Arrived back at Casa Grande on January 6th
Jasmine gave Ken this map for Christmas, we stuck in on the side of the slide out. you can see we have a few more places to travel to so we can fill in the map.
We moved into the site next to the one we originally had. so still close to the other Canadians we had made friends with
We learned a little history, dating back to the 1400's when there used to be a river near by here before the dam arrived in 1920. The settlers of this area built irrigation systems to grow food and develop a community that support about 2000 people.
As you can probably see, the weather was not great, a bit windy and cool with some rain added in every once in a while. But we decided to check out some near by ruins.
I thought it was strange to see these grand cactus in amongst all this other vegetation.
I think the clouds are passing by and blue skies are on the way. Just in time for pickleball tomorrow.
We are actually getting better at pickleball. These people play everyday now. We are not that hardcore, golfing and other things take up some of our time.....We were asked to be the token Canadians on a trivia team. We came in last but not because of us. lol
We went for a bike ride today (January 10th) and found this park, lots of green space and paths. There were soccer fields, baseball, basketball, covered picnic areas, thought it was great for MM.
We decided to head over to Apache junction to go for a hike and came across this old gold mining town. Lots of cowboys and gun fights on the streets
And lots of characters to enjoy
Cowboys 10 comandments
We drove up the road to get to this mountain and that's the area we went hiking.
even these Jumping cholla grow huge. ken went to kick a loose piece off to the side of the path and it just grabbed onto his shoe, just stuck there.
Not only are the cactus huge but some took to hugging...lol
After our hike, we drove further down the Apache trail (scenic route) which was a very windy, with lots of hair pin turns, to get to this lake. The scenery, mountains and valleys was beautiful but did not capture well on camera.
January 14th
We are getting into a routine here. golfing, pickleball, bike riding. And let's not forget laundry, grocery shopping, but there is also dinners, card bingo, pool and pools, now that the days are really warm again.
We went for a bike ride and got a bit lost in an industrial section but did manage to find our way back to downtown to grab an ice cream.
I took this picture with my phone in a holder affixed to the bike while I was riding behind. I thought is would be blurry because of all the movement but I think it turned out pretty good. May try it again when there is something interesting to photograph. Not saying that Ken's not interesting....
16th - There isn't a lot of trails that allow electric bikes so we are doing more hiking. This one is called the Ridge, 6.8 miles.
When we sat down in the park to enjoy our ice cream, all these cats and kittens came out of the wood work.
Just another nice evening ...
last Thursday (15th) we watched the game outside. Just change of scenery.
Not sure if the pictures really show how high we climbed
These two pictures are what's left of a dead cactus, the tubes that the water would travel.
After a long hike, it's time to relax by the pool
(you can see Ken was in charge of the camera today, a few more pictures of me. lol)
17th
Not all golf courses are created equal, this one comes with gopher holes even at the T boxes
Can't all be gems
January 20th
We went to this Biosphere today, originally designed and built to test/experiment if this self contained structure could sustain life on other planets. 8 people lived in here for 2 years. They definitely had issues but obviously would have learned a lot. Now Universities use it to experiment with different environmental concerns and try to learn.
Now they have built these little apartments you can rent and stay in.
This couple from Kentucky are in the site next to us back at the RV park. We have become friendly and are spending some time with.
Solar panels on each of the branches, we thought was kind of cool
This is the actual kitchen they had which was a common area. This is back in the early 90s so pretty modern for back then
Sorry for the reflection, there is glass in front. this is the living quarters, one for each individual, bedroom was up the stairs.
Below me is their recreation of an ocean with coral. Now being tested to determine how warmer ocean waters will impact the habitat.
Some are dessert landscapes because they give off more oxygen in the winter
This is called the lung made of pliable covering that sucks out the hot air to the glass building doesn't expand and explode and pump in air when its cool so the building doesn't implode
So lots of picture of the different vegetation areas
And the tropical landscapes give off more oxygen in the summer
Mangrove roots clean the soil and water
January 21st - This is our favorite golf course thus far. Called the Duke, in Maricopa
January 23rd - heading to Quartzsite today to join the thousands of people camping in the desert, and there is an RV show there as well.
This is our new campsite for the next couple of days.
Lots of birds.
January 24th - We don't have a drone so really hard to show the massive amount of trailers and vendors in this RV show. Also really hard to resist all the products being sold. At least we got a lot of steps in
Above is a massive Tesla charging station. 4 rows wide. So is this whats going to happen to our gas stations, become antiques?
The town was founded due to gold and quartz (Lot's of shops selling all kinds of rocks/gems/quartz). Below is a picture of and old miners shack.
They brought in camels to help with carrying the rocks
And then they have real camel rides...I feel bad for these animals
Again without a drone, can't really get a shot of all the thousands of people that camp in the desert. I think the draw is driving side by sides on the many trails that go for miles way back and into the mountains. Probably more side by sides on the streets in town than regular vehicles.
The 2 pictures above may give you a sense of people camping out in the desert. It's all government land so they camp there for free. Albeit, they have no water, sewer or power so they have to overcome that somehon
These side by sides to the left are what you see everyone driving. We have seen some pretty nice ones zoom by us.
January 25th
Drove for about half an hour west into California. Yes, I missed the capturing the full display as we drove past.
Ken got to add another state to the travel map.
Our new location for the next couple of days, another Harvest Host at the Blythe golf course
Finally got our home on the golf course....didn't know I would have to go to California and live in a trailer to get it.
Lunch/snack...yes I know the table is too small. Things you put up with when on the road.
Last Town had camels, this one has giraffes...
Riding our bikes along the canals
January 26th - Waking up to the same golf course view. We played the course today so a few pics of the course. After we played we had supper in the clubhouse and the food was spectacular.
January 27th - heading back to Casa Grande.
Ken doing what Ken does, cleaning (that's a good thing)
Solar panels as far as the eye can see. The whole valley on the south side of the highway for miles and miles and miles.
Good to get back to home base.
February 1st
Sorry I haven't posted any pictures in a while. We have fallen into a nice routine. Playing pickleball in the mornings, visiting with various neighbors here in the park. Everyone has such interesting stories to tell about their adventures. We get lots of ideas of things to do in the future.
We go golfing every few days. Which we did today. Got a late start so played hole 17 while the moon was cresting the mountain and played 18 in the dark almost.
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