Monday was an errand day for me in Flagstaff. I went to exchange a spa product at Summit Spa and stop by HomeCo, a True Value store. It was also a day to get my hair cut and colored by stylist Shawna Ritter.
Later in the day, I sent an email to Emily Stenman at Buffalo Fence Company. My back fence needs repair. The privacy fence is attached to a post fence which must have some rotted posts.
The Tuesday Highland Meadows ladies group met once again at Pine Country Restaurant. There were only four of us this time --- me, Linda, Donna, and Jan. I ordered the Machaca Breakfast meal. It was delicious and plenty to share with Tom the next morning.
Wednesday was another driving day to Flagstaff. I had an appointment with my facial professional, Sue Kelly, and picked up a prescription for Ramsey at Canyon Pet Hospital. Ramsey has been on a muscle relaxant for a number of months.
Emily, the Buffalo Fence person, was due to come out and look at my fence on Thursday. Her associate called and rescheduled the appointment for next week. At about 2:00 pm, Tom and I noticed that there were cattle in our neighborhood. There are cattle ranches scattered in the area, but this was a new site. I am sure that they went through a damaged fence. Holy Cow!
Joyce and Don Wells arrived for a three-day visit. They have two golden retrievers, Bella and Jeff. All four of them are travelling in their Ford F-150 truck with a nice Lance travel trailer. We have a full hook-up on the side of our property, so they are staying there. Tom and Don like to cook, so they worked together to put together a delicious fajita dinner. Of course, it was augmented by some good California red wine. Very nice!
Joyce, Don, and I worked together at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2007 and 2008. Don was in the transportation department --- driving the South Rim tour buses --- and Joyce was at the Bright Angel Lodge coordinating mule rides and other activities.
Joyce, Don, and the dogs went to the Grand Canyon on Friday. A weather front came in and Williams and the Grand Canyon received snow!
Friday night, we had pork, green beans, and red potatoes. Tom did a great job preparing this crock-pot dinner!
Saturday, the skies were clear and the sun was shining. It was time for the four of us to go to Bearizona, the drive-through and walk-through wild animal park here in Williams. We took the obligatory tourist photo at the entrance.
We saw big horn sheep, wolves, bison, mountain goats, deer, bears, and burros in the drive-through section. In the walk-through section, we saw bobcats, foxes, a jaguar, and a bird show. I even had the opportunity to brush a goat in the petting zoo section.
In the early afternoon, we had beer, fries, and pork sliders at Canyonlands Restaurant inside Bearizona.
After Bearizona, we drove to the historic section of town, parked the truck, and walked the three or four historic blocks. Don and Tom have very robust sweet tooths. So, we stopped at a local sweet shop and the guys each enjoyed two scoops of homemade ice cream.
Saturday night, Don grilled a delicious tri-tip roast. He bathed it in a delicious dry rub. Can you say, yummy!?!
The meal also included a green salad, some french bread, and ranch-style pinto beans. Oh, did I also mention a 2012 Denner Syrah --- that Richard and I bought in 2014 when we last visited Joyce and Don in Paso Robles.
Sunday was the morning that Joyce, Don, and their dogs headed off to the Sedona area. They had reservations at Dead Horse State Park.
After Sedona, they will begin their trek north to Grand Teton National Park. Don was asked to help initiate a new interpretive program. Joyce also will be working there.
The Wells couple are so much fun. We had such a great visit with them!!!
The weather has warmed up, so it is time to wash vehicles and renew the spa water. Tom washed my truck, his truck, and his son's Outback that is currently in our garage. Well done!
That same afternoon, I drained the spa and treated it with a special product before filling it with water again. Love when the water is fresh and clear!
On Tuesday, I joined some of the Highland Meadows ladies for breakfast at Pine Country Restaurant. It was a smaller turnout, so we took just one table.
That afternoon, East Flagstaff Upholstery delivered my two recliners. They are now a turquoise color and really liven up the room!
Wednesday morning was a fun visit with two friends from Rancho Santa Fe, California. Kathy Sage and her husband, Peter Shapiro, were driving through Williams on their way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kathy and I are members of the Organization of Women Executives in Los Angeles. But, both of us know longer live in Los Angeles. Over the years, we have kept in touch. Very nice!
That afternoon, I had an appointment to have two new tires mounted on my truck. It is convenient to use Sandoval Tires, here in Williams.
I have not been successful getting Buffalo Fence out to see my back fence. Emily has called to reschedule twice. Living in a more remote Williams, it is sometimes challenging working with Flagstaff businesses.
On Friday, we packed up the trailer and the dogs and we headed 95 miles to Verde Valley RV Resort in Cottonwood, Arizona. This park is another Thousand Trails park. It used to be a favorite of mine and Richard's. Some of my full-time RV-er friends are staying there. They also play pickleball. It was a nice reunion on the pickleball courts with Sandra and Ed Smith.
In the RV community, it is not uncommon to have 4:00 pm Happy Hour events. We met some old friends and new friends.
The Verde Valley RV park is located on the Verde River. Saturday morning, after pickleball, Tom, the dogs, and I walked along the river.
We made arrangements to see friends, Priscilla and Roger Lasch. They live about 40 minutes away in Dewey-Humboldt. Tom and I invited them to have lunch with us at our RV site. It was beginning to warm up, but there was a nice breeze.
Tom and I worked with Priscilla and Roger at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 2006. Tom has kept more connected with them than I have. But, they are very nice people. Tom reused some of the pork roast and we had Hawaiian rolls and pulled pork sandwiches.
The town of Cottonwood has a cute historic district with wine tasting store fronts, restaurants, souvenir shops, and brewing companies. Tom and I went to visit this area and we enjoyed Happy Hour at Tavern Grille.
The pickleball play at the Verde Valley RV Resort is mixed. On Sunday, there was a smaller turnout. But, I enjoyed being able to play multiple days in a row.
In the afternoon, we drove to nearby Sedona. I showed Tom a place where we had a Shelton family reunion in 2008, Sky Ranch Lodge. It is up on the plateau near the airport. Magnificent views!
Tom and I had lunch at Oak Creek Brewery in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. We each had a nice porter beer and yummy sandwiches. Can you say, Cheers!
On Monday morning, after pickleball, I took the dogs for a walk. I decided to leave some of Richard's ashes on the shores of the Verde River. It was one of his favorite parks. I have significantly reduced the number of times that I have spread his ashes. But, it seemed like a good place.
Monday afternoon, we were invited to go to the Enchantment Resort with friends, Becky and Tom Poremba. I have known Becky and Tom for five or six years. They full-time RV between Pennsylvania and Arizona. They recently bought a seasonal site at Verde Valley. So, from October to May, they will be in the area. Enchantment Resort is a beautiful place in Sedona. We had adult beverages and appetizers.
I was invited to play pickleball with Tom Poremba at the Cottonwood Recreation Center Tuesday morning. There are four courts in the gymnasium. One court is for 4.0+ rated players, one court is for 3.5 rated players, and another court is for those new to the game. It was organized and great pickleball play.
Thank you, Tom, for sponsoring me for the morning!
The weather was looking challenging for Williams on Wednesday --- the day we were supposed to head home. There was a freaky snow storm expected. So, Tom and I decided to pack up and leave Cottonwood a day early. We arrived home at about 2:00 pm, unloaded the trailer, and put it back into to barn. I am glad we were already home when the snow arrived the next day!
It was only a 24 hour front. The snow did not last long. What a difference a day makes!
On Thursday, Tom and I had appointments at Northern Arizona Dermatology. Since skin cancer is in my family history, I have an annual full body scan. Dr. Risner took me at 2:30 pm. Tom had an appointment with her fifteen minutes later. I had a clean bill of health.
On Friday, Tom had an appointment at Costco in Prescott to have four new tires mounted on his truck.
Costco has some great prices on tires and it is always nice to visit Prescott. Costco and Trader Joe's 😀😀😀 We had a nice lunch at Wildflower Bread Company before heading home.
Saturday morning was the semi-annual Community Clean-up Day. This is a trash pick-up day for the town of Williams, from 9:00 am to noon. I was impressed. It was so much better organized than previous years.
After the event, hamburgers and hot dogs are served to the volunteers. I even won a $20 Dairy Queen gift card for turning in the most unusual trash item. I didn't take a photo, but it was a perfume bottle in the likeness of a car engine part.
In the afternoon, Tom and I took out our bikes for a ride through our Highland Meadows community.
Along the golf course fairway was a perfect photo opportunity of Mt. Humphrey's.
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we had margaritas and a taco salad for dinner.
The other fun event of the day was watching the Kentucky Derby. Justify did his magic!
