A Busy Week (Or Two)

Take a deep breath to start (you'll need it)... Our dancing instructors, the Sedgwick's, got us involved in a new fun past time that also provides opportunity for getting out and about. They have taught us to geocache. This is a game of hide and seek using a GPS device or smart phone to locate cleverly hidden containers of varying size and shape in almost any location from city to desert. They typically contain a log sheet and, optionally, miscellaneous trinkets and objects to see and possibly trade. Check this out at www.geocaching.com. Our first time out was on Wednesday the 7th but we have been out a couple of times since.

Following are a couple of examples of our finds:

Pill Bottle on a Wire Inside a Tree Trunk

Find the Fake Rock with the Cache Inside (See Below)

Gene has really taken an interest in shuffle board and we have played often with he and Lynn. On Wednesday evening after playing we had the pleasure of a visit from Laurene Gardner's brother, Orlin Lewis and his wife, Julia who were on their way through. Thursday morning Dad told me he had a surprise for me. He would give me no clues as to what we were doing. I had no idea to what it would be. As we drove I thought we were going geocaching. He ended up at a beauty salon. He had made an appointment to have my hair done. At first I was a little miffed at the idea. I hadn't thought of what I would do with my hair. When the hairdresser asked what I wanted I still didn't know what the appointment was for, a hair cut, color, set or what! That was what miffed me just a little. I saw a little old lady there with a hairdo to match her age and I almost said, "make me look just like her." I didn't though and took it for what was meant and had a nice hair cut and style even though the salon was so small and cramped that I had to put my feet up on the wall in order to get low enough in the chair for a shampoo. We found a style in a book that I liked and my hairdresser gave me a real nice razor cut.

Then Dad took me to the VF Factory Outlet Mall for an afternoon of window shopping. I had wanted to go there for some time. He spent the day letting me do whatever I wanted to do. We even stopped at the Harley Motorcycle Dealer. I picked out the one I want for my eightieth birthday, a bright yellow Harley to go with a halter top (ha ha). The day was fun and I enjoyed the fun we had together. It was a special day for no special reason thanks to Dad. On Friday the 9th we went to the new Gilbert LDS temple site to see construction progress. On the site we found one little lonely flower by where we parked.

We went with Dick and Gayle Bramwell and Gene and Lynn. Gayle also wanted us to see the two homes in Gilbert where they had lived while in Arizona. The first home was built by Dick. What a very nice home it was. Then we went to the last home that they lived in before they went on a mission. They moved to Arkansas when they came back. On the way back to the park Gayle wanted us to eat at a quaint and unique place called the Burrito Shack. It looked like a shack but the food was great.

On the way home we stopped at a store that had some syrups that we have been wanting to find. We then took a stroll through the market place again.

That evening we played the game called Aggravation (it's like Sorry). Painted golf tees are used for your "men" and you flip through a deck of cards for plays. It was a great day and we had lots of fun. We plan to make a game board of our own when we get home

The Bramwell's Aggravation Game Board

We try to support our local LDS ward. I love the teacher for the Gospel Doctrine class. Brother Holtom is from Idaho Falls and is a very good teacher.

Last Saturday we bought a pizza made by the youth and their leaders to help fund youth camps and activities this upcoming summer. It was a good pizza. The following Monday we had our dance lessons, went to dinner with the Bramwell's and Gene and Lynn and then came home to play more Aggravation. I have enjoyed doing my drawings from time to time.

Then on Tuesday Gayle, who has taught and does calligraphy professionally gave us beginning calligraphy lessons.

That evening we went to the Denny Yeary (www.dennyyeary.com) show in the park. He has a long history in the entertainment business. He now plays in Branson and around the country and is another very talented musician with an amazing bass voice who does popular hits of former artists.

Wednesday evening we went to the Dutton Theatre to a show by an amazing tenor, George Dyer (www.georgedyer.com), who also has a Branson show. He did a couple of Phantom of the Opera hits with a female soprano who had an incredible voice along with many other songs, some comedy interaction with audience members and had terrific supporting  musicians for a very memorable show.

Thursday morning bright and early Dick and Gayle left to return home to Fayetteville, Arkansas. This left us with an empty feeling as their company and friendship has been enjoyed and cherished. It makes us especially sad as it doesn't sound like they'll be returning next winter. We sincerely want to keep in touch with these wonderful people. But life goes on. Friday we got to put into practice our dance lessons at a dance in the park. The music was by a couple called Midnight Moon. They played a nice variety of music, both fast and slow and ended with one of our favorite songs, Unchained Melody. While there we met a new couple in the park who are full time RV'ers from Sacramento, California. We visited with Ture and Joan Sjodin in their beautiful motor home the next day and learned much about a full time life on the road but I don't think that is in the cards for us any time soon. Ture goes by "Swede" and came from Sweden to the United States at about 14 years old.

Saturday was St. Patrick's Day and this is always a fun day in the park. It started with a parade in the park that is always good for a laugh to see all these old folks in their decorated up golf carts.

Then we enjoyed a free lunch sponsored by the park of pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans, lemonade and an ice cream bar.

Later that evening there was a dance but it was not our type of music and we didn't go. It was blowing Saturday and a major rain storm began late that night. Today, Sunday, it is much cooler, the rain continues and is predicted to be on and off for the next couple of days. After church we enjoyed the monthly free ice cream social sponsored by the park with choice of ice cream and toppings. It's a good thing this only happens once a month:)

Lots Going On End of Febuary Into March

The day Jane left was a very sad day for me. I call her and talk as often as I can. Mon., Feb. 20th was Gene and Lynn's 47th anniversary. That morning we went to a nearby park where Idaho friends, Alan and Lois Sedgwick, from our local LDS ward have been kind enough to teach us, Liljenquists and one other couple dance lessons each Monday morning.

The Sedgwicks are very good dancers and have danced for many years. We are trying to learn the swing and waltz step variations. It is pretty hard teaching two old left feet to dance. Every Tuesday afternoon in the park there is a music jam with park musicians performing and dancing where we can practice.

That evening to celebrate the anniversary we went to the Arizona Opry for dinner and the show (http://www.azopry.com). We had a delicious roast beef meal and then it was on with the show. They have an amazing range of talent among the dozen or so performers that appear throughout the show as well as some unique and interesting musical instruments. One of the songs they played was "Pretty Woman." This was Gene and Lynn's song and their anniversary was also announced during the show. We enjoyed the evening.

On Tuesday we took the Hieroglyphic Spring hike into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness near here. The hike was a moderate hike of about three and a half miles. You somehow wonder how much the ancient makings have to tell you or if it is ancient graffiti. I have a book that gives some insight to what the many symbols might have meant. I had to wonder how they were able to reach some of the points to carve pictures in the rock. The weather was just right to make the hike. My feet could tell that I had been on them a little longer than I should have been . The ankle tells me it's not quite healed yet.

Many Petroglyphs Are In Center Above Spring

Closer View of Some of the Petroglyphs

Several times the last couple of weeks we have played the game of shuffle board. The courts here are waxed to be very fast. The puck goes flying out of bounds with only a slight push. It is a fun game. I can finally score a few points.

On Saturday, Feb 25th, we took another hike of about six miles that starts at the Butcher Jones Recreation Area on the Saguaro Lake shore. The trail follows the lake shore. At Burro Cove at the end of the trail we had a lunch before returning. The trail was generally good and the scenery was nice.

I'm Using the Hiking Stick Lance Made For Me

Burro Cove Where We Had Lunch (4-Peaks Mountain in Background)

Sunday evening we attended a stake fireside where an Elder Jensen, a former mission president, gave a talk on the Book of Mormon. He spoke about some of the symbols and artifacts from that religious history. He had no actual items but had built a personal collection of items represented in the Book of Mormon such as the iron rod, Nephi's bow, the liahona, the sword of Laban and the gold plates.

He also recounted some historical and archaeological finds that support the origin and history of the Book of Mormon peoples including a petroglyph found in a remote location in Mexico that closely represents Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life.

Drawing of Tree of Life Petroglyph

The following Tuesday was cooler and very windy. We took the little blue Elantra in to repair a couple of minor dents, to be painted and to replace a cracked windshield. This fixed much of the gravel damage from the Alaska trip. With the headlight lenses also polished it looks almost new.

That Tuesday evening we went to the "Johnny Counterfit" show in the park (http://www.counterfit.com). This guy is a talented musician who does incredible impersonations of dozens of actors, singers and politicians mixed with a lot of good humor. One of the best imitations he did was of Archie and Edith Bunker from the old "All in the Family" TV series. We alternately laughed ourselves sick and marveled at the voice as well as facial and body expressions of people he mimicked.

On Thursday, March first, we went with the Liljenquists and our Arkansas friends, Dick and Gayle Bramwell to the Mesa temple for an endowment session. In the evening I sponsored a clam chowder dinner for all of us. Lynn and Gayle made contributions and we had a nice patio dinner and then played games for a while. Dick and Gayle left and we watched a movie with Gene and Lynn until a late bedtime. Wow, what a nice day!

On Friday Dad worked on taxes most all day. We also took a bike ride to visit Dad's cousin, Richard Shappart and his wife Jo in an RV park about three miles away. Then on Saturday evening, March 3rd, we went to Barro's Pizza where we had been invited to show up with other people in this area from Pocatello. There were about eight snowbird couples including Dad's cousin and his wife that showed up along with three younger men from Pocatello now living here that sponsored the get-together. It was very interesting to learn that the three younger guys graduated with Laurie from Highland High and one of them, Darren Crone, was our neighbor across our backyard fence while we were living in Pocatello.

Darren is in the Blue Shirt on the Left Foreground

We continue to frequent and enjoy the pool and hot tub at least two or three times per week. We also have found a bike ride we take regularly that was described to us by our neighbor, Peter Campbell. It is about four and a half miles long. When we first started riding it scared me. I was afraid of being hit by cars as they passed me but on this trail I  feel safer as we ride. Dad even has trouble keeping up with me sometimes. The best part is I don't have to stop and get off to take sharp corners in the sidewalks at intersections. I also often just ride around the park to practice a little.