February 27–March 1, 2023 North Ranch and Friends and an OH-OH

This morning we woke to a nice sunny day so we packed up and headed south with me driving.  It was my first time driving on the interstate (I-40) and it went okay.  We made the turn south on US-93 passing some awesome scenery.  The road wasn’t the best of shape and about 40 miles from Wickenburg, we heard a strange sound….OH-OH…..

I pulled over and we looked underneath.. Our one tailpipe bracket broke (the other bracket held) and the tailpipe was dragging.  Plus it got hung up on the drive shaft.  OH. S—T! 

And, of course, we are in the middle of nowhere and no cell service.  Well, off I went in the car and found a place to call.  Told our road service where we were and what happened and that we had no cell service.  Back at the RV, we waited for an hour.  Went back to the cell phone area, no message.  Called again!  Their answer is we are still trying to find someone.  Now back at the RV, we look the situation over and figure if we can cut the other bracket, we might be able to get the tail pipe over the shaft.  So we waited for another hour and did the same routine.. drove car to cell service, no message, called .. they are still trying to find someone…

Back at the RV, Andy and I started to cut the bracket.  In the meantime, I was able to get texts and was texting our friends Geri and John.  They decided to get some tools and head up to us.  (THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!)

After trying, we finally got the bracket off.   Now, we both had to go under the motorhome and lift the pipe up and over the drive shaft.. At this time, I get a phone message that a mechanic is coming to us.  Should be 2-3 hours.  Sheesh!!

Back to the tailpipe, we finally got it! (Thank you, God!).  Just as were putting it in the grass, Geri and John were here – Thank you so much.  John and Andy got the pipe in the motorhome and off we went (hoping that no other damage was done).  Once we got into cell phone range, I cancelled the road service.  We made it safely to Geri and John’s place with no other issues…..

Our tailpipe:

 

We have an appointment in April in Casa Grande to get this fixed.

Miles Traveled (02/27): 120 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: McDonald Avenue; Detroit Avenue; Andy Devine Blvd; I-40; US-93; AZ-71; AZ-89

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We met Geri and John a few years ago in Quartzsite and traveled and hung out together for quite a few years.  Seeing them in Quartzsite a month ago made me realize how much I missed them so I just had to spend more time with them.  They were gracious enough to let us mooch-dock in their driveway.

I did not take pictures – sorry..  But these are from my earlier blogs..

In 2013, Andy, Diane, Geri, John, Sue, Bruce:

Sadly, we lost Bruce a while ago.  And if you are following the blog, I spent time with Sue in October 2022.

In 2013, Diane, Sue, Geri, Pat:

In 2012, Bruce, Sue, Diane, Andy, John, Geri, Bill, Shelley:

Such good memories!

Over the next few days, we had some meals together and got caught up with each other.  We told stories, laughed and laughed some more and cried too.  What a wonderful time.  It did my heart good to spend time with them and I feel so blessed to know them.

On Tuesday, I went to beading with Geri and saw a number of ladies that I met over the years at beading.  On Wednesday, we went to Delores's and met with others that I have not seen in a long time.   It was so so good to see these ladies that taught me over the years.  And many of them I worked with at a few Bead Weeks.  I really missed them!  What a wonderful group.

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Andy and I are very blessed to meet many of the good folks in our travels.   When I came off the road, I knew I had to.  So part of me put blinders on so I did what I had to do and not miss folks and traveling.   Coming back on the road, I wanted to reconnect with folks who made my heart smile.  And boy, I never realized how much I missed them until we reconnected! We are blessed both on the road and at home.

Thank you to all who make my heart and soul smile!

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Tomorrow we head to Casa Grande so stay tuned, enjoy today, and enjoy those who make your heart and soul smile.

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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 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!

March 24, 2014 Harquahala Mountain National Back Country Byway

Road Trip Day –

John planned a nice off road trip for us to the top of the Harquahala Mountain via the National Back Country Byway.  Harquahala Mountain is straight ahead in this picture:

After a quick stop at the trail head, we were off and running, well, riding.  Lots of saguaros:

And beautiful flowers:

The byway:

Sue driving:

All the girls were in one jeep and Susan drove – she did a great job.  Congratulations Susan – .   I was very comfortable with her driving and for those who know me as a passenger in any vehicle, that says a lot.

The road continues up the mountain:

Notice the red in the picture below – the ocotillos are blooming:

Yep, that is the road up to the top:

And the road from the top:

What INCREDIBLE VIEWS:

Isn’t this just amazing what can be done remotely:

Here is the observatory (we did not find more info at the top ):

Our crew: Andy, Geri, John, Bruce, Susan, and Mollie:

On our way back down:

Yikees:

On our way back to Congress we found this:

What a great trip.  We finished the evening by having dinner at Geri and John’s – Thank you.

Tomorrow starts my busy time with Bead Week so I may not be blogging until next month.

Until then, enjoy today –