Tuesday March 24th 2026

After living full-time in a Motorhome for the last 20 years we thought it was time to buy a house. It is in a retirement community just north of Tucson, Arizona. We even have 3 Saguaro cactus in the front garden.

Dean wanted a hot tub so this house was the winner. It also has a mini pool. WHAT!!!!!

We parked the Beast outside for a couple of days to unload most of our belongings. Clothes, bedding, kitchen stuff and Deans tools. Done. We have stored the Beast a few miles down the road for the winter.

Crikey! We own no furniture. Time to look at the thrift stores and Amazon.

The most important reason we bought into this community was to be close to our besties who have a house a mile up the road. It has been great getting together for hikes and meals.

There are so many Saguaros in this part of the State,

Crested Saguaros are quite rare. This one even had a birds nest.

I have never seen one with this many arms. They usually produce their first arms when they are around 50 to 70 years old.

I had the biggest birthday surprise EVER. My lads flew down from Oregon for a lightening visit. They kept it secret and planned the trip with Dean, Leslie and Stuart. Dean stayed home with me while Leslie and Stuart picked the guys up from the airport the night before and put them up. Dean and I went over on my birthday for a celebratory breakfast and all of sudden the boys appeared. I have never been so gobsmacked in my whole life.

Leslie and Stuart fixed a wonderful breakfast feast.

Dean heated the pool from 70 degrees up to 86 degrees so we could do some bobbing in comfort.

The lads sure made good use of our mini pool.

Time for a rest after all the bobbing.

The hot tub was popular.

The pool was a success!

Leslie and Stuart’s son Alex joined us for my birthday dinner. It was a fun evening.

Thank you everyone for making this the best birthday of all my 74 years.

Third king bed unrolled and installed. Now we just have to get some bling to perk the place up. Thrift stores here we come.