Our Westward Ho Winter (Part 1)

We've been here in Casa Grande, AZ since January 3rd and today (FR, 1-24) is our first bad day.  Big ol' windstorm came up in the middle of the night.  It and the ensuing dust storm are blocking the normally beautiful sun but everything is supposed to settle down late afternoon.  Yea!  Hoping the rest of you are staying warm, healthy and safe, wherever you might be located this time of year.

Over the past 3 weeks, we've been staying busy going places and doing things w/our good friends and traveling buddies Tim & Trish, and have also enjoyed hanging out with more good friends, Don & Phyllis, for a few more weeks before they move on. 

We went up north last FR to hit a flea market in a residential area in Mesa then went to a "local favorite" Mexican restaurant in Phoenix for lunch (complete w/bars on the windows for security) called "Carolina's".  Afterwards, we checked out some new campers (no, we're not in the market) and ventured up the "Hole in the Rock" (an easy climb and good exercise)

then drove to the top of "South Mountain" at dusk for a beautiful view of Phoenix at night w/all the lights filling the landscape as far as the eye could see.

Last SA, we went to the Casa Grande Street Fair/Car & Bike Show and saw some really cool  old classic cars.

This past WE (1-22), the four of us went to Quartzsite AZ to see what all the buzz was about.  Well, everyone who has ever told us we need to go there at least one time to see it was right.  It's so HUGE w/all of the RV's just pulling up anywhere on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and camping there for whatever amount of time they want to and venturing through lots of vendors and fair food areas that will satisfy everyone's needs.  I'm not sure if Tom still wants to actually camp there for a few days or not but I'm content to scratch it off my Bucket List.

I've also enjoyed being able to get together w/my sister, Micki, and brother & sister-in-law, Chic & Kim, since we're only about 35 miles apart.  Hoping to visit w/them a few more times while we're in AZ through February.

Even though Tom came down w/a cold yesterday (TH, 1-23), we're staying active w/lots of walking, riding our bikes and playing "Pickleball".  A fun game that was originated, so we're told, by some seniors in WA state.  It's very similar to Ping Pong but you actually play it on a court similar to a tennis court.

Still have plans w/Tim & Trish to do some more sightseeing including visiting some Indian Ruins and going to Tombstone so will keep you posted on those little adventures and others.  Stay tuned!