Thursday, March 27, 2008
Back Home Again in Missouri
We also want to thank Harry and Sue Foster for entertaining us when we were in Mesa. You guys have such a beautiful home there. We were hoping to get together again before we left, but the time just went so fast. We are anxious for you guys to get back also so we can go out and eat and then play some dominoes!
It has been great to get back home and see our families and our sweet little granddaughter, Ella. Now we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our grandson (and so are his parents and sister)!
Our trip back home took us three days. The first night we stayed in New Mexico and the second night we stayed in Oklahoma. Got home about 6:30 on Monday, March 17, 2008. It rained most of the day on Monday. We had a Welcoming Committee on West Gale Road meet us in their yellow rain suits! It was good to see them.
Our last week in Casa Grande went so fast. We spent our last night in Casa Grande by going to Cracker Barrel with Bob and Judy. Left Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. Larry drove the RV pretty slow as we left the RV park for the last time this year. We are signed up to come back next year for January, February, and March and were able to get the same site.
Thank you all for taking time to read our blog. I wasn't very good at keeping up on it and I apologize for that. Hopefully, next year we will have WiFi from our site and it will be easier to blog.
Until next winter..................The Bowling Snowbirds
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Cactus Fly-In and Apache Trail
Last weekend (3/8-9/08) was full of fun activities with Bob and Judy. Saturday we started out by going to a craft/senior health fair at the Southern Arizona University in Coolidge. It was a senior health fair plus several craft vendors. Judy and I sure enjoyed it and the guys just tagged along. The weather was cloudy, breezy, and cool.
About mid-morning we got to the Casa Grande Airport for the 50th Annual Cactus Fly-In. Boy, Larry was in “seventh heaven”! He was grinning from ear to ear all afternoon. There were probably close to 150 small airplanes, antique bi-planes, old military planes, etc. There were airplanes taking off and landing and making pass-by flights all afternoon. We got to see a lot of the airplanes take-off to go home. One of the highlights for Larry was to see a military airplane that was used in Korea and Vietnam Wars called the “Skyraider” fly and to hear the sound of the engines roar. We also got to see 4 antique Stearman bi-planes take off together and they made several pass-by flights in formation. Each time they passed by, they ejected smoke out. Took lots of pictures and 30 video clips. Mike and Scott – bet you can hardly wait to see Dad’s videos! The sun finally came out and by later in the afternoon, it was almost 80 degrees out.
The Apache Trail was on the agenda for Sunday. Bob so graciously volunteered to drive their Jeep as he knew what the road was going to be like; parts of it were gravel, narrow, curvy, and rough (with a capital R). Ha! Fortunately, the day turned out to be gorgeous – clear blue sky and warm temps. The Apache Trail goes through the rugged Superstition Mtns with their jagged peaks, the Sonoran Desert with various forms of cactus, and two beautiful desert lakes—Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. The desert is real green now and has a lot of yellow and orange flowers blooming. The Apache Trail was built to transport materials and equipment, hauled by 20-mule teams from the nearest railroad to the construction site of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. It was dedicated in 1911 and is the world’s largest masonry dam. On the way to Roosevelt Dam, we went through a town called Tortilla Flat with a population of six! It is a resurrected ghost town and has a café and country store that had once been a stagecoach stop. We had lunch at a restaurant along Canyon Lake and ate outside on the lakeside patio and looked at the mtns. – so beautiful and peaceful. The drive was so breathtaking and scenic. Bob drove over 200 miles that day, but it was so worth it for me. That drive was one of my highlights of our trip to Arizona. Sure hope we can do that again next year, Bob!
Next week will be our last week in Casa Grande. The time has gone way too fast. We have decided to come back again next year for January, February, and March if we are able.
Hope everyone is beginning to warm up back in the Midwest. Will see you soon.
Love, Glenda and Larry
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
We are on the downhill side of our winter vacation – only 9 more days of warm weather and relaxation. BUT I can honestly say that I am getting anxious to get home even though it means coming back to colder weather! I am ready to get back home and into a normal routine. I am sure after being home for a few days, I will be wishing I was back in Arizona again.
Last week we enjoyed having Don and Sylvia Kimsey here for a few days. They flew into Phoenix last Wednesday morning, and visited with Harry and Sue Foster in Mesa. Then on Thursday afternoon Harry and Sue brought them to our place. Later that afternoon Bob and Judy Howell had all of us over for a cookout of “Howell burgers” – Bob’s delicious fat (¼ lb. to ½ lb.) burgers. What a wonderful meal we had! Harry and Sue left to go back to Mesa afterwards and Don and Sylvia came back to the RV with us.
Friday we took Don and Sylvia to Eloy where the skydivers are. Bob and Judy met us for lunch. After an enjoyable day of watching the skydivers, we all went to Mission Royale Country Club for a fish fry supper. We had delicious fish and had a choice of regular FF, steak fries, or sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries were delicious even though I don’t really care for sweet potatoes. We all enjoyed the meal and had a great time visiting. Everyone came back to our RV and had cherry pie and ice cream.
Saturday we took Don and Sylvia back to Phoenix to catch their flight back home. Before going to the airport in the afternoon, we took them to the Mesa Swap Meet and did some shopping that morning. After having lunch at a Mexican restaurant we headed to Harry and Sue Foster’s. Then we all went to the airport for Don and Sylvia’s 5:30 flight back to KC. We all enjoyed having them here and hope they will come again next year.
This week has been rather quiet and relaxing. Larry has been doing a lot of genealogy work – going to the local library and then coming back and working on the computer. I have been busy reading books. I enjoy reading and not feeling guilty that I should be up doing housework, but that will soon end when I get home!
One evening Bob and Judy came over and we played pitch. Judy and I let the guys win two games out of three so they wouldn’t feel bad. Right, Judy! The guys always get in such a bad mood when they lose. Ha! Right, Judy! We also went over to Bob and Judy’s one afternoon for Happy Hour. We have been riding our bikes every day in the late afternoon.
Tonight we are going to a spaghetti supper here in the RV park. It is a fundraiser for one of the activity groups. Tomorrow and Saturday is the 50th Annual Cactus Fly-In at the Casa Grande aiport. It will consist of small antique airplanes, WWII planes, and some military aircraft. Larry is looking forward to that. Judy and I are going to a health/craft fair at the Univ. of AZ campus here in Casa Grande. Sunday Bob and Judy are taking us on the Apache Trail sightseeing road trip if the weather is okay.
Happy Birthday, James (March 5)
Get well wishes to Amanda and Ella! Take good care of them, Mike.
Well, that should bring you up to date on our happenings since I last wrote. Will probably be headed home the next time I write.
Love to all, Larry and Glenda
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Picacho Peak, Yuma, and Quartzsite, AZ
Greetings Everyone,
It is time that I write on our blog -- didn’t realize it had been so long since I last wrote. Here it is almost the end of February. How fast the days go by. I am writing this on
We have spent some time sightseeing around Casa Grande. One day we went up
We stopped at a Greek monastery on our way back to Casa Grande. The public is allowed in the monastery every day until
On Valentine’s Day Larry and Bob took Judy and I out for a special supper. We ate dinner at the Cracker Barrel here in Casa Grande. It was very enjoyable and the food was delicious. We spent the day doing laundry – quite romantic! Ha!
The annual O’odham Tash Indian Celebration Days were
Sunday, February 17, was the
Larry and I took off for
The next day (Tuesday, Feb. 19) we drove north to Quartzsite. Quartzsite is a town in
The next morning we woke up with sore throats and colds – wonderful. We took it easy and rested up from our short road trip. Thursday we did laundry and stayed around here. Friday (yesterday) Bob and Judy had been wanting to go to the
Today Bob and Judy and us went to some patio/garage sales but we didn’t find much. An Arizona RV dealer from
Bob and Judy invited us over to their RV to meet some of their friends from the old RV park where they used to stay. Their names are Joe and Judy DuGay from
Well, that has brought us up to date so far. Hope everything is going well for all and please forgive me for being so long in updating our blog. Thank you for the e-mails from back home.
Happy Birthday to our sweet granddaughter, Ella, who was two years old on Valentine’s Day. We sure hated to miss her birthday party, but we thought about her all day!!!
Happy Belated Birthday, Brad LeFever
Happy Anniversary, Jack and Judy Ruble
Happy Birthday, Mom Bowling
Until next time, Love to you all – Larry and Glenda
Pictures above – (1) Quartzsite, AZ; (2) Picnicking at
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Driving, Dancing, and Dining
It is finally “shorts” weather and guess what -- somehow or another I failed to get my shorts in the camper! They are probably still hanging in the closet, but I know I had them ready to pack. I couldn’t believe it! Guess I will have to run out tomorrow and buy a couple of pair. Did manage to bring a couple of pair of capris with me. Larry got his shorts packed before we left. The temperature got up to 78 degrees today! How cold was it back home? (I’m sorry – just had to ask)
Today (2/10) we were invited up to Harry and Sue Foster’s to spend the day. We got up there about
Yesterday was also a beautiful day. In the morning Judy Howell and I, along with a friend of Judy’s, went to an annual craft fair at Mission Royale, a ritzy neighborhood in Casa Grande. We all found something to buy – aren’t you surprised! After shopping we stopped and had lunch at Mimi’s Café, which has recently opened in Casa Grande. Bob Howell and Larry went to another RV park to their patio sales. Then they went out to lunch. Last night we all went to the clubhouse for a country western performance by a couple who are friends of Bob and Judy’s. What a fun evening! Not only was their singing great, but we also got to dance. Larry and I hadn’t danced that much since Mike and Scott’s weddings. It was also fun to just watch the other couples dance, mostly country western dances – some couples were really good. During their breaks from the show, the singers would come and sit down with us and visit. After the show we got to visit with them also. They are from
Friday night the four of us went to a restaurant for fish and chips. It was an all-you-can-eat dinner and we enjoyed it. Then we came back to Bob and Judy’s 5th wheel and played pitch. Judy and I won all four games!!! We were so proud of ourselves – usually the guys win most of the time.
The weather last week was pretty cool until Friday and it sounds like next week is going to be much nicer and warmer. Usually by about
This coming week we hope to get over to
Well, I will sign off and get to bed.
Happy 60th Birthdays to Dale Fine and Sylvia Kimsey!!!!
Until next week – Love, Larry and Glenda
Monday, February 4, 2008
Greetings from Casa Grande
Another week has passed and we are starting on Week No.6 – can’t believe how fast the days and weeks are passing. Like they say, time flies when you are having fun!
Last Tuesday afternoon Bob and Judy Howell got back from KC. We were glad to have them back again. They were glad to get back from the cold and snowy
On Thursday (
Well, this has brought you up to date on our happenings.
February 5 – Happy Birthday to Kari and Jim!!!
The Snowbirds
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Latest Happenings
Last Friday Dave and Jan Legaard and us went up to Mesa to the big swap meet (flea market). We didn’t get all the way through it, but found lots of bargains – didn’t we, Jan! There were so many vendors and some good prices also. Larry and I hope to get up there in February and check it out again. After spending all our money (Ha,Ha), we went to Harry and Sue Foster’s home. Then the six of us went out to lunch. Wanting to get some fresh oranges, Harry and Sue took us to an orchard close by and we loaded up with oranges and grapefruits. Then we headed back to Casa Grande.
Yesterday morning Dave, Jan, and Ishe loaded up their fifth wheel and headed towards Missouri. We sure hated to see them leave also. We had a great time camping with them and doing things together, mainly eating at buffets (ha)! We have been having “buffet” withdrawals since they left! Dave and Jan, thanks for the good times and have a safe trip back to Missouri!
Today we went up to Gilbert, which is a suburb of Phoenix, to visit Cheryl Simms, who used to live in Smithville with her husband, John. After John passed away, she moved away to Springfield, MO and then to Phoenix area. She has a lovely beautiful home in a gated community. We hadn’t seen Cheryl in about four years and it was great to spend the day with her. Cheryl was born and raised in the Phoenix area and has a sister who still lives there with her family. We had a really good visit and hope to get
together with her again before we head back home.
Well, that is about all of our happenings this week. We are looking forward to Bob and Judy being back here, probably by Tuesday night. Hope the weather has started to warm up for you back in the Midwest.
Happy Birthday Traci and Gena Kaye!!!