Thursday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 14, 2021: April Sunshine and Bisbee Getaway

It is April and the weather is exceptional. Jamie and Kelsey spent some time sunning on the side of the house.

In the afternoon, Kelsey had an acupuncture appointment with Dr. Amstutz at Canyon Pet Hospital.

Governor Ducey signed an Executive Order to eliminate any mandatory mask wearing in the state of Arizona. But, the Flagstaff City Council voted to keep Flagstaff under a mask mandate. Stupid liberals!

Friday morning, there was no pickleball play. So, Tom and I went for a nice walk in the woods off of Spring Valley Road.

Unfortunately, it began to sprinkle and we took refuge under a Pinon Pine.

The sprinkles did not last long, but we cut our walk short. Later that afternoon, the weather cleared up and it was nice enough that Tom and I had adult beverages on the patio. Yeah!

I had a hair cut and color appointment Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff. I came home early enough to see Jamie and Kelsey enjoying the sunny day.

Sunday was Easter. My sister Carrie and her husband Brent headed up to Bend, Oregon. They live in Coto de Caza, California, but are building a second home in Bend.

That evening, Tom and I had a date night. We went to DJ's Wild West Junction to listen to music by Rick Remender.

It was a very nice venue --- sitting on the outside patio.

The restaurant serves BBQ. I had beef ribs! They were delicious --- but full of calories. 😮😮😮

Monday afternoon, I had a manicure and pedicure appointment at 66 Nails Spa. Will gave me a pedicure and Jennifer did my nails.

Tuesday evening, Tom and I met up with Penny Tidwell and Gene Galloway at the Red Raven Restaurant. Penny and Gene live in Las Vegas, but they were taking daughter-in-law Diane and granddaughter Kelly to the Grand Canyon the next morning. We had a nice visit.

Wednesday afternoon, Tom wanted to find a hidden canyon near Cedar Mountain. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the location. The canyon was surprisingly beautiful --- with pine trees and lava-based rock formations.

I have never seen this kind of beauty in the woods north of Williams.

We only had to do one rock scramble --- heading in and out of the canyon.

Before leaving the canyon, we noticed an Eagle's Nest. It was lodged in the rock formation and was huge! Later, we found out that our pickleball friend Chris Peterson calls that canyon Eagle's Nest Canyon. Very appropriate!

Thursday afternoon, I had a facial appointment in Flagstaff and Tom had a barber appointment in Williams. Since we did not play pickleball that day, I later took the dogs on a long walk by Cataract Lake. It was a beautiful spring day!     

On Friday, Tom talked to his son Jon. Jon and his hiking partner, Dana Phillips, had started their long-distance hike in Alabama and Georgia. The first section was the Pinhoti Trail.

Dana's husband, Rick, is supporting Jon and Dana on the trail. Dana had a serious bout of breast cancer several years ago. So, Jon and Dana are hiking just ten miles a day until Dana gets acclimated to being back on the long-distance trail.

On Saturday, I dropped the dogs off at the Grand Canyon Railway Kennel. Then, Tom and I hopped into my truck and we started the drive to Bisbee, Arizona. We took a picturesque route, so it was going to take eight hours. With this, we made motel reservations in Globe, Arizona. I have never been on this route past Payson. Our route took us by Roosevelt Lake and we stopped at a scenic lookout.

It was very windy. The bridge is quite magnificent.

We arrived at our Globe motel at around 3pm. The motel sits on top of a small hill.

For dinner, we went to a local sushi restaurant in Historic Globe. The restaurant was Bloom, an Asian Concept. Globe is not a large city, but it has a nice variety of good restaurants. The sushi was very good.

The next morning, we checked out of our motel and we went down the road to Judie's Cook House for breakfast. It was an old fashion diner.

The drive down to Bisbee was three and one-half hours. We rented a darling 1905 cottage through Airbnb. Check-in was a front door lockbox with keys inside.

The front porch had two rocking chairs --- right on the main street, Tombstone Canyon Drive. There home had a barbecue in the side yard. So, we decided to go to the local Safeway for steaks, potatoes, and mushrooms. Tom and I had adult beverages on the front porch and we watched the world go by.

After our adult beverages, Tom prepared the potatoes and mushrooms and then he began to barbecue the steaks.

On Monday, I walked all over the town. Bisbee is an old mining town. We were fortunate to fine a place to stay right in the Historic District of Bisbee.

The town of Bisbee was built on many hills. There are many outdoor staircases connecting various streets. At the third weekend in October, there is a famous stair climb attraction.

The mayor of Bisbee is a liberal Canadian. The town of Bisbee has a strict mask mandate. The mask mandate includes indoors and outdoor. I complied with wearing a mask inside public buildings, but no way would I wear a mask outdoors! Crazy!!!

 

Tom joined me for some walking around the town. We visited the historic Copper Queen Hotel. Unfortunately, the dining room has not yet opened for the season.

For dinner, we went to a highly rated restaurant called Bisbee's Table. We had a very nice meal. I had steamed mussels and Tom had BBQ pork ribs.

 

Tuesday morning, we had tour reservations at the Queen Mine. It was easy to walk from our cottage.

We arrived early and explored the facility.

Ten minutes before the tour, we had to put on vests, hard hats, and lights.

The tour involved getting on small train cars to enter in the mine.

The tour was about 1 1/2 hours long. We had a tour guide for the twenty of us. At various sections, we got off of the train and walked to certain sites. It was very informative!

The mine was active until the mid-1970s. Throughout its history, there were six ores mined --- including gold, silver, and copper.

After the tour --- and before turning in my hat, vest, and light --- I posed for a photo.

After the mine tour, we had lunch at a highly rated restaurant called Cafe Cornucopia. It was a small restaurant with good food.

After lunch, I took our lunch leftovers back to the cottage. Tom went across the street to a Gelato store for a small ice cream.

Tom and I met back up at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum for a 1:30 pm reservation. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to go through the museum exhibits. Then, we walked back to the cottage.

That evening, we had adult beverages on the porch and consumed some leftovers from dinner and lunch. This was our final night in Bisbee.

The next morning, we had some breakfast and then we departed the cottage. It was time to head back to Williams. We decided to take the fastest route home --- through Tucson and Phoenix. At lunchtime, we stopped in Black Canyon City for a meal at Chilleen's on 17. Tom had never been to this restaurant. It had been over five years since I dined there.

I was first introduced to this restaurant on an episode of Bar Rescue with Jon Taffer. Richard and I went to Chilleen's on 17 for lunch several times. Good barbecue for sure!

We arrived home at about 3:30 pm. Tom and I went to the kennel to pick up the dogs. All is right with the world.

Friday, March 12 to Wednesday, March 31, 2021: March Madness and other Things

I had an manicure appointment with Jennifer at 66 Spa. After my appointment, Jennifer and her family are driving to Chicago to visit Jennifer's sister. It was fun capturing a photo of Jennifer and Bella, her six year old daughter.

David and Donna rented an Airstream Basecamp trailer last year. They enjoyed the experience so much that they bought one. Delivery was today. It is a 16 foot compact trailer.

Since they live in Park City winter snow country, they headed off to Southern Idaho for their first trip. They stayed at several Harvest Host wineries.

They enjoyed a bike ride along the Snake River.

Considering Donna's Dad and I enjoyed an RV lifestyle for over 12 years, it is fun that David and Donna have joined the RV recreational use Fan Club. Donna's brother Rick and his family became RV fans several years ago.

In Williams, we received 1 1/2 inches of fresh snow. It did not last long, but made for a nice walk in the neighborhood.

On Sunday, we received more snow --- about 4 1/2 inches. Tom got the snowblower out to clear the driveway.

While winter is here, Tom and I like the fact that Arizona does not honor daylight savings. So, we did not have to change our clocks!

On Monday, Gabe the plumber came back to complete the project to replace the Potable Expansion Tank for the water heater. Thank you, Gabe!

Later in the afternoon, I had an appointment in Flagstaff for my annual mammogram. Their waiting area had the Covid-19 separation in full force. I'll be so glad when all of this is over!

That night --- after dinner --- Kelsey and Jamie decided to pose handsomely for a photo. My fur babies are so cute!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀🍀🍀 First thing in the morning, I noticed some clouds draped over the top of Bill Williams Mountain.

Tom and I both had medical televisits with doctors. Tom had a phone video call with Dr. Wong. I had a follow-up with Dr. Laura Wade to go over some lab work and renew some prescriptions.

Tom and I decided to celebrate St. Paddy's Day with lunch at the Wild West Junction. Tom ordered the restaurant special --- corn beef and cabbage. I had a Cobb salad. Our neighbor Gus joined us too.

After lunch, I had a nice walk in the neighborhood to Cataract Lake.

On Thursday, I took another walk in my neighborhood --- on streets that wind around the golf course. I never tire of seeing the snow covered Mt. Humphreys.

I also took a nice photo of Bill Williams Mountain.

Both of these mountain photos have the Elephant Rocks Golf course in the foreground. The public golf course is closed in the winter months.

That evening, Tom joined Kelsey, Jamie, and me for a walk around the block.

On Friday, I took the dogs up to the "North 40" area of Highland Meadows. Over the past couple of years, there has been an explosion of new homes built there. When I first moved to Williams in 2014, there were only five homes built. There are now at least forty homes built. I was still able to capture a photo of Mt. Humphreys over the tree tops.

On Saturday, Tom and I drove down a nearby forest road. We parked and walked up a hill --- looking for shed. There were beautiful clouds and some very nice views.

While we found no antlers (shed), it was a very pleasant walk.

Sunday afternoon, I took the dogs to town. We parked the truck by the Safeway and we walked up to Buckskinner City Park. I wasn't able to easily tie the dogs up for a picture of them by the lake. It was a location where many people fish in the spring, summer, and fall. For the dogs, there were too many "fish parts and fish smell" distractions. So, I took a photo without them.

On Monday morning --- while I was playing pickleball --- Twin Peaks Glass came to my home and replaced the foggy window. The glass company has a cash discount. The price of the new window increased 45% since May of last year. I inquired and was told that it was due to increases in materials since Covid-19! When the work was completed, Tom was kind enough to give them the envelop of cash.

In the afternoon, I had a 90 minute massage with Natanya. She is so good for my body!

Tuesday morning, we woke up to another three more inches of snow. Since it was still snowing, I put the dog jackets on Kelsey and Jamie.

My sister Wendy texted me a photo of a car message about voting for the President who gave up his wealth for our country --- not the man who gave up our country for his wealth. Crazy times!

The snow pattern this winter has been different. We have been getting 3-4 inches of snow every week. There was only one deep snow in January. Here is a photo of Wurgler's Meadow in our neighborhood.

Tom joined us again for a late afternoon walk --- my "boys."

On Thursday, Tom and I drove down to Chino Valley to meet Priscilla and Roger Lasch for lunch. We met at the Bonn Fire Restaurant.

Tom and Roger had liver and onions. Priscilla had chicken parmesan. I had beef sliders with sweet caramelized onions. We ordered off their Rite Bite entree menu. Perfect amount of food for lunch!

 

On Friday, I had some lab work done at the North Country HealthCare in Williams. Jamaica drew my blood.

Saturday morning, we received about two inches of fresh snow. But, the sun was shining and it did not last long.

Later in the morning, Jon came by the house. He is heading out on Sunday for at least three months. Jon and his hiking partner are doing some long-distance hiking in Alabama and Georgie. They are doing the Pinhoti Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail. Tom took out his Kaibab National Forest map and Jon showed him some good places to look for shed while Jon is gone.

It is always nice capturing a photo of father and son.

Jon also bid farewell to Jamie and Kelsey.

Saturday afternoon, we were invited to play cards at our neighbor Gus Beatty's home. Another couple, Darcy and Gary, came too. Gus set up an assortment of luncheon meats, cheese slices, dips and chips. It was a fun afternoon! Darcy and Gary will be headed back to Minnesota on Thursday. We have enjoyed playing pickleball with them this winter.

My friend from Sunriver, Oregon --- Carol Thomas --- shared this photo of the first 60 days of the Biden Administration. Tragic...

On Monday, Tom was going to Flagstaff for several appointments. He decided that it was time to have his oil changed. I googled JiffyLube coupons and uncovered a fantastic deal!

The manager at the Flagstaff JiffyLube told Tom that he had never seen a savings of this much!

On Wednesday, Tom and I drove out to Jon's home. Jon had a package delivered to his front door. I had not been out to Jon's house for a long time. It was almost three years ago that I saw the "For Sale By Owner" sign on the property. It is a cute 650 square foot home on an acre of land. There are several other small buildings on the property. It is perfect for a 40+ year old bachelor!

Once every three months, Jesse --- from Atomic Pest Control --- sprays inside and outside the house. It is greatly reduced the amount of spiders.

Over the past several years, Tom and I have noticed that several bats like to "sleep" under the rafters of our front porch. I mentioned it to Jesse in October. There is a preventative way to "scare off" the bats. Jesse installed the eight small devices on this service call.

Each container has a gel inside. Apparently, the bats think that the gel is emitting fire. Jesse said that this procedure should work for several years. We hope so!