Update: Jan. 31, 2015

This week has been filled mostly with our park routine.  The weather has been the subject of many conversations because of the upcoming Super Bowl game scheduled for Sunday.  The sunny skies of the desert southwest were replaced by clouds Thursday evening through most of today (Sat.).  Rain for the past two days resulted in most of the pre-game festivities being more than a little soggy.  Game day is going to be sunny and warm.

  Gray Skies will be gone by game time!

Last Sunday, Tony, one of my shipmates dropped by for a visit. Tony worked with me way back in 1983-85 aboard the USS Hermitage LSD34. I last saw Tony in 1990 when he was working at an ASWOC at NAS Sigonella, Sicily when I was on a MAC flight enroute to Naples, Italy. We had a great visit and hope it will not be as long before our next visit.  Back-story, Tony just happened to call me a couple of weeks ago. During our conversation he mentioned that he was in the Phoenix area. He thought Judy and I were in Oregon. He was surprised when I informed him we were in Apache Junction, only a few miles from him! It is a small world.

Margaret and Tony                            Tony(L) back in the day

    

Judy and I will be watching the game tomorrow like many millions of other folks. I hope the game is not a blowout by either team.

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by. 

Driving “The Apache Trail”

This past week Judy finished her last medical event, it has been called a pain in the butt by some.  Most people agree the prep is more of a pain than the actual procedure though.  She got a good report from the doctor and was informed that the next one will not be due for seven years.

Thursday we took a one hundred thirty mile or so day trip on the “Apache Trail” with our friends Terry and Rose. It is considered one of the most scenic drives in AZ. The Apache Trail was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains.   The Apache Trail, or AZ 88 as it is officially known, links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Globe via Theodore Roosevelt Lake, through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest; 40 miles of steep, winding and mostly unpaved road past magnificent scenery of twisted igneous mountains with dense forests of saguaro and ferocactus, and several deep blue lakes. Past the lakes, the trail continues in more traditional fashion to the former copper mining town of Globe, but it is the western half which is the most scenic and well-known; however caution is required when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs.  We stopped at the “Tonto National Monument” to explore the ancient cliff dwellings there.

The Apache Trail Pics

     

      

      

We finished the day by stopping at the Mining Camp Restaurant with Rose and Terry. We all enjoyed the meal with some musical entertainment. Thanks a lot, Rose and Terry.

     

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: about a week

Movie Day: American Sniper

Judy and I went to see a special screening of “American Sniper” last evening in Scottsdale, AZ. The screening was sponsored by “America’s Mighty Warriors, an organization that honors the sacrifice of our troops, the fallen and their families by providing programs that improve quality of life, resiliency and recovery.

America's Mighty Warriors was founded by Debbie Lee, the mother of Petty Officer Marc Lee, who was the first Navy SEAL killed in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. Petty Officer Lee was one of Chris Kyle’s ( American Sniper) spotters.

The movie American Sniper was a biographical movie about Chris Kyle.  Kyle was a US Navy SEAL sniper, who served four tours in Iraq.  Kyle has 160 confirmed kills but the actual number of kills may be as high as 255. He is the most lethal sniper in US history. Kyle had a bounty on his head in excess of $100,000.00 and was called the “Devil of Ramadi” by the enemy and the Legend by Marines and SEALs in Iraq. He was wounded twice. He left the military in 2009 and was killed along with a friend by a veteran they were trying to help cope with PTSD at a gun range. 

      

The movie directed by Clint Eastwood and staring Bradley Cooper was superb. Judy and I both enjoyed it. Eastwood did a great job and Cooper played Kyle perfectly. The movie is nominated for “Best Picture” and Bradley Cooper is nominated for Best Actor.

American Sniper Trailer       

American Sniper trailer with commentary, Eastwood & Cooper

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week

Update: Jan. 11, 2015

Judy and I have been keeping busy with our routine here at the park.  The weather has returned to the seasonable norms, high sixties during the days and upper forties at night. Much better than last week.

Wednesday I visited nearby Rio Salada Sportsmen's Club outdoor pistol range.  I haven’t been to a shooting range in over a year.  It was a first class range,and was operated with military precision. I was impressed with all the safety precautions enforced by the rangers. The price of ten dollars for an all day session or $100.00 per years is very reasonable.

Friday Judy played in her first inter-park shuffle board match at Gold Canyon RV and Golf Resort. She won her match and I lost mine by two points. Shuffle board is very popular here. At our park shuffle board is played Monday through Sat. Many of the players, play in organized tournaments  each week.

Saturday we played in  the first round of the Saturday League play at our park. The league play will last for the next 8 Saturdays.  It was a morning of socializing and good shuffleboard. Judy won her match and I came up short. I am beginning to see a pattern. 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in about a week

 

Update: Jan. 03, 2015

Apache Junction, AZ.   Weather: 32’ & Clear

Just a weekly update. We haven’t been very busy since the last post a few days ago.

The weather has been cold at night and only getting into the forties during the day. Since we have been watching a lot of the bowl games, the weather hasn’t been an issue. The nearby Superstition Mountains got a light coating of snow.  The daily temps should be back up in the 60/70s by Tue.

We took possession of the 2015 CR-V on Tue.  Judy and I are very pleased with it.  There have been many tweaks on the new CR-Vs. We sold our 2008 CR-V last March before we headed out west.  Judy wanted to ride with me as we drove across country. We found that we missed having a small vehicle as our daily driver and Day Tripper. 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week.