February 15 - 28, 2025
Tombstone, Arizona
I was pretty busy the last couple weeks, but took very few photos - often it's just the opposite!
With no schedule of any kind I should be able to get to Tucson for a massage more often. I've been accruing sessions since COVID, and could get an hour of pampering every day for three weeks with my current balance! So I'm happy to say that I did make it happen twice in February with a third one scheduled in the near future.
Tessa's age of 14 (!) brings signs of slowing down including being almost completely deaf and a cataract in one eye. Sadly it has also increased separation anxiety so we are now each other's service animal. She has to know where I am at all times although her groomer can still keep her calm through most of an hour's grooming appointment. Her nightly zoomies still happen, but she slows down significantly on walks longer than a block or two. Fortunately, most days she's still a healthy and happy pup.
Broadway in Tucson has several great productions throughout the season and I have tickets for Rebecca and I to see "Some Like it Hot" on the 22nd. Easy parking a couple blocks away, no line at the door, and good seats at the Centennial Hall in Tucson means we'll do it again for sure. The production is excellent, Broadway quality, that we both thoroughly enjoy. It's been waaaay too long since I've been to live theater!
Prior to the play we stop at Grandma's Spinning Wheel for felting wool. They have a huge selection and a fun staff, we always enjoy a stop here.
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| There's a whole other room for yarn and thread! |
The following Monday Rebecca and I join Vicki and Kris (from crafts and dear friends) with their daughters for lunch in Patagonia and an afternoon of winery/meadery sampling. The weather is perfect as is the company. After a great lunch at Gathering Grounds we enjoy the eclectic outdoor seating with ducks and goats and a little pig at AZ Hops and Vines in Sonoita - one of several wineries in the area - with delicious sangria.
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| Vicki, her daughter Rhonda, and Kris. The photo of the other three washed out in the sun :-( |
Unfortunately one of their party has tummy issues so Rebecca and I make the stop at the Meading Room by ourselves. Rather than a tasting or a flight we each have a glass (she mead, me cider) and chill on their lovely patio for over an hour appreciating the golden-grass views.
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| On previous drives we've seen pronghorn on those plains. |
Plans are coming together for some RV travels. I have to postpone the Camping World appointment for some installs and fixes, but will get those done next month. Fingers are still crossed that Bill can make modifications to sleep comfortably.
Just as exciting, and before we head out, we have visitors stopping by for a couple days! It has been too, too long since we've seen these global jet-setters and I can hardly wait to get caught up. Thankfully they are much better at remembering to get pics!
Reservations are made and clinic scheduling is underway for our annual April reunion in Laughlin, NV.
Bill and I are both happy that we'll be returning to the Avi Casino that has a nice KOA on the property.
Finally, and really, really exciting are the plans for the first week(s) of May in Santa Fe meeting up with a dear friend and fellow-blogger, and my first solo-RV adventure. She has lots of experience, and I'm looking forward to learning a bunch!
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| It's smart to avoid a windy day for controlled burns, but when there isn't even a breeze the smoke can be it's own menace. This one in Sierra Vista. |
The day after the floating smoke above, we have our first big wind day with reduced visibility due to so much dust. The last day of the month we're under fire-watch due to the extreme dry conditions, but thankfully the wind has subsided.
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| Warrior Princess Reese |
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| "Both ways to school..." for Ezra and Elliott (really just a day trip). |
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| Oliver prepared to drive the train and repair it! |
We missed the Gathering Grounds as we passed thru Patagonia a few years back. Thanks for their web link, we won't miss it next time!
ReplyDeleteWe too stopped at Hops and Vines for a wine flight tasting. i not purchase anything. But what a strange name! Hops and grapes; beer and wine; bines and vines all pair well in the name. I guess Bines and Grapes wouldn't attract as much attention.
Love the bright smile on Reese, she just lights up a room. Oliver does look prepared to take chare of the train.
LOL yes the name is "interesting" for sure. I think we'll do a flight next time, but their Sangria is delish. Those kiddos keep us smiling :-)
DeleteSo sad when are furry friends become elderly. How about a buggy for her to ride in after she has walked her fill??
ReplyDeleteDon't see how I'll have much to teach you since solo RVing isn't really any different than any other kind except that you have to do everything and have no one to share the work with.
I'm going to look at a buggy before our adventure - good idea. Your input on best practices for doing everything outside will be invaluable!!
DeleteI breaks my heart when dogs get old. They bring so much joy and unconditional love, I just want them to live forever.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! They're such a huge part of our lives, a part one can't imagine not having.
DeleteGood morning Jodee…I so feel the love and pain in your heart and soul for Tessa. It is heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time! What a sweet heart she is and loves you and Bill so much. Dover was my little shadow for a long while…she was deaf as well.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to go to the theater…but neither of us likes to drive at night. Jamie and Andra might just have to go too! Thanks for mentioning Patagonia…we might just have to head that way soon. I love breakfast Gathering Grounds! Santa Fe is still on my list. What a great adventure that will be and I can’t wait to see/read all about it. I agree with Jeff, Reese’s smile lights up the room and Oliver is the cutest and best prepared engineer I have seen…the hole puncher is quite necessary (and so awesome!).
We're blessed to have these sweethearts in our lives, but we do pay the price at their loss. I highly recommend the matinee at Centennial Hall - great venue all around. Lots of fun eateries between the parking garage and the theater too.
DeleteI love the Sonoita area and it's little wineries. Fun going from one to another and enjoying their offerings and critters! Santa Fe is one or favorite places. If it didn't get so cold, with the possibility of snow, it would have been a real choice for us to settle down.
ReplyDeleteFourteen is a hard one.....
I watch the temps in Santa Fe and am always surprised at just how cold their winters are! Otherwise it would be at the top of my list for sure. I'm glad it's fairly "close" for warmer months visits! Yes, each higher number gets harder.
DeleteSorry to hear about Tessa slowing down. We all can feel it as the years go by way too quickly. Good she is stilling her loving, fluffy self. I did get Jessica that beginner felting kit I asked you about for Christmas. However, it didn't come til late January. Who knew it was coming from Australia! It cost more to ship it here than the kit itself cost. So she got it when we saw her at the Grand Canyon. She's excited to give it a try. Glad you are finding lots of activities to keep busy. A solo trip sounds like so much fun. A girls get away. Hope you get something for Bill to be comfortable in PJ. They make a nice single side wedge for sleeping with a raised top half of your body on Amazon. Let us know if you ever get this way!
ReplyDeleteI hope Jessica likes the felting - especially given how well-traveled it is! I'm still having fun making it up as I go :-) I ordered a three-piece memory foam "set" of wedges and one seems to help so we're as ready as can be for heading out the end of the week!
DeleteWell, you've certainly been having fun! :-)) I want to see more of your felting creations, please. I'm sorry to hear sweet Tessa is beginning to feel her age, but I love what you said about the two of you now being each others' support animals. ❤️ How exciting that you're meeting up with Sherry in Santa Fe! It's one of our all-time favorite places, too.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to put together a collage of felted pieces to post :-) I picked up a Moon's Travel Guide for Santa Fe and Taos and I'm even more excited to check out new places with my travel pal!
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