Hi all,

Expect you thought the two of us had fallen off the edge of the earth ....wrong....just discovered Mesa....and the warm weather.  Immediately upon arrival we began setting up house on the outdoor patio and have so much stuff outside of the 5th wheel now, we thought we would sit tight for a while and enjoy the weather.

But true to my word I am back to fill you in our adventure.

 As you know we spent two weeks in Tucson with John's cousin Lynn and her husband Dick, enjoyed Christmas and New Years with them then on the 8th of January headed north to Mesa looking for a little warmer weather.

 Dick and Lynn stayed on another week or two in Tucson getting some work done on the Motor home then took off for Quartzite.

              

January 8th we arrived at Mesa Spirit this park has everything imaginable to do...tennis, shuffle board, pools, hot tubs, wood working room, lapidary, library, workout room etc and were located close to all kinds of shopping, restaurants and events so we decided to stay a month and relax a bit.

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Met a guy at the Market and had arranged for him to build sliding drawers for all my floor level cupboards in the RV.  He came by the park a few days later measured things up and in a few more days arrived and installed them for me. What a world of difference that makes for me, no more crawling around the floor to get at my pots and pans out.

Jan 19th we went to a fund raiser in the park activity centre second week of January. they were raising $$ for their ball team here. Marilyn was performing a few songs as was her brother Jerry from Manitoba and a few more of their friends. It was an entertaining evening to a full house of about 300 people.

Jan 21st we took a drive to Del & Kay's place they used to have a View Point, in East Mesa, their place has been well taken care of since they sold it, the picture on the left is John’s parents place, but the neighbourhood is changing as many homes there are being modified to look like Adobe style homes, this one is right next door to their place.

On the same day we drove to Saguaro Lake and about and hour away and enjoyed a nice lunch at Fort McDowell Casino not too far from there.

January 22nd my brother-in-law Wayne was joining his sister Sharon on her road tripsouth to to Casa Grande from Ladner, BC for the winter.  Wayne was sharing the driving and planning a 2 week stay and would fly home afterward.

We went down to Casa Grande for the day...to see Wayne and Sharon and check out her place there.  Enjoyed their Annual Street Fair and Car Show and had a fine dinner that Wayne and Sharon prepared for us, Sharon has a lovely place and many friends to enjoy her winter with there.

On our tour through Casa Grande, we saw some beautiful buildings from years past including a Cactus Garden Restaurant which you have to see believe Above is a stone residence in Casa Grande and the photo to the right is a cactus garden patio restaurant, a few blocks away.

 Wayne and Sharon then joined us in Mesa a week later and we went to meet Sharon friends who have a place at Venture Out, a park just down the street from ours.  Another real nice park, had another awesome lunch, met Sharon's friends and they are great folks.  The next few days we had to say good buy to Wayne as he was getting near the end of his 2 week trip and was planning to fly home in a few days.

On Jan 25th we took a day trip to watch some modified stock car dirt track racing in Peoria, just east of Phoenix which was awesome.  When we got there it turned out it was right next door to a small grass air strip and all the while we were waiting for the racers to get through their time trials, we were being entertained by small planes, pulling gliders up from the air strip, hang gliders, ultra lights and about 5 hot air balloons. All careening around in the sky right above the race track, it was real cool and went on until sun set and the lights of the track came on.

During the last week of January we went to the Arizona Opry for an evening of dinner and entertainment with Al & Marilyn Stefanik which was a lot of fun, and we also took a trip to Organ Stop Pizza, which is an awesome pizza parlour with a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ which rises out of the floor and the pipes are located throughout the whole building and an organist plays almost continually while a couple hundred people shuffle in and out enjoying their pizza, salad and beer. The music was great, but the organ and its sounds are something to behold.

                        

It wasn't long after we settled in at Mesa Spirit that we were bragging to family about the nice weather and all there was to do down here when mom and dad decided they would fly down and join us for a month, so we checked around at our park and found them a Park Model to rent and they came down and joined us on February 1st. which was mom's birthday so was a nice gift for her to leave the cold weather behind.

February 2nd the day after Mom and Dad arrived we all went to the Flea Market in Mesa and Dad bought himself a Tablet and the seller operates a computer store in East Mesa so Mom and Dad are going to classes every Wednesday to help them learn how to use it. This will be great for future trips as they won't have to drag their laptop with them, I think there having fun with it.

Feb 8th the four of us took a day trip to Tortilla Flats, north east of Mesa. It was an awesome day, both the folks and John and I had been there before but the drive is beautiful and of course we stopped for a beer and took a few pictures while we were there.

                             

Feb 13th, we took the parents to see Cabela’s which was an experience if you have never been to a stadium size sporting goods store.  We manage to fit a little shopping into every day that we are out.

Since they have been here with us we have been back to the Organ Stop, and taken a trip to Goodyear just east of Phoenix.

On Feb 14th we went to the Scottsdale International Arabian Horse show in Scottsdale with friends of mom and dads who live in Scottsdale, Connie and Bob Cooper.  We thought it was awesome, and the western shopping was unbelievable.

                   

Heading up to Desert Hills north of Scottsdale to visit Connie and Bob Cooper this Sunday will let you know how interesting Sedona, Cave Creek and the outlying areas are. 

Were getting a personal tour from the Coopers' and really looking forward to it.  

Were planning on going to a Nascar Race in Phoenix on March 2nd, and Mom and Dad are flying home on Monday, March 3rd so hope to cram a few more things in before they leave then we hope to head for Texas on March 4th or 5th.

Hope this update finds you all doing well, and will try to do a better job of keeping you all up to date.  A big kiss goes to Lexie (who we miss very much) ....Love to you all.  Gerry & John

South of Big Sur

Hi All.....Here is a quick update on our travels!!   

On December 5^th we arrived at a state beach just outside of Santa Cruz, it was a beautiful state park right on the ocean, and backing onto a huge farm, we were told we could experience a real cool night, the farmers were prepping the fields for the frost.  We were stumped about what kind of crop it was, so we ventured out onto the farm, but we still couldn’t figure out what was growing there??  We would have made lousy pilgrims.  

We took off the next morning and our days drive took us to another state park just south of Big Sur, we arrived at sunset, we were parked on a cliff.  The drive along Hwy 1, was narrow, winding and mirrored the coastline which was stunning but John didn’t get the chance to enjoy the much of the view as he had keep a firm hand on the wheel pulling us down this highway required all of his attention.

 On our way south we made sure to stop at San Simeon and took in the famous Hearst Castle. Took a tour bus to the top and spent about 4 hours touring the great rooms and outside grounds surrounding the castle and guest houses. I can’t even describe how cool this was….I took about 100 pictures as the gardens were outstanding.  The architecture was unbelievable,  I can’t image what it might look like when everything is at its best in the spring.  Got back on the road after having a late lunch at Sebastian’s’ a winery and sandwich bar down by the waters edge where the locals lived while building the castle.

Dec 6, 7 & 8 we stayed at Ranch Oso, in Santa Barbara, this was a 1000 Trails Park which was a horse ranch in the mountains about a 10-15 minute drive from the city.  Each day we traveled into Santa Barbara and explored a bit, mostly shopped for Lexie's laptops.  Finally found the laptop we were looking for and all I had to do was set it up so she could use it right away, and get some pictures loaded onto it and arrange to UPS it to Canada, my Christmas shopping was now complete.

Dec 9^th  we arrive in Orange County (Disneyland) got registered into Anaheim RV Resort Park and it was the nicest park we have seen so far, clean, beautiful sites, really nice laundry facilities which is important when you live on the road…..and just a few blocks from Disneyland.  We walked to the park and enjoyed Disneyland from about 9:00 AM to 9:00 pm, on our first day, really enjoyed the fireworks. (we were advised by the park operators that it had been bought by Disney and there going to tear it all down and make a parking lot for their staff????) go figure????

 We rode a few rides and enjoyed the sites, the food and the great weather.  Felt pretty good about what we got done the first day.  The next day we met up with friends of ours from Kelowna, Ken and Julie Kosh they were here for a Disneyland fix with their too adult kids.  They were checked into the same park as us, as John and Ken had been emailing one another. 

Had a short visit with them that morning but they were in a hurry to get to the park, and they were planning on being there for a full 3 days before one of their kids had to return to write exams. That evening we watched the fireworks from our RV site, it was awesome.  Next day as we had a short visit with them again then headed south.

Dec 12^th and 13^th we spend parked on Huntington Beach, at the oceanfront State Park.  Spent our first day their driving back to Venice beach and touring around there for the day.

It was something to see, local artists, skate boarding characters, and of course surfer types. I can see what the attraction might have been back in the late 60’s and 70’s but either I have gotten real old or everyone hear looks like they could use a bath, good meal and a job.  Have to say we are glad we saw it.  

Stopped at the Santa Monica Pier (the end of Route 66) while on this road trip and it was real cool, spent an hour or two there, had a seafood lunch at Bubba Gumps (from Forest Gump) and saw the famous ferris wheel we have all seen in the movies, but couldn’t convince my dare devil partner to go for a ride…

Busted out the bikes for day two, took a ride along the ocean front for about 4 or 5 klm along Huntington Beach, they have a cool pier there as well.    It was a great day, weather in the high 60’s and a little breeze.  Doesn’t get much nicer than this.

December 14^th arrived in Encinitas, a few miles north of San Diego where my cousin Keith & Paula live.  Got ourselves all settled in, he has a space on his property which looked like it was made for our RV.     

So plugged in right next to the tennis court and thought we could live there forever.  Everything is so green and colourful in this part of Southern California.  Beautiful palm trees, azalea trees and colourful plants many I don’t recognize.

Spent an awesome week with the Scotts' in Encinitas.  We arrived on Saturday afternoon and went out for dinner in San Diego with the family and after dinner Keith went to a musical gig,  and we went back to their place.  We putted around on Sunday and then on Monday it was Keith’s son Wyatt’s birthday.  They took him and his sister Noah out of school early and we all went to town for a gourmet family pizza party, later that evening all of Paula’s & Keith's family and some of their friends all came to their place and we had a good crowd to celebrate Wyatt’s birthday, with cake and all. I have included a pic of Wyatt enjoying what all kids love, the box their gift came in????

Next day John and I headed off to the San Diego Zoo and spent a very full day checking out the Gorillas, Polar Bears and Elephants.  Put on a few miles that day.

Did a little shopping around Encinitas, over then next few days, went out with  Keith & Family to their favorite buffet called  Soup Plantation.  It was great,  wished we had soup and salad buffet restaurants were we come from. 
   

Paula’s brother Rocky & his wife Tracie, invited us all to there home in the hills not far from Keith and Paula’s to join them for supper and an evening touring their neighborhood which hosts a Christmas Light Up Event.  We got on the communities trolley car and tour around about 10 blocks of homes....the home owners take decorating for Christmas very seriously.  It was beautiful, and got us into the spirit of the holidays. Tough to do when the weather is sunny and in the high 60’s low 70’s. 

We hunted down the Kobey Flea Market in San Diego that mom and Dad recommended.  Came home with some awesome California Oranges, Avocados, and some junk of course.  We checked our Phil’s BBQ for lunch which was one of the restaurants we found via our Urban Spoon app on my IPad and we were not disappointed.   

Made our plans to head to Arizona,  as the kids are now out of school and the Scott's were getting ready for Santa, so made plans to head out on Saturday.  Enjoyed my cousin’s hospitality, and understand why everyone loves the San Diego area, after touring the coastline via Hwy 1 and the local waterfront streets through  La Jolla, Del Mar and Solana Beach, it seems like the best of all the coast has to offer, the surf, the great gardens and homes as well as the best weather is here in the San Diego area.   We could live here without question and understand why the Scott’s like it so much.   

Dec 21 spent our first overnight at Walmart in Yuma.  Got off the highway later than planned, so checked into the parking lot at Walmart, got our laundry done at the new fancy facility next door to Walmart and did a little grocery shopping before settling in for the night.  Arrived at Cactus Country RV Park in Tuscon on the afternoon of December 22 John’s cousin Lynn and her husband Dick Smith were here to meet us.  Enjoyed our first happy hour in Arizona with Lynn, Dick and Darlynn a good nursing friend of John’s Aunt Betty, who lives here part of the year. 

Our first day with the Smiths we went to town to do some grocery shopping and had a nice lunch at Tuscon McGraw’s, a nice little cantina close to our campground. Due to our first happy hour lasting 4 hours, Lynn has taken charge and has us on Happy Hour Restrictions 4:00 - 5:00 only!  Christmas Eve we stuck close to home.  Darlynn prepared an awesome Christmas feast for the 5 of us.  We enjoyed the evening good food, good people, good fun.

Christmas day we spent some time in the early part of the day saying hello to all our family each on separate phone calls but got a chance to say hello to all of them….this has been a real strange couple of days being so far from all our loved ones.  Doesn’t really seem like Christmas.  

Lynn, Dick Darlynn & John Xmas Dinner

Had a chance to see the clan at Diane’s’ place later in the afternoon.  We used our Ipad and Scott’s Iphone and was able to see one another via facetime. Lexie looked like she had a good day which doesn’t surprise me.  After seeing everyone really wished we could have been there for the day.

Boxing day we did what any Canuck would do visiting suburban America the day after Christmas, we went shopping.  Came home with a few necessities and lots of savings.

 

Friday we took a day trip to Tombstone, enjoyed a cowboy comedy gunfight, shopped the old town and took a tour trolley around the town as well.

Our last stop before leaving town took us to the Boot hill Cemetery where we some some pretty famous cowboy, gunslingers grave sites.   

On our way home we stopped in Bisbee for a look see and had some lunch at the Copper Queen Hotel.

Saturday we went to the Flea Market in Tuscon, this was more like a swap meet but got some cool stuff.   John got some audio books which were hooked on, and I got some grapefruits and dollar candies then we stopped at a few RV stores, camping world being one….we can’t seem to stay away from these places, not looking for anything in particular, but want to stop in at any new Camping World to be sure were not missing anything.   Kind of like Costco, we keep stopping by each store to see whats new and different in each city and state.

Tomorrow were planning a trip to the Air Museum in Tuscon, looking forward to the tour of the airplane graveyard and all the history that goes with it.  Will report back in a week or so to bring you up to date. 

 Love and Miss you all 
Gerry & John

  

 

Hi All

Sorry for taking so long to get back to this blog....finally got internet service, now have an IPAD with cell data plan, so no more hunting for a signal....We finally made our way to Oregon, stayed at the RV Park at Mill Bay Casino, Coos Bay, wasn't a free park but very nice, right next door to the casino.  After spending a fair bit of time on the phone with Apple and Verizon trying to get the IPAD up and running,  John and I went over to the Casino for an hour or so, played a few slots and came out... up $18.00... where a couple of  big spenders eh!!  We still have not found a tire store that has US tires...John really doesn't want to buy chinese tires..so.were going to keep looking, I bring this up only because it will rear its ugly head later in my story.

Really enjoyed taking highway 1, couldn't have nicer views of the ocean, a twisty trail to take but worth it.  Stopped at a number of viewpoints. Below is a couple of shots of Westport Oregon.

Headed of to California the next day and ended up at Benbow, California about 65 miles south of Eureka arrived in the late afternoon. Made it as far as Anchor Bay along the Mendicino Coastline.  The campground was right on the beach, so we decided to stay a few days.  Here are a few pics

 

It was awesome, beautiful beach, weather was awesome, broke out the shorts and met some nice folks.

After setting up camp here, John realized we were getting a flat tire....his guess about the state of our tires was proving correct, so he spend a hour or so, making phone calls and switching to our spare and decided we would have to go inland to find "any kind of tires" so left for Petaluma, California, where we found a Big O Tire store where we ended up buying a whole set of "chinese" tires. Stayed at a KOA while in Petaluma, boy that was expensive but got a chance to get my laundry done and then we peeled out of town for San Francisco the next morning. We arrived in the early afternoon and settled in.  John really earned his cocktail at happy hour that afternoon as it was a beautiful drive but wow was it a twisty road, we had to put our table and chairs upside down in the RV and bungy closed all our cupboards as everything was bouncing all over the place.

Arrived in S. Francisco and checked into S/F RV Park in Pacifica, California, about 15 minutes south of the city and spent that afternoon relaxing... it was in the low 60's sunny and we made our plans to go on a bus tour the next morning.   The tour was great, started at Fisherman's Wharf, took us all over town, over the Golden Gate, and then through all the different sections of the city, reminded me of the tour I took 40 year ago when I was here with my folks.

Today we drove back to the city and walked through Little Italy and Chinatown, then drove up to Leavenworth Ave, which we think is where my Grandmother used to live back in the 50's.  Above is a picture of the place we believe was her apartment. 

757 Leavenworth Ave

Had Lunch at Alioto's

Can't get over the architecture in this town, here are a couple of pics of some of the "painted ladies" which is what they call the heritage homes painted with more than 3 colours .


Were hitting the road tomorrow, heading further south, looking to explore some more of the coastline.  Not sure where were expecting to be by weeks end (Dec 8th) but will fill you in, in a weeks time. 


Miss you all!  Gerry & John