Apache Junction, AZ – Wrapping Up 2010

On this final day of 2010, we want extend our best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe New Year.  Can you believe it’s 2011 already?  That doesn’t even sound like a year, it sounds like an IRS form.

The flocks of snowbirds have flown in to Arizona and settled down around various swimming pools and watering holes to wait out the ugly weather in other areas of the country.  Initially we were treated to really nice weather – warm, sunny and not too windy – but that has all changed with a cold front which moved in, leaving us with temps only a whisker above freezing and little flakes of white floating here and there.  What a rude shock!  We hope that those snowbirds who’ve yet to depart the tundras remember to pack their longjohns before heading here.

One of our first social outings upon arrival was dinner at our friends, David and Shirley.  They spend their winters in the Phoenix area and summers in Upstate New York, which is where we met them at the time  country/western dancing first became popular.  They were our original instructors and we’ve been friends ever since. Nearly everybody at their RV park goes whole-hog on Christmas decorations  and it is quite the sight to see when all the lights are on.  Here’s just a little glimpse of the light show, photo courtesy of David. 

 

Another outing led us to The University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the NFL Arizona Cardinals.  We were there for an RV show but found the stadium far more interesting than the RVs.   The playing field was lined with RVs of all types, parked on the concrete floor.  If that stuck us as odd, it didn’t really register.  It was eventually pointed out to us that the “field” itself was outside in the sunlight, being watered and  groomed like any other large lawn.  For games, the entire field is moved indoors on tracks via a bank of garage-type doors so that the Cards can play on real grass.  It hasn’t helped this year.  These two  photos will give you a general idea of how this transition comes about.

 

 

The RV park where we’re staying hosted a wonderful Christmas dinner with the owners providing the turkey, ham and mashed potatoes and the guests bringing dishes to pass.  There was a wonderful array of veggies, salads and desserts.  It makes a person wonder what prevents 100 people from showing up each toting an apple pie – the variety is as unique as the folks who prepared the dishes.

We always arrive at our winter quarters with a long list of chores to attend to during our down time.  So far we haven’t made a lot of progress but at least we now have some built-in New Year’s Resolutions, several of which were left over from last year.

And so that wraps up another year.  May 2011 bring you all things bright and beautiful.