I have been somewhat tardy with my Blog but after 3 months in ZA it hard to compare Apache Junction with the Elephants, Tigers and the swimming in the Indian Ocean. We did watch the Ladies curling with AB winning and now we are watching the Men's curling so that chews up alot of our time. However we have done a little entertaining or gone to some entertainment so to speak.
We had ex-military friends from Comox, BC ,the Carlyles' ,over for dinner one night so we got to swap a few stories. The next day we decided to do some touring around the area as there is lots to see such as an old Gold mine Town. They did mine a few million ounces of gold from this area around the late 1800's. They eventually dug down so deep they hit an underground river which flooded all the mines so that ended the gold mining. Now they just "Mine" the tourists pockets but it was interesting.
Then we went hunting for the Weaver's Needle. We orginally thought Weavers needle had something to do with weaving or making blankets but we were informed that it was a Rock formation in Superstition Mountain ( that is another story ). We did find the monument for Weavers Needle and used all the imagination to actually see it as a needle. But we did read the plaque to find out it was named after a lady named Pauline Weaver, so I'll sleep better now that I know that.
We also took in a 50's/ 60's dance with some friends and of course we had an Elvis Band . I was actually amazed at the people who managed to find clothes from the 50's and even more so that they could clothes that actually fit.
One evening we took in the Dutton Family show which is a "Branson Show" during the summer but they have a winter home in Mesa so they built a theatre here so they could get all the Snowbirds who are too cheap to go to Branson.
On Friday we decided to drive the "Original Apache Trail" which is a 100 Mile circle trip thru the mountains. This trip takes a whole day but the scenery is gorgerous. However, this trip has 22 miles of gravel/dirt road, at 20 MPH, which winds thru the mountains and at times is one lane wide, enough for 1 vehicle only. Besides Carroll screaming " Don't get over; Don't get over" it was a very nice trip. I tried to tell her that i have never driven over a cliff since we have been married ( 48 yrs ) so there is nothing to worry about. Cose calls don't count. ha ha.
Last night we went to a Pizza Joint with friends called the Organ Pipe and it is unbelieveable. This place has seating for 500 People and i think there was 550 people in the place. Also, they have an Organist who plays continously and he will play any request that you give him. Every 20 mins the Organ drops into the stage so the organist can take a 5 min break. They ask how many Cdns where in attendance, which usually is the majourity, and then they play our National Anthem followed by the Americam anthem.
We are leaving Apache Junction on thurs and going to Green Valley, just below Tucson as we have some friends from Home who spend the winter golfing in the area. We will probably stay there for 2 weeks and then take our time heading home. cheers. T and C
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
24 Feb Happy Hour with Friends
The weather has been great lately as the temp during the day has reach the mid 30's C even thought it does cool down at night but you must remember, this is a desert and that is how the weather works in a desert.
We went shopping this morning but forgot it was "Apache Junction Daze" and got caught in the parade route. We should have known better because we were told about the traffic but I just forgot. However, after driving in south africa cities, this is a piece of cake. After picking up a few groceries we headed home to get out of the malaze and decided to hit the pool to relax for a couple of hours.
Today we invited friends Em and Kandy Davies and Stan and Helen Aberlye, from Med Hat, over for Happy Hour and enjoyed there company. Since we left home in Oct and have only seen them for a few mins since we arr in Apache Junction, we had lots of " local gossip " to catch up on. Also the ladies curling was on TV so we had to move inside to watch the Alberta Team beat Manitoba. Not only do we all like curling, we also think we need to call the shots for the skip. Anyhow, the Alberta Team will represent Canada at the Worlds and that is the main point.
We went shopping this morning but forgot it was "Apache Junction Daze" and got caught in the parade route. We should have known better because we were told about the traffic but I just forgot. However, after driving in south africa cities, this is a piece of cake. After picking up a few groceries we headed home to get out of the malaze and decided to hit the pool to relax for a couple of hours.
Today we invited friends Em and Kandy Davies and Stan and Helen Aberlye, from Med Hat, over for Happy Hour and enjoyed there company. Since we left home in Oct and have only seen them for a few mins since we arr in Apache Junction, we had lots of " local gossip " to catch up on. Also the ladies curling was on TV so we had to move inside to watch the Alberta Team beat Manitoba. Not only do we all like curling, we also think we need to call the shots for the skip. Anyhow, the Alberta Team will represent Canada at the Worlds and that is the main point.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
21 Feb to 23 Feb
Most of these days were spent watching the curling. Between games we did some shopping, getting some propane, hitting the pool. Some of our American neighbours said that they did not see us outside later. We mentioned that we were watching curling. And you can guess what they said. " What the hell is curling ".
So there goes 3 more days in sunny Arizona.
So there goes 3 more days in sunny Arizona.
20 Feb lazy day
As i have mentioned previous, many people from Medicine Hat winter in this area.
as it turns out,there are enough players in one particular RV park to form an all Medicine Hat Team and they play in a Monday morning league. Since I have played with some and against most of them, we ventured to their park to watch 2 games. Besides, we were waiting on the ladies curling to start so we needed to kill some time. ha ha.
In the afternoon we dropped in to visit our friends from ST. Thomas, ON and stayed to play a few rounds of cards which killed the Afternoon. So that's how you get thru Lazy Day in Arizona
as it turns out,there are enough players in one particular RV park to form an all Medicine Hat Team and they play in a Monday morning league. Since I have played with some and against most of them, we ventured to their park to watch 2 games. Besides, we were waiting on the ladies curling to start so we needed to kill some time. ha ha.
In the afternoon we dropped in to visit our friends from ST. Thomas, ON and stayed to play a few rounds of cards which killed the Afternoon. So that's how you get thru Lazy Day in Arizona
19 Feb Sunday Filly's Cowboy Bar
Two of our friends from Med Hat, whom have a winter home in Mesa ask us to join them for lunch at Filly's which is a "Real Authentic Cowboy " Bar and Grill, which is located, in the country side , about 2 miles from our park. Now, I have been to " The Ranchman" Bar in Calgary and it is no doubt a Western " Cowboy" bar where blue jeans, cowboy boots and Stetsons are the dress of the day. But it does not carry a candle to Filly's because this will take you back at least 50 years.
Filly's is so popular with all the " snowbirds" you have to be there by noon in order to get a table even though the Western band does not start until 1 PM. The band is outdoors and so is most of the seating/tables, however, you can bring your own chairs and sit on the lawn. Even thought they have sufficent waitress, they have a " walk up bar window " for those who can not wait for a beer and they also have a separate " animal style drinking trow " full of beer and ice for those too thirsty to wait for a waitress.
I took a visual count of those seated and it was around 250 but there was at least 100 people standing. I doubt there is a Fire code since it is outdoors. Because it is so crowded, the waitresses are not shy about telling you to get out of their way when coming thru with food and Beer.
Filly's also has real cowboys/cowgirls in attendance and this day there where 17 or 18 of them that rode up on horseback as Filly's has a hitching rail right outside the outdoor bar. The cowboys and cowgirls were dressed with chaps,spurs and worn out stetson's and one guy even had a pistol/gun even thought the sign read " No Weapons " allowed. I assume it was for show only.
We stayed for about 3 hours to swap stories with our friends, had lunch, did a little dancing , and mostly watched the people, especially the cowboys. One of the cowgirls was dressed as Annie Oakly but i did not have the nerve to take a picture. Did I mention that they serve Beer. Filly's was a great experience and we will definitely return for a second helping of fun as it was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Filly's is so popular with all the " snowbirds" you have to be there by noon in order to get a table even though the Western band does not start until 1 PM. The band is outdoors and so is most of the seating/tables, however, you can bring your own chairs and sit on the lawn. Even thought they have sufficent waitress, they have a " walk up bar window " for those who can not wait for a beer and they also have a separate " animal style drinking trow " full of beer and ice for those too thirsty to wait for a waitress.
I took a visual count of those seated and it was around 250 but there was at least 100 people standing. I doubt there is a Fire code since it is outdoors. Because it is so crowded, the waitresses are not shy about telling you to get out of their way when coming thru with food and Beer.
Filly's also has real cowboys/cowgirls in attendance and this day there where 17 or 18 of them that rode up on horseback as Filly's has a hitching rail right outside the outdoor bar. The cowboys and cowgirls were dressed with chaps,spurs and worn out stetson's and one guy even had a pistol/gun even thought the sign read " No Weapons " allowed. I assume it was for show only.
We stayed for about 3 hours to swap stories with our friends, had lunch, did a little dancing , and mostly watched the people, especially the cowboys. One of the cowgirls was dressed as Annie Oakly but i did not have the nerve to take a picture. Did I mention that they serve Beer. Filly's was a great experience and we will definitely return for a second helping of fun as it was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Friday, 24 February 2012
18 th Feb Saturday
Several of my friends from Med Hat were playing in a ball tournament at Monte Vista RV park at 9 AM so we ventured over to watch them. As it turns out the ladies went shopping for few hours. When i got to the ball field I not only met my friends from Med Hat but there were several American players that I have play with over the years. I played with 2 of the American in Mesquite , NV about 8 years ago so it makes you realize just how fast the time flies. As a point of interest, each team had 6 Canadians so you can imagine just how many Cdns are spending the winter in this area.
After the tournament we visited with Lynn and Margret Ann, for an hour or so as they are returning home on shortly because Lynn is feeling " under the weather " and does not want to get sick or worse, hospitalized here. Also, they have sold their Condo in Med Hat and are moving in May to BC and of course have some things to get ready for the move.
Also, the Scotties ( Ladies Curling ) was started so we wanted to see the action. Additonally, we always carry to two TV's because I switch from Curling to Hockey and that drives Carroll nuts. so you can say: we have a His and Her TV.
After the tournament we visited with Lynn and Margret Ann, for an hour or so as they are returning home on shortly because Lynn is feeling " under the weather " and does not want to get sick or worse, hospitalized here. Also, they have sold their Condo in Med Hat and are moving in May to BC and of course have some things to get ready for the move.
Also, the Scotties ( Ladies Curling ) was started so we wanted to see the action. Additonally, we always carry to two TV's because I switch from Curling to Hockey and that drives Carroll nuts. so you can say: we have a His and Her TV.
17 th Feb Friday
Today was a slow day and we are invited out for supper by some friends ( Lynn and Margrat Ann) from Med Hat who are in a different park. Actually, the trailer did not feel level on one side so rather than connect up and move it to put it on my " Leveling Boards" I decided to jack up the axles and slip the boards under the tires. This project took about an hour and when you don't have much to do , it really does matter how you take to do it.
You may have heard the story about the Wife of a retired guy who ask him what he intended to do today; he said he was going to do Nothing; she said you did that yesterday; he said, I know but I didn't finish it. Well, that'a about how i felt.
Around 4 PM we ventured to our friends for supper and there was 2 other couples of which one was another friend from Med Hat. The other couple where Canadians , retired farmer and teacher who travel exclusive and had recently been to South Africa, so naturally we swapped stories.
Lynn advised me that there was a ball tournament in his park the next day and that a few Med Hat players were in the tournament so i decided attend that tournament. After a great supper and some refreshment we called it a day
You may have heard the story about the Wife of a retired guy who ask him what he intended to do today; he said he was going to do Nothing; she said you did that yesterday; he said, I know but I didn't finish it. Well, that'a about how i felt.
Around 4 PM we ventured to our friends for supper and there was 2 other couples of which one was another friend from Med Hat. The other couple where Canadians , retired farmer and teacher who travel exclusive and had recently been to South Africa, so naturally we swapped stories.
Lynn advised me that there was a ball tournament in his park the next day and that a few Med Hat players were in the tournament so i decided attend that tournament. After a great supper and some refreshment we called it a day
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