March 14–20, 2016 Bead Retreat, Friends, and a Little History

The Bead Retreat here at North Ranch was from March 13 thru March 19 and it was WONDERFUL.  Thanks to all who made this happen.

Each year, there is a Bead Week, which consists of classes all day long.  This year it was a little different.  There was a lot of sharing, impromptu classes, one on one teaching, make and take classes.  Many of these ladies I have met over the years and it was great to spend some one on one time and get caught up with each them.  What a blessing!

So what did I learn?  Well..

Peggy D took the time to teach me how to wire wrap a cabochon.  I have tried wire-wrapping in the past and failed miserably.  But this time, I did have some success!  I was able to seat the Cab but still need much practice on what I call Curly Q’s.   Thank you Peggy!

Here is my finished piece:

Judee N. took the time to teach me bead crochet.  That was another one that I had not been able to master.  Well, I still need practice but I finally understand the concept and moves.  So I picked up some beads and that is on my list to do.

I also took a polymer clay “make and take”.  That was a lot of fun – I have wanted to try my hand at that and hopefully get to do more next season.  Thank you Boni and Della.

It was a wonderful week!

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Along with the one on one time with the ladies, Andy and I spent time with Geri and John (Dinner and Happy Hours), Carolyn and Pete (who came here for a few weeks), and Dinner with Lois, Bill, Lois, Dave.   Always good to see old friends and meet new ones.

There were a few spousal activities.  On Wednesday, I took off and went with Andy to the Museum (see below) and on Friday, Andy spent the day with John after the men’s breakfast.

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On Wednesday, Andy and I joined the spousal trip for lunch at Anita’s in Wickenburg and then to a private tour of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.  We had been to this museum about 5 years ago and did the audio tour so it was really nice to have this private tour by two docents that live in North Ranch.

Our tour started out on the top floor that housed much of the western artwork.  We were told about the history of the art and the meaning of many of the pictures.

One of the pictures was called “Thanks for the Rain” by Joe Beeler who in 1965, along with many other cowboy artists started the Cowboy Artists of America.  His sculpture of that picture is in front of the museum:

We were not able to see all of the upper floor because they were preparing for the Cowgirl Up Exhibit this weekend.

Next we headed downstairs where there is a replica of an old western town complete with a blacksmith shop:

A saloon:

General Store with many supplies:

A chuck wagon:

There was a diorama of the history of the Wickenburg area from the ancient peoples to the present and our docent was wonderful in explaining all that history. 

More information can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickenburg,_Arizona

http://www.wickenburgchamber.com/about/wickenburg-history/

Here is an interesting Wickenburg Creation:

This statue represents the town jail from 1863 to 1890.  The prisoners were chained to this mesquite tree until they served their sentence.  This mesquite tree is over 200 years old.

Around the down town are 6 large bronze sculptures and 16 linking pieces.  By each of the large sculptures there is an audio narrative about that piece.  This is a “Vaquero” who would provide evening serenades to downtown visitors in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  Isn’t he cute – ?

It was a wonderful tour day and if you are in the area, I highly recommend the museum and a walking tour of the town.

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On Saturday, we did some cleanup and visiting and on Sunday after some final “see you laters”,  we headed west towards the Colorado River.

The desert is getting greener and greener:

Cool advertisement in the middle of nowhere:

I bet this barn could tell stories:

Rocks and more rocks:

Across the river into California:

We are staying at Emerald Cove, one of our membership parks.  I originally wanted to camp in the desert but since it is going to be in the 90’s and I am a wuss, we opted for a place with air conditioning.  Have no idea what is next so stay tuned.

Today’s stats:

Miles Traveled: 121 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona:  SR-89; SR-71; US-60; SR-72; SR-95;

California:  SR-95; SR-62; Parker Dam Road

Enjoy today!

March 7-13, 2016 Our Last Week in Yuma

WOW!  Hard to believe that this season is winding down and we will be heading north east soon. 

This week was also another busy one:

On Monday, we measured our lot, decided what our first steps next season will be, and submitted the schematic to the Lot Development Committee.  We will not be doing anything until we come back down but we wanted to know if we have to change anything before we apply for the permits.

So what are the changes… well, a new, larger shed located closer to the front of the lot.  That way we can develop the back part of the lot into a patio or even a temporary Arizona room.  Stay tuned for the changes.

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Tuesday was spent in Los Algodones, Mexico for Andy’s dental – next step in the implant process.  We arrived at 10:30 and Irene walked us a few blocks to get X-Rays to ensure the bone graft (that he had done in December) was all healed.  Then back to the office.  Dr. Roberto (Dr. Roberto Arce Lopez of the Smille Shoppe) told us to come back in about an hour or so and he would have the results and then we would go from there.

So off we went to have a great chicken lunch (Thanks Larry for the recommendation) and some shopping in the Plazas.  We arrived back at the office around 12:30 and Dr. Roberto told us all was good and his surgery was scheduled for 1:30.  We walked around a little bit then came back and waited.  At 1:30, Irene walked us to the end of the block, we hopped in the Dr.’s Car and off we went a few blocks to the surgery center.  When we got out of the car, we walked down a narrow alleyway to the office (it turned out that this was a shortcut – the office was beautiful).  As we went down that narrow passage, Andy and I looked at each other and thought oh-oh…  Had we not been with Dr. Roberto for the last 7 years, we would have walked the other way.  The reason we went to the center is that Dr. Roberto is getting another certification and Andy’s surgery had to be observed by another doctor.

When it was all over, we went back to the office, finalized his next steps over the next few months, got his prescriptions and away we went  - across the border and home again.  A long day.

As of today, Sunday, Andy is doing well.  Still a little sore and a little swollen but that is to be expected.  In six to eight months, he will receive his permanent tooth – .

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Wednesday I went beading – finally finished one of my bracelets:

Really like the button closure!

Late afternoon, we went to dinner with JoAnn and Judd and had a great time getting caught up.  JoAnn and I met about four years ago in a laundry in Quartzsite, found out we had a lot in common, and remained friends ever since.  It was great to see them again.

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Thursday was hang out day until we went to the Yuma Historic Theatre to hear “Paperback Writer” a great Beatles tribute band.  They played for two hours with a short 10 minute break and had the audience singing along.

Here is their web page:  http://paperbackwritersite.com/

Next season we hope to see more shows here.

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Friday was spent getting the lot/shed ready for shutdown and the motorhome ready to go.  That afternoon, we went to see Sandy and Raul and then to the seafood buffet at the Q.  We had been just missing each other this season so we were glad to reconnect and get caught up.  (They are our son-in-law’s parents.)

And by the way, the seafood buffet was EXCELLENT!

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Saturday was spent doing laundry, cleaning and the final prep to summer-ize the lot.  I did get a chance to get around the park and take some pictures of the beautiful flowers:

The ocotillo is blooming:

The hummingbirds just love sitting in the ocotillo and it drives the kitties crazy:

Our neighbor’s cactus is blooming:

Beautiful flowing tree in boon-docking:

Oh my, the flowers and the brilliant colors:

Speaking of flowers, we can smell the orange blossoms every day from the citrus fields – it is wonderful!

The weather has cooled down a little and it is beautiful.  Even the kitties are being lazy:

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On Friday we (actually me, Diane) decided that since Andy’s swelling was down, we would go to Congress on Sunday for the Bead Retreat.  So I made reservations on Friday for the campground (still figuring that if his swelling was up we would cancel and go back to the doctor).

Well, Sunday, he was still good – there was only swelling around his gum/cheek area which was to be expected. So we finished shutting down and away we went.

Check out these citrus groves – we found out that after the fruit is picked, the cutter comes in and trims them – almost looks like my bushes at home:

We traveled up US-95 past the Big Guns (which is near the entrance to the Yuma Proving Grounds):

The desert has really greened:

For my friends that go to Quartzite in January – this is Kuehn Street today – very empty.  For my friends that do not go to Quartzsite, in January this is bumper to bumper traffic along with lots of folks on foot!

We continued east on I-10 – check out the flowers:

Then on US-60 thru Hope:

How cute:

Our journey continued:

Past a pecan farm:

Oh my.. a dust devil (tornado):

Coming into Wickenburg:

Heading to North Ranch, an Escapee Park, we saw this in the new traffic circle.  In 2008, there was a golfing community starting here but it did not happen.  Now the building of the new community is going strong:

We arrived, set up (our spot is next to Della and Bob – ), and I went to the Activity Center to register. I surprised our friends Geri and John – SO GREAT to see them.  It was SO GREAT to see the ladies that I have not seen in quite a few years also.  Can’t wait to spend more time this week with them.

After dinner, we visited with Geri and John and got caught up with each other in their new home.  WONDERFUL VISIT.

Today’s stats:

Miles Traveled: 186 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: East County 17th Street; Avenue 4E; East County 14th Street; US-195; Frontage Road; Fortuna Road; US-95; Kuehn Street; Riggles Avenue; I-10; US-60; Vulture Mine Road; US-93; SR-89

We will be here for a week so stay tuned and enjoy today!

March 25 to April 11, 2014 Bead Week and Casa Grande

What a wonderful and busy time – .

I volunteered to be store manager for Bead Week and what fun it was!

Bead Week started on Sunday, March 30 so the days before were spent organizing, training, scheduling, etc.

On Sunday, we were up early to move the store from the cabinet in the club house to the stage in the activity center.  We were so blessed to have so many people that helped carry, set up and organize the store.     Thank you all so much.

At 1 PM, the doors opened for class registration and it was crazy until 4 PM.  Geri, Joann, Susan and I manned the store and did we get a workout.  About mid-way thru the afternoon, water and soda magically appeared before us.  Jan saw how crazy it was and went home and brought us drinks – how wonderful!

The rest of the week went much smoother.  I love working the store because I get to see and talk with so many people.  And I get to see all the beads and colors and the projects everyone is working on – oh my – my head was spinning.  There is so much creativity here and everyone just seems to build on each other.  WOW!   And that is also why I love coming to Bead Week – the creativity, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

All I can say is “What a wonderful week!” 

Spouse activities were new this year and Andy participated in the golf scramble and the hike.  The hike was to the crested saguaros.

“The cause of cresting is not fully explained;  biologists disagree as to why some saguaros grow in this unusual form. Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of lightning strike or freeze damage, but whatever the stimulus, the growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line, which folds and undulates as the crest expands. Though these crested saguaros are somewhat rare (1 in 250,000), cresting occurs naturally throughout the range of the Saguaro, and can be encountered in many other cactus species.”

This one looked like an elephant’s head:

 

Can I say it again – What a wonderful week!

Bead Week ended with a dinner on Friday, April 4 and the next few days was spent saying our goodbyes and “see you later” to old and new friends – !

On April 7, 2014, we made our way back to our lot on Casa Grande where we will be until after Easter.  The park is starting to empty as people are heading on their summer journeys.  The weather is starting to heat up – 98 today – so it won’t be long before we head north to cooler temperatures.

So stay tuned and enjoy today!