Spring Training Trip - Dats 10 & 11

Tuesday we pulled out of Williams right on time at 7:00. The drive up and thru Flagstaff is a pretty drive and then you head down into the desert. Not the most beautiful spot but the weather was nice and there was not much wind so the drive was easy. The topography really changes as we entered NM - more mesas. The New Mexico rest area had an actual fenced dog park for the pooches. We didn't use it BUT that was cool. We got to Santa Fe plenty early and once again the car was very easy to unhook. This RV park has a dog park - an actual fenced LARGE area for the pups! It is great. Especially after Williams where there was no good place to walk the pups - all crushed stone or asphalt. We sat outside and had hot dogs for dinner. Very relaxing after a day of driving.

On Wednesday we headed down to the Old Town part of Santa Fe. It is a nice spot. We looked at all the Indian (probably not politically correct) goods. Bought some turquise earring. Got some obligitory t-shirts - like I don't have enough! We ate lunch at a really nice restaurant - sat outside in a courtyard. Went to the Basilica and talked to a docent there. A statue that they have was actually carried in the Crusades! It was very fascinating. When we got back to the motor home park we took the pups to the dog park and then just sat out in the sun taking it easy. All in all a nice day. Tomorrow we are going to go down the turquoise trail to the town of Madrid. It is an old mining town.

Spring Training Trip - Day 9

Today we headed up to the Grand Canyon. About 70 miles from Williams. Thought that since it is not high season we would be able to drive the whole south rim. BUT no - they have closed most of it - have to take their bus. we opted to just see what we could. We went to the visitor's center which is being rebuilt. It amazed me that it is not on the edge with a bank of windows looking out on the canyon. We watched their movie about the canyon which was pretty good. Then we went to the El Tovar Lodge - that is where Ginnie and I stayed in 2002. Parking was a premium but we got a spot - thanks Jack. We walked along the rim abit there. It is an awesome site. Then we went to the Market Place store and hooked up the granddaugters with cute shirts - don't worry Matthew, you already have your trip present! Then we wnet to the Geological Museum which according to the info in the museum has the BEST view of the canyon. And it is a good one. You can see all the way down to the river - can even see the foot bridge that goes across the river! Great views! Tomorrow we head to Santa Fe. The RV Park where we have reservations said we have to be there bt 6 at the very latest so we are going to be up and at 'em early! Enjoy the pics of the Canyon.

Spring Training Trip - Days 6,7,8

Friday was a down day. We took it pretty easy which was great. Took the pooches to the dog park in the morning - it is a great one and the dogs had a good time. Then we picked up jack and went to an RV supply store and then out to lunch at a great Mexican restaurant that is one of the sponsers of the Rangers spring training.

On Saturday we had tickets to the game again. We took the pooches to the dog park in the morning. There was an unfriendly dog there which is never nice but other than that it was good for the dogs. Then went to the game - much better game than the one on Thursday. But it was really crowded - a sellout against the A's. And it was hot. At Thursday's game I got my ear sunburned - it still hurts. It was a little cloudy at the Saturday game so that helped BUT it was hot and steamy.

Sunday morning we were headed to Williams which was only 170 miles or so, so we didn't leave Surprise until about 10. The drive was up and down - high point of 7000+ feet. We went from desert full of saguaro cactus to mountains with pine trees and snow. The snow was all nice and white since it was only a week old! In the RV park here there are piles of snow where they plowed the RV sites. The wind is WHIPPING - the motorhome is ROCKING - may be kind of hard to sleep tonight. Hope the motorhome does not tip over!!

Spring Training Days 4 & 5

Yesterday we decided to take it a bit easy after the drive. Marie and I went out in the morning to a quilt shop that we had found on line. It was nice but nothing special. We stopped a a Fudruckers for lunch. It was very good. Then we came back to the RV park and picked up jack and went to the Arizona Casino. Marie and Jack both left the casino fairly close to even BUT, I, ont the other hand LOST. I tell you - it has been a long time since I have had any luck at a casino! Then we came home and walked the dogs. We were talking to a woman who lives here 6 months out of the year and asked her for a recommendation for a place to eat dinner. Her first suggestion was Golden Corral! Not a place i would roccoment to strangers. Anyhow, she told us of another cafe and we went. It was pretty good.

Then today we took the dogs to the dog park. A picture of Breck playing with a couple of Great Danes is included. Then we headed out to the ball park. It is a really nice park. The Rangers were terrible but it was a lot of fun. Hamilton was great - he signed autographs before the game and then spent at least 20 minutes after he was taken out of the game signing autographs and talking to the fans. None of the other playes did that at all. Beltre did sign a couple before the game but that was it. I thought Josh was a real class act - the other players could take a lesson from him. Then tonight we went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for dinner. It was really good. Had a blue drink just for Ginnie! And the area was really neat. It was down near the arena where the hockey team plays - and there was a hockey game tonight so the area was really crowded. There were lots of restaurants and shops. All in all a very good day!

Spring Training day 3

Today we had a much shorter drive so we ate breakfast at the SMALL and I mean small cafe at the campground in Willcox. It was cold this morning - 29 - but sunny so it was a definite improvement over the last 2 days. The traffic through Phoenix is really the pits - the freeways are large and numerous! We got to the campground here about 2:30 or so and set up camp. The car unhitched easily which is always nice. And it started right up and works like a charm which was a relief since I could tow it with the car turned off and the key not in the ignition! The cable here has 70+ stations including FoxNews so I am a happy puppy though all the programs are on 2 hours earlier than at home. Marie and I took the dogs to the dog park which is right across from the Ranger Stadium. It was really nice and I know the dogs were happy after 3 days in the motorhome. Marie and Jack had me over to dinner - her meatballs which were very good. I have had a headache all day - just won't go away. I am hoping that a good night's sleep will make it disappear! All for now. Our first spring training game is on Thursday. Looking forward to it. Not sure what we will do tomorrow.

Spring Training March 2012 days1 & 2

Jack and Marie and I left Frisco in the "Mother Ship" and the "Eagle" (named such by Kathe) at about 7:45 yesterday after a wonderful neighborhood send off that even included donuts! Thanks Jim and Kathe, Ron and Helen! We headed west toward Balmorhea. The winds were terrible. Really have to fight wind in these high profile vehicles. makes driving not much of a pleasure! We stopped for lunch in Coahoma...at a dairy Queen. It was as usual pretty good. We got to Balmorhea State Park about 10 til 5 and the park ranger joked about the wind saying he wondered if we really wanted to come to the park or if we had just been blown off the highway!! It was nice to stop for the night. We figured the worst was behind us. Boy were we wrong!! Today we not only had wind BUT also SNOW and hail and grauple and dust! We went through a few dusty snow storms or snowy dust storms! It was wild! It was really nice to get here - it may have only been 3 o'clock local time BUT it was beer time!! It is supposed to get into the teens tonight! WOW! Welcome to warm sunny southern Arizona!! Tomorrow our drive into Surprise should only be about 4 or 4 and a half hours. At least we can wait until it warms up a bit before leaving. And we will be hthere ofr 5 nights. The weather tonight did say that it would be in the
80s by Thursday! Hopefully, I will be able to upload some pictures of todays SNOW in sunny southern Arizona. Pictures wouldn't load tonight - will try to send them on tomorrow.