2017 the trip down~~~~~~~

Week # 1 ~~~~~~~~~2017`` LEAVING JAN 7TH...

OK , we left and now stuck just south of Portland Or...WINTER CONDITIONS\. Pulled into Woodburn RV after navigating the icy I-5 from Vancouver Wa. to Portland .. Lots of flipped cars and others in the ditch.

Too cold to hook up h2o, So have to SKI to the washrooms LOL
But we're safe, and hopefully be on the road in the morning, altho the forcast is for freezing rain....







Sunday Jan 8th, hung around the Woodburn campground until 11:30 when the rain started to break up the ice, and they lifted the chain requirement for the  I-5. we took off and found the roads pretty good for a while, we hit slamming hard rain, cars flying by were kicking up spray as well as rocks from the sanding they had done. Got slowed down to a crawl at spots as the conditions deteriorated as well as single lanes to go around the tow trucks that were yanking the many vehicles that hit the ditch the day before. Made it into 7 Feathers casino RV park in pretty good time, still pounding rain, got soaked hooking up the util.s  Off to the casino for dinner and a few slots...

RAIN ALL NIGHT, HEAVY and I mean HEAVY...we left at 8am and wasn`t too long til we hit the same blizzard as last year, by Grants Pass, Luckily the road were sanded and my 3500 (with 4 wheel drive, exhaust brake, and tow haul«) yanked that 34 foot RV through it no sweat. Any way we actually saw BLUE sky as we hit the Siskiyou Pass, Then more snow in Yreka, but from there on it was just more rain. We got to Corning Ca and decided that we were too early to stop, so pushed on 3 more hrs to Lodi Ca. They  say the Sacramento river is looking like an inland sea. Even had inmates from the local prison filling sandbags....

On to Bakersfield tomorrow 

Left Lodi, behind, great drive to Bakersfield today, some rain, but mostly dry and a pleasure to cruise down the 99 at 60 MPH..little traffic other than us and a few semi's.

Now in Bakersfield home of Buck Owns and Merle Haggard .

Picked a few oranges and poured ourselves a glass...of grape 

Wed Jan 11th, smooth ride from Bakersfield to Parker Az. There are more semi's on the road than cars (and a few RV;s as well.) We are at Buckskin State park, sketchy internet and no cable, so we;re gonna play cards and retire early. A 4 hr drive to tomorrow to Palm Creek...I love driving, but this trip has been just a bit of a struggle with the weather, so happy to relax ....looking forward to seeing old friends and golfing...

Ok, we had another great drive today, 4 + hours, Parker Az to Casa Grande Az.

 Arrived mid afternoon, took a while to get set up as lots of previous neighbours came by to welcome us back, We're really happy to feel the sun, gotta dig out those shorts and tees.. (I mean golf tees)

1629 Sunset Mesa Lane

now that we are settled in, I am going to update this blog weekly, so check back next Monday....

The trip North Mar 2016

OK, we left on Sunday Mar 13th, lots of friends and neighbours came to wish us safe travels. We had a quiet ride to Buckskin State Park in Parker Az, on the Colorado River, just south of Lake Havasau.
Monday we got a game of golf in at Emerald Canyon     http://www.emeraldcanyongolf.com/
Great course with lots of views from way up over the river.  

Wednesday we took the short drive to Bakersfield ~ Orange Grove RV Park, they still had plenty of oranges on the trees, so we got a bag full.
Thursday up rte 99 to Rolling Hills Casino in Corning Ca ( won a few $$ after dinner)
Friday on to Seven Feathers RV in Orogan, roads were good going over the Siskiyou Pass.
Friday we motored to Centralia Wa. (where the rain began) 
Saturday easy trip home . No problem at Nexas (border) and after 78 days and 7777.7 KM another Snowbird trip is done....
we have booked for 2017 YEA

our last week

Sunday Mar 6th. ~ Jim, Milena, Sandy and Rob joined us for golf at Palm Creek followed by happy hour and BBQ back at our site. good times.. Sandy brought the burgers and Milena the desert..  
Monday Mar 7th~ Round # 1 of the Palm Creek golf Club Championship. Both Mary and I played well enough to set ourselves up for round 2. After golf we hung around the RV and enjoyed the sunshine.
Tuesday Mar 8th.~ watching the Brier, reading, bike riding were all the exciting events that occurred today. Lots of folks have intresting items around their sites, here's a couple of pics.taken on our nightly walk down to the hot tub.

Wednesday Mar 9th. ~ Final round of the club Championship!! both Mary and I are leading our flights so the pressure was on. Surprise We both played well, later at the pizza party and awards, Mary got $25 for winning her flight and I also won my flight PLUS overall low net for a total of $50.  So last year Mary won Overall Low Net Club Championship and now I repeated this year. 

 Thursday Mar 10th. ~Mary went to the 7AM yoga class, I did a walk around the park. In the afternoon Mary and Jackie went up to the outlet mall. 
Friday Mar 11th. ~ golf with Brian, Barry and Alana at Arizona City, the wind was blowing but still nice enough. Later in the day we had to batten down the hatches as the wind picked up.
Saturday Mar 12th~ time to start packing up as tomorrow is the day to hitch up and head north. Lots of our friends and neighbors have already left and the park is starting to slowly empty.

Time it's MARCH(ing) on

Mary continued with pickleball and yoga, then Tues. got invited to golf with some ladies at San Miguel. I rode my bike to Walmart and the $$ store.  A happy hour party at Wes and Cindy's (Maggs) rounded out the day. Wednesday ~ golf at Francico Grande with the park guys, I am going to miss that. A BC social was held Wed evening, everyone from BC was invited up to the Bistro. It was well attended by close to 100 people, and there was many more who we know couldn't make it.

Tuesday was March 1st, yes time she's marching on. We were to leave Palm Creek on Mar 8th. and head home, but decided to extend a few extra days until Mar. 13th. The past week has been been not too different than all the others, Our golf party at Jerry's on Saturday and then the farewell party for John and Jan was fun, Sunday was a day to enjoy the sun, watch the Scottie's and golf. Monday I played in the Men's Club golf ~ nothing too exciting about my game this week. 
Thursday, Jerry and Jackie arrived, so after they got set up we had them over for Burgers and a few glasses of wine. Friday I set out with Brian, Bob and Mark to Starr Pass, near Tucson for golf. A very nice course and a great day. When I arrived home Rob and Sandy (Ogden)had returned from their trip to Palm Springs and the Grande Canyon, so we visited for a bit.

As I said time is Marching on, we are enjoying our WINTER HOME in Arizona, but another week and it'll be North to Richmond. 

Canada Day and ...............

 No it's not July 1st already, but Sunday it was Canada Day at the park. It's the annual party for all Canadians who escape the winter and come to Palm Creek

    There's Tim Horton coffee, Red & White iced cupcakes, Loonie toss's, and other crazy Canuck games, trivia and name that tune. Everyone has a Canada tee shirt or something red on.
Monday Mary, Bev and I golfed at Fransico Grande, Tuesday we took Bev to the airport for her trip back home, then we went to Costco for a few items before heading back. Wednesday golf day again, Me at F.G. and Mary played in the park, even thou she claims to be no good, her team still came in first place, another few $$ on her card."what to buy?" 
Thursday Mary continued yoga, I have been walking a bit (small bit)  around the park. We did some grocery shopping and later played happy hour golf, [only $8.000 after 4:30 pm] just went 9 holes as it was quite warm. Friday the weather really warmed up, I went to the driving range with Brian, then in the afternoon, we lazed in the sun reading... and Mary played pickleball for a few hours.
Today our social calender is full, Neighbours have sold their place and a party is happening to see them off. As well we have the annual Jerry and Terry ~~ Sauerkraut and Brats / Beer and Margaritas party { 2 of our golf buddies throw a fun party}

   
The Scottie's was on all week, so what better way to enjoy an evening, then to light the fire and watch it outside on the laptop

 

Week # 7

Sunday Feb.14, St Valentines Day, stayed home and relaxed in the sunshine, Barbecued some nice steaks later on in the evening. 
Monday Feb 15~ Marys routine, yoga at 7:15AM Pickleball at 10AM /// Cliff : Men's golf at Palm Creek. (came in 2nd low net) now I have a whole $25 in prize money on my card, what to buy?
Tuesday Feb 16~ drove up to Phoenix, to pick Bev up. Stopped at Costco for a little shopping (steaks and wine) and I got a new pair of glasses. Bev (Favreau) is coming for a week of  fun in the sun.
Wednesday Feb 17. Mary and Bev golfed Palm Creek early, while I went to my usual guys golf at Francisco Grande. Did I mention that the temp was a record 91* F
Thursday Feb 18, the wind came up and a few clouds rolled in, but it was still nice and warm.- we stayed close to home. Mary and Bev went shopping.
Friday Feb 19 ~ went up to Chandler and played Bear Creek golf course. It is in a little better condition than some of the ones we have played locally, just a bit more greener lusher grass.

 After golf it was back to PC and happy hour down at a neighbours turned into happy hoursss, later it was just a snack as we happy houred thru dinner.
Saturday Feb 20 - the woodworking show and Quilt show are on in the park, as well as the monthly patio sales (garage sales) 
Headed out for a short road trip to Maricopa, a community west of us and south of Phoenix. We had never been there and Bev needed to see some more desert. I was surprised how big the place was, we toured the golf course (The Duke) looks like a good course, (have to keep it in mind for future). This was an area that John Wayne had a horse ranch thus the golf course name "The Duke"

 
Carrying on we drove to Chandler for lunch at Murphy's Law an Irish pub, then back to PC. Another great day in the desert.

Touring AZ

Well this week we put on a few miles: 

• Tuesday ~ 220 miles round trip
• Thursday ~ 176 miles round trip
• Friday ~ 80 miles round trip

Sunday was a quiet day, stayed in the park, laundry and relaxing. Monday Men's PC golf and Mary's yoga. Tuesday we hit the road with Chris and Brian, went to Tubac Az. It is a community that has a lot of artists and shops. They were having an Arts festival which we thought started on Tues. but we were one day early, which turned out OK as it was hot and pretty crowded. There were a lot of displays getting set up, we could tell that later on in the week it may have been a Zoo.

http://www.examiner.com/article/tubac-festival-of-the-arts-slated-for-february-10-14-2016

Back to our regular routine on Wednesday. Mary golfing with the Palm Creek Ladies and me at Francisco Grande with the guys, "did I mention that it was great to play in some above average temperatures.". Thursday another road trip and golf. We met Jim and Milena at Saddlebrook (just north of Tucson) for golf. Another fun day capped off with dinner (t~bone steak for $14 with all the trimmings) at Chaparral Canyon, a lonely deserted Biker Bar on the way home. 

Friday saw us attend our 2015 European River Cruise reunion (as we called it) Sylvia (from Pr. Geo) a friend we met on the cruise was in Mesa, so her and husband came down to Queens Creek (Jim and Milena's) for dinner. We had a fun time reminiscing over drinks and dinner about our River Cruise and where we should go next!!
Today, it may be time for some pool side tanning.

Wind, cool temps and sunshine

As I stated we were due for some unseasonal weather, it was sunny, but the wind blew and the early AM and PM temps were very cool.This coming week is finally going to get NICE  have a look ...

Monday Men's golf was not well attended due to the weather. I did manage to play a bit better, even getting the 2nd spot on the KP hole, however this week they only paid the 1st spot due to low attendance.  Mary didn't go to the 7:15am yoga as it was too cold for her to ride her bike up... Tuesday we drove up to the Queen Creek Olive Mill to look around. It was a factory setting where they produced olives and had most every imaginable Olive Oil concoction. We also had a few other stops planned and ended up at the Outlet mall by the Wildhorse Casino, where Mary managed to find a few bargains.

Wednesday golf had a cool start but did warm up. Mary continued with  few more pickleball games. This week at Palm Creek was cancer awareness,last nite was the hot air balloon festival, but again it was too windy to have the balloons go up, so they just fired the flames from the baskets, also had a silent auction ~~Mary bid on and won a Pampered Chef basket full of kitchen tools. Today being Saturday , we golfed in the Palm Creek Cancer tournament with Brian & Chris. We had an acceptable score but not enough to be in the prizes, BUT to no ones surprise Mary did squeek out another CLOSET to the PIN win, this one was 9' 6" and she got a gift certificate for dinner for 2 at a local Mexican restaurant.

that's it, with next week's good weather we are planning golf, swimming, suntanning, pickleball, yoga, bike riding, ~~~~yahoo

Good Golf Bad Golf, Warm Days Cool Nights

Ahh and Ooh ~~ Desert life, still enjoying the warm days, but could do with out the cool nights. Similarly enjoying the good golf, but hating the bad golf..
This weeks men's golf in the park was "least amount of putts" , Ooh did not putt well .
Then at Francisco Grande on Wed ~ it was an Ahh day, played reasonably well, so I was pleased. fast forward to Fri, we went to Quarry Pines in Marana. An Ooh day,  one of my worst days on a great course. We went with Rob and Sandy as well as Brian.. Jim and Milena met us there, afterwards we went for a late lunch..
OK the rest of the week, ahh Monday was a Mexican party at our neighbour's Barry & Chris (her BD) lots of  margaritas, tequila, and tamales as well as a Pinata for Chris to whack with her broom handle. Tuesday was dinner at Rob and Sandy's, ahh great food. 
Mary continued her early AM yoga, and played a few pickleball games, her ladies golf was also "fewest putts", needless to say like the men, most of the lady golfers did not enjoy the ooh pin positions. We are due for some more unseasonable weather early next week ooh, but then the forecast is looking good...ahh....... I set up our screen that I managed to gleem from the 2010 Olympics, so bring on the heat. AHH

A Lazy Week...

Well settled into desert life. golf, happy hours and relaxing in the sun was the theme for this week. Monday I played in the Men's club placed 3rd which was worth $8.00, not quite up to PGA rates ..bit better than zilch. Mary had yoga, then a pickle ball lesson, which she enjoyed. She has been going to pickleball at home at the Community Centre, but said outdoors in the sunshine and actually getting some instruction is great. Tuesday we had planned an outing , but due to a lazy late start we stayed around here, did some grocery shopping and laundry. Wednesday Mary golfed 18 with the ladies, while I went with our group to Francisco Grande. Thursday we had planned golf with Jim and Milena, Rob and Sandy, but Jim was under the weather so we ended up just Rob, Sandy Mary and I. Came back to the RV site for beer and burgers, Friday, Brian's group needed a golfer to fill their foresome, so I played again.. not really getting any better with all the golf, but enjoying it. 
While we were not golfing, we did manage to get to the pool\hot-tub a few times, and ride our bikes.
Today is the Welcome Home fiesta at Palm Creek where all the activity groups from the park and some from outside set up displays and entice folks to join.  

Week # 2

Getting settled in, meeting old friends, making new ones were highlights of the week. Lots of activities, Mary started yoga, signed up for pickleball lessons, and re-joined the Palm Creek Ladies golf. I played in the Palm Creek men's on Monday, with the guys from previous years on Wednesday and then Mary and I played with [Rob Ogden and Sandy] old friends from Richmond on Friday at Robson Ranch, then we stayed for the Friday Fish Fry which was really good. The Tuesday craft fair here at the park was just the same as all the other ones, nothing really new and definitely nothing we needed.
The weather has been on the cool side, although nice enough to sit out in the sun most afternoons, but when the sun goes down the desert gets cold! Today our golf tourney was "the BIG cup" 16" cups are not that easy to putt into if your really far away. We played with Chris and Brian and had fun, Mary won the ladies KP with 28" away from the cup. I got the truck & trailer washed on Monday, looks good. 
Tomorrow there's a street fair and car show in downtown Casa Grande....and the weather is improving...YEA

Heading South 2016

 OK, 2016 and we are on the road Jan.2nd
The earliest we have left yet. Looking forward to the sunshine , meeting up with friends and playing golf in relative warmth.Our short first day thru Seattle and Portland became longer when the weather report moved incoming storms around Mount Shasta up a day. We decided that we could make it to Seven Feathers Casino near the Oregon / Calif border. today's trip 10 hrs ~~Good plan ~ that nite it froze and the next AM we hit snow and ice on the way to the Siskiyu Pass. Travelling over the pass, the roads were sanded and in great shape. Phew (sigh of relief) Made it to the next casino (Rolling Hills) only 6 hrs today. Day 3 saw us ride thru Calif. down the I-5 and Rte 99 only 7 hrs to Bakersfield (Orange Grove RV Park) where we picked our usual bag of oranges right off the tree by the trailer. January 6, must be the 5 or 6 year in a row Mary spent her birthday in the passenger seat . We pulled into Lake Havasu state park that afternoon and set up for couple of days. The weather was not the greatest, some rain and clouds. That nite we had what they called a MICRO BURST, it rained and blew as hard as  I have felt it in many years. The next few days were better, allowing us to get in some walks, but not good enough to golf. Mary's cousin had invited us for dinner, but fell ill so we postponed til either on the way home or next year.
Friday Jan 8th we took our time and 5 hrs later arrived at our Winter Home - Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort in Casa Grande Az.  www.palmcreekgolf.com
Surprised by an old friend Rob Ogden who now lives in Nova Scotia, he rode by and told us to get unpacked and come up to his site for Turkey dinner, Great way to hit PC and was it ever good
The last few days we have done our shopping ~groceries / wine/ etc , picked up stuff we forgot and need, visited with old friends and neigbours. Today Mary went to Yoga and I played in the Men's Club golf. We joined Sam's Club for $20 as Costco is a ways away near Phoenix.
I am only going to update this on a weekly basis Thanks....