On Friday evening Marge and I went to an event to support a local woman's shelter. We had both seen it advertised on the local cable station and thought it might be nice. The shelter is called Amberly's Place and supports all victims of abuse - women, children and seniors. We were there at 5:30 to register. It was held in a huge building which used to be a shoe store. Different businesses donated time and goods for the evening. So each person there was permitted to choose 2 different activities. I had a basic acupuncture treatment and my fingernails polished. Marge had her nails done also as well as some Mary Kay makeup work. There were massages, 5-minute hair-dos, tattooing (temporary) to name a few. Also, some clothes, candles, books were on sale at very reduced prices with all money going to the shelter. A local restaurant, The Texas Roadhouse, provided the food. We saw demonstrations of salsa dancing and self-defence. The evening ended at 8:30 with 26 lovely gift baskets being raffled. We each paid $20 and it was a really lovely evening. Nice to see what is happening in the community.
Gary and I have been spending quite a bit of time looking around at different options to stay here again in winters to come. We are close to closing a deal on a park model in the resort which is twinned with this one - Cactus Gardens. I am sure they have a website if anyone wishes to check it out. We need police checks, so sent in the paperwork for those last week. Mine came back pretty quickly, but we are still waiting for Gary's. Is there something in his past he has not told me about? So we will take the 5th wheel home, try to sell it, drive down here next year and leave the vehicle here. So it will be a matter of flying after that. We plan to come down late October and stay till end of March - flying home for Christmas. There is an airport here in Yuma. I have checked out prices for flights and they are actually not too bad. So - the park model will have a place for a spare bed (which the 5th wheel does not) - hope to see some visitors!
Marge and I went shopping and to a different casino today.
It rained hard here Sat. - quite welcome! We experienced an earthquake on Sunday. Quite the feeling! 4.6 I believe.
Our time here is winding down. Marge and Jim will leave on Monday. We are due to leave Tuesday, but I think we will extend it a few days. The forecast is for much warmer temps. next week, so don`t want to miss that - it has been mid-60s.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sat. Feb. 12 - Wed. Feb. 16
We are really -and I mean really - enjoying this life. The past week has not been terribly busy, but so nice to appreciate the weather, meet new people and get to know the area a bit better.
We went to a Valentine's dance here at the park on Sat. night. You know you are in a 55+ park when the dance starts at 7 and finishes at 10! But we had a good time. Three local men sang and they were pretty good.
Marge and I went to church on Sunday, then the four of us went for breakfast. But not before driving around a fair bit looking for a place with less than a 30 minute wait! In the end we did have to wait. I understand it is like that every Sunday. Now we know!
Casino for the ladies on Tuesday, followed by some shopping. Then Bingo again in the evening. A day of touring around with Gary yesterday.
It is a bit cooler - actually expecting some rain on the weekend.
We went to a Valentine's dance here at the park on Sat. night. You know you are in a 55+ park when the dance starts at 7 and finishes at 10! But we had a good time. Three local men sang and they were pretty good.
Marge and I went to church on Sunday, then the four of us went for breakfast. But not before driving around a fair bit looking for a place with less than a 30 minute wait! In the end we did have to wait. I understand it is like that every Sunday. Now we know!
Casino for the ladies on Tuesday, followed by some shopping. Then Bingo again in the evening. A day of touring around with Gary yesterday.
It is a bit cooler - actually expecting some rain on the weekend.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday Feb.11
Thursday night Marge and I decided to go to the Yuma Palms shopping mall to hear some live jazz. Now, Gary and I had been there earlier in the day to get some earrings to replace the ones I had put in last fall. We discovered an outdoor mall - patio stone type streets, beautiful shops and classical music being piped from speakers on the sidewalk. Beautiful! Anyway, I saw an ad for the live jazz which would be on the grassy area just in front of the theater. So down we went. A wonderful couple sang - beautiful voices and melodious saxaphone. Sitting in the open air with just a light jacket, enjoying a glass of wine and listening to soothing music - how much better could it get?
Friday Gary and I hopped in with Marge and Jim for a bit of adventure. We did a bit of shopping, then Jim took us to the local branch of the Elks for lunch. We then drove south so we were within 12 miles of the Mexican border. None of us were interested in going over the border, so we turned back and explored the older flea market in this area. Not nearly as large or impressive as the one we were at last weekend.
A dip in the pool and some sunbathing back at the resort were in order at the end of the afternoon.
Friday Gary and I hopped in with Marge and Jim for a bit of adventure. We did a bit of shopping, then Jim took us to the local branch of the Elks for lunch. We then drove south so we were within 12 miles of the Mexican border. None of us were interested in going over the border, so we turned back and explored the older flea market in this area. Not nearly as large or impressive as the one we were at last weekend.
A dip in the pool and some sunbathing back at the resort were in order at the end of the afternoon.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sun. Jan. 30 - Thurs. Feb. 10
On our last Sunday in Las Vegas, we went once again to the Cannery for a Champagne brunch. It was as bountiful and delicious as before.
Through Sunday night we were awakened a few times by wind which rocked the trailer. We were due to leave for Yuma Mon. morning, but Gary did not want to drive in that wind - understandable! And the forecast was that the winds would continue through Wed. afternoon. So - with all kinds of flexibility - we just stayed put. Tested the Hitchin' Post restaurant for breakfast Mon. and Wed. - wonderful. The temp. plummeted Tues. night - most people (including us) had frozen water hoses Wed. morning. We were able to use the water pump and water in the holding tank until the hose thawed, so no inconvenience there. But, we thought we had lots of propane - and had ordered some to be delivered Wed. afternoon - but woke up to 49 degrees in the trailer Wed. morning. The furnace runs on propane and we ran out. I can pretty well guarantee that won't happen again - we are learning as we go.
Thursday morning dawned sunny and calm, so we hooked up and left Las Vegas. Kind of sorry - it was a great park and we were very happy there. I wouldn't be adverse to going back to Las Vegas in the future - many more shows to see!
The drive on Thursday was through the desert. Miles of straight road ahead of us and miles of barren, tumbleweed-covered land on each side. We didn't see any wildlife, though there were fences on each side similar to the ones we have to keep moose off the road.
We stopped in Needles for fuel. The mechanic remarked that the shocks on the trailer looked worn and suggested we go for lunch while he jacked the trailer up to have a look. Well, not only the shocks but equalizers (???) as well. We could have continued on, but since the trailer was up and partially taken apart, we decided to be safe and have it taken care of right then. Our schedule wasn't that tight anyway. So -$1500 and 3 hours later, we were on our way. We will soon have a new trailer!
We passed through Quartzite about an hour before Yuma. I swear I had no idea that there were so many RV's in one place! I actually don't think there is a house in that community. There were clusters of RV's in some places and then later on we would see one parked way off the road in the middle of nowhere all by itself. Obviously no services - probably no charge, either. Not my idea of camping.
We arrived in Yuma around 4 PM. Marge had been looking for us - we were later than expected. The park here is very nice - different from the last one. There are over 200 sites and many are long-term. The hosts welcomed us with a bright yellow canvas "welcome bag" with a pack of cards, small magnetic white board and marker and local information. Gary got us parked and hooked up, then we went over to have hamburgers with Marge and Jim. It was an early night - the day had tired us out!
Since we have been here the weather has been varied. We have had as low as 70 and as high as 80 so far. Nights are still mid-40s. But glorious sun every day! We shopped at a flea market, patronized the local Wal Mart (can't believe the snowbirds!!!!), had pedicures (both of us!), and shopped the local RV stores for supplies. Marge and I spent an afternoon at the stores, I went to Bingo Tuesday night, and have been in the hot tub and the pool a few times. It really is the life.
We have actually begun the process to leave the fifth wheel here when we come next year. It seems that we are both quite content to leave the snow and cold behind. I honestly cannot believe how quickly our time is passing. We certainly do miss everyone, but are really enjoying this!
Through Sunday night we were awakened a few times by wind which rocked the trailer. We were due to leave for Yuma Mon. morning, but Gary did not want to drive in that wind - understandable! And the forecast was that the winds would continue through Wed. afternoon. So - with all kinds of flexibility - we just stayed put. Tested the Hitchin' Post restaurant for breakfast Mon. and Wed. - wonderful. The temp. plummeted Tues. night - most people (including us) had frozen water hoses Wed. morning. We were able to use the water pump and water in the holding tank until the hose thawed, so no inconvenience there. But, we thought we had lots of propane - and had ordered some to be delivered Wed. afternoon - but woke up to 49 degrees in the trailer Wed. morning. The furnace runs on propane and we ran out. I can pretty well guarantee that won't happen again - we are learning as we go.
Thursday morning dawned sunny and calm, so we hooked up and left Las Vegas. Kind of sorry - it was a great park and we were very happy there. I wouldn't be adverse to going back to Las Vegas in the future - many more shows to see!
The drive on Thursday was through the desert. Miles of straight road ahead of us and miles of barren, tumbleweed-covered land on each side. We didn't see any wildlife, though there were fences on each side similar to the ones we have to keep moose off the road.
We stopped in Needles for fuel. The mechanic remarked that the shocks on the trailer looked worn and suggested we go for lunch while he jacked the trailer up to have a look. Well, not only the shocks but equalizers (???) as well. We could have continued on, but since the trailer was up and partially taken apart, we decided to be safe and have it taken care of right then. Our schedule wasn't that tight anyway. So -$1500 and 3 hours later, we were on our way. We will soon have a new trailer!
We passed through Quartzite about an hour before Yuma. I swear I had no idea that there were so many RV's in one place! I actually don't think there is a house in that community. There were clusters of RV's in some places and then later on we would see one parked way off the road in the middle of nowhere all by itself. Obviously no services - probably no charge, either. Not my idea of camping.
We arrived in Yuma around 4 PM. Marge had been looking for us - we were later than expected. The park here is very nice - different from the last one. There are over 200 sites and many are long-term. The hosts welcomed us with a bright yellow canvas "welcome bag" with a pack of cards, small magnetic white board and marker and local information. Gary got us parked and hooked up, then we went over to have hamburgers with Marge and Jim. It was an early night - the day had tired us out!
Since we have been here the weather has been varied. We have had as low as 70 and as high as 80 so far. Nights are still mid-40s. But glorious sun every day! We shopped at a flea market, patronized the local Wal Mart (can't believe the snowbirds!!!!), had pedicures (both of us!), and shopped the local RV stores for supplies. Marge and I spent an afternoon at the stores, I went to Bingo Tuesday night, and have been in the hot tub and the pool a few times. It really is the life.
We have actually begun the process to leave the fifth wheel here when we come next year. It seems that we are both quite content to leave the snow and cold behind. I honestly cannot believe how quickly our time is passing. We certainly do miss everyone, but are really enjoying this!
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