MERRY CHRISTMAS

It's been two months since our last update and want to say Merry Christmas to all.....

We had planned on leaving our club rally in Camp Verde, AZ and driving up to the Grand Canyon for a few days.  The extended weather report called for temps in the 50's ad a chance of rain for the next week, so we instead drove to our winter place in Apache Junction, AZ. 

Our planned check in date was October 21st, so since we were a few days early we checked in to nearby Lost Dutchman State Park for a few days.

View from our campsite dining table of the Superstition Mountain

 

On October 21st we hooked up to head over to our winter quarters. While exiting the park, coming in were friends Bob & Kim who were also at the rally in Camp Verde.  Unknown to all of us, they were staying at the State Park during the time we were there.  We pulled over and talked about the odds, planned a lunch meet for next week, and after a half hour went our separate ways. 

We planned an impromptu lunch meet with some of our Heartland Owners Cub friends.  Had a great gathering and will see everyone again at the next rally.

Although we planned in advance to spend the winter here in Apache Junction, AZ, we are a bit disappointed in our choice.  Our policy has been to try new places and not return to the same locations twice, but in this case, we now wish we had returned to Tucson where we spent last winter.  Live and learn...

While here though, we'll make the best of it.  June made three ceramic Christmas Trees in the park ceramics room.  One for each of our Grandchildren.  They turned out nice and we shipped them to Indiana so they could display them for Christmas.  We got calls and they said they really liked the trees.  June used each of their favorite colors for the tree bulbs, and for the Grandson, some baseball decals placed on the tree.

Blake's Tree
 

I've played a little Shuffleboard and have taken to hiking several times on a couple different trails.  I've discovered I really like the exercise and the views.

Shuffleboard is big here in Arizona

Views from the Hieroglyph Trail in nearby Gold Canyon, AZ

 

Petroglyphs viewed from the trail



 

Each month the RV park has a Bon Fire on the desert during full moon.  Attendees cook hot dogs and enjoy the evening under the full moon with the Superstition Mountain in the background.  That fire is really hot so we can't get very close.

Residents have learned to add extensions on the hot dog sticks as that fire is really hot.
Knuckles would get cooked without the extensions.
 

A real highlight of our time here was when our youngest son, Kane, flew out from Indiana to visit for a week.  We were soooo glad to see him and had a great time!

Kane with the Petroglyphs on the Hieroglyph Trail

At Lake Roosevelt

One day, Kane treated us to a ride in the desert in this ATV rental car....Great time!



View from Tonto National Monument

 

We had a really good time.

It was a bit chilly during Kane's visit (50's), but sunny days made it really great.



 

It's Christmas eve, nothing planned. Kane flew home last Saturday.  June and I have lunch reservations Christmas day at Miners Camp Restaurant.   Again, Merry Christmas All!