The Duttons

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and ready to ring in the New Year.  Judy and I had a nice Christmas here in Apache Junction.  Judy prepared a nice Christmas dinner for us and we had a relaxing day of football watching.
Our friends Terry and Rose, invited Judy and I out a couple of weeks ago for a Dec. 29th evening out.  They did not provide any information other than tell us it would be a surprise.  They picked us up at the RV last evening at 5PM and we had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant that we all really enjoy.  The only clue they gave us about the plans for afterwards was the venue would be at East Valley High School.  Judy and I could not imagine what was planned for the evening.  Once we arrived at the high school theatre, we discovered we were going to be treated to an evening with The Duttons.  I have to admit we had no idea who the Duttons were. At that time Judy and I did not realize that we were in for a Great night of entertainment.  Terry had reserved our seats in the 3rd row center from the stage. Perfect seats to enjoy the show. To learn more about the Duttons, CLICK. 
The Duttons are a family musical group who perform in Branson, MO at their theatre.  The act includes Mom & Dad, 8 children and 26 grandchildren. Oh, what a show. I can’t wait to see them in Branson.  Thanks so much, Terry and Rose.
The Duttons
    

      
The Duttons Video 1
Classical violin
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Spec. Wyatt Martin

Apache Junction, AZ

Saturday morning as most of us were running errands getting ready for Christmas eve, Spec. Wyatt Martin was being buried in Mesa, AZ. about four miles from where we are. He was killed in action in Afghanistan two weeks ago.

    

Spec Martin’s obituary

Martin, Wyatt Joseph US Army Spc. Wyatt Joseph Martin E4, 22, a Mesa, AZ native, was born unto his heavenly fathers' home on Dec. 12, 2014. He was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Parwan Province. Martin was assigned to the 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division of Fort Hood, Texas. Wyatt joined the Army because he wanted to give back. Wyatt loved the outdoors. After his time in the Army, Wyatt planned to go to Michigan State University and then become a fish and game officer. Wyatt graduated from Skyline High School in Mesa. Wyatt is survived by his parents Brian and Julie, sisters Katie and Beth, grandparents Joe and Joan Martin, Uncles: David Martin, Jeff Martin, Roger Martin, Scott Grace and Rob Grace, Aunts Katie Dornbos, Susan Fedele and Cindy Jewell and also his several adoring and co-mischievous cousins. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 from 1700 - 2000 at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 6747 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206. Funeral Mass will begin at 1000, Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1244 South Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206. Funeral Honors Services will conclude at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park following the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, December 24, 2014. Wyatt's family has requested that in lieu of flowers; please make contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project.  "If something happens to me, know that I went happy".

Angel Flight video

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Next blog: about a week

Merry Christmas to ALL

Apache Junction, AZ

It is the time of year that most of us take  time to reflect on family and friends. Some of which we see often and some we haven’t seen in years. The family and friends we do see often, know they are in our thoughts and that they have impacted our lives. 

Judy and I have lived a nomadic lifestyle for the most part, since we were in our early twenties. Forty years later we are still living it.  During those years we have met many, many wonderful friends that we have not, nor will we ever forget. They may not realize that, even though we haven’t seen them in years, we still think of them. 

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Probably after the New Year

Day Trip: Goldfield Ghost Town

Apache Junction, AZ

A couple of days ago we took a ride out to Goldfield Ghost Town. In the 1890s it was a boom town with fifty working mines in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains.  When the gold vein failed the town went bust in the late 1890s/early1900s.  Today, it is a themed tourist attraction with shops, restaurants, jeep tours out into the desert, and gunfight re-enactments!

     

   

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog : about a week

Apache Junction Update: Dec. 12, 14

Even though we have been here three weeks Judy and I have not gotten any day trips in. We have just been too busy.  This week was no exception.

It is  time for our annual physicals and dental appointments. Living on the road presents challenges for health care. Judy took care of her dental requirements before we left Madras but I need to get a dental check-up while we are in Apache Junction. We do not like to find health care professionals by choosing them on-line (think phone book) so we try to get references from locals where we are. Our task is a little simpler here because our PGE co-workers Rose and Terry live here in the area during the off season and have established long term relationships with health care providers. Rose has recommended a dermatologist, primary care doctor, and a dentist.  That was a big help.

Judy was concerned about a spot she noticed a couple of weeks ago so she went the dermatologist  last week. She was relieved to be informed that it was nothing to worry about.  Wednesday we met with the primary care doctor, whom we both felt very comfortable with. After a short “get to know you” session he arranged for us to have blood work and  also arranged for Judy to have a chest x-ray. He indicated that he liked to have the results from those before  performing the  physical  exams.  Judy had the x-ray the same day and we took care of the blood work Thurs. at the lab arrange by the doctors staff. The office called today and informed us that all the work-ups were in and let us know our physicals would take place in a couple of weeks.

I have also been working on  replacing the CR-V we sold before heading west last March. In all honesty, I would rather get a root canal than go through the car purchasing process!  I happened to see a commercial for  TrueCar.com, on TV sponsored by USAA.  I decided to check it out on-line. I decided to use the service and was pleased with it. Judy and I accepted the offered  deal with a few negotiated changes.  We will be taking possession of the 2015 CR-V EX L w/Navigation once it is delivered  around the 26th of Dec. More about this later.

We are still active with shuffleboard. Judy and I played in an inter-park match today. She is getting her walks around the park in daily.

Getting the shuffle boards ready for play 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: about a week

Returning to Pelton Park for 2015

Judy and I received a phone call from Portland General Electric’s (PGE) talent acquisition dept. Wed. officially offering us the Camp Host / Maintenance position at Pelton Park in Madras, Oregon.  We are excited to be returning to the park.  We will be returning in mid April 2015.

      

Tue. we had a visit from Terry and Rose, fellow PGE temps like us.  They ran  PGE’s Round Butte Dam Overlook day use area near Pelton Park. They have a home in the nearby community of Queens Creek. I thought they were sixty miles away, but it is only a short 15 miles from us. They dropped by to visit awhile and then we had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. Terry suggested that we follow them back to their home to continue our conversation and to show us the way so when we visited again we would know how to get there.  I was surprised at how close they lived from our park. Terry and Rose have a beautiful home. 

     

Judy and I are continuing our routine at the park.  We played in our first inter-park shuffleboard match Thurs.  Afterwards, our team hosted a get-together for refreshments with the visiting team.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: about a week