Sunscreen and Scooters

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 – We left Lost Dutchman State park and drove about an hour to the Phoenix International Raceway – the site for the Good Sam RV Rally.

This was our first time to ever attend an RV Rally, and we did not really know what to expect……

We arrived at the Raceway, and lined up behind dozens and dozens of campers pulling in to park.

They managed to park everyone…pulling us in one after the other into this big parking lot. We had electricity (provided by long extension cords running from great big portable generators) but no water hook-ups.

I do not have a picture that can show the row after rows of campers that were parked here……campers of all kinds, but most of them were very large motor coaches. We were not the only Airstream, but there were not many of us. (Airstream has it’s own Rallies). All together, there were 3,300 rigs parked at this Rally! A note – our hiking GPS proved to be very useful the first evening……as we almost got lost in this sea of RVs heading back from the stadium!

The RV Rally is like any convention – there are venders and exhibits…… A whole tent set up with everything that you could imagine for campers and RVs inside. We picked up several things for our camper, plus some really nifty repair tape for patching hoses, etc. in emergencies.

And outside……there were 500 RVs and motor coaches on display….and for sale!

We walked through a number of these…..it is fun to see how the ‘other half’ lives! And, they will make you a good deal if you are interested!    ; )

There were also seminars…..we attended several  - one on unique RV Caravanning destinations like Australia and New Zeeland, and some technical seminars on Tire Pressure Monitoring and Solar Panels for RVs. We also listened to a talk on RVing to Alaska, and realized that we, too, have a lot of experience and it reinforced that we are on the right track with our trip planning. It is interesting to hear all about others who are doing what we are doing……even if we all have our own style while traveling.

In the evenings, there was entertainment….the highlights were Bill Cosby…and Martina McBride……and a group who did Beatles music.Sarah and Jason joined us on Saturday and Sunday.  We all really enjoyed the concerts!

The concerts started at 7pm, lasted about 1 1/2 hrs,  but, much to our annoyance, at 8pm on the dot, some of the ‘old people’ in the crowd decided that they had had enough….and wanted to ‘beat the crowd’ to the trams back to the campers….so there would be a stream of people who just got up and left! Their Rock and Roll years were DEFINETLY behind them…….

This Rally was quite the experience…….we enjoyed many aspects of the rally, but, I found that I really did not like the crowds….not in the crowded ‘campground’ nor walking through the exhibits…..

And I am not sure what is meant by the RVing ‘lifestyle’…but I do not feel that this describes us…..Or maybe, we just have our own ‘style’ ……..

And I was struck that we were among the younger ones of this group. And I don’t think I like groups of just older people…..

As I write this….I am trying NOT  to look in a mirror……because, yes, I know that I am getting older, too….but I can’t help but be struck by how people age. As our bodies get older…. we have to deal with limitations. And we really have to fight against getting ‘narrow’ in our thinking and ‘stuck’ in an era. If we are not careful, we can become less tolerant…… It is a bit ‘scary’.

But, written on the faces of the people we met is a truth……Our bodies may be getting older, but, on the inside, we are all still that same young person we were ……grooving to the music of the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s….

Snow Sledding in Arizona!–Visiting Katie and Kids

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – Fred and I took the day to drive to Tucson to visit our niece Katie and her kids – Emma and Jack. (Husband, Nick, was working, so we didn’t catch up with him until dinner time.)

The storms of the past week had put a bit of snow up on Mt. Lemmon, so we decided to go see the snow! Mt. Lemmon is a beautiful 45 min drive from Katie’s. As we gained elevation, we began to see the temps fall and a beautiful layer of snow covering everything.

This was Emma’s first experience with snow and sledding……..

She thought the down-hills were great……

And who wouldn’t like this kind of service for the up-hills!

We settled into a beautiful picnic area with a table for all our stuff…

And a nice place to sit with Jack……

I was AMAZED at how beautiful this area is! This is NOT how I picture Arizona!

Emma learned a thing or two about snowballs…..especially how COLD they can feel!

Jade watched over us patiently…….just glad to be included. You know, she is an old ‘pro’ at snow…..having lived through a winter in Iowa!

I had my turn cuddling Jack. He is so sweet…..

The snow was a  unique experience for us in Arizona…..and a special visit with Katie and Emma and Jack…..

When we had all had enough (actually, when little Emma’s feet and hand got sooo cold!) we headed back to Katie’s house and visited with Nick over a lovely dinner. Thanks, Katie and Nick…..it is always good to see you guys….   : )

Hiking Up to Praying Hands Rock

March 20, 2012 - Our days have settled into a nice rhythm. Hiking in the morning, then head over to Sarah and Jason’s apartment on week day afternoons, where we would take the time to do laundry, make cookies or other ‘treats’, and maybe get dinner started. Then we would visit with Sarah and Jason when they get off work, in the evening.

For our morning hikes, we would hike around Lost Dutchman with our backpacks – explaining to everyone who asked that, no, we were not camping out, but just ‘practicing’ for an upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon. We did not feel too weird, because we were not the only ones using the trails for ‘practice’ or fitness hiking.

Most of our hikes have been looping around Prospector’s Point (about 500 ft elevation gain), which we would do twice for the added elevation and mileage – for a total of 6 miles in about 3 1/2 hours.

Today, on our way around Prospector’s Point, we decided to head up a spur trail to Praying Hands Rock. The trail was steeper and less traveled, gaining an additional 300 ft in elevation over a short distance. The morning was beautiful! Clear blue sky, and cool….starting out at about 46 degrees, but warming up. 

 

This is the Praying Hands Rock formation. When you look at this formation from the right angle, it does not take much imagination to see the hands folded in prayer.

We stopped at this first ‘saddle’ …..and took off our packs and took a few minutes to enjoy the view.

The rain a couple of days before had cleaned the air and the mountains were so crisp ….and snowcapped!…..in the distance.

I just loved this face in the big rock. It reminded me of the rock creatures in the ‘Never Ending Story’.

The trail continued up over the next rise and between the rock formations to the base of the Praying Hands.

We hiked the rest of the way up to Praying Hands Rock without our packs.

It felt so good to be hiking a new trail and ‘discovering’……and soaking up the beauty of the morning.

We enjoyed the break, and the view……then hiked back down, picked up our packs and headed on our way.

After the Rain……

March 19, 2012 – Sunday was a rare Arizona rainy day. A day for sleeping late and just hanging out and visiting.

Monday morning, it was as if the desert just ‘woke up’…..

Everything looked ‘refreshed’…..

The wild flowers popped up, and the Ocotillo Cactus was beginning to bloom.

These bushes……were full of yellow buds just about to burst open.

The Gambel’s Quail were out and about …..

Perched at a feeder……

Or on the cactus…..

This little Canyon Towhee (a type of Sparrow) was busy with Spring activities…… gathering bits and pieces of nesting materials….

And this Gilded Flicker was darting in and out of this Saguaro…..getting her nest ready.

But it was not Spring everywhere ……the higher elevations around Flat Iron had a fresh layer of snow!

From the Back of a Horse

Saturday, March17, 2012 – We took advantage of the weekend with Sarah and Jason to go on a guided trail ride, leaving from Goldfield Ghost Town, just across from Lost Dutchman SP.

We saddled up for a two hour ride…..

With a real ‘cowboy’ for a guide…..which was good ……

Since we are mostly just a bunch of ‘city slickers’……having only ridden a few times before.

The trail looks different from the back of a horse. There is a peacefulness in the wide open spaces …..

And an agelessness…..this Saguaro Cactus is over 500 years old. Note the number of ‘arms’ it has.

And beauty underfoot…..such as this cactus flower….as well as all around.

It is good to get this different perspective…… One that you don’t get when you are hiking. And, a really fun time!