Somewhere along the line, we decided we would not attend the Spring Training night games. Driving the forty miles home late at night is not our idea of fun. Since the Mariners were playing at 7 tonight, we stayed home and watched the game on TV.
So instead we ran some errands this morning. We went to the Post Office in Fountain Hills to pick up some Priority Mail envelopes so that I could send off Mariner shirts to the great nieces and nephews and our great-grand baby. It was a busy place today. The parking lot was full and there was a line out the lobby.
From there we went on to Safeway. I tried to stock the freezer with various frozen meals so that I would have something easy to fix when we return after ball games. I had stocked up with meat the last time we were at Costco, so there wasn't all that much room in our little freezer to begin with. Now it is crammed really full!
I had taken a steak out of the freezer this morning to thaw, so I grilled it this evening along with some potatoes I had baked. We've been enjoying some kohlrabi along with our evening meals. Safeway has gotten some of them in their produce department that are 3-4 inches across, but not woody. I always have to chuckle at the cashiers as they look for one of the number stickers on them - it's obvious they have no idea what they are. I bought some white carrots today. They threw the cashier for a loop as well...
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Thank You, Facebook!
Thanks to a connection we made on Facebook, we had some lovely company today. Carole sent me a note on Messenger a couple of weeks ago and I connected with her and Verne on Facebook. Not only that, they were coming to Scottsdale from their winter home in Green Valley for the weekend. And, they were going to stop by to see us!
It's been many years since I have seen them. I'm sure it was before I retired. I'm sure that we have seen them - but maybe not together - since their wedding at the church nestled in downtown Olympia. I have some wonderful rural health memories with Verne who was one of our group of folks who changed the landscape of rural health so many years ago. We used to chuckle when we'd get together for dinner in DC or Kansas City or wherever conferences would take us, that we never had time in Washington State to just talk.
After running a couple of errands in Scottsdale, Verne and Carole drove on out here to Eagle View RV Resort to see where we were staying. We had a lovely visit!
It was hot again today, but we had a layer of clouds. I'm sure they're from that storm that's been causing rain in California.
It's been many years since I have seen them. I'm sure it was before I retired. I'm sure that we have seen them - but maybe not together - since their wedding at the church nestled in downtown Olympia. I have some wonderful rural health memories with Verne who was one of our group of folks who changed the landscape of rural health so many years ago. We used to chuckle when we'd get together for dinner in DC or Kansas City or wherever conferences would take us, that we never had time in Washington State to just talk.
After running a couple of errands in Scottsdale, Verne and Carole drove on out here to Eagle View RV Resort to see where we were staying. We had a lovely visit!
It was hot again today, but we had a layer of clouds. I'm sure they're from that storm that's been causing rain in California.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Mariners Beat the Cubs
I am very used to having a family of Mariner fans. I have delighted in sending Mariner goodies to my great nieces and nephews. And now we have a Great-granddaughter to dress in Mariner garb. There's just one, albeit it minor, problem. They live in Illinois and her Daddy, along with his family, is an ardent Cubbie fan! We have already seen a picture of the poor babe in a Chicago Cubs onesie!
Poor little Kahlyn! As soon as we get to the Post Office, she'll have a REAL onesie. Her Mommy, who grew up watching Junior Griffey, can hardly wait.
Anyway, the Mariners played the Cubs today. It was a good game. The Ms started off in the lead, but after the big boys left, the Cubbies pulled ahead. But some bad luck for the Cubs pitching led to a series of walks with a run walked in. The Mariners ended up winning10-8.
It was a very hot day, lots of sunshine with absolutely no clouds. Our seats today were further down the first base side along the outfield. It's a lot harder to focus on the game from that much distance. You're not close enough to see facial expressions and it takes a lot more concentration to keep score.
One thing about it, we certainly added to our tans today!
Poor little Kahlyn! As soon as we get to the Post Office, she'll have a REAL onesie. Her Mommy, who grew up watching Junior Griffey, can hardly wait.
Anyway, the Mariners played the Cubs today. It was a good game. The Ms started off in the lead, but after the big boys left, the Cubbies pulled ahead. But some bad luck for the Cubs pitching led to a series of walks with a run walked in. The Mariners ended up winning10-8.
It was a very hot day, lots of sunshine with absolutely no clouds. Our seats today were further down the first base side along the outfield. It's a lot harder to focus on the game from that much distance. You're not close enough to see facial expressions and it takes a lot more concentration to keep score.
One thing about it, we certainly added to our tans today!
Monday, March 7, 2016
Baseball!
Today we went to our first baseball game of the 2016 Spring Training season. Because we had tickets for the PBR Saturday and Sunday, we missed Opening Day, so today was our first game. The Mariners were playing the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Mariners home field in Peoria.
I do have to admit I had sort of forgotten how far it was over to Peoria from our RV park. Maybe because I was still tired from the weekend, it seemed like the forty minute drive took a couple hours!
To make life a bit easier, we elected to get seats in the Handicapped area. They provide one space for a walker or a wheelchair, then a folding chair for a companion. This year the section has very nice padded folding chairs with armrests. Most people moved from their chairs or walkers to sit in the chairs. We were just to the left of home plate. It was sunny, but the shade moved over by mid-game. When the breeze came up, it was actually chilly.
There are many new faces playing for the Mariners as well a new manager, At Spring Training, the regulars only play the first four innings or so. Then they pick up their gear and head into the clubhouse. That leaves the new guys, the Minor League players and the wannabes to have their chance to shine.
Today Colleen and Dennis were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary. We made arrangements to meet them after the game at the Mall American Sports Grill in Fountain Hills and take them out to dinner. They are leaving Eagle View tomorrow for more shows. We'll not see them again until they are back in Washington, so it was nice to have an evening together.
Of course, we all had to get home in time to put our feet up and watch the Gonzaga basketball game!
I do have to admit I had sort of forgotten how far it was over to Peoria from our RV park. Maybe because I was still tired from the weekend, it seemed like the forty minute drive took a couple hours!
To make life a bit easier, we elected to get seats in the Handicapped area. They provide one space for a walker or a wheelchair, then a folding chair for a companion. This year the section has very nice padded folding chairs with armrests. Most people moved from their chairs or walkers to sit in the chairs. We were just to the left of home plate. It was sunny, but the shade moved over by mid-game. When the breeze came up, it was actually chilly.
There are many new faces playing for the Mariners as well a new manager, At Spring Training, the regulars only play the first four innings or so. Then they pick up their gear and head into the clubhouse. That leaves the new guys, the Minor League players and the wannabes to have their chance to shine.
Today Colleen and Dennis were celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary. We made arrangements to meet them after the game at the Mall American Sports Grill in Fountain Hills and take them out to dinner. They are leaving Eagle View tomorrow for more shows. We'll not see them again until they are back in Washington, so it was nice to have an evening together.
Of course, we all had to get home in time to put our feet up and watch the Gonzaga basketball game!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
And Even More Bulls
It seemed like a pretty short night. I got up; drank my coffee; stuck some raspberry popovers into the oven to bake; took out the garbage and read the Sunday paper. By that time Forry was up and going and we were trying to decide when we had to leave for the Talking Stick Arena in downtown Phoenix.
We learned a couple things yesterday. One was to put our handicapped sticker on the mirror before we turned into the parking lot. That got us shuttled over to the reserved corner just catty-corner from the Arena. The second was to send Forry directly to our seats while I got us something to drink.
There was another full house crowd today. There were more family groups. I quickly noticed that there were not any of the "skanky" girls hanging around like there were last night waiting to party. When the announcer asked how many were first-timers, not nearly as many replied as last night.
I'd say the bulls were ahead today. There were 11 rides against 20 buck-offs in the first round. Then in the Final, there were only three scores out of the fifteen bulls.
There was a really nasty accident in the last go-round. The bull Roy came out hard and fast and after quickly tossing his rider, went down on his front legs, breaking them. It was really hard to see. One of his owners was sitting just over in front of us. She was in tears as she hurriedly hastened to the back of the chutes.
We were home in time to watch tonight's broadcast on CBS Sports. Since we were sitting in front, it was fun to see ourselves several times on the broadcast (Our friend Leslie even sent me a screen shot!). I was wandering how they were going to handle it when the bull was injured. They just didn't show - or even mention that ride. Probably the wise thing to do.
It's been a great weekend. TV is a great medium, but it's even better in person.
We learned a couple things yesterday. One was to put our handicapped sticker on the mirror before we turned into the parking lot. That got us shuttled over to the reserved corner just catty-corner from the Arena. The second was to send Forry directly to our seats while I got us something to drink.
There was another full house crowd today. There were more family groups. I quickly noticed that there were not any of the "skanky" girls hanging around like there were last night waiting to party. When the announcer asked how many were first-timers, not nearly as many replied as last night.
I'd say the bulls were ahead today. There were 11 rides against 20 buck-offs in the first round. Then in the Final, there were only three scores out of the fifteen bulls.
There was a really nasty accident in the last go-round. The bull Roy came out hard and fast and after quickly tossing his rider, went down on his front legs, breaking them. It was really hard to see. One of his owners was sitting just over in front of us. She was in tears as she hurriedly hastened to the back of the chutes.
We were home in time to watch tonight's broadcast on CBS Sports. Since we were sitting in front, it was fun to see ourselves several times on the broadcast (Our friend Leslie even sent me a screen shot!). I was wandering how they were going to handle it when the bull was injured. They just didn't show - or even mention that ride. Probably the wise thing to do.
It's been a great weekend. TV is a great medium, but it's even better in person.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Bulls, Bulls, and More Bulls
We drove into downtown Phoenix this evening to the Talking Stick Arena for the first night of the PBR in Phoenix. The Professional Bull Riders tour did not come to Arizona last year, so it's been a while since we've seen it live.
Since we are members of the PBR Fan Club, we had gotten a call with an opportunity to purchase tickets before they went on sale to the general public. We ended up with really good seats, down in front, right by the chutes. We were right behind one of the judges - who even gave me his re-ride flag to hold while he went to the rest room...
The bull riding was fun to watch in person. The bulls seem a lot bigger and tougher than they do on TV. As a bonus, we got to watch four young two year-old bulls were bucked (without riders) for 4 seconds each. There was also an interlude that featured three bull fighters. The bulls used for this are bred differently then the bucking bulls - they are mean! More like the bulls raised for bull fights we saw in Spain.
It was overcast most of the day today. It was still quite warm, in the 80s. I don't know if this is part of the California coastal storms, but so far there has been no rain.
Since we are members of the PBR Fan Club, we had gotten a call with an opportunity to purchase tickets before they went on sale to the general public. We ended up with really good seats, down in front, right by the chutes. We were right behind one of the judges - who even gave me his re-ride flag to hold while he went to the rest room...
The bull riding was fun to watch in person. The bulls seem a lot bigger and tougher than they do on TV. As a bonus, we got to watch four young two year-old bulls were bucked (without riders) for 4 seconds each. There was also an interlude that featured three bull fighters. The bulls used for this are bred differently then the bucking bulls - they are mean! More like the bulls raised for bull fights we saw in Spain.
It was overcast most of the day today. It was still quite warm, in the 80s. I don't know if this is part of the California coastal storms, but so far there has been no rain.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Hot Today!
It was hot today and I guess we'd better have enjoyed it as the weather forecast says it's going to start cooling off tomorrow and we might even have some rain by Sunday.
We decided to get groceries earlier today. I was thinking we might be less exhausted if we didn't go so late in the day. We've been going in the late afternoon when it has cooled off a bit. Well, it was a good idea, but it didn't make much difference. By the time we got everything in the house and put away we were both pooped. Forry was sleeping in his chair, so I turned on the ceiling fan and napped in the bedroom. We probably should have turned on the A/C as even with the fan on, it was sweaty.
I bought as much frozen prepared food as I thought could fit into the freezer. Our Spring Training baseball tickets start next week and I was trying to think ahead about some easier to fix meals. Safeway has totally redone their produce department - can you say a produce department is gorgeous?! It looks almost like something you would see at Seattle's Pike Street Market!
We decided to get groceries earlier today. I was thinking we might be less exhausted if we didn't go so late in the day. We've been going in the late afternoon when it has cooled off a bit. Well, it was a good idea, but it didn't make much difference. By the time we got everything in the house and put away we were both pooped. Forry was sleeping in his chair, so I turned on the ceiling fan and napped in the bedroom. We probably should have turned on the A/C as even with the fan on, it was sweaty.
I bought as much frozen prepared food as I thought could fit into the freezer. Our Spring Training baseball tickets start next week and I was trying to think ahead about some easier to fix meals. Safeway has totally redone their produce department - can you say a produce department is gorgeous?! It looks almost like something you would see at Seattle's Pike Street Market!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Gotta Love the Desert
The Verde Valley Railway excursion is a great way to see a variety of what Arizona has to offer. Arizona's desert is only a portion of the state. Yesterday's trip showed us juniper forest and colorful canyons. The colors of the rock formations vary from browns and blacks to brilliant reds and vermilions. In many places the route parallels the Verde River and various creeks. The many mesquite trees were still winter bare, but the sycamores and cottonwoods were leafing out and showing pale greens.
The tracks run along the side of the Valley, offtimes only inches from the canyon wall. A pair of Bald Eagles have nested and raised babies near enough the track to see the nest from the train. One of the pair was circling in the air - hunting according to the staff - and we could see the white head of the other sitting in the nest as we went by.
There was a hosted buffet at the end of the car with chicken wings, a veggie plate, sandwiches, olives and gjerkins along with coffee and bottles of water. There were also no-host bar drinks available and our attendant bragged about his killer Bloody Mary's and margaritas. They had soft drinks, wine and smoothies. It made for a very enjoyable trip.
There was No Smoking on the train, but when we stopped in Fredericksburg for the engines to swap ends to make the return trip, they brought buckets of sand to the open cars. People were told they could go smoke, but all ash and butts HAD to go into the buckets! Pleasantly enough, not too many people took them up on the offer.
Most people rotated between the cozy armchairs and the open cars, watching the scenery. I only heard one woman complaining that the scenery was "boring" and she slept all the way back!
The tracks run along the side of the Valley, offtimes only inches from the canyon wall. A pair of Bald Eagles have nested and raised babies near enough the track to see the nest from the train. One of the pair was circling in the air - hunting according to the staff - and we could see the white head of the other sitting in the nest as we went by.
There was a hosted buffet at the end of the car with chicken wings, a veggie plate, sandwiches, olives and gjerkins along with coffee and bottles of water. There were also no-host bar drinks available and our attendant bragged about his killer Bloody Mary's and margaritas. They had soft drinks, wine and smoothies. It made for a very enjoyable trip.
There was No Smoking on the train, but when we stopped in Fredericksburg for the engines to swap ends to make the return trip, they brought buckets of sand to the open cars. People were told they could go smoke, but all ash and butts HAD to go into the buckets! Pleasantly enough, not too many people took them up on the offer.
Most people rotated between the cozy armchairs and the open cars, watching the scenery. I only heard one woman complaining that the scenery was "boring" and she slept all the way back!
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Verde Valley Railway
Well, we checked another item off our Bucket List today. We were up early and were out of the house by nine and over to pick up Colleen and Dennis. We took the two hour plus drive north on 17 to Clarkdale. Clarkdale is just a few miles up the road from the old town of Cottonwood. Clarkdale was a company town built around a copper smelter. There is still a mountain of slag outside the town.
After going to the depot to pick up our tickets for the Verde Valley Railway (actually, only a copy of the receipt), we sat outside on the patio next to the tracks awaiting our one o'clock departure. We were assigned to a car named Flagstaff. Instead of the usual train seats, the car had armchairs arranged in sets of four on the left side and pairs on the right. Between each set of chairs was a small table already set with bowls of potato chips and napkins. As we seated ourselves, the host came around with glasses of chapagne or sparkling cider for every one.
And so began our four hour round railway trip to the ghost town of Perkinsville and back. I'm tired tonight, so I'll write more tomorrow.
After going to the depot to pick up our tickets for the Verde Valley Railway (actually, only a copy of the receipt), we sat outside on the patio next to the tracks awaiting our one o'clock departure. We were assigned to a car named Flagstaff. Instead of the usual train seats, the car had armchairs arranged in sets of four on the left side and pairs on the right. Between each set of chairs was a small table already set with bowls of potato chips and napkins. As we seated ourselves, the host came around with glasses of chapagne or sparkling cider for every one.
And so began our four hour round railway trip to the ghost town of Perkinsville and back. I'm tired tonight, so I'll write more tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Girl Time
It as nice to get up this morning and find Forry well again. He was out walking way down to the end of the fence and back, then brought in the rest of my Costco stuff from the car. This was good to see as we are planning a trip to ride the Verde Valley Railway tomorrow.
Dennis and Colleen moved their trailer to a different site today. Evidently, someone had reserved the site they were in by the fence for the month of March. They stopped by for a visit after they got resituated. Colleen and I made plans to run into town this afternoon. She had some containers to return to Costco (they were too tall).
We left for town about two-thirty. Our first stop was at a Walmart Super Store. I have not been inside of a Walmart for many years. This one was actually quite clean and uncrowded and I found some nice t-shirts. From there we went to the Costco over on Hayden. While Colleen was returning the containers, I got some Pepsi and Ice for Forry. Our last stop was at a Staples so that Colleen could pick up some tags and other office supplies.
It was nice to just spend some girl time. When you are with your spouse 24/7, it is nice sometimes to just have a breather...
Dennis and Colleen moved their trailer to a different site today. Evidently, someone had reserved the site they were in by the fence for the month of March. They stopped by for a visit after they got resituated. Colleen and I made plans to run into town this afternoon. She had some containers to return to Costco (they were too tall).
We left for town about two-thirty. Our first stop was at a Walmart Super Store. I have not been inside of a Walmart for many years. This one was actually quite clean and uncrowded and I found some nice t-shirts. From there we went to the Costco over on Hayden. While Colleen was returning the containers, I got some Pepsi and Ice for Forry. Our last stop was at a Staples so that Colleen could pick up some tags and other office supplies.
It was nice to just spend some girl time. When you are with your spouse 24/7, it is nice sometimes to just have a breather...
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