Wave in the desert

A few of us in the hiking group did a climb up to what is called the wave cave. It's the wave cave for the prominent point we are setting on. Fairly severe  2 hour climb up over boulders but no injuries thank goodness. This old man was tired, however. Cave is just a rather large cavern. Looks like it was formed by natural means.

We were down in Al Godonas, Mexico for a couple of days last week. Had to get my toothies taken care of. May go down again to have a root canal and crown. At least $1500 cheaper down there. They had more modern equipment then we have back home. Sheila has been down there enough now that some of the Jewelry store owners know here personally - ha.

Another item off the bucket list

Last week Sheila and I crossed another thing off our bucket list. Five of us went out and did a tour on a segway. After 10 min. of instruction it was time to get aboard. Little intimidating at first but you get the hang of it real quick. There are no controls - the machine senses your moves and does what you want. Lean forward on your toes and it goes forward. A little pressure on our heels and it slows down. Stick your butt out and it stops really quick. Lean and it goes in that direction. Must be a million little sensers in there to keep you upright. Anyway we started down a sidewalk for a ways and then out into the desert. On the way back we were already maxing the thing out.

On Tuesday we are off to Mexico again for a couple of days. It's starting to get warmer back home so will have to think about heading that way in 5 weeks or so. 

Back Yard Party

Last Sunday we had our patio party with 34 of our friends. It was a perfect day with temp in the 70's, light wind and high clouds. Tim and his brother Rick played from 1 to 4PM with no breaks. No one left so all must have enjoyed it. Tim owns a home here and his brother was down for a month renting. Think he is looking to find a place now as enjoyed it so much. They have over 4000 songs they can play. People would call out favorites and they were never stumped. They want to do it again next year.

Last night we got 1 1/2 inches of rain. This is the first rain we have had since Dec. 15th. It should help make the flowers pop.

Hidden Indian Ruins

Picture is from a hike we took to the Tortilla Ranch back in the Superstitions. These ruins were a real climb up from the valley. Above the dwelling is a massive rock wall going straight up hundreds of feet. This is one of the 2 rooms. Most is dug out from the rock. Then you can see where they took rock and mud and created front walls. Lot of it was still intact. Terry, who we hike with had found it years ago. Wouldn't know it was there unless you stumbled on it. There is a large natural boulder in front of it that block view from below. There are a few large Indian dwellings that are protected by the gov. orgs. However, there are many small ones like this that exist all over AZ. Some are well know and get heavy damage. We usually don't tell folks the exact location - it tends to slow down the destruction.

Tortilla Ranch was neat. Used to be a valley that was full of grass. Ranch operated from 1929 to 1961. Foundations of barn, house, and well still there. Barb wire and rock fences still there. They had to build sort of a road out to civilization over rock and down through valleys. Even when they got out to a gravel road still had 30 miles down the Apache Trail to reach town. All looked like a lot of hard hard work. Road now would require a very high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle. We hiked the 4 miles in.

The next day 8 of us travel for an hour to Greesewood Flats for burgers and entertainment. Great old fashioned outside eating place, but a long way to go for a burger. Next day was our Valentine party at the club house. They did a nice job. This morning was the Lost Dutchman parade. Always enjoy it as they have almost 200 horses in various parts of parade. They keep it natural - no pooper scoopers following each horse like back home. They are used to the stuff out here. Tonight we had our spaghetti feed at the clubhouse.

On Sunday afternoon we are having  30 folks over to our patio for a party. Our friends, Tim and Rick Backes are providing the entertainment. Tim said he has over 4000 songs now in his catalog. Interesting thing is Tim and Rick are shoe string relation to my friend Diane who I vol. for in school back in MN. I didn't know Tim until I got down here. Rick is renting for a month, but likes it so will be back next year. 

Big Spider

Our hike up White Canyon was neat but strenuous. Sometimes we were climbing boulders as big as buses. We got to see a big horn sheep, couple of golden eagles, tarantula hawk, and as you can see in the pic a tarantula. They are actually kind of docile so no worries. The tarantula hawk actually looks like a super sized wasp with orange wings. They look very mean but guess no problem for humans. They lay there eggs on the back of a tarantula and the young feed off the spider eventually killing him. Not sure where the name hawk came from as looks nothing like one.

Last Friday we had a variety show at our club house. It is members of our community with various skills performing for us. Lot of music. Amazing the talent some of these folks have as a side hobby. We always get a big turnout as people really enjoy it. I told Sheila she should do it next year with the dulcimer. She is thinking about it.

We are heading of to Skies soon to here a singer who does Elvis tributes. He is very good and always fun to listen to. Wednesday we were there with a group listening to a Roy Orbison tribute singer. Skies is just a hole in the wall place out in the foot hills of the Superstition. Nothing fancy but great entertainment.

Wednesday we are heading over to the Mormon Temple. They built a big one over in Gilbert. In a week or so they will bless it or what ever they do and then we will no longer be able to go inside. Had to get tickets ahead of time, wear dress clothes, etc. Guess it is a neat tour from what I hear. 

Sheila Planting

Guess we have been the lucky part of the US. It has been a warmer than normal January. Haven't had any rain since sometime in mid December. Last week we biked a long trail in Gilbert. Saturday was an art fair in Gold Canyon. Bought a pic of an old outhouse. Have always wanted to put that in the guest bathroom across from the "Got er Did' sign that we had made up last year.

Monday night we went with friends to the Arizona Opry again. It was 50's night so a lot of great music from our era. On Thursday we are hiking the White Canyon. It takes a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to trail head so will be riding with someone. 7 AM pickup.

Rock hunting in style

I was really tired by last Sunday. Thursday, we did a long bike ride over in Tempe.

Friday, we went on an all day hike out through the Superstitions to Boulder Canyon. We found an old abandoned mine up on the face of the canyon. It only went back in maybe 20 feet. Looks like they gave up. Still lot of junk laying around.

Saturday, I went Apache Tear hunting with Norm. Instead of hiking back in the mountains to a mine in the picture, we rode in on his ATV. Norm likes to go in style. I swear the thing will climb almost straight up. Found a lot of big tears in this mine.

Sunday, was to be a day of rest after church. However, one of Sheila's fellow nurses from back home flew in to see her brother. So we spent the afternoon outside eating and listening to music at a place called Fillys. It is on the edge of town so folks can ride their horses up for lunch. They have a dance patio. Some of the old cowboys that dance still have spurs on (stay away from them) and pistols on their hips. Yes, you can still do that in Arizona.

Not so imaginary picture

Ok, I am back to where I can get my pictures up. Best advice I had was from my Sister Connie. She said just wait and it will come back. So true.

This is the pic I wanted to show on last blog. Thought I better put it up as you don't get to see Sheila on a motorcycle very often.

Weather has been great and looks like it will be for at least another week. We are playing pickle ball three times a week. Getting some hiking and biking in. Last Wednesday 9 of us went to Algodonas, Mexico for the day. Tim knew a neat jewelry store. The owner was very happy when we left. The women with us were happy also. It is always an experience down there. One dentist wanted to do a crown for me for $130. Most of the good dentist down there charge $250 so wonder what he would put in my mouth. Had a great meal outdoors listening to music. How could you spend a better day.

Imaginary Picture

No picture today. I have been having trouble loading pictures into blogger over the last several days. When I select insert image Blogger wants me to sign in and get them on line. It will not give me a choice to get them from my drive. Anyone know how to fix this I would appreciate the input.

Now if there was a picture imagine this. It is a beautiful New Year's Day and Sheila is sitting on a big gorgeous white trike (3 wheeled motorcycle) ready to take a jaunt with my neighbor Bob. He as always wanted to take her for a ride. When she got back she had a big grin and said OK you can get one. This is big news because when I retired oh so many years ago I sold my sports car with the idea of getting a motorcycle. Sheila has never discouraged me from any of my little adventures except for getting a cycle. As a nurse he has seen far too many bad accidents on cycles. She said not worried about me, but rather other drivers. So I may never get one but know that I would have support if I did. Guess that is all that counts.

New Patio

We changed our 10 X 40 foot concrete patio with a 16 X 40 foot paver patio. Old one came out to the beams holding up the porch. Being wider makes it a lot more functional. Other than that works about the same as the old one.

While a lot of the country is experiencing colder than normal weather, we have been having warmer than norm weather. Sure hope it continues. We got in a nice bike ride and a hike up a mountain this past week. Christmas dinner at the club house had lots of food and no left overs to eat for days. Great Christmas eve program at our church. Love it when they turn out the lights and everyone lights a candle and sings Silent Night. Happened to be about 1200 of us there so it was quite spectacular. Afterward two other couples came over to the house for Sheila's chili and cornbread. Great week.

Zoo Lights

 The Arizona Zoo puts on "Zoo Lights" every year. These pics are just a couple of the scenes. Over the water they play music and all the lights change to the beat of the music. Lots of other lights on the water that don't show up in this pic - need music for them to pop up. There are 3.7 million lights and takes them several months to put up. Takes about 1 hour to tour the grounds.

Last week we went to the Mesa Mormon Temple to see their lights. They have almost as many lights as the Zoo on their grounds. Also have nativity scenes from around the world. Neat to see everyone's interpretation. 

We will be going to Christmas eve service Tuesday eve at 6 PM. Then a group is coming over to the house for Sheila's cornbread and chili. Wednesday it will be Christmas dinner at the clubhouse. Think we will have over 100 folks there.

Golden barrel

OK, by now you must be getting tired of seeing our plants. So this will be the last one. Only have one more variety anyway.

Many people in our community are leaving to spend a week with their families back in their respective states. Mostly they go to see their grand kids. I understand it when the kids are still little. But when they get to be teenagers all I hear is they see them for a couple of hours. The kids have their own things to do. Maybe they should resort to skype or whatever they call the face to face thingie on the phones. Oh yes one other complaint I always hear is that it was so cold. Well what did they expect - its Winter.

Hildmann's Cereus

Our cold spell has passed and are back in the 60's and 70's. Sheila, however did not escape - she has had a bad cold for 3 days now. Seems to get her once a year. Some friends up the street must know I don't cook. They brought down the evening meal for us. Really nice of them considering they are leaving tomorrow for Oregon for a couple of weeks. I haven't done too bad if you count pizzas for the evening meal (purchased of course). Sheila said she is ready for Paradise Bakery in the morning. It is owned by our favorite bakery back home - Panaras and serves the same food.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb that can be used in cooking. When our weed spraying guy comes he always reminds us not to use it for a few days. I guess people must really use it. Anyway when you cut some off it has a great aroma.

We are in a cold spell now. 50's during the day and low 30's at night. Sure is early in the Winter for these temps, (nothing compared to the low temps back home). Am having to cover some of the sub tropical plants. Most people cover them with sheets. We went to the Good Will to get a couple extra. Said they had a run on them and figured it was not for people's beds. Hope we did not short sheet someone.