Sunday, February 18 to Friday, March 9: Home, Winter Weather, and Boy's Road Trip for Tom

Sunday was a casual day to unpack the trailer and prepare to put it back in the RV barn.

The dogs are always happy to be home. It is time for us catch up on walks in the neighborhood. This includes visiting Cataract Lake County Park.

Monday was President's Day. Tom went to our local Safeway to buy groceries to restock our refrigerator and pantry. He came back with the Safeway Monopoly Game board and game coupons. I told him that I was obsessed with that game in 2016, but did not play last year. I guess we are back in playing Safeway Monopoly.

On Tuesday, it was time to go to the post office and pick up our "vacation hold" mail. There were three weeks of the local newspaper, Williams-Grand Canyon News. In the February 7 issue, I found a photo of four Williams pickleball players --- and two of them were me and Tom!

So, I guess we will get ready for autographing this small article 😊

I joined the Highland Meadows ladies group for lunch at the Red Raven Restaurant. The Red Raven was closed the entire month of January. It is probably the best restaurant in town. At this time, I noticed for the first time --- a red raven painted on the front window! I have been enjoying this restaurant for the past five years and never noticed this red raven.

Wednesday was a day to go to Flagstaff. It was time to get my hair cut and colored by Shawna at Tirzah Salon. I also ran a few errands.

Tom made plans to go on a ten-day road trip with his 41 year old son, Jon. Jon is thinking about buying some property in Wyoming. Tom bought a plane ticket to fly out of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. The flight from Flagstaff goes to Phoenix and then change planes to Denver. The dogs and I dropped Tom at the airport on Thursday morning.

We then crossed over the freeway and walked about an hour at Fort Tuthill County Park.

Granddaughter Emily is graduating from Chapman University in Orange County on my birthday, May 19. Her mother, Donna, has made a tradition of making a "graduation and congratulations" quilt for this special occasion. Donna mails a blank quilt patch with special fabric pens to all friends and family --- for them to create a patch for the quilt. Richard and I created a quilt patch in April 2016 for granddaughter Meghan's May graduation from George Washington University. On Friday, I created the patch for Emily's quilt.

With a strong winter storm today, I will not be able to mail this back to Donna until Monday.

It snowed on and off all day Friday. Nothing better than having a warm home and fireplace inside, while the cold is dancing outside.

At about 3:00pm, the snow took a break. But, only for a short time.

Saturday, the sun was shinning and the snow was beautiful. We received 10 inches of snow --- our deepest this winter.

Needles to say, I did have to fuel up the snowblower to clear the driveway. It was an easy task. The snow was very dry and the machine is so powerful!

Gus and Libby picked me up Sunday afternoon to play pickleball. While I am tackling traditional days, Tom and his son, Jon, are enjoying their road trip in Wyoming and Montana. Here is a photo taken from Devil's Canyon - Big Horn NRA in Wyoming.

Gorgeous!

Tuesday was the Highland Meadows ladies group --- back at the Red Raven Restaurant. This time, I was able to get a shot of the nine of us. The numbers of ladies who attend fluctuates each week.

That evening, I went to an aerobic class with Gus, Libby's husband, and Jan. Wednesday night is a step class. I haven't done step for over 16 years! The instructor, Georgeanna, is very lively. It was a nice change of pace.

We received more snow Wednesday. It was only 3 inches, so the snowblower did not need to be utilized. The dogs and I enjoyed a nice Thursday walk to Cataract Lake.

So, while the dogs and I are here, Tom and Jon are in Yellowstone National Park enjoying nature and buffalo. On this part of their road trip, they caught more snowy weather than expected.

After Yellowstone, they headed toward the Grand Tetons. Interstate 15 was closed at the Montana and Idaho borders, so they took a longer road route to avoid the passes.

Jon's new car, with its all wheel drive, is getting a good workout!

The dogs and I enjoy walking up the "the north 40" of our Highland Meadows community. Up there, you see beautiful views of Mt. Humphreys, the tallest peak in Arizona. Lovely!

Thursday, I drove to Flagstaff to get a facial with Sue Kelly. Several months ago, she moved her practice to her home. It is situated in the woods, near the road up to the Snow Bowl.

The roads to her home were plowed and clear. Thank goodness!

For two weeks, I had to dry out the protea flower I bought in Palm Desert. I hung it upside down in the guest bathroom closet for two weeks. It was time to unveil the project and add it to my vase with the other protea from several years ago.

The purple flower on the left is the new one. I must admit that it is not as colorful as my older one. Interesting!

Sunday morning, I took the dogs out for a walk. When we came back, I was not able to open the front storm/security door. Neighbor Gus came over Monday morning to see if he could open the door. With his help, we saw that the door latch was the problem. I originally thought it was the deadbolt. So, I called Flagstaff Lock and Key and e-mailed them several photos.

Alan, the locksmith, determined that the mechanism inside the door needed to be replaced. He was going to send his partner and brother Donny --- to get the door open, take the mechanism out, and begin the process of ordering a replacement.

Tom and Jon came back to Williams on Tuesday, March 6. Before their afternoon arrival, they stopped in Oatman to say hello to the donkeys.

They also took the back route --- along Route 66 --- through Peach Springs.

It was nice to have them back.

While Tom was away for eleven days, I started going to an evening exercise class with some of the Highland Meadows ladies. Georgeanna is the instructor and for three nights a week, she provides us with a variety exercise. I think I am hooked!

Jon is getting ready to begin the 3,000 mile Pacific Crest Trail. He spent several days getting his gear ready. This included his backpack, tent, first several weeks of food, and he went to Flagstaff REI to buy some new shoes for the walk in the desert.

My spa has several diverters that need to be replaced. The diverters are the knobs that control the jet pressure. I spoke to Scooter at Summit Spa and e-mailed him some photos. Jacob was sent out on Thursday to replace three diverters. Only two were damaged, but as an abundance of caution, the third large one was replaced as well.

On this same day, Donny the locksmith arrived to open the front storm/security door. We are no longer locked in --- having to use the garage doors.

It was Tom's 71st birthday on Friday, March 9. So, Jon and I celebrated with Tom at Rod's Steakhouse in Williams. Jon and I had the prime rib and Tom had a seared ribeye. The bottle of William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon was also good. At the end of the meal, the restaurant server came out with a candle and a complimentary piece of cheese cake. On a low-key birthday, Jon and I were able to sing "happy birthday to you!" Very nice!

Sunday, February 4 through Sunday, February 18: Santa Barbara Spa Weekend and Continuing Visit in Southern California

Once a year, the Organization of Women Executives has a delightful Spa Weekend. I have been a member of this group since 2000. Even though I left Los Angeles fifteen years ago, I have continued the membership and I have enjoyed this specific weekend. This year, the weekend was back to the Bacara Resort, a Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara.

Because of the service and reception for Sara's mother, I arrived late Saturday afternoon. Girlfriend Honoria Vivell was once again my roommate. Honoria and I made arrangements to stay an additional night --- Sunday, too! We attended the Saturday night dinner, the Sunday brunch, and bid farewell to the rest of the ladies.  We just hung out at the beautiful resort and had a delicious dinner at the Bistro Restaurant.

The next morning, we leisurely prepared ourselves for check out and departure. It was a two hour drive to Honoria's home in San Marino. Then, I drove the final one hour back to Soledad Canyon RV Resort in Acton. Tom cheered my return! I arranged to not pick up the dogs until the next morning. So, we enjoyed the evening --- just the two of us.

Tuesday, early afternoon, we picked up the dogs. They were happy to greet us!  Near the boarding facility is Vasquez Rocks State Park. Since we were in the area, Tom and I went there with the dogs. This park has some amazing geological rock formations. This setting has been used on numerous occasions for movies and commercial backdrops.

This was our final day at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon RV Resort. We had pork chops, apple sauce, and spinach souffle for dinner.

In the morning, we headed off to Palm Springs RV Resort --- a 142 mile easy drive.

My friend, Linda Brockie, is a ranger at the Thousand Trails Palm Springs RV Resort. For the past two seasons, she has been so kind in letting me know what pull-thru sites might be available when I arrive at the park. While I have a confirmed reservation, the sites are not assigned. So, it is nice to arrive at the park before 11:00am. This way, I have time to find a suitable site. This trip, it is site #51.

An enjoyable activity when in this area is to go to Sam's Sushi for dinner. This was no exception. Baked lobster roll, yellow tail sushi, and soft shell crab are favorites.  Thank you, our sushi chef!

Tom has been in the market to buy some new tennis shoes. I recently learned that New Balance has actual retail stores. Sure enough, there is a New Balance store in Palm Desert. Tom likes the New Balance shoe, as many have wide toe boxes. So, off to the El Paseo shopping area and hello to new shoes!

The Street Fair at College of the Desert is every Saturday and Sunday, from 7am to 2pm. Two days ago, I realized that I forgot to pack my pickleball wide rim visors. When I played pickleball on Friday, I donned one of my sun hats. It worked, but was not as efficient. So, Tom and I went to the street fair. There, I bought a black sun visor and a new protea cut flower. The dried protea cut flower at home is several years old. It will be nice to have a replacement!

Across from the College of the Desert street fair was the Palm Desert Recreation Center which was the venue hosting the 2018 Desert Senior Games for pickleball. Tom and I stopped by the courts to see some of the mixed double play.

On Sunday, I decided to go to the Coachella Valley Christian Church. It was going to be a surprise visit to see Reverend Stephen Sloat and his wife, Karen. Karen was Richard's law office secretary in the early 1980s and is now an attorney in her own right. When I originally met Stephen, he was a navel chaplain in Hawaii.  Years ago, Richard and I went to Karen and Stephen's wedding at Lake Avenue Community Church in Pasadena.

My friend, Linda Brockie, has been a ranger at Thousand Trails Palm Springs for a number of years. This season, she works three shifts a week --- Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 4pm to midnight. It was fun getting a shot of her Tuesday --- in her ranger uniform!

Wednesday was Valentine's Day.

A month ago, I made reservations for the two of us at a local Hungarian restaurant called Chef George/Picasso in Bermuda Dunes. I had been there once before --- with Ellen and Mark Burson. It is casual dining and the food is delicious. They had live music --- a nice female singer --- and room for some dancing. We enjoyed it!

Friday was my last day of pickleball. It was nice to get a photo of several of my friends --- Martin from British Columbia, full-timer Larry Parks, Gloria Hayden from Michigan, and full-timer Wayne Irvine.

The final day that we were in the desert was February 16 Chinese New Year --- Year of the Earth Dog. Linda Brockie wanted to host a pot-luck at her site. Perfect! And we had a theme --- Chinese New Year with Chinese food. There were about 25 people who contributed food and attended the gathering. Laurie and Mark Irwin from Central Oregon...

Gloria and Bill Hayden from Southern Michigan...

And Monique and Bernard from Quebec, Canada...

The next morning, we left Southern California and drove back to home in Williams, Arizona.

Saturday, January 20 through Saturday, February 3: More Snow, Friends, Travel Trailer, and So California

Tom and I enjoy playing Rummikub, a tile game that Richard and I played a lot. Tom's mother and sister play the game in Florida too. The Rummikub box is getting worn, but the game is still fun!

Saturday and Sunday were snow days. It was our second 5 inch snow dump --- ten days apart. The dogs have not been as happy on our walks, as the temperatures dipped into single digits for a day or two. We only received an inch on Saturday day and the remaining four inches during the night.

Sunday was another day of Williams Parks and Recreation Pickleball. There were three courts in the gymnasium. These two photographed are not regulation size. But, the third one not pictured --- lined out by me, Tom, and Gus --- is!

We found another Williams resident, Chris, who has played pickleball for three years. She and her husband are building a home off Highway 64 --- near the KOA. It was nice having the four of us playing together in six or seven games. Tom is getting more practice and is improving his skill.

With five inches of new snow, neighbor Jim Ramsey dutifully got out his snow blower and cleaned his driveway.

I, in turn, have ignored that project. Our two trucks are able to get in and out of the garage with no snowblower activity. So far, so good.

On Tuesday, Tom had an appointment in Flagstaff. So, I joined him. Several years ago, I received a $50 gift card to several restaurants. One of the restaurants was Red Lobster. I suggested that we use the card in Flagstaff that day. There we were. Lunch at the Red Lobster. I had a Maine lobster roll and Tom had a seafood pizza.

Later Tuesday afternoon, Tom and I went to Spenser's Bar at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. A long-time friend, Lisa D'Arpa, is a bartender there several nights a week. Lisa is married to Jeff D'Arpa and they live in Flagstaff with two girls. Jeff used to be the general manager of Zion Lodge (when Richard and I worked there) and now he is the regional manager of several Xanterra properties in Tusayan and Williams. I had not seen Lisa in several years. It was fun reconnecting with her.

On Wednesday, the dogs and I walked up to the area of our Highland Meadows community that I call "the North Forty." While heading up one of the streets, my pastor of the Williams First Baptist Church, Joe, and his wife, Kelly, drove by and said hello. They sometimes drive to that area and walk their new dog, Devine. Kelly grew up with Dalmatians. So, she always enjoys seeing my three.

My sister Wendy, and her husband Kai, built a second home in Bend, Oregon. They headed up there for two weeks. It was fun seeing a happy posting of them both on Instagram. Bend has winter like Williams. So, notice the big parkas and warm gloves!

The snow is melting quickly. There is no forecast for more in the next two weeks. But, a cute photo of the dogs at the front door shows the reflection of the 5 inches of snow.

On Thursday, we hosted lunch for Melissa and Barry Barnett. I met Melissa and Barry on the Celebrity Eclipse Transatlantic cruise from Southampton to the east coast. They had a suite in the same corridor on the ship and were very friendly to me and Barbara. The Barnetts have a home in Albuquerque and a home in San Miguel, Mexico. They stopped by Williams on their way back home to Albuquerque --- after a week trip in La Quinta and Las Vegas. It was a fun visit!

For the past two years, I have had a standing breakfast date with Joe and Stephanie Hap. Every eight weeks, Joe has had to go to Flagstaff for follow-up treatment for lymphoma cancer. He is cancer free, but the maintenance program was twelve sessions over two years. Joe and Stephanie retired to Prescott, Arizona, in 2015. My town of Williams is between Prescott and Flagstaff. Joe's last treatment was Friday, January 26. Tom and I celebrated with them on Saturday at the Horseman's Lodge in Flagstaff. Balloons and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon were in order!

Congratulations to Joe!

I have wanted a pair of casual red shoes for awhile. I ordered one pair from Amazon that did not fit. I ordered a pair from J.C. Penney's that were PINK not RED. So, while Tom and I were in Flagstaff, we went to the mall and went shopping for my red shoes. I found a pair I really like at Vans. And yes, they are bright red!!!

Sunday was church and then pickleball at the Williams Elementary/Middle School. We lucked out. The blue tape we marked off last week as a pickleball court on the gymnasium floor was still there!

United Blood Services hosted a blood drive at the Williams High School on Monday. I was called a week prior to make an appointment. Done!

I joined the Highland Meadows ladies for breakfast in Flagstaff. The selection this Tuesday was the Toasted Owl Restaurant on the east end of town. There were just five of us, and we all carpooled together. Thank you, Linda Czech, for driving!

Wednesday, we left Williams to head off to Southern California. The travel trailer is so easy. The dogs enjoy our mini vacations. The first stop was Newberry Springs Mountain RV Park on Interstate 40. It was a long drive for us --- almost 300 miles.

But, it will make the next day drive only 134 miles. This park is on the National Trails Highway, another name for the old Route 66. Once again, a great photo opportunity for the dogs.

Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon RV Resort will be our home location for six nights.

On Saturday, I dropped the dogs off at 2nd Home Dog Boarding in Acton. They have stayed here before, and owner Joe takes great care of them. Tom is getting a bachelor weekend. Becky drove to Los Angeles to attend the Requiem Eucharist for Jeane Edwards. Mrs. Edwards died on December 26 at age 92. She is the mother of a very special high school friend, Sara Edwards. There was a lovely reception at their San Marino home. It was wonderful to support Sara and her family, and to see some old high school friends.