Showing posts with label Yuma Historic Theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yuma Historic Theater. Show all posts

3/20/2016

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 – Smile.

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

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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:

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

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Our neighbor’s cactus is blooming:

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Beautiful flowing tree in boon-docking:

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Oh my, the flowers and the brilliant colors:

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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:

03-13-16 A Yuma to Wickenberg 95-10-60-93 (1)

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

03-13-16 A Yuma to Wickenberg 95-10-60-93 (5)

The desert has really greened:

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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!

03-13-16 A Yuma to Wickenberg 95-10-60-93 (29)

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

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Then on US-60 thru Hope:

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How cute:

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Our journey continued:

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Past a pecan farm:

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Oh my.. a dust devil (tornado):

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Coming into Wickenburg:

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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:

03-13-16 A Yuma to Wickenberg 95-10-60-93 (102)

We arrived, set up (our spot is next to Della and Bob – Smile), 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!

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2/14/2016

January 23, 2016 to February 14, 2016 Yuma and Casa Grande Arizona

If you blog, have you downloaded the latest version 0.6.0.0?  Check it out – spell check and categories have been added.  If you have a problem, sign out of all google accounts, restart computer, and log back into google.  AWESOME!  Okay, back to blogging..

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On January 23, we said our “see you laters” and headed back to our lot in Yuma.  Shelly and Bill were at the park and we were able to spend some time with them over the next few days before they journeyed south to Mexico.

We did have a busy week here.

On Tuesday, 26th,  we did the Yuma Proving Grounds at Ease Tour.  We had wanted to do the “Behind the Big Guns” Tour but it was booked for the season. So this tour was added and we were able to get 2 seats.  The difference between this tour and the Behind the Big Guns Tour is that we stay on the bus for most of the tour.   So we were not able to see the test sites but that was okay…

So what is the Yuma Proving Grounds?

It is a United States Army facility and one of the largest military installations in the world.  The proving ground conducts tests on nearly every weapon system in the ground combat arsenal. Munitions and artillery systems are tested here in an area almost completely removed from urban encroachment and noise concerns.

The key word here is testing.  As our tour guide told us, what they do here is have the soldiers play with the equipment.  Anything can look good on paper but in the field, does it work, does it need improvement or changes?  It is better to find out here than in the deserts of Afghanistan or whenever it is needed.

There is some great info here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuma_Proving_Ground

https://www.yuma.army.mil/

We spent some time at the museum/visitor center then had lunch at the restaurant on base.  Both the restaurant and museum are open to the public (ID’s needed to get on base) and we hope to go back and spend some time at the museum.

A great day!

On Thursday, 28th, we (Andy, me, Bill, and Shelly) went to the Yuma Historic Theater to hear/see “The Piano Man” – a great tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John.  I had read about it in the paper in early January and made reservations.  Shelly and Bill were able to get seats near us – it was a wonderful tribute. 

I also found out that the theater has about 2 or more shows a month so we hope to get to a few of them.  (I think I may need to go to the Yuma Visitor Center and find out what is in town if we intend to spend our winters here.)

Not the best picture but this is the show:

01-28-16 Piano Man

We also got our movie fix in – on Wednesday, 27th, we saw “The Revenant” (pretty gruesome) and on Monday, 1st, we saw “Star Wars” (loved it!).  In December, Andy and I got Harkins T-Shirts and Cups which entitles us to a free medium popcorn and a medium soda for $1.50 – not bad.

I also went to beading at Della’s – always good to see the ladies.  And Shelly and I were able to get away two separate days for shopping and hanging out.  Wonderful.

We said our “see you laters” to Bill and Shelly and hopefully we will see them when they are back in the states in the spring.

On Sunday, 31st, we had a horrible wind and dust storm.  If you look between these RV’s, you can see how foggy looking it is – that is dust.  Yuck!  We put on the air cleaner and air conditioner but I could still taste the dust….

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We were supposed to go to Casa Grande on Monday, 1st, but decided to stay another day because of the wind.  We are glad we did.

On Tuesday, 2nd, we woke to beautiful blue skies and no wind so away we went. 

The desert is really green!:

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We arrived a little after lunch and set up.

We are here mainly for Andy’s VA appointments.  As of now (2/14), we will be here thru the 24th, subject to change.

And we have been busy here too.

On the 3rd, I met up with Sue (who is in Benson) in Tucson and we spent the day at the To Bead True Blue - part of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.  Over the years, I have heard about the show but always wanted to go so… after talking with Sue we decided to meet and explore.  To Bead True Blue was at the Doubletree Reid Park and had over 800 vendors.  Overwhelming!  And we had a ball!  We were able to see some of the new items that are available and so many beads, so many shapes, so many colors – OH MY!!!  (I was good – Smile)  We met Geri and Judee for lunch.  Then Sue and I ended the day at “The Little Bead Show” where we met up with Cathie and Melanie.

In front is Cathy and Geri, in back is me, Judee, and Sue:

02-03-16 Gem Show (2)

In the middle is Melanie who has a booth at the show:

02-03-16 Gem Show (4)

What a great time.  Sue and I did learn that next year we need to come with a list of what we need because it is overwhelming and if we can, stay a few days – Smile.

On Thursday, 4th, we had dinner with Larry and Cheryl; Friday, 5th, Jan and Ken had us over for dinner; Saturday, 6th, we had dinner with Katy and Gary.  I just love the smaller get together!

We also went to the local Escapee luncheon on Tuesday, 9th and I spent the day with my cousin Kris in Tempe on Wednesday, 10th. 

Then everything stopped.  Andy came down with a bad cold and I followed right behind.  So as I write this we are on the upswing.  In other words, not as sick but energy levels are low.  So hopefully we will continue to get stronger.

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Stats for the last two travel days:

01-23-16  Quartzsite to Yuma

Miles Traveled: 99 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona:  Plomosa Road; SR-95; Araby Acres Road US-195; E. County 14th Street; S. Avenue 4E; East County 17th Street

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02-02-16  Yuma to Casa Grande

Miles Traveled: 171 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: East County 17th Street;S. Avenue 4E; E. County 14th Street; US-195; I-8; South Montgomery Road

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Hopefully I will not be so lax – I know, you have probably heard that before…  But I am trying – Smile

Happy Valentines Day

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