We have one set of long-time friends who live at Happy Trails Resort in Surprise, Arizona full time and another set who live there part time. Last year we stayed there for a month visiting with them while we waited for the rest of the country to "warm up". This year we were talked into doing it for 3 months. With the crazy weather the way it's been...it was a good idea!
When we planned this trip, I had all kinds of things I wanted to do during our stay, knowing that Happy Trails has lots of shops (sewing, crafts, wood, etc) and classes (dance, computer, photography, etc). With all the wonderful sunshine I envisioned I would get all this great exorcise in riding my bike everywhere, swimming in the pool and (re) learning line dancing! Then at the end of the the 3 months I would be 20 pounds lighter! Wouldn't that be a fun way to loose the weight? ;-)
Well...of course we all know that didn't happen! One broken wrist later, and I spent the next 3 months going to doctors and physical therapists! So, no sewing, crafts, dancing, swimming or (more) biking for me! ;-(
What I did do though (besides all those "appointments"), is read a lot and meet a lot of nice people! Being in one place for that long of time affords you the time to get to know the people around you.
Our friends like to have people over, and several nights a week John & Dolores "were cooking" and/or "having drinks" at their site. It was not uncommon for there to be 8 to 10 of us there several nights a week. They loved it, and we all loved being there!
I might not have been able to do much, but Jack kept busy. Besides taking care of me, which at the beginning of my injury was pretty "full time", he got involved in the wood shop. We have a game board called Aggravation that we enjoy playing that we learned from my family in Washington. I thought it would be nice for him to make my two sisters each a board for Christmas this year. We found some great wood on sale and he had fun creating some nice designs for them. They turned out wonderful! I'm glad someone got something done here!
Just before we left, I was (finally) able to hold my heavy camera a bit, and went around the resort and took a few pictures. The cactus are starting to bloom and many are just about bursting with flowers! I could hardly contain myself! Here are a couple of snaps of a few of them. In another week or two this place will be a blaze of color tho...
We also got our RV washed and polished. It's quite a job, since she's 10 years old and gets oxidized pretty badly. It took 3 guys all day long, but they made her shine like new again! Yea! ;-)
The last week of March seems to be the "end of the season" for many as well, because the parties were hopping! Several nightly! Some even had block parties with a live band! Food, fun, lots of laughter and camaraderie was everywhere! We almost hated to leave...
But leave we must...as that's what we do! Places to see, adventures to experience...and onward to new roads!
...on the road in Arizona, Marie
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