Cold in NM…and TX.
We left Albuquerque on Friday and worked our way back east to wrap up our annual “chase the winter warm weather” tour. As a reminder of what month it is, NM woke us up with a 24 degree temperature and a frozen water hose. Our plan was to stay one more day to play golf but I really don’t play well in the cold…or the rain…or the wind…or the heat…whatever, we headed home.
Just like all of our trips back, we splurged and stayed overnight at one of the finest hotels that Wichita Falls has to offer. Turns out that the Hampton we booked had just opened and we were able to stay overnight in a brand new room with a brand new bed. It was not as nice as staying in Little Al but still pretty nice.
Made it to Dallas on Saturday and back to Austin on Sunday…come on warmer weather!
Albuquerque & Santa Fe
Since the weather to the east is in the middle of a cold front we decided to divert to Albuquerque for a few days while Texas thaws out. Little Al is so confused, when we adopted him we had the idea of chasing cooler weathers during the summer…now we’re chasing warmer weather during the winter.
We arrived in Albuquerque last night and took the opportunity to wipe out the local casino, Isleta Resort and Casino. Turns out the Native Americans disagreed and sent us home with nothing but grins on our faces and penny’s in our pockets. Next time…there’s always a next time.
Today we drove to Santa Fe looking for different ways for Joan to find good deals. Weather was nice, food was good and Joanie was good…I don’t have to go back to work, yet.
Ready for Texas but not ready for cold weather…guess we’ll stay another day.
Tucson Time
We started out the week with a pretty easy drive from California to Tucson on Sunday and were able to validate that I10 in Arizona tied for the most bumpy road with I10 between Midland and Odessa. Poor Little Al just needs to be superglued back together…cabinets, dishes, water pipes and any other thing that was not tied down is now in a new location. Take it easy big guy, not leaving for a few days.
We landed about 10 miles to the east of Tucson at the Cactus Country RV Resort and brought the average age of the resort down to about 85 yo with our arrival. Since we arrived around 4pm, most of our fellow residents were eating so there was no one to comment on my setting up skills. I just hope I did it right, hopefully someone will comment on my leaving skills. I’m counting on it.
We spent Monday playing golf at Del Lago Golf Club in Vail and were paired up with a great couple who recently moved to the area. Joan’s game continues to improve while mine seems to continue the downhill decline…so much for my senior PGA tour opportunities but at least Joanie still has a shot.
Today we just relaxed, ate a great lunch and did a little local shopping…they’ve got great authentic AZ stores like TJ Max, Nordstrom Rack and a big store called Costco. Hopefully one day in Texas…
We finished off the day turquoise shopping, I sure didn’t have that on my BINGO card…I wonder who that was for?
Trying to decide when to head back to Texas, it’s time…not sure the weather agrees, we’ll see.
California Dreamin
The weather here the last couple of days has been fabulous so we took advantage for another day of golf on Friday then an Art Show in La Quinta, CA on Saturday. To offset the great meals we’ve enjoyed in the area we have taken many long walks. Unfortunately, the great meals are winning and we can’t seem to walk them all off. First World problems, huh?!
The winds did pick up just in time for our golf t-time on Friday, what are the chances? We played at the same course as Wednesday and this time were paired up with a nice couple from northern CA.
Today…drive to Tucson for golf and relaxation.
More…to…come.
Sun and Rain Days
For the last two days we’ve had a beautiful sunny day followed by a misty rainy day, we took advantage of the sunny day and “managed” with the crummy day.
On Wednesday we made a tee time at Shadow Hills Golf Club in Indio, based on the prices we assumed was a regulation course. As it turns out it was a par 3 course spread out enough that you were required to use a cart. As our starter told us, “it’s the number 1 rated par 3 in California and the number 7 rated par 3 in the US”.
It turned out it was a great course and we’re heading back today so we can tell him it’s now the number 1 rated par 3 in our hearts…I just know it will make his day.
Yesterday, the rain day, we spent walking around downtown Palm Springs…former home to many old movie stars. Unfortunately the rain deterred most of our shopping (oh darn) but we were able to enjoy lunch at Lulu’s, a cool old diner. The mushroom soup and meatloaf were fantastic.
Today…golf and art show…more to come…
Made It To Cali
We left Phoenix on Monday and took Little Al as far west as he will ever go, he finally was able to get his California sticker. He keeps bragging that he is going to get his Hawaii sticker but I just don’t see it happening. I don’t have the heart to tell him so I let him dream big.
We landed at the Coachella Lakes RV Resort and without any question it is the nicest RV spot we’ve been to. And just like all the others there was an old dude sitting in his lawn chair guaranteeing I set up Little Al correctly, it is so nice getting positive remarks about my backing.
At about 10pm on Monday night the wind started blowing and until about 7am this morning it didn’t stop. The winds were anywhere from 25-30 and at times you couldn’t see 20’ in front of you. Luckily we were able to drive to Joshua Tree National Park where there were no winds at all, it was a great day until we got back.
Today golf, hopefully any winds left will be behind us.
More to come…
Chill Days
After the excitement of watching golf, and setting a record for most beers I’ve consumed in one day, we took it easy the last couple of days.
We have…
Visited a flea market we stumbled on.
Gone back to Old Scottsdale in search of…really not sure what we were in search of?
Made our annual pilgrimage to Andreoli’s, we can’t miss eating our favorite Porchetta sandwich.
Had a great Sunday breakfast at Phil’s Filling Station Grill…as usual we split and hardly finished our meal.
Had a nice 5+ mile walk around Fountain Hills to work our breakfast off.
Took a small amount of money from We-Ko-Pa casino resort before heading to a Sports Bar to watch the Super Bowl thrashing.
On to Joshua Tree in am, time to look for a place to stay…
Golf…Then Real Golf
The last two days have been about what Joan and I call golf, then watching real golf at the Phoenix Open. Apparently if you want a tee-time this time of year you have to make it at least two weeks in advance, we did not. We ended up playing at Sunland Spring Golf Course in Mesa, it was an “average” course with four par 3’s on each nine…good news, we scored well.
After playing we met up with a dude selling Membership passes to the Open. I always feel good about meeting someone with cash in my pocket at a QT. When he pulled up in his white Tesla and pink golf shirt I felt a lot better about the transaction. And now I know why so many idiots throw their full beer cans onto the course, our special wristband bands included all you can eat and drink.
Today we will…uh…uh…still planning but I’m sure with Joanie it will include a lot of walking…more…to…come.
Answer – Here I Go Again
Question – What is Joanie’s favorite Whitesnake song? Right, turns out my girl is a “headbanger”…not the country girl I thought I was getting. Yes, we listened to a lot of music on the way, and 1 audiobook.
Anyway, here we go again.
We left Dallas Sunday morning for a 3-4 week tour west and drove to Van Horn for the night.
Answer – Not the stretch between Midland and Odessa on I10.
Question – Where is a beautiful part of Texas.
We left Van Horn on Monday and did get to see a nice part of Texas mountains driving to Tucson for a night before our final destination for the week, Scottsdale, AZ.
Our home away from home for the last 3 years in the McDowell Mountains at Eagle View RV Resort will be our “home base” for a week of hiking, golfing, watching golf (Phoenix Open) and to play anyone willing to challenge us on the pickleball court. I just dare any of them to ease their “walkers” onto the court!
More to come…
McGaffs On The Fly 