Update: Dec. 10,2015

Apache Junction, AZ       H72  L55

All is well here in AZ. The weather is great and there is no shortage of sun. Judy and I have been enjoying the activities at the park and making our final preps for moving to Sunland Springs Village in Jan.

I am not writing much about the transition here but will do a complete post once we make the move.  I made the decision not to write about all the efforts we are putting into this move because it would make for pretty boring reading. So why did I write this post, mostly to let you know we are still here.

As our fun activities and day trips pick up I will do more post.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: After our move (Jan. 6th)

Update: Thanksgiving 2015

Apache Junction, AZ     H66  L41

Judy and I had quiet Thanksgiving Day. We could have participated with the park Thanksgiving Day program but chose not to. We liked the program much better at Adelaide Shores Rv resort in Florida.  We went to a Golden Corral for our meal and we both enjoyed it a lot. Of course we would have rather been with family and friends.

Thanksgiving with about 500 of our friends at Golden Corral!!

We are enjoying our time here in Apache Junction. We both stay busy with activities at the RV Park. Tue. we had the final walk through of the house. Everything is completed and in order. We were scheduled to “close” Wed but there was a paperwork glitch, which has since been corrected.  The new “closing” day is Monday.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: in a week or so.

Update: Nov. 15, 2051

Apache Junction, AZ   H72   L53

The past two weeks Judy and I have continued to be mostly occupied with the final phase of our house construction project.  We have met with various vendors lining up follow on projects once we take possession around Thanksgiving.

In the last two weeks, all countertops have been installed, light fixtures and ceiling fans are in, the plumbing fixtures have been installed and major appliances have also been put in. The floors have been finished with tile or carpet and all bath vanities have been installed and all tile work has also been completed in both bathrooms.

Judy and I purchased a refrigerator and washer and dryer this week. Delivery will be after the closing. We contracted with a landscape firm for our yard’s transition. Landscape design is much different than what we are familiar with. After all, this is a desert area.  We also had time to do some fun things too.

Here are a few update pics

    

    

Yolanda, a Sears sales rep was a huge asset to Judy and I as we shopped for a refrigerator and washer and dryer.

 

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in a week or so

PS. Judy and I will be returning for our third season at Pelton Park in Madras, Oregon.

Update: November 8th, 2015

Apache Junction, Az.   H82  L52

I haven’t done an update for the past two weeks because Judy and I have not been up to much.  The final phase of the house construction is in full swing now and we go over to checkout progress daily.

We were notified that our closing/take possession date is the day before Thanksgiving. Judy and I have found the financial process to be much more cumbersome than past home purchases. This is a result of the new regulations since the downturn of 08.

I have played in two Shuffleboard tournaments over the past two weeks.  The first one was the Pre-Western tournament which is a warm-up for the Western Shuffleboard Association tournament the next week.  The Pre-Western is an individual, double elimination based tournament. The Western is a 16 player team based tournament. This is largest shuffleboard tournament in the country. The tournament was hosted by CalAm Resorts. Out of the 400 participates only four won all of there matches over the six day event. I was not one of them.

Pre Tournament Meeting

     

Western Tournament Banquet 

 

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Update: October 25, 2015

Apache Junction, AZ      H87   L64

It is kind of hard to write the blog as I sit in Mc Donald's listening to one of my playlist (through ear buds of course) and the track “Happy Organ” comes up. I just have to toe tap along and be transported back to Durrs’ skating rink! I know some of you who read this blog remembers those days, but I digress.

Judy and I are very busy keeping track of the house we are having built here.  The construction is entering into the final phase and we go over each day to check on its progress.  We also are busy scouting out furniture options and deciding on major appliances that we will have to purchase like washer/dryer and refrigerator. The stove and dishwasher choices were made with the builder back in April. We must also get landscaping in within 90 days of closing so this is going to be a busy time for us before we head back to our campground job in April. 

People are slowly returning back to the RV park but the routine has not gotten into full swing. I am entered into two shuffleboard tournaments over the next couple of weeks. I am not sure I will be fully up to speed though but I will get some good practice and experience from them.

Here are a few pics of the progress on the house

  

 

 

 

  

    

walk in shower (snail shower)

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week

Back in Apache Junction, AZ for the Winter

Apache Junction, AZ     H97  L75

We arrived back here at Superstition Springs Sunrise RV Resort on the 5th. Judy and I have been very busy so I haven’t had time to do an arrival blog.  We had such an enjoyable stay last year we returned this year.  Last year we did not get here until around Thanksgiving, a full month and a half later. The temps are still high, upper 90’s and low 100’s.  The TV weather are forecasting lower temps by next week. By lower, I mean low to mid 80’s.  The snowbird population is still low but will begin to increase by the first of Nov. A few of our friends from last year have already returned.

What we have been up to

Monday (5th) Arrived back and settled in.  (click pics to enlarge)

    

Friday: We went out with friends Peggy and Bill to the Cracker Barrel for dinner.  I should have taken Pics.

Monday (12th): Celebrated our 41st Anniversary

    

All week: Judy and I have taken care of a lot of business loose ends that are related to our investment property under construction in Sunland Springs Village. The completion date is slated for early Dec. This going to be the major focus of our stay this year.

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Next Thursday

National Parks: Arches & Canyonlands

Apache Junction, AZ.  H89 L69

Judy and I have completed our shortened travel season and arrived back at our winter location- Sunrise Superstition RV Resort in Apache Junction. Normally we travel two and half to three months before arriving at our wintering location but business transactions dictated that we get back to AZ earlier this year.

Last year we meandered down the Pacific Coast from Newport, Oregon to Point Magu, CA. before cutting east to AZ. We enjoyed and never tired of the coastline beauty.  This year we took a route further east before we headed south. The landscape was a 180 degree shift from last year, rugged landscapes and deep canyons. The lands were wide open and sparsely populated. The beauty was just as awe inspiring though. Judy and I never tired of it throughout the 1500 miles journey. I am posting pics from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Monument Valley. Utah has some of the most dramatic geological land forms found in the United States. Although pics can capture some of the grandeur nothing beats seeing these lands in person.

 Arches National Park, Moab Utah

    

    

      

  

Canyonlands National Park Moab Utah

    

     

    

Canyonlands Video

Arches Video

 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in about a week