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Hi ~ we are now in Bullhead City Arizona, across the Colorado River from Laughlin, in Nevada. To back up a bit, we had a good few days at Roper Lake and the birding was pretty good ~ saw a huge flock of yellow-headed blackbirds whose heads and chests looked lovely in the light from the setting sun. Hit some more golf balls but unfortunately still seem to be getting ones that are untrained!
From there we drove through a canyon of reddish rock columns between Globe and Superior. There were lots of purple, yellow and orange wildflowers in bloom and also trees with blossoms ~ nice to see the colour in the desert.
We stayed in Mesa for 10 days ~ it is just outside Phoenix and it was quite different to be in a big city but we were very close to the hills so it was easy to enjoy the resort and also the outdoors. Lining the roads in the resort were grapefruit trees, some of which were in bloom and gave off a beautiful scent, others were still bearing fruit so we had fresh-squeezed juice every morning ~ yummy. This resort had all the usual activities and facilities I have told you about at other places but also some new things to do- like silversmithing, lapidary, ceramics, scrapbooking, watercolour painting, jewellery making, card games, tap-dancing, golf driving cage ,putting green, tennis courts and "write your life story". Impossible to do it all but I did get in a card-making class and of course we had some "laze by the pool" time. There was also a big dog run and another agility course so it was nice for the puppy. Luckily had beautiful weather the whole time! One nice surprise was a "welcome gift bag" ~ bottle of wine, 2 glasses, nuts, dip mix, letter-opener and a fan!! Never had anything like that before.
Nearby a Renaissance Festival was held and it was fun! Everyone was dressed up, even a lot of the attendees. There were about 10 stages with things like storytelling, a hypnotist, ropewalker, comedians and singers, lots of little booths selling stuff, musicians playing a harp, a harpsichord and an Elizabethan quartet. You could put a friend in the stocks, throw an axe or stars and have your fortune told. We went to see the jousting which was fun ~ our knight was confident and heroic but unfortunately became unhorsed!
We met up with some friends from Tapadera who have a place in Mesa and they took us on a really nice hike to a big lake!! Yes, in the middle of the desert - manmade but still. The cacti are just starting to bloom and we had great views of the Superstition Mountains ~a good day. We also went to Usery Mountain Park and did a hike there ~ again, nice scenery and a lot of different kinds of cacti. The RV resort puts on shows and we went to a tribute show ~ Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison and Reba McEntire ~ the Kenny guy looked the part but was a terrible singer but the others were pretty good.
On the way from Mesa, through yet more desert, to Kingman we saw real cowboys roping a calf!
Bullhead City is on the hills along the Colorado River and services Laughlin which, being in Nevada, has 11 casinos. The desert here isn't very nice ~ dusty and rocky without any nice vegetation. Where it is irrigated there are lots of orange and yellow wildflowers. It is hot here (mid-high 80s) so we are using the air-conditioning for the first time. We spent a little time in the casinos (basically betting with the $ they give you free for joining their Players Clubs) and last night had a delicious seafood buffet ~ (love those crab claws!!) and tried Oysters Rockerfellow. Today we drove up into the hills to Oatman, an old gold-mining town, active until the 1930s. It is famous for the wild burros which roam the street (they were used in the mines then released when the mines closed) ~ they are very insistent about wanting their carrots! We watched a "gunfight" on the main street between some bank -robbers and bank-robber robbers ~ it was cute. A nice thing about it is that the guys don't get paid but they pass the hat with all donations going to the Shriners' Children's Hospitals (for those of you who don't know, these hospitals provide free care for any child with burn injuries or orthopaedic disabilities~ a huge help in the States where so many people haven't got health insurance) and so far they have donated over $63,000!!
We leave here tomorrow and start the long drive home~ will let you know how that goes. In the meantime, take care and please write and let us know your news.
Cheers,
Malcolm and Elinor
- comments
Barb & Ray Sounds great, especially Mesa and the fresh Grapefruit ! What do the blossoms smell like ? No wonder you didn't get to do everything...sounds like there was TONS to do. What did you think of the Oysters Rockerfella, as "good" as they're made out to be ? Nice idea that the "gunfight" money goes to such a worthy cause, and fantastic that they've been able to raise so much cash :0) I guess our only news is that we're leaving here Tues to go to Calgary and help the kids move into their new places. Ray hasn't seen the new digs yet, but I've seen them both, and hopefully things will be better than the last 18 months or so they've had where they are !! Surely not all Landlords/downstairs tenants can be that bad :p Other than that, not really anything new to report....waiting for Spring to take hold and just the regular day to day stuff! Oh, and btw, STILL waiting for 649 to come through..........getting impatient, and not seeing the humour anymore, LOL.
Ian & Zina Hey guys, sounds like you are having a great time. I'm pretty sure that I've been to the lake that you are talking about some years back on a training camp. As I recall it was a welcomed relief to feel the cool breeze to help offset the 40 degree day. Well Zina is finally back home, she landed last tuesday. We've seen some friends, hit the slopes and lost a lot of sleep. Get your mind out of the gutter everyone, but after 3 months in a bed by yourself, there is some adjustment period to be had...minor fighting over the sheets, what pillow to use etc. But really all is good. We are on a plane on Tuesday morning to head down to Vegas for 4 days and 3 nights for my friend Khian's (pronounced ken) wedding. I have know him since I was three so it will be a truly epic event I'm sure. We are staying at the monte carlo and Shelley has provided me with endless valuable tips and tricks to maximize our first vegas experience. We will be hitting Red Rock Canyon for a day of rock climbing to help us get some "fresh air" outside of sin city. Zina is then back on a plane to Russia for the last competition of the season. We will either meet up in Europe or she will come home and the we will depart south to Peru or something along those lines. I did want to pick your brain about Peru and the Incan trail and passes etc.. Work for me is going well. My project that I've been involved with for the last 16 months has finally finished so now it's time for me to get my life back a little bit. The project was great experience, and great for networking etc, but it took it's tole on my non work life....as in I didn't really have any. But this is all changing as I'm transitioning into a new role assisting a new contracts team. They are a new team and I've been asked to provide some direction to these 13 strong minded individuals to ensure they are all paddling in the same direction. Should be fun. Well that being said I need to go and put on some aloe on my face, as much to the deafening sigh I can hear from the aunts, I acquired a pretty wicked sunburn today on the back side of Lake Louise as I was tearing (..and possibly rolling) down the slopes.
Leslie Hi Elinor and Malcolm, Enjoy following your travels, and look forward to the day when we, too, can explore at a leisurely pace. Your posts about Arizona remind me that winter is the right time to go. We go every year (Michael's mom and brother live just south of Phoenix) but generally seem to get there in May when it's over 100F out! Too bad we didn't go earlier this year -- it would have been fun to meet up. As you head back home, you'll probably stay to the west, but just in case you're planning to go up through Colorado, would strongly recommend Mesa Verde, where the Anasazi cliff dwellers lived. It's near Cortez (close to the Arizona/Colorado/New Mexico corner). Have a safe trip home. Cheers, Leslie
Susan Quiri Hi Elinor and Malcolm! Seems that I have been out of touch with you for some time now. At any rate it was great to read your most recent blog. Jim is from Phoenix and so much of what you write about is familiar to me. I would love it if you would get in touch once you return. You have my email. We are living in Sechelt now and so are somewhat closer to your home digs, I believe. We will be moving to our new home in the next few weeks having lived in a little rental over the past 11 months. Safe journey! Susan
Lynn and Frank Hi , Love to read your blog. sorry we missed your skype the other day. we will try you the next time we see you on line. Home renos are still going on. Never ending project it seems. Had a great visit last week from Mike ,Lynley, Adam & Katherine. Our first real sleep over visitors. !!! Hopefully we will see you soon as well. Take care driving back. Have lots more fun on the way.
Françoise Orr Glad that you are doing well, it's always good to hear from you! Just had 4 days @ Whistler (Spring break), fantastic skiing ...and snowboarding for Patrick (he switched this year and he is awesome at it!) We're very lucky to have Tom's sister Tina who lets us use their condo on Blackcomb (ski in/ski out), we're spoiled! We're doing well and can't wait to see you soon! Miss you! Françoise