Hiking in Maricopa County

March 29, 2010
In Arizona the county parks are equivilant to Texas state parks, large, well-maintained, and if not completely staffed, full of helpful, knowledgeagble folks. In this Sonoran desert park we hiked most of the short routes. The Pemberton, a 15m loop, was way beyond my ability or desire, but I was proud to complete the 5m Scenic Rim loop yesterday. It was a beautiful day with many Sunday hikers out to enjoy it. The info from Ranger Jenny on previous walks added to our knowledge of peaks, flora, and understanding of geology of the area. It was a perfect way to culmate our stay here.

On Saturday we took a short section of the Pemberton to an artesian well that has been home to cattle, coyote, fish and frogs for eons. An oasis, literally. This was a ranger-led hike with a fairly large group to admire a full moon in the desert. So we began with a bit of sun settling over the peaks west and a bright, almost-full orb in the east. the air was crisp and refreshing and the path brightly lit. Watching the light and shadows change as we progressed was fascinating. Any hopes of seeing or hearing wildlife were dimmed by the amount of noise we made moving along - quiet conversations, shuffling feet, occassional informative remarks from Jenny. it was in no way strenuous, but a delightful way to spend a Saturday evening.

Wildflowers! They have arrived in Phoenix. When we got here in January, plant life was as grim as everywhere else, but the desert has come awake in the last week. It is neat to see the variety as you move from urban to rural and between elevations because the display changes. Even the creosote is beautiful, the bougonvilla goes way past beautiful! Poppies in golden shades of orange and yellow, lupines are the bluebonnets of Arizona, chia, and fairy dusters. I'm just showing off my new-found knowledge! Name dropping, so to speak.

Today we head for Tucson and hope to see more wildflowers as we head into Easter.

All of this and more has helped to heal the body and soul that was me a few weeks ago. Sleep, walk, good food, good friends, routine, tasks accomplished, beautiful new life and the promise of Easter. God has provided them all and given us the opportunity to be renewed if we will just slow things down a bit. We happen to be at the season of anguish and glory in liturgy, but God shows us that glory does follow anguish, we just have to allow it to happen.

I'm hoping that this message finds each and every reader in glory!

Phoenix, again!

March 22, 2010
I'm back at home after 3 weeks in Houston. It's wonderful to be able to be where we need to be. Equally wonderful to be back home and ready to move.

We are staying at the Maricopa Regional Park in the Sonoran Desert. It has huge campsites with a fire ring, grill, and picnic table. It does not have on-site sewer, internet, or very good phone reception. There are almost daily ranger-led hikes, lots of hiking paths, beautiful sunsets, and I hear the sunrises are spectacular, but have no first-hand experience (thank you Russell!)

Yesterday we sat in the shade at the Fountain Hills park to listen to Latin music. It was a beautiful afternoon. We always enjoy our time with friends and have been able to eat, laugh, watch camp fires and relax with them in the last week.

Next firm destinations: Las Vegas with Kyle first weekend of May, Dallas the following weekend.

Houston

This is the last night in Houston after 3 weeks. I flew in to help with family matters, and it has been a very intense trip.

Mom died a week ago today. I felt very fortunate to be with her. Dad, Lynn and I were with her through the night. We had dinner together on Monday night, but she was in distress after that. I'm so glad that her pain is over, but will miss being able to visit and see her. The funeral was Friday, so we have had time to settle a few matters and share some time together. Dad is doing well, but faces a very difficult time being alone after 60 years of marriage.

Russell joined us in Houston, adding so much support, and flew back to Phoenix on Sunday. I am anxious to be back home and hitting the road again before long.

I'll pick up the travelogue again soon.

Back to Phoenix

February 20, 2010

We really enjoyed Desert Hot Springs; sunny weather, palm trees in foreground, snowy mountains in background! What could be nicer? We took the rotating tram trip, 8000ft up in 10 min., to see the snow and ponderosas up close. We also saw the rocky mountain up close, courtesy of the tram. You feel like you can touch the rock passing by.

We have often talked about the necessity of me learning to driving the coach. There has always been a very good excuse/reason in the past...weather, traffic, wind, horoscope, whatever! Friday, February 19, looked like my luck was going to hold with a heavy wind and visiblity limited from the blowing sand. However, we out ran both and got to a straight stretch of I-10 where Russell asked, "Ya wan'a drive?" With no appearent excuses available, we pulled over and made the Big Switch!

Driving a 40ft coach with a tow car for the first time is very frightening! For Everyone; Driver and Passenger! Russell says it is way easier than the 5th wheel - OMG I'm glad I didn't get that experience! Actually, I did quite well and any version you hear to the contrary is just viscious rumor. I thought I had held my own and was ready to relinquish the wheel when Russell said, "We don't need to pull over, just let me slip in there." I was officially too scared to move. He grabbed the wheel and told me to slip out of the chair for him to take over at 50mph. WHAT? But it did work, and we are both here to talk about it, but don't believe everything Russell tells you!

Palm Springs, CA

VALENTINE'S DAY, 2010

We made a long drive, seeing more of Interstate 10 from Phoenix to LA. Mission: to get a customized "mask" for the RV. The 6 year-old clear coat is pitted and pealing, very ugly! Covering the problem is way cheaper than curing it in this case. Mitchell describes his location as "Just east of Palm Springs" becauses he refuses to say the "LA word", clearly a man in denial! His Rancho Cucamonga location is about 70 miles "east of Palm Springs" near the intersection of I-10 and I-15, which any map will locate you in Los Angeles. However, we spent roughly 24 hours, got the cover we planned on and a windshield cover as well. We also indulged in a nice meal and saw the first movie we've been to in many months, "Up In the Air."

The movie hit home in some respects because it deals with a man who chooses to live on the road. Of course, he is alone, working, and in the air for his travel, but it is still a life style choice. Our choice is to live on the road, and that does cause "distances" with family and friends. As we rack up the miles, I do wonder if Sam Elliot will appear to give us an exclusive travel card at some point.

The Palm Springs area includes at least 6 separate communities nestled in the valley between snow-capped mountains. We are staying at the Sands in Desert Hot Springs, a geiser haven if there ever was one, so we fit right in! We continue to work on the rig, wash, wax, and plan Z on organizing. In between we have watched Olympics, lounged in the hot tub and pool, and shopped at the local trade fair, where we got an education in Dates and Raisins. Very tasty stuff, not to be compared with grocery store fare. We leave on Thursday, but I could esilyspent the winter here.

Phoenix

February, 2010
My friend Laurie commented, "Ya'll must really like Phoenix!"

Yeah, we do! In the NE corner of the city, you are looking up at mountains all the time. We are sitting between Four Peaks and Red Mountain. The cloud cover has produced spectacular sunrises and sunsets! The distant mountains are shrouded in a haze of blues and greys. On the many cloudless days, these same landscapes are painted in golden reds. One evening we were treated to the sun, in all its blazing glory, settling between a pair of peaks, washing the valley in golds and reds. it really did defy description, my meger attempt is pale in comparison to the all-too-brief event.

We made a very brave attempt to bicycle a popular 8-mile stretch of highway that was reported to be "all down hill". Not True! I slowed everyone down in my out-of-shape ability to handle the uphill sections. The ride was glorious, however, and I hope to do it again with more success, but not today!

An event I was totally in shape for was a day at the Phoenix Art Museum. We spent the morning at the huge Ansel Adams exhibit, even more exciting because we have seen the locales. We enjoyed 2 different tours with docents and a relaxing lunch in the garden. It was the kind of day that inspires and awes.

There has also been time to shop, repair, relax, eat, and on occassion, work. Russell has really whittled down the to-do list associated with the new Monaco. I think he knows a few folks at the Monaco factory by name. He has mentioned a tour of the factory in Eugene, Oregon. Good Idea.

Moral of the story: Phoenix is a GREAT place to winter!

Back in Phoenix

January 28, 2010
I think the entire country is in the grip of some weird weather this winter. Russell felt that Phoenix, a place we like for lots of reasons, was the best choice for sunny skies and relaxing. So it has rained for a good deal of our two days here... maybe it's us!

We camped in Junction, TX for 2 nights. We stayed an extra day due to strong winds blowing in from the west. It seemed that I-10 was the corridor for a nasty system that included gusts of 60mph. We also spent 2 nights in Las Cruces. Our 3 travel days from Houston to Phoenix covered more than 400 miles each. I guess we needed to rest in between each leg.

Our new-to-us home has performed admirably on the long road trip. We have learned a lot about the systems, driving capabilities, and kinks still to be addressed. Each day we perform some task that makes our Diplomat a little more like home.

My Mom continues to struggle with her lung condition. The tests she underwent proved negative, so she can't recieve the proposed treatment. We will be back in the near future to spend more time with my family.