Payson and Back

We had to collect the rifle JP won in Payson in the AM so we did a little shopping, grabbed a bite and then headed back to Roosevelt. The weather still hasn’t warmed up much but we did make a drive to the Dam and Roosevelt Bridge. Hunkered down in Lucky for an evening of tax preparation (just because you are on an adventure doesn’t mean you get a pass). Still hoping for a break in the weather butlooks like rain ahead.

Payson Arizona – Chance Encounter of the Best Kind!

It was just too cold to set out in the pontoons today so we decided to take a look at Payson AZ. We drove the hour or so and stopped at  a couple of little towns, Tonto Basin and Pumpkin Junction. Then headed to Payson for a truck wash and shower. We texted a friend who is from Payson to ask where the best place to eat was and it just so happened he was in Payson too! So we met up with Ben at the local casino to have a drink and meet his sister Dana. Ben’s family had a table at the NRA Banquet at the casino that night and invited us to join them. The only thing that would have made the evening better would have been for Wanda (Ben’s wife) to have been with us. She was  she was sorely missed but it was great catching  up with Ben. The night ended with JP winning a Marlin semi automatic 22!  Amazing how a little text and a bit of luck worked out for us.

Favorite sign so far:  Mad As Hell Ranch! There has to be a great story to go with that!

We Are Settled In

Yep, next AM found our RV Park and luckily the host didn’t charge us for the night we missed. We are directly across from the marina and visitor center at Roosevelt Lake so that was our first stop. Its much cooler than we expected but clear and sunny.

We traveled Hwy 88 to see Apache Lake which was really beautiful. The road however was pretty scary! Its gravel and steep and curvy and has barely 2 lanes. I tried not to act anxious but I’m sure my white knuckles on the door handle gave me away. I probably wouldn’t want to take that road again but I’m glad we made the trip to see Roosevelt Dam and the lake. It really was picture perfect!

Just across the road from where Lucky is parked there is a small cemetery. Most of the graves are a bed of rocks with a white wooden cross but there are a few with headstones. Most were workers on the dam. They came from all kinds of places and many with a special trade. A peaceful place with an endless view.

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Rollin’ and A Little Lost!

Today headed to Roosevelt Lake and stopped along the way at a little town called Globe for supplies. We pulled into Cholla State Park at dusk only to find we didn’t have reservations. We didn’t have them because its a first come first serve park so apparently we had looked at so many parks we had ended up at the wrong one. This was a dry camp park and we really weren’t set up for that. The nice park host said we could stay the night though and work it out in the AM. So it was lights out early for us. No harm – no foul.

A Week Already?

We finished off the week with our friends at Happy Trails. Jeanie drove me around the Resort to see the other types and styles of homes in her golf cart while the fellas visited. JP and I both got a good sprucing up too, Jeanie was kind enough to work her magic on us in her cute little salon at home. Chili’s was next on the menu (pineapple blueberry margarita – oh yeah)! A perfect day!

We liked White Tank so much that we scheduled another week here at the end of March. I love we can just decide to do that. There are more trails to hike and I’m betting the weather will be sunny and Jeanie and I can have some pool time and maybe a little shopping too 😀

Hiking Without the Crowd

We headed out on the trails again and this time with no crowds. A great day to be in the desert! We have been fascinated by the Saguaro Cactus. At first glance it looks like they are making rude gestures at you but then many of them look as though their arms are up in a Hallelujah pose. I guess its all about perspective. There are also Buckhorn Cholla, Barrel Cactus, Prickly Pear and Jumping Cholla (yep you read it right “jumping” though I think they really just snag onto you if you get close enough but still!) Too many cactus to list.  

The Saguaro Cactus (or as I have always known it “Taco Time” Cactus) are pretty big. I’ve seen them in westerns and on billboards and cartoons and never given them a second thought. Somehow it never occurred to me that would be filled with, well anything short of watery gel goo. Totally foreign to me. I now know better. They have a wooden type framework for structure. Yes I have seen it and I was pretty impressed by it.  Sometimes you just don’t know – what you don’t know.

We caught up with Jean and Randy and saw a great show at Happy Trails called “Phat Cat.” They were hoppin’! All swing music, lots with new arrangements and great showmanship. Happy Trails knows how to put on a fun date night with friends!

A Hiking We Will Go!

The sun was out and so were we! There are several hiking trails in White Mountain Regional Park so we tarted on the easiest and shortest. Just about 2 miles round trip. Unfortunately it was a holiday and the local churches decided that the combination of holiday and sunshine would make for a great congregational event. So what should have been a brisk and somewhat short hike was a bit like being in line for a ride at Disneyland! Though it was nice to see the families and hikers of all ages (and thier dogs) all making their way up the trail. The traffic in the park was so bad they had to reroute it to a one way loop. When did hiking become so popular?

We used the rest of the day to reorganize Lucky a bit and just kicked it in camp.

Really? More Rain?

The weather wouldn’t seem to let up so we headed to Glendale in search of Cabela’s. Turns out this isn’t your average Cabela’s (though I’m not sure there is an average Cabela’s?) This showroom is 160,000 sq. ft. and truly something to see. The wildlife decor was pretty amazing and if that wasn’t enough – yes! There was a Fudge Store, Cafe with wild game on the menu, Popcorn and Peanut Store, Shoe Store, Aquarium, and (wait for it . . . ) Bargain Room! I haven’t a clue how long we were there but I wasn’t bored for a minute.

We took a drive around the University of Phoenix Stadium (also known as the dome) and home of the Arizona Cardinals. While there we were lured into an RV Show were we dodged the downpours and saw the newest version of our Lucky. Far too soon to be thinking of an upgrade but fun to see whats out there. 

We finished the evening with a show – The Great Wall.  JP liked it – me not so much. Before the show we stopped at a little store next door to the theater called Rocketfizz. It had all kinds of novelty stuff especially food treats like the candy we had as kids back in the day and soda like Bubble Up and Kick a Poo Joy Juice. Where do they find that stuff?

Rain Rain Go Away!

Today was a day for R&R as the weather was awful. White Tank Regional Park has a stunning library. About 3/4 of it is floor to ceiling windows so you get a panoramic view of the desert. They have a section of desert wildlife in case you want to see the rattlesnake you hope never to see! There were other creatures as well but my favorite (as long a he is under glass) was the scorpion. I had no idea that under a black light they glow neon green. We have a little black light flashlight in case we want to hunt some up on our own now. We picked up some reading material then braved the weather and headed to where everyone else was -Walmart.

Take Me Out to The Ballgame!

Sunny skies and warm weather, a perfect day for baseball games! The Beavers played one of the games so our friends introduces us to even more people here from the Valley and though we didn’t know them we knew friends of theirs.

In-between games we popped over to a Wine and Art show and saw some Arizona style art and design which was pretty unique and very in tune with the desert here.