Moving Through February

 February 12 - 29, 2024

Tombstone, Arizona

Having this blog with all our adventures saved inside means we can keep them with us. The other, even more wonderful, sustainable part of our traveling/blogging life are the great friends we've made over the years. No matter how much traveling or not-traveling we're all doing, we've still maintained the joy of having these people in our lives. Seeing them in person is best, but we also stay in touch between those meetings. Such a blessing.

In October of 2015, after reading each other for a couple years, we first met up with Sue and Dave (Beluga's exellent adventure) in the eastern Sierras on California's beautiful Hwy 395. Since then we've visited with them from New York to the Mexico border, and now a couple times at our respective new winter-homes in Arizona. It's fun that although we all come from different states, many of us have "landed" in Arizona - at least seven bloggers I can think of all call the area home now!

The previously mentioned Hwy 93 through Wickenburg takes us right by them, so on our return trip from Kingman on Monday we must make a stop for some catching up and a few hugs! Good intentions aside, I don't get a pic of all of us this time :-) Of course it's never enough time as we so enjoy these two, but we will definitely come back for a longer visit in the future. Their little town is so cute, and when there isn't a big event happening, the drive is a nice one. Too soon, we're back on the highway and headed south.

We deem our first non-RV adventure a success, and doable for the three of us. We'll still take the motorhome to the reunion in April, but the suitcase option no longer seems so daunting.

While in Kingman we made plans for Valentines Day dinner with Anna and Donnie and some other friends. Wednesday night 10 of us gather at the delicious German Cafe where A and D's daughter-in-law is manager, and our server for the evening. It's a fun time with old and new friends. I have to remember just how good their food is! I've held up the blog waiting for the pic of all of us, but will just have to post without it :-(

For such a simple life, there sure seem to be a lot of "errands" to run every week! I'm so happy we got the second car. Pretty sure I know by heart every curve, fence post, and mountain shape between home and Sierra Vista now! Fortunately it's a lovely drive that changes with the seasons. I make a solo run to Tucson for a massage and a little shopping, then Bill and I return the following week for his appointment and a tasty lunch at El Minuto for great tacos. 

Before we leave Tucson we make a stop to look at options for smaller RVs. It's the first time in many years since I've looked at other rigs - it's fun to see a few different floor plans. There are so many things to consider if we're going to continue travels with in-home dialysis, but it really does look possible space-wise. Plenty of time to make the final decision (so of course I want to do it right now!). 

Tuesday crafts meet-up continues to be a fun time with fun peeps. I'm missing three in a row with appointments and the upcoming visit, and look forward to seeing them all again soon.

Rebecca and I take a short day-trip to nearby Brown Canyon Ranch. Our surrounding mountains all have unique locations and history - mostly stories of ranching and mining. The interior includes a few period pieces and plaques on local historic families. The exterior is my favorite with gorgeous views and sweet vintage corrals.

One of the more fun stories is that of Granny Cow, purchased in 1947 and kept as a favorite pet for 23 years. The Barchas family kept every calf she ever had, many of them continuing chains that continue today.

Winter isn't letting go just yet and we get a full day of cold rain, wind and hail to remind us. Glad to be tucked inside a solid house on these days :-)

Bringing the storm.

Stormy days often reward us with incredible sunsets. I never tire of their amazing beauty!

Cassidy making silly faces.

Her big brother Henry is ready to tackle his craft project!

Scouts M&M enjoying a sunny California day.

Oliver shares his own silly face.