Verde Canyon Railroad and Uncle Roger's Birthday

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bruce and I exchanged our cards and gifts right after I returned from an hour in the gym.  He gave me a beautiful white topaz pendant and I gave him a ride on a B-17 at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum.  Bruce's dad worked on the sheet metal on B-17's during WWII so Bruce is especially interested in the B-17.  The ride is schedule to happen Saturday, February 19.  Let's hope it doesn't rain. 

Jack and Cathy Montgomery, Bud and Shelley Wright and Bruce and I went on an adventure.  Our first stop was the famous Rock Springs Cafe which was featured on the Discovery Channel.

Jack, Cathy, Bruce, Bud, Shelley

 

This is just one example of why this cafe was featured on tv.  Too bad it was 10:00 when we stopped.

The main event of the day was a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad Chocolate and Champagne Valentine's Day extravaganza. 

Asphalt, concrete and tension drifted away as we slipped into an unspoiled world where serenity and stimulation miraculously coincide. Running from Clarkdale to Perkinsville, the Verde Canyon Railroad is a stress-free wilderness adventure…at 12 mph. 

As the gentle iron giants wound their way through one of Arizona’s treasures, being onboard made our senses come alive. We heard the wheels echo off the canyon walls, felt the gentle wind kiss our cheeks, tasted Arizona’s special blend of fresh air, and spied a majestic Bald Eagle effortlessly floating on a breeze calling for its mate. But the sense most energized is that of adventure…railroad style.  The train passes towering crimson pinnacles; near ancient Indian ruins; over fortified trestles; past a monocline fault and through a manmade 680-foot tunnel on a four-hour rail journey from the old mining town of Clarkdale to the Perkinsville ghost ranch and back.

Jack and Cathy



Shelley and Bud



Guess what they call this. Yep, turtle rock!



Full bar on board.

Scenery in the Verde Canyon



We enjoyed way too many chocolate desserts, chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate dipped marshmallows, chocolate dipped bananas, chocolate dipped marshmallows, chocolate dipped Ritz crackers, and on and on and on

 And before we knew it, it was time to say so long and we were headed back to Phoenix!


Today, February 15, is my Uncle Roger's birthday.  Aunt Delores treated us to a dinner celebration in Casa Grande. 


Roger Denman



Vince Henderson, Ken Weightman, Aunt Delores, Bruce, Charles and Myrna Drost, Uncle Roger, Pat Weightman, Shirley Henderson

Beautiful two weeks in Arizona

Nearly two weeks have passed since I updated my blog.  We have been enjoying every day but haven't been doing anything spectacular.  The weather has warmed up and we have electricity every day now.  Last week there was a problem in Mesa and the park lost power off and on for a few days.  Thank you generator. 

I returned the stolen necklace to Chicos.  I was a little nervous so I just marched up to the cash register and told the clerk that I accidentally stole the necklace and I was returning it.  I have visions of Lindsay Lohan going through my mind.  The clerk asked me if I wanted to purchase it.  I told her I didn't want it but that I would purchase it if she wanted me to do so.  Nope.  She just thanked me for returning it and we left.  Phew! 

I finally read The Shack.  What a powerful little book. 

We've been attending different churches since we've arrived here in Mesa and we have found one we really like = Hosanna Lutheran.    The pastor's February sermon series is titled "Unlikely Leaders" and he is using The Wizard of Oz for his characters.  We feel right at home. 

I continue to be faithful to my WW diet and I've now begun losing weight!  HURRAY.  The shape of my body continues to change.  I'm now less than 10 pounds from my goal.  YAY.  I go to the gym no less than five days a week.  Today I fell off the diet wagon face first into yummy green chili enchiladas, chips, dip and marshmallow treats but I'll be back in the saddle tomorrow.  Oh wait, not tomorrow.  We are taking the Verde Canyon Railroad Chocolate and Champagne trip tomorrow.  I'm taking my camera!

Yesterday we took a little road trip down to Casa Grande and Arizona City.  It was fun to visit the old haunt, Quail Run, but it was a whole lot more fun knowing that we were heading back to Mesa where we don't have to work 90 hours a week.  My stomach did some flip flops as we drove through the park.  We didn't see anyone we knew so we drove round quietly and went right back out the gate. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  Remember the greatest love of all is the love of our Heavenly Father! 

The start of a new month

This morning we had our monthly fitness evaluation and got our fitness program for the next month.  Let me tell you what.  The January program was a walk in the park compared to the February program.  The trainer was quite impressed with our progress and kicked us up a notch or five!  By the time we were finished this morning I was sweating like a pig in Kansas in July and I don't sweat!  The trainer and I discussed the fact that I haven't lost any weight in spite of all my efforts.  First she told me that I shouldn't lose any weight but she quickly remembered my bet.  We went over everything I've been doing and told me she wouldn't help me lose weight until she measured my body fat.  Ha.  I won.  My body fat was exactly in the middle of normal and she agreed that it would be ok to go down to the bottom of normal.  Her recommendation was to cut my intake by 200 calories a day so that is what I'm going to do.  Even though Weight Watchers doesn't count calories I can figure it out.  I'll let you know how it goes!  I'm sure February will show great improvement.

This morning we had a visit from Rick and Wendy Fury who we know from our Quail Run days.  Seeing them was a pleasant surprise for sure.  This afternoon we went to Superstition Ranch Market.  I love that place.  Fresh blueberries were $.89 a pint, raspberries $.99 per pint and strawberries $1.50 a quart.  Oranges were $.33 each, asparagus $.99 per pound, etc.  We filled up the shopping cart for $26.  You really have to watch what you buy and nothing is perfect but everything we have brought home has been great.  We're stocked up for another 7 to 10 days of good healthy eating. 

We are having an arctic blast.  It is going to get down to freezing overnight and we expect a high of 45 tomorrow.  I know that no one in the Midwest feels sorry for us and we just laugh when the weatherman says we are having an arctic blast!  Our kids all had a snow day today and have already been notified of  another snow day tomorrow.  I'm glad because now I don't have to worry about them driving on the bad roads. 

Monday, January 31, 2011

Life in Arizona has been good as usual.  A big cold front is passing through (cloudy and 58) so I decided it is a good day to catch up on the blog.  It even "rained" here for two minutes this morning.  WAHOO.  The air smelled nice and clean when we walked up to the gym.    Speaking of gym, I continue to be faithful to the gym but I've totally given up on going to 0700 aerobics.  I'm just too lazy for that early call!  Last week I actually lost a pound but I think I found it over the weekend.  My weight loss efforts continue to be slow but I am hanging in there and I'm sticking to my Weight Watcher Points Plus Plan in hopes that one day I'll get on the scale and see a huge loss.  hahaha. 

Monday night we had dinner with at Orangewood Shadows with Bill and Donna Rinne, Paul and Marilyn Holstein.  I didn't take any people pictures but I did capture their grapefruit tree.

Wednesday night we had dinner with Dave and Connie Hope at their favorite little German restaurant, Bavarian Point.  YUMMO.  I had a vegetable plate that was outstanding - red cabbage, sauerkraut, dumpling, fresh vegetables, onion straws and spaetzle.  We will be going back there.  On a side note, I actually lost weight after going there.  Go figure! 


We even have a street sweeper that cleans our streets all the time.  Sorry about the picture quality but when I saw him I just grabbed the camera and shot through the windshield. 

Saturday was Cathy Montgomery's birthday so we had a little celebration with drinks at our house and dinner at Garcia's.  A good time was had by all. 



Bruce, Vickie, Jerry, Marilyn, Paul




Buddy, Shelley, Sharon




Tom and Sharon telling the waiter to get it just right.



Bill and Donna

Our new friends Paul and Marilyn



Bud and Shelley




Cathy and Vickie



Low calorie salads (I'm sure of that one!)

The birthday girl and her dessert!

The whole gang plus room for more! 

Friday, January 20, 2011

Friday was another beautiful day in paradise.  Jack, Cathy, Bruce, Brandy, Lindi and I spent the morning touring a very small portion of Tonto National Forest.  Tonto covers almost 3 million acres - we saw a very small portion.

Red Mountain is just north of Mesa

Who would believe this is in the desert?

Lindi wanted to play in the water

Is that really bamboo?

Jack heads off for the perfect picture

Jack and his camera are almost to the top

King Kong has the camera!

Aren't we the perfect little family?

Another perfect little family.



The tree's roots have been exposed so long they have bark.




A picture worth 1000 words

 We had a nice picnic lunch beside Saguaro Lake but I forgot to take a picture.  I'll try to do better next time!

Upon returning to the RV Bruce commenced cleaning the dash where Lindi looks out the window with his Zapit 2000.  Then he cleaned the control panel with his Oil of Range for Wood and he reinstalled all the air vents.  Meanwhile I worked on my cookbook program for four hours.  Finally at 10:30 p.m. I experienced success.  I downloaded the newest version of the program.  I successfully transferred all of my own recipes from the old defunct version and I set up the new version so I am able to email recipes to anyone that wants one.  That might not sound like much to you but I was about nuts until I finally finished. 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Good Morning.  Bruce and Jack went to the Barrett-Jackson car auction today so Lindi and I are enjoying the Arizona sunshine.

That is not rain on the windshield, it is just a dirty windshield.  I guarantee that when Bruce sees this picture he will be on the ladder cleaning the windshield.  He's been in his "get er done" mode.  Yesterday he installed a new panel on the door. 

Then he removed all the vent covers on the dash

and cleaned them

with his favorite cleaner.

His next project is going to be all the vents in the ceiling.  He's even thinking about cleaning the carpet on the ceiling!  And you were wondering if he was bored! 

It's time for me to stir up a yummy Weight Watcher breakfast and get myself ready for Zumba!  Later gator. 

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Today was a beautiful day in Arizona.  It was 76 and sunny.  This afternoon we attended a BBQ hosted by Robin and Neil Umatum in honor of their daughter who was visiting from Alaska. 

Neil Umatum

Neil knows how to grill a burger for sure!  Take a look at the beautiful outdoor kitchen we have at our RV park.  There's a nice eating area too but I forgot to take a picture.  It would be great to have this in our backyard at home. 

Robin and Neil taught us how to play bocce ball.  Bruce and Buddy cleaned up on all of their opponents.  Shelley and I didn't do so well but it wasn't Shelley's fault. 

Shelly Wright and Cathy Montgomery

Bruce Hoover

We had a surprise visit with friends from HoHoKam in Coolidge, Ken and Patty Weightman.  Patty's brother and sister-in-law own a park model in our RV park so we will get to see more of them.  All in all we had another great day in paradise.