool. We break half way through for an opportunity for everyone to introduce themselves and have a short visit. The class ends with everyone singing “AMEN” as they “jog” around the pool. Everyone is very friendly and after attending the class for 4 days I have met many women from across Canada and the U.S. and recognized a few of them at other park functions.

On Friday morning I decided to stay for the “water robics” class held immediately after the class I have been attending. Hilda, who I think did her basic training under Hitler, led this class. First, she told me I would not be able to stay if there were over 18 people in the pool because that was her limit. Her reason being that I had already been to a class already and I wasn’t to take up space from someone else. Hmmmm, if I had gotten out of the pool and then back in who would know the difference?? She also told me her class is the only class with music. Fortunately, there were only 10 participants so I was allowed to take part.

Hilda started the class by telling us that her first rule was for us to keep our mouths shut, second there are no breaks and we will be working for the full hour. She alternated between demonstrating the activity in the pool and walking along the deck shouting out orders and clapping her hands to speed us up. Maybe she was a swimming instructor to Mark Phelps before she retired. We alternated between upper and lower body exercises and finished with a good stretch. If this was my first session of basic training I think I successfully completed it. There was 1 woman that left the pool about 20 minutes into the start of the class and never returned but I didn’t hear the ambulance arrive so I assume she was okay. Overall it was a great workout. Will I return to that class?? You bet!

A Month in Mesa

Senor Ping and I had a short drive yesterday to Mesa, Arizona. We will be calling the Val Vista Village our home for the next month. We chose this park on the recommendation of some friends from home. The park is very clean and well laid out. There are outdoor and indoor pools and hot tubs, too many activities to mention, and the laundry and showers are just across the street from us. Senor Ping is looking forward to playing guitar with some friends here in the park and I am looking forward to reading and relaxing. This morning I took a stroll over to the main building and there is a trade show in progress. There was a fruits and vegetable stall and everything looked fresh and very reasonably priced. I think I'll make my way back and pick up some fruit for lunch.

Arrived in Yuma

Senor Ping and I have arrived safely in Yuma. We had a great trip down this year. We left home on Monday morning and had clear skies and roads all the way to Pocatello. We were able to make much better time since we were not hauling the 5th wheel. The next day we made it to Mesquite by early afternoon. There was some snow through Salt Lake City but we were following the road crew so it really didn't slow us down. On Wednesday we headed to Laughlin for a couple free nights at the Edgewater Hotel. Abbey spent the time at the Rising Star Kennel and seemed to be quite happy when we picked her up. We had an easy drive to Yuma on Friday, passing by the huge motorhomes parked in the desert near Quartzite. There didn't appear to be as many "boondockers" this year as we have seen in the past but they may have all packed up and headed home by the time we passed through.

Today we spent the day visiting with friends. This morning we had coffee with 2 couples we met last winter. They aren't staying in the park this year so we were anxious to see the park model and lot they had rented. It looks like they have lots of room for Happy Hour. It was great to see them and catch up on the news. We also had a visit with Pat from Calgary. She was our neighbor last year and also looked after Abbey while we went to San Diego. If we head back this way we will stop by and perhaps she and Doug can play a few tunes on guitar together. Our last stop was to see our friends from home: Bonnie and Jerry and Trudy and Glen. We had a great time catching up on news from home and visiting over a few cocktails.

Tomorrow morning we are packing up and heading to Mesa. We decided it was time to see another part of Arizona so we are planning to find a park and stay for a month. We are looking forward to seeing some more friends and checking out the area golf courses. We'll keep you posted on our travels.