My insurance carrier canceled its association with the company I have my truck and travel trailer insurance. The policy is expiring soon. Because of the two accidents I had in 2017 and 2018, I am a rated insurer. Not financially fun. Erin, who works with my broker, found a new company, Travelers, where I can save money by bundling my auto insurance with my homeowner's insurance. Done!
This Coronavirus scenario might put a kibosh on our May (for my birthday!) vacation plans. We have reservations to fly to London/Heathrow on May 8 --- spend a week touring Wales --- and then take a twelve day British Isles cruise on the Regal Princess.
Over the past few weeks, two Princess ships had passengers and crew testing positive for the Corona Virus. Since then, Princess suspended all 18 ships for a 60 day period --- ending on May 10. The good news is I took advantage of airline fares falling and I was able to secure our round-trip tickets for a $1,500 savings.
Even our Safeway in our little town of Williams was ravaged by the toilet paper hoarders!
But, that did not stop us from gathering in the Rodeo Barn for some pickleball.😊😊😊
While walking the dogs in the neighborhood, we came across Dave and Yolanda Pepka and their adopted dog, Addie. Addie is only a five months old.
On St. Paddy's Day, Tom put some beef brisket, potatoes, carrots, and celery in the crock-pot for a festive dinner later. So, in the afternoon, we decided to take a fun ride out in the forest. We drove out Perkinsville Road for 8-10 miles. We then turned right onto a forest service road. Several miles down the road, we passed Coleman Lake.
The road turned fairly muddy, so we turned around. We went a few miles further down Perkinsville Road and made another right turn onto another forest service road. Several miles down this road, we found a nice place to park and walk in the forest. It soon will be time for the deer and elk to shed their antlers. We found signs of elk foot imprints and scat, but no antlers.
Jamie has gravitated to enjoying the living room couch. When I picked him up at his foster parent's home in Las Vegas, they told me that he liked their couch. What a cute big boy!
Wednesday morning, I had a follow-up medical appointment with Daniel Knight. The Urgent Care physician wanted me to follow-up with my primary care provider in 4-5 weeks and have another chest x-ray. And, viola! My chest looked clear.
After that appointment, I went to pickleball at the Rodeo Barn. At 12:30 pm, four of us pickleball fanatics went to Fiesta Mexican Grill for their $6.99 Express lunch. The foursome was Gus Beatty, Chris Peterson, Tom, and myself. This restaurant is just a small family-run place with good food.
Thursday morning, we woke up to 6-8 inches of snow. The storm was supposed to be stronger, but much of the weather the day before was rain instead of snow.
I posted this photo on Instagram and Facebook. One of my liberal friends asked if the snow covered up my yard sign. I responded with this photo. 😊😊😊
It turned out that Friday was our last day of pickleball in the Rodeo Barn. With the Coronavirus issue, all Parks & Recreation facilities were closed at 9:00 pm. I did find out that the outdoor facilities were going to remain open.
Friday was also my last day of having my hair colored and cut by Shawna Ritter at Wildflower Salon in Flagstaff.
Due to the Coronavirus --- for the safety of employees and clients --- most salons are closing for an undisclosed period of time. Now, I am getting pissed off. This Coronavirus is beginning to impact my little 'ol life!!!
Saturday morning, I found Jamie in an even more comfortable position on the couch. He almost has the pose of a Playboy Playmate!
Later that day, Tom and I tackled the chore of vacuuming the floors and mopping the Italian marble. We were able to stretch it out to five weeks!
Sunday, some members of the pickleball group went to the outdoor tennis courts by the high school. The courts are in serious need of repair, but we had seven players and a portable net.
While we were playing, Lee Payne, a Williams City Councilman, stopped by and talked to us. He had been at one of the City Council meetings where pickleball was discussed. Lee grew up in Williams --- was impressed that we were out playing pickleball in 40 degree weather. Lee talked like he would like to help us find a permanent place to play. Yes!
On Monday, an item I ordered through Amazon Prime arrived. It is a vehicle Pet Barrier for my truck. It is not safe when Jamie stands on the console and rides "shot gun." I wanted something to block him from this. I set it up and it seems to work!
It is a mesh screen with ties that are secured to several places in the truck.
We played pickleball again on Tuesday. It was a sunny day, but the wind came up.
Later that afternoon, I walked the dogs in the "North 40" area of Highland Meadows. Mt. Humphreys was majestic with the recent snow.
Arizona's Governor Ducey has not been as stringent with Covid 19 guidelines as some other state governors. But, on March 25, he responded by defining his first set of essential businesses that should remain open. Since most of Williams is non-essential, Route 66 became a ghost town.
Xanterra, which owns the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, closed its operations for two months ending May 21. The train to the Grand Canyon is no longer operating.
Tom's son, Jon, is doing a lot of shed hunting --- for elk and deer antlers. He has been very successful, but probably walks 10-12 miles per day.
With the town being empty, the dogs and I walked around the area for several miles --- easily applying appropriate social distancing.
Later that afternoon, Tom and I decided to drive up Perkinsville Road and do some shed hunting in the Kaibab National Forest. We did find some bones, but no antlers.
But, it was a beautiful afternoon!
On Friday, March 27, we got a dusting of snow. But, it didn't last long.
On Saturday, Tom and I decided to do some more shed hunting. This time we went north of Devil Dog Road. One interesting discovery --- we came across two wild donkeys.
There was a nice area to pull off the dirt road. So, Tom and I walked several miles looking for shed. No luck.
Sunday evening, we bought some filet steaks at Safeway and had a lovely candlelight dinner.
Monday morning, we were not going to be able to play pickleball on the tennis courts. So, I decided to take Kelsey and Jamie to the Grand Canyon. We walked along the Rim trail --- from Bright Angel Lodge to Yavapai Geology Museum. With the Coronavirus restrictions, all of the lodges, restaurants, and retail establishments were closed. It was weird being there at the South Rim with so few people.
On Tuesday, Amazon Prime came through. I received an order of LED tapered candles. I am now able to use some of my crystal candle holders.
