Wednesday 30th March 2016
This last month has whipped by pretty fast. We rode our bikes around the park next to us and as well as camper spots they have these behemoths. Many people are building houses with these camper ports. Most of the houses have either inside or outside stairs to the roof areas which are decked out with patio furniture.
The desert is bursting forth into Springtime bloom.
We had a couple of 9+miler hikes and I had to constantly stop to take pics of the wonderful scenery. These strawberry hedgehog cactus were in flower everywhere.
Dean is contemplating the hill we have to hike up. He carries the pack with the food and water. I carry my phone/camera. I think that’s fair.
Everything has spikes or thorns. I have learned my lesson and now I just look and don’t touch.
Even though this Saguaro had tipped over a long time ago it was still growing on its side.
It’s kind of hard to see unless you view in full screen but Dean matched the lichen nicely.
The Mariposa Lily is so bright it looks fake.
This collared lizard sat very still for these pics. He even turned his head and gave us a smile
Dean signed me up for a competitive doubles pickle ball tournament. The teams were computer generated. I was totally gobsmacked to end up winning the GOLD medal with my partner Chris. It was pretty nerve wracking with quite a few people watching the matches. I had a great cheering section. My two left feet finally cooperated with my brain for once.
I have been busy making edible bits and bobs for my lovely lads. Guys, these nut bars should fill you up. We can hardly wait to see Jay and Dax next week! Our stay in Zion National Park is going to be great.
A nice big batch of oatmeal raisin cookies are also waiting on you. I cannot cram another thing in the fridge or freezer. We are locked and loaded. Lads one thing is for sure, you are not going to starve on this trip!
I just had to make a bowl in the wood shop. My good friend Tom was my teacher. Tom, I love my bowl. If we come back maybe we can go bowling again.
We had a couple of dances at the park. We might all be old codgers but most of us were busting out the boogie steps.
It has been great fun to catch up with our good friends. Thank you all for your awesomeness. Tom and Delores thanks for the great dinner.
We even managed a culture moment by visiting the State Capitol Museum. I think I look quite commanding sitting in House Chamber where the Arizona Constitution was written in 1910. Arizona was finally declared a state in 1912.
Jay and Dax get your Mom hugging arms ready. After not seeing you for a year and three months I want plenty of son love.
Zion National Park get prepared for the Kirkwood invasion.
THE BUS STOPS HERE 
Great post, you guys. We (Tom & Donna & us) are in Yuma staying in a lot east of the Palms. We have been going to the Palms almost every day for tennis or a burger bash or a pool party or just visiting friends. It’s been fun. We are leaving here for Zion on the 6th or so. We should be staying somewhere just outside the park on the 7th, and will go into the park early in the morning when it opens on Apr 8th. We do not have reservations, so we will need to catch spots that open up that morning. By the way, which section is it that does not have reservations? And is there power in that section, or is it boondocking? See you very soon. Can’t wait to take on some of those great Zion trails with you guys! Tom & Jan
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:09:42 +0000 To: tom.laidlaw@hotmail.ca
Hey Guys
Sure looking forward to seeing you all. We want all the info on your adventures in Mexico. We are staying in the Watchman campground with electric. Those can be reserved. South Campground where we all stayed before is first come first served and no hookups.
What a beautiful set of comments, pictures, and all .Rose… You do such a great job with these travel logs….Thank you Thank you…..a big hug for your help on my “bench” Dean….Couldn’t have done it w/out….Finished much faster than I had imagined…Congrats on your pickle ball event.Rose…I didn’t know… It has been a Great Pleasure knowing the both of you. [Grace], so sorry all these months.. Anyway, hopefully I have my brain straight… Hugs and fun travels, this year 16′ Friend Pat Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:09:42 +0000 To: patc3090@hotmail.com
Pat
Thanks for your lovely comments.
What a wonderful blog again – you are doing such a beautiful job! We had soooo much fun to see you again – catch up with the two of you and play pickle ball and celebrate wins and medals !!Thanks again for the delicious flat bread dinner at the Kirkwood Castle ! I really want that recipe for the nut bars…they look delicious! You are a wonderful cook and baker and soap maker. I can only imagine how much fun you will have to see Jay and Dax again and watch them indulging all your goodies……
Have much fun in Zion and enjoy a wonderful and fun filled quality family time with your boys. Hasta la vista
Barbara and Wolfgang
Hey Guys
Hope your trip back to PEI is going well. Did you manage to get in the Vegas CG and visit downtown? I got the nut bar recipe from this website. theyummylife.com
Take care and don’t work too hard. Keeping our fingers crossed for your property sale. Wolfgang try not to get injured anymore!!!
Those nut cakes and oat raisin cookies sure look good! I see you are quite capable on the pickle ball course I see also Rose. We look forward to see you guys sometime this year.
I am hoping all my grub will get a good critique from the lads. They have always been my test subjects.
G’day Rose and Dean! Always so good to get your travel information and catch up with you. We are still in Australia. Arrived January 6. Visited family and friends for a month then took the Indian Pacific train to Perth. Wow! What fun. Luxury for us to travel on any organized trip but the train is amazing. Dinner under the stars in the middle of nowhere. The vast Outback so beautiful. I hitch hiked 30 yrs ago this very trail. We are now one month in a unit in Port Macquarie 4 hrs north of Sydney where my cousins live. More cousins arrived for a week so we had a grand homecoming. Port is very nice with lots of retired folks and young ones as well. Our unit is one block from one of the 7 beaches and walkable to shops, cafes, pools, library, koala hospital, etc. We opted not to have a car this trip. Only exception was the camper we hired in Perth for a month to see areas south and east of Perth. Esperance our favorite beach in all of Oz! Kevin ended up in Perth hospital with a kidney stone which did not show it’s face until 6 weeks later…we took it with us camping. Several attacks caused us to delay moving as fast as planned. We stayed in a YHA old women’s prison in Fremantle which was fun! We must fly home June 11 so will enjoy this unit for two more months with exception of 10 days it was already rented. We will hire a car and go to Lightening Ridge–Black Opal country! So nice to have fellow travelers share their stories, eh? Lots of love and safe travels to you as well! Janell and Kevin Wheelock….Kevin is contemplating stopping work completely but that has happened before and he returned to Ballard Swedish. However, this time he knows the group has been replaced and he does not like what has come in.
From: THE BUS STOPS HERE To: jawheelock1@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2016 2:09 AM Subject: [New post] Gold Canyon, Arizona #yiv8039906996 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8039906996 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8039906996 a.yiv8039906996primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8039906996 a.yiv8039906996primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8039906996 a.yiv8039906996primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8039906996 a.yiv8039906996primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8039906996 WordPress.com | Rose and Dean’s Travels posted: “Wednesday 30th March 2016This last month has whipped by pretty fast. We rode our bikes around the park next to us and as well as camper spots they have these behemoths. Many people are building houses with these camper ports. Most of the houses have” | |
Hi Janell and kevin,
It sounds like you are having a fabulous time in Australia. Your description makes me want to hop on a plane and come join you. We are planning on being in Washington during August so if you are back we sure would love to get together. Sorry to hear about the kidney stone Kevin. From what I hear it’s comparable to giving birth in the pain department.
Wow, Pickle Ball Queen! Good way to end the winter.
Imagine by now you are hiking the beautiful trails of Zion with your boys. Hope the weather
Stays wonderful for you. We arrived home in Grants Pass on the 1st and had a week of 80 degree weather, now to the 70s and every spring flower and bush in bloom.
Had MH oil change and some repair work done at Hendersons. Now parked at Kathy Kiefers home for the summer and Lowell heads to Lake Oswego tomorrow .
Happy springtime, Happy trails!
Hugs, max
Hi Guys
The lads left yesterday. Had a great time. Maybe see you in Oregon.