Sunday, February 19, 2023

Friends, Field Trip, Flurries and Football Finale

 February 6 - 19, 2023
Tombstone Arizona


Our doctors continue to schedule more "let's see what that looks like" appointments which fortunately have "nothing to see here" results. Still, they're time consuming.

The motorhome is dropped off at our new shop in nearby Whetstone with a punch list of 9, hopefully simple, items for repair. A week later they call with a positive report, most are fixed, one part on order, and a challenge locating the ceiling speakers we need replaced (speakers are fine but the frames are all cracked and falling off). It continues to amaze me how many RV manufacturers have stopped making parts for their units that should be on the road for another decade or two! Our 2014 Tuscany is now old?? There's only 70k miles on the Cummings diesel engine, and we've never had a drive train issue, but the "house" parts are already becoming hard to locate. The tech told us they had a 2019 in last month they couldn't find parts for - ridiculous!

The morning of my radiology appointment a rock kicks up and chips the Jeep's windshield on the driver's side. Before it can spider, I head for SafeLite after my appointment, and in 20 minutes I'm back on the road with just a shadow of the damage showing. Whew!

The next day Bill and I return from Tucson and Caaraaack!, another rock puts an even deeper, bigger chip in the passenger's side windshield. WTH?! Back to Safelite where they're skeptical about a repair but give it a try. Success! It's definitely still visible, but no view impairment for either of us. Free and quick repairs are preferable to the cost and time of a new windshield, and hopefully the rock gods have moved on from us now!

RV friends Dawn and Darryl spend their winters in Quartzsite, and their family often come for visits - usually from Michigan and looking forward to some warm days in the sun. This year sister Lila has come to see them from Florida - to the coldest winter we've had in decades! They're in Bisbee for a few days and we're fortunate to spend some time with them. Indoors by the big fireplace! It's never enough time with these fun friends.

Jodee, Darryl, Dawn (thanks for remembering a pic!), Lila and Bill. Contessa Cantina always a good choice!

Another Rebecca-and-me field trip to Tucson takes us to Tohono Chul Gardens and Gallery.  Expecting more gallery and less garden, I'm surprised by what we find. The grounds are stunning with the most healthy and lush cacti and succulents I've seen. Walls and large trees mostly protect us from the cold winds and the sun is lovely. The gallery is small and unfortunately most of it is closed for the installation of a new exhibit. We spend a little time with a lovely and informative docent, and a little more in the nice gift shop. By the time we're done perusing, we're both starving and not prepared to wait the 30+ minutes to eat at the bistro on grounds. It looks wonderful and we'll be back for sure! Instead we head around the corner to eat on the patio at Wildflower which I highly recommend for both delicious and unique offerings and excellent service. 


We didn't get to see much art in the gallery, but the sculptures outside are wonderful.

My favorite is this buzzard in the tree.

The architecture adds to the artistry,

as does the play of light throughout the gardens.

Pulled from the mines in Morenci, Arizona, this azurite and malachite piece weighs 4650 pounds.

Lost and Found, a series of pieces designed from items the artist found while wandering solo through the desert during COVID.

All the grounds are lovely with several spots to sit and enjoy - when the temps are a bit warmer I think.

Butternut squash salad with apple, shaved Brussels sprouts and seared ahi. The lemon vinegarette is soooo good!

Hard to believe football season is over already, and yet before we know it pre-season will be back in August. This year we enjoy Superbowl with a handful of local friends at our place. Anna and Donnie, Cindy and Jimmy, Turk, and the three of us load the island with yummy eats and gather around the TV for the big game. Never a dull moment with this crew, it's a loud and lively few hours! All but one are happy with the outcome :-)

Wings and pulled pork sliders with lots of sides kept us well fed throughout the afternoon.

I had some fun with the deviled eggs this year :-)

Small bar and football pool.

Penalty flag napkins :-)))))

Finally the flurries. Yes, another snow storm drops a couple inches on us overnight. The quiet beauty of the morning is such a gift. This time I'm on the road to town for Tessa's grooming appointment so I get to enjoy even more of the changes the pristine white brings to our desert. 



Overnight winds make drift-art on the back porch.

New window test - they all pass with no cold air making it's way indoors.


Not a soul in downtown Tombstone.

The Old Courthouse feels ominous in the gloom and quiet.

This guy is probably less enamored with the cold, white stuff.


I love the icy delicacy of this vignette - with the hawk keeping watch in the tree.


Huachuca Mountains wrapped in falling snow.

In town the snow is already moving on as the sun highlights what is left behind.


Most of the snow has melted by the end of the day, but surprisingly we still have a couple patches on our north side three days later!

Our precious Henry is excited about being a big brother this summer.

Penelope is such a happy girl!

M&M enjoy a day by the water. Like all the grands, they're getting so big, so fast!

Most of our spring/summer travels are planned and reserved, including finally making our way up to Banff and Jasper in Alberta. Unfortunately those reservations are pending because they don't open up until late March :-(((. In the meantime we have more cold temps in the forecast with Winter hanging on longer than usual in our desert.

Hope you're all enjoying your 2023 and staying warm and safe.









19 comments:

  1. Snow adds so much to the beauty of the desert, but not so sure your friends from Michigan appreciated :)
    Hope you get the dates you want for your Icefields adventure. I had friends in the office helping on the day they were offered, and we did get our dates ... but all the sites were taken in minutes.

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    1. Yep, I'm nervous about being able to get camp sites and reservations for the icefields. but have a couple plan Bs just in case :-)

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  2. Love your snow covered scenery pictures! I am guessing Tombstone doesn't see snow very often.

    Your Superbowl party looked like a hit, especially those football eggs!

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    1. Not very often and definitely more this year. It makes a wonderful change from all the winter brown. Those eggs were a big hit :-))

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  3. Love your football table decor! I didn't show Dave the deviled eggs though, he'd just drool....
    I can't seem to make them to save my life, poor Dave. I'm glad you enjoyed the snow, it looked pretty in your photos, better than it would look outside MY windows. We enjoyed our visit to Tohono Chul also, it's such a pretty spot to wander.

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    1. I always struggled until I started making the eggs in the Instant Pot and they always come out great. Our quick snows have spoiled me :-)

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  4. Hi Jodee. Last week I perusing the internet for things to do this spring. I was happy to see your photos of Tohono Chul Park as it was added to the list. Now I can hardly wait to go. Thanks for the lunch suggestions. We, well mostly I, enjoyed the snow too…the most snow we have seen in years! Your pics are so pretty!

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    1. Very glad to repay you for all the great recommendations your posts have given us!! Check the wait time at the Bistro when you arrive to see if you should put your name in early :-))

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    2. Thanks Jodee….will do!

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  5. The snow is beautiful! Especially when it doesn't hang around too long, :-)) Tohono Chul is one of our favorite little jewel box gardens! Isn't that enormous piece of azurite/malachite incredible? Sounds like so much fun with friends...your deviled egg footballs are so cute. Glad you guys are doing well, enjoying your time at home, and preparing for your new travel adventures.

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    1. I'm glad we're getting things done and the snow has been so pretty. But I'm definitely ready to be traveling again :-))

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  6. We too are very weary of the cold winter happening in AZ this season! That gallery and grounds had been added to my Tucson “places to go list.” Janna

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    1. It's on the far west side near Catalina St Park, but definitely worth the trip. It's the perfect size I think!

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  7. Of course you understand that the RV manufacturers stop making parts in order to force you to buy a new motor home. If you think you have troubles at 10 years just imagined 20 years. Your lunch on your day out looks absolutely delicious. Wish I could visit that restaurant. But you can keep the snow although it is beautiful and if it's only there for one day. Maybe.... I really don't like football at all but your party looked like a great deal of fun. So nice to have close by friends to share it with you really have snuggled in to Tombstone quite amazingly. Not sure how anyone can have so many grandchildren who are so cute. Lucky you!! And last but not least in this too long comment, how I envy you a good honest RV repaired place nearby.

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    1. And the repair shops are just as frustrated because they can't do the work :-( I'll still take the short snow over the cold winds, they've been brutal this winter. it has been fun having a few friends in the area - funny that so many of them are still RVers and I visit them at their RV park. I think we're going to like this new repair shop and it's great having them so much closer!!!

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  8. Your trip to the Garden and Gallery "looks" nice and warm. The sunshine does give that feeling. But this cooler than normal winter and all the wind can leave any time now. Boy, you did get the snow. Luckily, it doesn't stick around like back east. Your football field table is great. Love all the effort you put into making the football deviled eggs. Awesome! The grands are really growing up fast. Our trip up through Glacier/Waterton NP than in to Alberta was my favorite trip of our eight years on the road. We stayed in Jasper and Banff NPs, as well as, Edmonton and Calgary. Jasper was my favorite of the two. We arrived in Jasper early Sept and had snow the first night. It was the earliest snow ever and it was several inches. Of course, it made the mountains views perfect!

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    1. We haven't even had the sunshine these last few days - very brrrr! It was fun to put the football party together, even for just a few peeps. Another strong endorsement for Jasper! I'm hoping we have good weather, but I'm afraid we're going to have big crowds in July :-((

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  9. I don't think RV manufacturers plan for them to last. I love your snow pics, amazing to see on the desert plants. Has been a colder than usual winter though I have managed to avoid snow. Now if the wind would just calm down. I love seeing your grands growing but makes even me feel old(er). 🥴

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    1. Amen to the wind going away!! We can hardly believe those grands are all getting so big, and they are all such different little people :-)

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