Tom the pool shark
Tom off the diving board
Tom off the diving board
Coyote in someone's yard along the golf course
Can't see the mountains from this angle but you can see how green the grass is!
Our last day of golf
Friday, March 28, 2008
Pictures (Wednesday)
Coyote in someone's yard along the golf course
Can't see the mountains from this angle but you can see how green the grass is!
Our last day of golf
Home again, home again; jiggidy jig jig
I typed this yesterday but didn’t get around to posting it until today (Friday).
Technically, I’m not quite home yet – we’re still in the air but this won’t get posted until we land so I thought it was an apt title. The trip seemed to start out slow but the last few days really flew by. We seemed to stay pretty busy, especially considering we barely left Sun City West.
Yesterday we made sure to do two of the things we were most looking forward to this trip: go to the pool and play some golf. We started the day off in the pool hall before heading to the liquid version of the same name. It was at the latter that we absolutely relished the last bits of sun we are going to see for a while (yes, I’ve been checking the weather back home). We also took along the camera so be sure to check out the pictures from yesterday.
After swimming we headed out to the golf course for our final round. If you tee off after 3:30 you can play as many holes that you can get in for the same price as 9. I think we got to 14 (it was a slow start – they were backed up on the 1st tee box). Tom had a great round of golf and finally beat Grant. It took a 42 (6 over) to pull off the upset victory but it was plenty since Grant had an off day and shot a 48. The golf course was a great place to spend our last afternoon in the Valley of the Sun. As always there was plenty of flora and fauna. In addition to the usual flowering cacti and waterfowl that we’ve seen all week (and the ever-abundant rabbits) we also saw an owl and a coyote in someone’s yard.
All in all, it was a great trip. Not sure when we’ll get back out there but the sun is a strong motivator, especially when Michigan is struggling to consistently stay above freezing. Thanks all who indulged me by checking in on the trip, hopefully you enjoyed some of the pictures and play-by-play of our trip.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
One day left
We only have one more day of fun in the sun until we head back to the barely-above-freezing drizzly rain that is Michigan. Our intentions of course is to make the most of this one day! Our schedule includes some pool, followed by time at the pool, and wrapped up with a round of golf. Should be good fun all around.
Yesterday was a little more laid back than I had intended. We started off with some putt-putt (the funny thing about their putt-putt course is that it actually looks like a fake desert by the time they finish all the landscaping and stuff. It's just a little surreal to look at. Anyway, my horrendous putting continued there (although I did have a hole in one, so that was nice).
After our mini-golf game we went to watch Grant and his softball team at an away game at Sun City. Sun City is the original active retirement community and its age is beginning to show. It looks much more like a suburban city of the 1960s while Sun City West is definitely trying to go more for a resort-type feel with landscaping and building styles. The team ended up losing but it was a close game up until the 7th. Tom and I ran over to Walgreens while waiting for the game to start. I'd been getting a bit of a sun rash and it was getting worse and worse so we thought it was time for some medicine. I took a couple of the Benadryl and was fine for about an hour but then it REALLY began to hit me. If any medicine says that it could cause drowsiness then it will definitely cause drowsiness for me. And by drowsiness I mean that I was bordering on narcolepsy. My eyes wouldn't focus right on things up close giving everything a weird 3-D effect since my depth of vision was all messed up. I decided the best thing to do was lay down for a little (turned into 3 hour) nap. Tom and Grant went to play pool during this time so at least it wasn't a complete waste for all of us.
We finished the day with a spaghetti dinner and American Idol. After Idol we played some more Bid 500 - they were close games but we managed to win more than we lost.
No pictures to show from yesterday. I'm going to take some more today (probably of pool, the pool, and golf course) and try to remember to get some of the place. Our shuttle picks us up at 4:15 tomorrow (our flight is out of here at 6:30 with a plane change in Salt Lake City) so I may have a chance at the airport to update the blog if I don't get to it tonight. One more day in the sun and I'm off to enjoy it.
Yesterday was a little more laid back than I had intended. We started off with some putt-putt (the funny thing about their putt-putt course is that it actually looks like a fake desert by the time they finish all the landscaping and stuff. It's just a little surreal to look at. Anyway, my horrendous putting continued there (although I did have a hole in one, so that was nice).
After our mini-golf game we went to watch Grant and his softball team at an away game at Sun City. Sun City is the original active retirement community and its age is beginning to show. It looks much more like a suburban city of the 1960s while Sun City West is definitely trying to go more for a resort-type feel with landscaping and building styles. The team ended up losing but it was a close game up until the 7th. Tom and I ran over to Walgreens while waiting for the game to start. I'd been getting a bit of a sun rash and it was getting worse and worse so we thought it was time for some medicine. I took a couple of the Benadryl and was fine for about an hour but then it REALLY began to hit me. If any medicine says that it could cause drowsiness then it will definitely cause drowsiness for me. And by drowsiness I mean that I was bordering on narcolepsy. My eyes wouldn't focus right on things up close giving everything a weird 3-D effect since my depth of vision was all messed up. I decided the best thing to do was lay down for a little (turned into 3 hour) nap. Tom and Grant went to play pool during this time so at least it wasn't a complete waste for all of us.
We finished the day with a spaghetti dinner and American Idol. After Idol we played some more Bid 500 - they were close games but we managed to win more than we lost.
No pictures to show from yesterday. I'm going to take some more today (probably of pool, the pool, and golf course) and try to remember to get some of the place. Our shuttle picks us up at 4:15 tomorrow (our flight is out of here at 6:30 with a plane change in Salt Lake City) so I may have a chance at the airport to update the blog if I don't get to it tonight. One more day in the sun and I'm off to enjoy it.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Preemptive Disclaimer
OK, I'd like to address an issue in advance. You may have noticed that I've mentioned that it has been sunny out here in Arizona. You may also assume that I'm not used to the sun since I currently reside in Michigan and the weather is currently crap. So, it would make sense that I would wear sunglasses while out here in Sun City. I mean, it's only logical to block the sun's rays and prevent headaches from squinting all day. So, with all of that reasoned rationale, I want to address my raccoon eyes. I have a bit of a tan line from the sunglasses. Hopefully it will fade some more (I'm trying to keep the glasses off when possible - also hoping time at the pool will help); but if it doesn't, I'd like you to consider what you are really teasing me about when you tease me about my raccoon eyes - you are teasing me about being tan, and that is just fine with me.
So, now that that's out of the way, let's get on to what's happened the last few days.
Easter Sunday
We once again started the day with pickle ball and Tom and I were finally getting them. We won the first 2 games before dropping the third - even better we were up in the fourth and then Tom tweaked his back. We figured it was probably better safe than sorry to take the rest of the day off and relax. We had planned on playing some golf that afternoon but we moved that to Monday instead.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. We sat outside on the patio and played Bid 500 most of the afternoon. Bobbie made chicken and fixings for Easter dinner and then we got right back into the games. We were going to play putt-putt but that was pretty crowded (there are a lot of people visiting Sun City this week). So that was Easter - a nice easy day of rest to get ready for the rest of the week.
Monday
Yesterday we returned to action with full fervor. Tom and I started the day with a little hike out in the White Tanks. It was a few miles of not very much elevation change but it was still a nice little walk. It's neat to see the dry river beds and the different flora. As an added bonus, there were some flowers in bloom. It seems like we might still be a week out from the full bloom. I do a bit of thinking when walking and they really turn out to be pretty random thoughts - jumping and skipping from one topic to another. Anyway, a couple of my musings from yesterday:
Looking out over the desert it seemed that whole areas were tinted yellow with flowers and it reminded me of Iowa during our road trip. The wildflowers there would also color whole swaths of land. It must have been this thought that led me into a mind trip about how memories are intertwined across place and time. While I was thinking of this I came under a little shade tree (very noticeable and nice when you are in the desert) that made me think of the the big ash trees at home and sitting in the cool breeze on a hot summer day. It's always nice to have a bit of home with you in your mind even when you are far away.
Anyway, back to the play-by-play. We got back to the house around 9 or so - just in time to wake up Grant and Bobbie and get the day started. Our next activity was going to be swimming but it as kids' hour at the pool so we decided to play some pool instead. Tom and I held our own, losing 3-2. That's impressive considering Grant and Bobbie are both medal-winning Senior Olympians. Lunch was leftovers and then we headed back to the pool just as the kiddies were leaving. The water was wonderfully refreshing and Tom is getting that "bronze" color he's aiming for. It's absolutely ridiculous how fast and thoroughly he tans. Ridiculous. We golfed Echo Mesa in the afternoon (I golfed terribly - we have one round left and hopefully I'll get my own putter to use so I don't have to keep switching). Grant and Bobbie had bowling last night so Tom and I went out to dinner and came back to play some pool.
So that's the last couple of days. The next couple will be full as well so be sure to check back and leave your comments.
So, now that that's out of the way, let's get on to what's happened the last few days.
Easter Sunday
We once again started the day with pickle ball and Tom and I were finally getting them. We won the first 2 games before dropping the third - even better we were up in the fourth and then Tom tweaked his back. We figured it was probably better safe than sorry to take the rest of the day off and relax. We had planned on playing some golf that afternoon but we moved that to Monday instead.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. We sat outside on the patio and played Bid 500 most of the afternoon. Bobbie made chicken and fixings for Easter dinner and then we got right back into the games. We were going to play putt-putt but that was pretty crowded (there are a lot of people visiting Sun City this week). So that was Easter - a nice easy day of rest to get ready for the rest of the week.
Monday
Yesterday we returned to action with full fervor. Tom and I started the day with a little hike out in the White Tanks. It was a few miles of not very much elevation change but it was still a nice little walk. It's neat to see the dry river beds and the different flora. As an added bonus, there were some flowers in bloom. It seems like we might still be a week out from the full bloom. I do a bit of thinking when walking and they really turn out to be pretty random thoughts - jumping and skipping from one topic to another. Anyway, a couple of my musings from yesterday:
Looking out over the desert it seemed that whole areas were tinted yellow with flowers and it reminded me of Iowa during our road trip. The wildflowers there would also color whole swaths of land. It must have been this thought that led me into a mind trip about how memories are intertwined across place and time. While I was thinking of this I came under a little shade tree (very noticeable and nice when you are in the desert) that made me think of the the big ash trees at home and sitting in the cool breeze on a hot summer day. It's always nice to have a bit of home with you in your mind even when you are far away.
Anyway, back to the play-by-play. We got back to the house around 9 or so - just in time to wake up Grant and Bobbie and get the day started. Our next activity was going to be swimming but it as kids' hour at the pool so we decided to play some pool instead. Tom and I held our own, losing 3-2. That's impressive considering Grant and Bobbie are both medal-winning Senior Olympians. Lunch was leftovers and then we headed back to the pool just as the kiddies were leaving. The water was wonderfully refreshing and Tom is getting that "bronze" color he's aiming for. It's absolutely ridiculous how fast and thoroughly he tans. Ridiculous. We golfed Echo Mesa in the afternoon (I golfed terribly - we have one round left and hopefully I'll get my own putter to use so I don't have to keep switching). Grant and Bobbie had bowling last night so Tom and I went out to dinner and came back to play some pool.
So that's the last couple of days. The next couple will be full as well so be sure to check back and leave your comments.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Pictures (Saturday)
Coyotes in the drainage ditch - they have a feast of rabbits to pick from in Sun City
Pickleball action
At the beginning of the Vulture Mine tour
Snake on the tour
Orange and orange blossom outside Grant and Bobbie's back door
Happy Easter
Well, this is a bit of a departure from our usual Easter schedule! Today we're going to play some more pickleball, golf at 3:37, and of course, Easter dinner (or lunch perhaps). This is a far cry from the snow-covered ground of Detroit. I was just outside by the orange trees and the grass is absolutely delightful on the feet - cool, soft, lush (don't get me started though on the presence of the aforementioned grass in a desert). OK then, let's get started on yesterday's recap:
Per usual, we started our day with some wicked pickleball action...Tom and I took the matches to 4-3...it was a nail-biter. On our way to the court we saw a few coyotes laying out the drainage ditch. Little did we know that these wouldn't be the only wildlife that we would see during the course of the day.
We took a mini-excursion up to Wickenburg to see the Vulture Mine. It was an old gold mine that basically spawned the birth of Phoenix and the surrounding areas. The estimate is that the mine produced $200 million in ore but it has been closed since 1944. If you're interested in an investment, it is available for purchase ($6.5 mil.) - might be a good bet with the price of gold. Supposedly, there is 3-4 times as much gold left in the vein as what was already taken out. We weren't able to go underground at the mine but we were able to explore all of the above ground structures so that was cool. Some of the buildings were quite picturesque - I didn't take the time that I could have to get some really good pictures - the sun as it fell through the old wooden doors and windows into debris-scattered rooms seemed very stereotypical of the Old West. It was in one of these open doorways where I saw my first diamondback. Now, it was no giant world-record snake (truth be told, it was probably just a baby) but I gotta tell you, it got my heart pumping all the same. I walked through a doorway into a room when across the dusty wooden floor I saw the snake come out of the little closet. You would be amazed at how fast I can back out of a room! Bobbie didn't see the snake but all it took was my mention of our serpentine friend and she was out the door and back into the relative safety of the open clearing outside. Once the snake curled up behind the door on the opposite side of the room I was able to get a few pictures. We cooled off from the excitement of the trip by grabbing a cone of homemade hand-dipped ice cream at a little shop in Wickenburg.
We wound down the evening with a few rounds of Bid 500 (basically a version of Euchre). It was another great day in Sun City West (and the name is definitely no misnomer) - today looks to be off to a wonderful start. Check back later for more!
Per usual, we started our day with some wicked pickleball action...Tom and I took the matches to 4-3...it was a nail-biter. On our way to the court we saw a few coyotes laying out the drainage ditch. Little did we know that these wouldn't be the only wildlife that we would see during the course of the day.
We took a mini-excursion up to Wickenburg to see the Vulture Mine. It was an old gold mine that basically spawned the birth of Phoenix and the surrounding areas. The estimate is that the mine produced $200 million in ore but it has been closed since 1944. If you're interested in an investment, it is available for purchase ($6.5 mil.) - might be a good bet with the price of gold. Supposedly, there is 3-4 times as much gold left in the vein as what was already taken out. We weren't able to go underground at the mine but we were able to explore all of the above ground structures so that was cool. Some of the buildings were quite picturesque - I didn't take the time that I could have to get some really good pictures - the sun as it fell through the old wooden doors and windows into debris-scattered rooms seemed very stereotypical of the Old West. It was in one of these open doorways where I saw my first diamondback. Now, it was no giant world-record snake (truth be told, it was probably just a baby) but I gotta tell you, it got my heart pumping all the same. I walked through a doorway into a room when across the dusty wooden floor I saw the snake come out of the little closet. You would be amazed at how fast I can back out of a room! Bobbie didn't see the snake but all it took was my mention of our serpentine friend and she was out the door and back into the relative safety of the open clearing outside. Once the snake curled up behind the door on the opposite side of the room I was able to get a few pictures. We cooled off from the excitement of the trip by grabbing a cone of homemade hand-dipped ice cream at a little shop in Wickenburg.
We wound down the evening with a few rounds of Bid 500 (basically a version of Euchre). It was another great day in Sun City West (and the name is definitely no misnomer) - today looks to be off to a wonderful start. Check back later for more!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pictures (Friday)
The parachuting guys coming in before the game...they land much faster than I expected
Jared Weaver warming up in the bullpen
Me and Tom on the lawn...notice the sun? Yay sun!!
Grant and Bobbie at the ballgame
We were really roughing it on the lawn
Pictures (Thursday)
Flowers in foreground...cactus in background
Grant taking in the action
Grant taking in the action
Basehit!
Tom enjoying the game in the shade
Take me out to the ball game...
My oh my, is it warm here! The sun won't stop shining, there are no clouds, it's in the mid-80s every day. Absolutely ridiculous. I kid, I kid (a little bit of a Triumph reference there...). Everything I said about the weather is true, but it is absolutely wonderful. We are definitely taking full advantage of this change in climate.
Yesterday we started the day off at the library (needed reading material for the pool visit later in the day) and then headed off to the pickleball courts. Tom and I are giving Grant and Bobbie a run for their money but we are still losing more than we win. It really is a fun game. All of the people out here are always so excited to see young people, we're like magnets that draw them in. At the least, they always want to say "hi" and see where we are from. We run into a lot of people from Michigan so they always want to talk more once they find out where we're from.
Our "busy" day continued after pickleball when we went to the pool for a couple of hours. The water is the perfect temperature, but it is a bit chilly when you get out (there's just enough of a breeze); of course that only lasts about 3 minutes - the time it takes for all of the water to evaporate off. I wore sunscreen but it must not have been enough because I got a little bit of a burn on my forehead and shoulders. It should be fine by the end of the day though.
We had steak and brats for dinner before heading off to the Angels-Rangers game. Jared Weaver was pitching for the Angels and I had a chance to watch him pitch in the bullpen before the game (we sat on the lawn right next to the pen). It was amazing to see his pitches up close like that. His fastball (93+) looks even faster when you're that close - but the truly amazing thing was his off-speed pitches (in the 70s) in contrast to his fastball. He definitely made some guys look silly in the game with those off-speed pitches. There were also some fireworks during the 7th inning stretch.
I was definitely ready to be out of school for a few days. It's nice to be able to play. I made the comment the other day at the softball game that everyone out here is recreating their youth. Think about all the things that you did as a kid: Little League, playing pick-up games with your friends, swimming at the pool. They are living a lifetime summer vacation! Except they can drive (though usually in golf carts, which kids could probably drive anyway).
Alrighty then, I'm going to wrap up this post and get some pictures uploaded for everyone to see. Looking forward to your comments...
Yesterday we started the day off at the library (needed reading material for the pool visit later in the day) and then headed off to the pickleball courts. Tom and I are giving Grant and Bobbie a run for their money but we are still losing more than we win. It really is a fun game. All of the people out here are always so excited to see young people, we're like magnets that draw them in. At the least, they always want to say "hi" and see where we are from. We run into a lot of people from Michigan so they always want to talk more once they find out where we're from.
Our "busy" day continued after pickleball when we went to the pool for a couple of hours. The water is the perfect temperature, but it is a bit chilly when you get out (there's just enough of a breeze); of course that only lasts about 3 minutes - the time it takes for all of the water to evaporate off. I wore sunscreen but it must not have been enough because I got a little bit of a burn on my forehead and shoulders. It should be fine by the end of the day though.
We had steak and brats for dinner before heading off to the Angels-Rangers game. Jared Weaver was pitching for the Angels and I had a chance to watch him pitch in the bullpen before the game (we sat on the lawn right next to the pen). It was amazing to see his pitches up close like that. His fastball (93+) looks even faster when you're that close - but the truly amazing thing was his off-speed pitches (in the 70s) in contrast to his fastball. He definitely made some guys look silly in the game with those off-speed pitches. There were also some fireworks during the 7th inning stretch.
I was definitely ready to be out of school for a few days. It's nice to be able to play. I made the comment the other day at the softball game that everyone out here is recreating their youth. Think about all the things that you did as a kid: Little League, playing pick-up games with your friends, swimming at the pool. They are living a lifetime summer vacation! Except they can drive (though usually in golf carts, which kids could probably drive anyway).
Alrighty then, I'm going to wrap up this post and get some pictures uploaded for everyone to see. Looking forward to your comments...
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