Adventures in Parrotdise

Feb 12/2018 Weather 72 cloudy, low 52 - rain is hoped for in the next couple of days.  It would be the first sprinkle we have seen since December.   Tonight we are finding ourselves up at the clubhouse for a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.  Well we cannot pass that up.  Margaritaville is still the only channel on our XM Sirius radio that Billy will listen to and you get the look if you change it!  Haha.    Adventures in Parrotdise by Barry Cunningham and the band, was ok.  What we found extremely uncanny is that he even looks like Jimmy and pretends to be Jimmy.   That was a bit bizarre.  Only thing is that he does not miss too many notes or tunes;  yes you know if you are a Parrothead what we are talking about.   Sometimes Buffett will be off tune or off key and he just carries on have a grand time with his music.   That's the best part about him, his music is real. 
It was fun and entertaining - Get Your Fins Up!!!

Gourds, Amazing Gourds and more Gourds!

Feb 9/2018 Weather 82 sunny, low 47.

 Down the road from Casa Grande is the very active Pinal County Fairgrounds.  A few weeks ago we stopped in for a Bluegrass Music Festival and this weekend we went in for a Gourd Festival.  Now a Gourd you say... huh, sounds a little dull.  Oh boy were we in for a shocker.  Amazing. Yes Amazing Artwork.

 Unbelievably talented artists from all over the country enter the festival with their artistic Gourds to be judged.  If this is your thing you can buy supplies, dried Gourds, take classes, listen to live music, eat and enjoy the crowd.  It was so worth the day. 

The Gourds come in all different shapes and sizes. The Wuertz Gourd Farm nearby sponsors the festival and supplies a plethora of dried gourds for purchase.  They also have classes at the farm regularly. 

Gourds grow on a vine like a squash or pumpkin, and then harvested they have to be properly cleaned inside and out to get rid of a fungus, and then they are dried before you can start your artistic magic on them.

Some painted, beaded, bejewelled, carved and all mixed in between.  Lamps, pots, bowls, jewelry, art forms, figurines, animals, masks, you name it let your imagine run wild!  The Native Americans originated the use of gourds for vessels to serve food and carry water.  

Cotton Farming in Arizona

Feb 1/2018  Weather 80, low 47. 
One thing really great about Fiesta Grande RV Resort is the activity calendar.  They have the regular daily things to do plus trips someplace every week.  This week the trip was to an Arizona Cotton Farm -4th generation.  Nancy Caywood shown playing the fiddle puts on a very informative presentation about cotton farming in Arizona  as well as her family farm history and the struggles to keep the farm viable.  Cotton has low return due to high expenses in the desert.  Water is a huge problem Yes the “Lack” of water.  This year the natural water source is dry and the allowance provided to the farm will not be enough to grow the crop.  All elements of the crop are regulated - who you buy the seeds from,  water allowance, chemicals, pesticides, cotton grading, cotton market, timetable for plowing under.  USA is the 3rd largest producer in the world, China number 1 and then  Middle East then USA.  

After the presentation we took a hayride out to the field and walked into the cotton.  It has a strong woody stalk.  The dried boles that hold the cotton are very sharp, what a terrible job it would have been years ago to hand pick.  Not to mention the heat.   In Arizona the heat is good for the cotton, during growing season the plant thrives on it and produces higher yields here in the desert as compared to the southern plantations that we have seen in Mississippi. 

Beyond the crop is the cotton gin that processes the raw cotton, removing the seeds.  The Gin is a co-op of seven farms.    When the seeds are separated from the lint they have a market and are sold to help pay for the ginning costs.  Cotton seeds have all kinds of use.  What shocked us was cottonseed oil is the 3rd leading vegetable oil in the USA.  Crisco shortening is cottonseed oil!  We never  knew that.  Seeds are also used for numerous other things such as animal feed, fertilizer, currency, glycerin for explosives, cosmetics,  and more.    Amazing,,,, we learned a lot from what we thought was just blue jeans and more quilting material for Rosey!

The Man in The Moon is he Blue or Red?

Jan 31/2018  Weather is hot, and is going to be for the next 10 days. 80, 80, 79, 81, 81, 81, 84, 86, 86, 83, 84, 85.  Nights 47 to 57.

blue blood moon in Arizona

Sky gazers from 5:50 a.m. to 6:50 am was the best time in Arizona to view a rare celestial convergence dubbed a "super blue blood moon."
The cosmic event -- a combination of lunar eclipse, blood moon and super moon -- will be visible in the western hemisphere for the first time in 152 years.
A "super moon" occurs when a full moon falls at the same time as its perigee, which is the closest point of the moon's orbit with the Earth. This makes the moon larger and brighter by 14%, according to NASA. The first super moon of 2018 took place on New Year's Day and was previously described by NASA as the "biggest and brightest" one expected for the entire year.
As the popular idiom suggests, blue moons are rare and refer to when there is a second full moon in one calendar month.  To complete the "lunar trifecta," the blood element is not a sign that the end is nigh, but occurs during a lunar eclipse when faint red sunbeams peek out around the edges of the Earth, giving it a reddish copper color.

Blue Blood Moon

We remember seeing in  November 2016 we saw a gorgeous Super moon here in Casa Grande.   Seems the night skys in Arizona are quite amazing. 

My Snake Peeve

Jan 26/2018  Weather cool but sunny - had about 5 days of cool down, big storm moved across Utah and Colorado so Arizona dropped about 10 degrees.  Day high of 60 and nights high of 40.  We are back into warm weather again, 77 yesterday and 74 today.  That's ok.
We have moved our rig down to Casa Grande, which is halfway between Tuscon and Phoenix.  The city is a nice size to ride our motorcycle around and the weather is good (elevation is only 1400' and population is about 49,000).  We have been in this area several times so we are trying another campground again.  This month we are staying at Fiesta Grande RV Resort.  People are super nice, sites are good size, it is an older park but fine. 
My Pet Peeve is my Snake Peeve...

really fake snake

Yes I see that one too......

Ok why in the pot?

In every park it is the same thing.......  I guess because it is a common creature in Arizona "Snakes are Decorations".    Nightly I get my walking in and sometimes it is dusk by the time I return.   Setting out I see this snake and that snake and then another snake and soon the cactus skeletons start looking like snakes!   I have to keep an eye on these decorations..... even though they are not real there are plenty enough that are.   In Canyon Vista RV Resort we were sitting around the pool one day when a guy went running to get his snake catching lasso.  He did lasso it but cut it's head off by mistake.   Yeah!!!  Ooops, apparently you move them not kill them.

snake lasso

It was a small rattler laying around by the flagpole in the grass!!!!  Seriously????  The fellow proceeded to dump the dead snake in his bicycle basket and come and tell us of all his snake catching exploits!  Even getting bit by a rattler.  Rosey will have nightmares!!!
It was above temperature in December and early January in Arizona while we were at that park and apparently there were some rattlesnake sightings and catching during the month.   Normally it is too cold for them to be out and about!   

cactus skeletons are hard to see at dusk

ok this one looks like a wishbone, no worries

 

Winter in the Desert

San Tan Mountains

Weather - last 10 days (Jan 11/17 to Jan 21/17)  sunny, cool, cloudy, rain?  yes rain..... in fact it reminds us of Scotland.  We have had all 4 seasons in 1 day.    Mostly it is jeans and sweatshirt weather.  We had 1 day at 69 and most have been around 60.  We are glad the nights are not too bad at 45 +.   We have never spent time in Arizona in January.  Apparently this is considered their winter weather and often January is not a warm month; and they get storms from Southern California every few days; we didn't know that.  We actually had one day it showered all day.  To us this was "amazing".   We have never seen it rain in the Desert.   So we haven't done too much riding since we returned from home.

nice riding into San Tan Valley

 The warm day we did throw on our leather jackets and ride up to San Tan Valley, just east of Phoenix.   Friends we made in Maui in 2010 have stayed in touch and we spent the afternoon sitting in the sun at a an outdoor bar/grill.

walking into San Tan Flats Bar and Grill

San Tan Flats Bar and Grill - lots of country music

We had a roadrunner who kept us company the whole time - guess he was looking for some scraps.  He was very bold; sitting right up beside our picnic table just checking out our food!

our little Road Runner

What Was I Thinking?

U.S. Thanksgiving Day - 74 degrees, sunny, great day. 

Turkey Dinner in the clubhouse

Val Vista is having a sit down family style Thanksgiving Dinner.  This is a different approach than we have had at most parks.  Usually it is buffet or potluck style.  There has been a sign up sheet in the clubhouse for tables of 10.  Each sheet has 1 couple doing the Turkey, Dressing, Gravy;  1 couple doing the Desserts, 1 couple doing the Salads, 1 couple doing rolls and pickle dish, mashed potatoes, 1 couple doing the hot vegetables.  So "what was I thinking"?   I signed up for Billy and Rosey to bring the Turkey, Dressing, Gravy.   Ok so now how do I cook the thing?  Back to the clubhouse I go.   The kitchen has electric oven bakers that you can borrow to do the Turkey.  Great...     Dinner is at 1 pm.  So the Turkey needs to be finished by 12:30 to serve.   Wait a second that means it needs to be in the oven by 6 am?  Can I count on this to cook the way a conventional oven works.   Talking around the park I found out best to do it all the day before then reheat for 1 hour in broth on Thanksgiving Day.   Phew !   So glad we found that out.   Wouldn't it be terrible to have a table waiting for Turkey and it not be ready. 

Assistant Chef watching the Turkey cook in the electric oven

In the Arizona Night Sky

Nov 13/16 Weather is above 80's everyday.  Nights about 55. 

Pulling into Val Vista RV Park

We have dropped down into Casa Grande, Arizona.  That is about the midpoint between Phoenix and Tuscon.   We find it is not to busy on the motorcycle and yet the city has most everything you will need.  The first year we came out to Arizona (2012) we stayed at Val Vista RV Park.  Surprising to us there are still many couples we met still coming here.  You know that is what most snowbirds do.   They find a spot they are comfy with and go back year after year; and 25 years later they are still returning.  Billy and I are a bit on the abnormal side...... I know your thinking "really as if we didn't know that"!  There are places we like to go back to and yet after 1 month we are usually ready to move on.  So here we are booked in for the month.   It is fun to see friends we made a few years ago; they were surprised to see us and so welcoming.  Should be a good month, and we will definitely have some r and r days right by the pool.  

Pool area

On a whole different note - Did you see the Supermoon? It is the closest full moon to the Earth since 1948, and another like it won't occur until 2034.   We have been out walking last night and tonight.  Neat.

Super moon with Saguaro cactus

The other picture that we must share with you is a sunset we had before leaving Lake Powell over a week ago; makes you think  Fire in the Desert!

Fire in the Desert?  Nope just the sunset.

Where does the time go?

Weather is too perfect!  I guess it's Groundhog Day everyday.    Sunny. 83 high, night 50, last 5 days the same.  We have enjoyed lounging around the Palm Creek RV and Golf Resort, then we realized it's Wednesday .... (Billy refilled his pill box so we know what day it is) and thought let's go for a ride on the Harley.   We didn't go anywhere in particular but we did stop at Val Vista RV Park to see if any friends we made 5 years ago are still there.  Yes a few are and we had a fun time catching up with Darlene and Herman.   When we came back we sat out and watched this fellow flying over and over the park!!! That's one way to get around.

And wouldn't you know there is a resident Hot Air Balloon !  

Arizona RVing at its finest

Feb 6 to 16/16. Weather is better than we can hope for .... What a 10 day forecast!!!!

We have come to Palm Creek RV and Golf Resort in Casa Grande to tryout the place on a weekly special and then a few days after to make a 10 day stay.  Very impressive and definitely a resort atmosphere.  There are 2000 sites, it's a mini city!  Our spot is gravel with a concrete pad and a double size lot, so room to park the coach, a cement pad and then beside it a spot for a vehicle.   You have lots of room.  

We walked around tonight and could not believe the beautiful amenities.  Separate rooms and buildings for  Pottery, woodworking, lapidary, silversmithing, sewing, ballroom, activity rooms, bistro, exercise rooms, pools, hot tubs, pickleball, baseball, golf course, storage area, and a calendar full of activities.   Ok. We are a bit overwhelmed looking at what it has to offer.  It reminds us of The Villages in Forida on a tiny scale.... If you have been there you will understand!!

Mar 2 Casa Grande Hog Run

Weather 75 Sunny, cool at night 48
There was a Harley ride from Chandler and Tucson and all the money raised went to the Veterans.  They had Apache Helicopters lead the way for the bikers and they hoovered over the riders as they entered into Casa Grande.   Pretty Cool.   No we didn't actually do the ride,,,, I know we were lazy!  Since we were in Casa Grande we just went to the town square that was closed off and watched them all ride in.   Billy loved looking at all the bikes and we watched the BBQ pig competition and oh yes I had a corn on the cob!!! 

Feb 6 to 19 Casa Grande, Arizona

Weather:  It actually rained one day, everyone was so happy!  I guess they don't have to water their cactus then, ha ha.  Temps 67, 68, 71, 73, 70, 75....  Sunny.  Feels 10 degrees warmer since there is no humidity.
No lawns to cut out here.... Billy keeps saying "where is the grass!"

We drove through a nice area today and took a few pictures, they had a man made lake and canal system just like at the Cove.

All the houses are tan or cream or terra cotta and then the landscaping is the same colours of stone; it blends together in soft earthy colors.  No Grass.   It's so strange.  They even will make a rock river in the landscaping.  Once in block you will see a grass lawn and it looks so out of place!!!

Feb 6 Casa Grande, Arizona

Weather current and forecast runs consistently at 70 to 77 degrees and about 48 to 55 at night.  Elevation is around 1300 feet.  That is the weather we are looking for.

We happened to talk to a fellow visiting the RV park in Benson who was happy with his RV park up in Casa Grande.  Val Vista RV Resort; not too big, older place, lots of activities, heated pool and spa, and friendly snowbirds.  You gotta love a place that flies the Canadian flag!
So we drove on up and booked in for the month.  It is about half way between Phoenix and Tucson so we can go both ways for some riding.  Only has 'back-ins' and we figured we were finally up to the challenge.  Billy did awesome, we unhooked the trailer, unloaded the bike, then backed in the motor home and pushed the trailer to the front of the site where we could position it to use as a garage for the motorcycle. 

We went riding up to Phoenix and down to Tucson, lots of dirt and mountains and cactus.  So weird and unique from what we are used to at home.  Pretty in a different sort of way.  We went up to Dobson's Lookout in South Mountain Municipal Park.  This is the largest city park in the US.

 It was stunning.  6.5 miles of winding, twisting cliff side roads to the top and it wasn't that high about 3000 feet.  From the lookout you could see all of Phoenix below.  There were some "adventure seeking" cliff jumpers with kites and para sails.   They literally run and jump off!!!!   So cool, we have never seen that anywhere before.