Sedona & the Red Rock Scenic Byway

Apache Junction, AZ.    H85 / L59

Monday the weather in Apache Junction was just right for a road trip, which is not unusual for this part of the country.  That’s the reason folks flock here.  Judy and I headed a hundred fifty miles north and west to Sedona, AZ. This area is well known for its red rock formations.  The drive was very enjoyable and we made it to the Red Rock Scenic Byway (AZ 179) in 2.5 hours.  The drive is only seven miles but the views are magnificent and endless. The highway runs through the center of Sedona. Sedona is a very nice small tourist town with plenty of eateries and specialty shops.   

Sedona, Red Rock Scenic Highway

     

    

     

     

Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built into the buttes of Sedona and was voted as one of the “Seven Man-made Wonders” of Arizona in 2007. Click for more info.

    

                                                                                    

        

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in about a week.

Pelton Park – Madras, Oregon

Judy and I will be heading back to Pelton Park in 18 days so I wanted to do a blog dedicated to the park. I will be adding it as one on the featured links on the blog.  We are ready to get back to the park. Hope to see some of our blog readers at the park.

Pelton Park is a recreational facility owned and operated by Portland General Electric (PGE), the state’s primary electricity producer. The park is located 10 miles north of Madras, Oregon on Lake Simtustus. The lake is fed by the Deschutes River and was created when Round Butte Dam and Pelton Dam were built.  PGE uses it to generate hydro electricity. 

Pelton Park is a favorite of many area campers and some not so local. Campers enjoy the water recreation opportunities offered by Lake Simtustus such as fishing, skiing, boating and personal water craft riding. Located at the south end of the park is a marina and Roxy's Cafe & general store, also owned by PGE but operated by a private contractor. There are many area attractions nearby. A few of these are, Warm Springs Native American Museum, Ericson Aircraft museum, Smith Rock State Park, and Lake Billy Chinook State Park.. The Painted Hills are located about an hours drive away.  This park is considered one of the “best kept secrets” of Central Oregon but the word is getting out.

Photo Gallery

   

   

    

Marina & Roxy’s

   

  

Happy Campers

    

  

Beautiful Views

   

   

Important Park Info:

Seasonal CG: Last week of April – Last week end of Sept.

Address: 3300 Pelton Dam Road  * best to enter off HWY 26 North of Madras 

Phone: 541-325-5292

Total Sites: 66

RV Sites: 48  (largest up to 45', 30 &50 amp ) * most sites are electric only, fresh water stations are located throughout the park and at the office to fill fresh water tanks.  Tents are allowed on RV sites (one plus RV or two without RV. Four sites have water and electric

tent only sites: 03 (shared water stations) Tents are allowed on all RV sites (one plus RV or two without RV.

Yomes -  15, two bunk beds, electric       Cabins – 03

Comfort stations: 04   # showers: 06

Cost per day:  $18-25 (weekly discount)

Reservations: online or by phone (online Mar. 16 2015),  Waterfront sites go fast, reserve at least 2 months out for weekends if visiting June – Labor Day

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

PGE Workamper Get Together

Apache Junction, AZ.   75H/54L

Tuesday, Rose and Terry hosted us along with fellow PGE workampers Richard & Judy and Larry & Marge over to their home for a wonderful get together.  We enjoyed some very good pot-luck dishes and caught up with what everyone has been doing since the close of the PGE’s parks in Sept.

Arizona is a prime “snowbird” destination for many workamper RVers. Rose and Terry have a home just 15 miles from Judy and I.  Richard & Judy and Larry & Marge spend the winter in the same park in Florence, AZ only forty miles away. We will all be heading back to our respective PGE parks in Oregon within a month or so.

PGE Workamper get together

     

Larry & Marge provided the music 

Judy and I had time to participate a mixed doubles shuffleboard tournament sponsored by our park, Superstition Sunrise. There were many very good players in the tournament. While Judy and I did not make it to the finals, we did advance further than I did last week.

Judy and I had fun as “doubles partners!

      

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: in about a week

“Do It, Done It” Shuffleboard Tournament

Apache Junction, AZ. 48L-78H

This week I played in my first shuffleboard tournament here in Arizona,  the “ Do it, Done It.” I thought this would be a good tournament because it pairs experienced tournament players (Done Its) with players new (Do Its) to tournament play.

The venue for the tournament was at The Las Palmas Grand 55+ retirement community. This was a doubles tournament and forty teams entered. Many of the players were ranked at the state and national level.  My teammate Cheryl and I played our best but we fell short. I learned a lot from her and took all of her advice to heart. Over the four days of the event I saw some very good shuffleboard play.

Five teams from our park entered the contest. Connie (Done It) and Moe (Do It)  managed to make to the finals. Out of the forty teams they captured second place in the tournament. Well done to Connie and Moe!  Next week our park will sponsor a mixed couples tournament. Judy and I will be playing as partners.

Here are a few pics.

Action on the boards                               Judy taking in the action

      

Players from the park (minus Cheryl and me (couldn’t take pics while playing))

Connie       Moe

   Tom        Dick 

 

  Paul       Scott  

2nd Place Winners, Moe and Connie: 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: in about a week.

Day Trip: Tortilla Flat, AZ

Apache Junction, AZ  / 56L-80H

Thursday Judy and I took a short day trip to the Superstition Saloon located nearby in Tortilla Flat, AZ.  We were informed that this is one of the “Must Do(s)”  The drive took back to the Apache Trail for a short distance.

Tortilla Flat consist of one restaurant, gift shop, candy shoppe, and a mercantile store. It is basically a tourist stop. The Superstition Saloon restaurant is known for its good food and atmosphere.  There were plenty of visitors the day we stopped by and we had a 30 min wait.  Judy and I were pleased with our choice for lunch.

Here are a few pics

     

      

Superstition Saloon Yelp review

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week

Update: Feb. 10th, 2015

Apache Junction, AZ / 56L 82H  Blue Skies and Sunny

The weather here continues to be awesome here in the east valley 25 miles from Phoenix.  I certainly know now why thousands of snowbirds flock here in such large concentrations. Of course the area has become home to many retirees who have opted to relocate here permanently, making this one of the fastest growing areas in the US.  The only noticeable difference I have noticed from our previous two years in Florida is that the temps are cooler at night.   It thought high winds would be a problem in regards to having the awning out, but that has been less of an issue than in FL.  It goes without saying that Judy and I have been warmly welcomed here.

Judy and I have stayed busy this week with the park routine.  We volunteered to call the “cards” for the Sunday “Card Bingo”.  Judy called and I picked up each table’s ante and delivered the winnings to each game winner.

I have been encourage to play in some of the numerous shuffleboard tournaments in the area. The level of competition is higher than the local park play. The game technique is much different than Florida due to the surface of the boards.  I’ll see how this works out in a week or so.

    

That is it for now. Thanks for stopping by

Next blog: in a week or so