It is so wonderful to be able to spend time outdoors. Especially when I hear of the terrible weather back home. Wanted to share with you the variety of cactus that I've discovered here at the resort. (Okay, one is a lemon tree!) Wish I could share the sunshine as well!

A perfect Sunday afternoon...enjoying a cold beer sitting on a outdoor patio. Add to that mountains in the background on three sides. The horses are "parked" in the parking lot. Yes, cowboys and cowgirls ride up on their horses...hats, chaps and spurs! Meet us at Filly's!!!

This is the spot that we call home. Our "candominium" Must admit it was a little tough getting use to living in tight quarters, but once we figured out how things operated, etc. we found ourselves very comfortable. The trailer has a slide out on the other side which increases our living space. We have not yet lowered the canopy...we love soaking in all the sun we can get!

The resort is very nice and well-maintained. Each spot has a huge palm tree on it, so it is just breath taking to look up and down the street. These pictures are from the street we live on. The sunsets here are just beautiful. Night after night the palm trees stand proud in front of a canvas that only God can create.

I love taking a walk every morning. It is a such a treat to see flowers blooming in January. It is not unusual to be out walking and come upon an orange, grapefruit or lemon tree. They seem to be everywhere. So many different types of birds, foliage, flowers and cactus!

We have been to visit DeAnne a couple of times. It seemed so strange to see her settled into her own life and career. The one shot is taken from the balcony of her apartment looking out over the pool area.

Holiday Park is her school where she is the psychologist. She is learning very fast the pros and cons of working with students and parents! We had the pleasure of meeting her principal...no doubt, DeAnne is well respected and her talents are greatly appreciated.
Spent an afternoon with her and her friends in downtown Tempe. DeAnne wanted all the folks back home to know that YES she does have friends :) Had a great time telling stories of growing up on the farm and what it was like to be a member of the Price family. No doubt, we created some good memories!!

This is a saguaro cactus on our street. Locals tell us that this type of cactus has to be at least 80 years old before it grows arms. Well, the cactus has Jerry beat on the height, but Jerry already has two arms and he's not quite 80!!

Stopping in Benson

The final night of our journey was spent in Benson, AZ. We stayed at a KOA campground which was very nice and clean. Getting up and hitting the road early was not a problem for we knew our final day of traveling was waiting for us.

Rainbows of New Mexico

The landscape in New Mexico was desolate at first...flat and full of a certain kind of cactus that actually looks like a small bush. Saw a herd of antelopes. Beautiful little creatures but not much bigger than a goat (no, the deer were not playing with them!) Further into New Mexico, we were able to see mountains all along the western horizon, but the tumbleweeds were still tumbling! As we approached the mountains, a storm was approaching them from the opposite direction. I actually saw numerous rainbows bloom from the field right next to the highway. It was a beauty beyond words - rainbow after rainbow.

Adventures of New Mexico

We saw a first...a true red-neck fence!! Used tires were stacked on top of one another, tread to tread about five tires high. Was amazed as to how they connected them to stand up like that. The cows were sticking their heads through the tires smiling at us as we drove by. In all the amazement, I forgot to take a picture and I couldn't talk Jerry into turning around and going back. Build your own picture in your mind!!! Our second night was spent in Santa Rosa, New Mexico in a Good Sam RV Park. Didn't get over 30 for two days and one night it actually was 13!! Found out how to operate the furnace. Ended up spending our third night there as well, due to a major snow storm ahead of us. They actually got 40 inches of snow!!!! (and I thought we were going to warmer places!!!!) When we had all we could stand of doing nothing, (well, the picture tells it all) we decided to head South around the mountains and come up on the under side of Phoenix. Turns out it was a beautiful experience.

Experiencing BFK, BFO, BFT

You have all heard of BFE! Well, we didn't go as far as Egypt because we didn't need to. Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas took care of that!!!! Most exciting thing we saw were the tumble weeds. We ran over many of them on the highway. Those that didn't make it across the highway were piled several feet deep along the fences. Finally, when we were well into Texas, we saw some serious cattle ranches. Thousands of head of cattle herded into pens. It was hard to get a picture that showed the enormity of the operation. The black in these photos are actually angus cattle. They were nonstop on both sides of the roads for at least a mile.

Freedom To Take Your Time

Stayed on the Kansas Turnpike headed for Wichita where we picked up 54. Stopped for lunch outside of Minneola at a road side rest stop. Jerry was in a really big rush and cut his nap back to an hour. One of the joys of pulling your own Holiday Inn!

Heading West

We traveled over 36 and then down 35 through Kansas City. The sun was setting while on 35 and it was one of those that completely filled the sky. Added to that beauty, flocks of geese where everywhere getting ready to roast for the night. Made it through Friday rush hour traffice in KC with no problems. Guess driving in Chicago paid off!! Our first night on the road was spent in a Service Center along the Kansas Turnpike. Easy pull in parking, convience store, fuel and an attached McDonald. Gee, does life get any better??

Day One

Dreams really can come true! Jerry and I have always dreamed of owning a 5th wheeler and being able to travel. Jan. 2, 2009 was the first day of that dream.