A Drive To The Cliff Caves.....and more!

Saturday brought a heavy cloud cover and cool desert temperatures.  It did not feel like a shorts and T-shirt kind of day.   We had planned to drive out to the Roosevelt Dam area and visit Tonto National Monument...and, more specifically....to hike up to the cliff caves.Tonto National Monument - Tonto National Monument   We did just that!

Interesting rock formations

On our way out from Gold Canyon, we stopped by our good friend's Golf Resort.  Rick joined us for the day trip.And what a day that was!

Approaching Roosevelt Lake from the east side.  The west to east drive - on Apache Trail - is a rough, windy and graveled road. Our route was east on Highway 60 to Globe then on to Highway 188 to the Roosevelt Dam.

It is a good hike to get up to the cliff caves but the trail is well maintained and it made for a fairly easy walk up.

Easton was well secured in a hiking backpack that Trevor carried up to the cliff caves.  He was a trooper....and so was his dad.  Neither of them complained about the steep walk up.  LOL

Ginette, Trevor and Easton.....nearing the cliff cave dwelling.

This hike was well worth the effort.  The history is most interesting.  How the native folks adapted to living here is impressive.  To build these cliff dwellings did require some ingenuity.  And to source food from local plants and animals is equally impressive.

L-R  Rick, Easton on Trevor's back, me and Ginette.

We spent some time listening to the park ranger who was quick with answers to our questions.  We all marveled at the stamina it took to hike, source and build these high mountain cliff dwellings.

Jeanette enjoys a peaceful look at what the original cliff dwellers saw every day of their lives.

The park ranger (L) is answering our questions.

Easton needed some refreshment before the long hike back down.

Jeanette captured this beautiful photo from deep inside the cliff cave.

On the hike back down to the parking area, we stopped and read all about the natural flora this area offered the natives. 

Working their way back down.

Out of his hiking back pack, Easton enjoyed some supported walking around before we drove out of the area.

Back at the fiver, I was multitasking while Ginette and Jeanette prepared a wonderful shrimp Currie dish.

Sunday saw Ginette, Jeanette and Easton tour around.  They headed to Frontier Town too.  While they busied with that, Trevor joined Rick, Denis and me for a round of golf at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort.  We played the 'Sidewinder' course.  Although a cool day, it was sunny and we did manage to play in short sleeve shirts....once the sun did its job.

Enjoying breakfast at the resort before our Tee-off

I manned the camera to capture Rick, Trevor and Denis at the First Tee.

Beautiful scenery to play in.

Rick at the ready to pound one out there.

Trevor's turn with a 3 wood.

The 19th hole was held at our RV sport in Canyon Vista RV Resort.

Denis took a turn with Easton. He wanted to stay with the guys following our return from golf.

The cool temperatures returned in the late afternoon and, for the first time ever, we took my birthday gift out the fiver garage, assembled it and, once connected to a propane tank, we had instant outdoor heat.  It is an impressive fireplace.

To warm up, Ginette and Trevor headed for the hot tub and pool and, a wee bit later, Jeanette readied Easton to head over there....and to tour the area too.

This is a cool shot in the grasses at the resort.

Easton got to see his mom and dad enjoying the hot tub.

Last evening, we had some RV friends over to share a wee dram over the nice, warm, fire.  Bonnie and Fritz, from Iowa, were first up and then followed by another RV couple (Randy and Alice)  from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta - a suburb of the City of Edmonton.  Friends of Bonnie and Fritz also joined in for a while to warm up by the fire.  We enjoyed some fun laughter.....and teasing....and ribbing....and, well, you get the point.  It was pure fun!  The RVing lifestyle is an absolute treat to experience and to enjoy with like minded folks.  It's pure gold!

Oh...so...nice.

The chill in the night air was made bearable with the fire.  All agreed that without it, we would all have been sitting in the comfort of our RV's.

The sun has set in the west....and the clear, orange sky announces darkness that is soon to fall.

We have had so much pleasure having Ginette, Trevor and Easton along for this past week. We've also enjoyed great golf outings and fabulous dinners.  The icing on the RVing cake was the ability to share it with like minded old and new friends.  That is a gift to cherish....and that we do!

Our little Easton - his folks too - sadly leave us tomorrow (Tuesday) for the flight back home to Langley, BC, Canada. Although we will miss them, we will have some wonderful memories to carry us through our winter travels.  I know that Jeanette will really miss that special morning 'alone time' spent with Easton, playing on our bed while his folks slept in.  It was routine, since their arrival, to get Easton - when he woke up - and carry him to his Nana's bed - with toys in tow - to enjoy that special time.

Ginette and Trevor have today off.  Jeanette and I are looking after Easton while his parents are off touring around Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the other wonderful tourist spots this area has to offer.

We'll spend a few more days enjoying Canyon Vista RV Resort before packing in earnest and readying to leave for our one month stay in Yuma, AZ., this coming Friday, Feb. 15th.  The more normal warm desert weather will return to its customary norms in a few days. Yeah to that!

Thanks for dropping by.

...And The Fun Continues!

With Easton around, it sure has kept us busy; laughing, playing, feeding, snuggling, hugging and more.   The little RV traveler, that he has become, finds him true to his regular home routine.  He has been a busy little fella with all of the attention and outings.  Yet, he rolls so well with all of the activities....and sleeps right through the night.

Jeanette is heading for the hills.....'The Silly Mountain Trails',  on Superstition Mountain.

Outdoor enthusiasts that they are, Ginette and Trevor were looking forward to hiking.  With Easton, seated in a hiking backpack, they set off, on a beautiful Thursday morning.

They all agreed that, for a first hike, this 'Silly Mountain' was a really good choice.

Although not at the top of the mountain, this was a good mid point to take a break.  Easton was not overly keen on sitting in the backpack so he was carried part of the way up.

Time for some hiking experience on some rocks.

After all of that hard work in the desert sun, Easton wanted to chill out and that they did do once they returned to the RV park.

So many new experiences....but he sure took to loving the warm pool water.

Even Easton's nana got to spend some swim time with him while Ginette and Trevor basked in the hot sun.  They don't want to go home without looking a little bit tanned!

While the family was busy hiking, I was back on the links with my West Coast buddies trying to improve on the score.  And that I did! I knocked off 12 strokes from the day before.  My drives were better and the short game improved too.  It was pay back time too because I did win back the few dollars lost on the previous game....and ended in a good profit position.  Yeah!

We hosted the 'après golf' customary 19th hole beer at our RV spot.

We had also planned to host a barbecued steak dinner for our golfing friends - and family visitors -  on Thursday evening, and all but Philippe and Diane could attend.

L-R  Philippe and Denis......calculating the money they owed me!

Phil could not stay for dinner.  They had other plans.  Denis left to collect Odette and returned for dinner.  Rick hung out with us and, our RV blogging friends, Rod and Sylvia, Six Saturdays and a Sunday | Work's over, now it's time to play!   dropped by for a visit.  It was a perfect afternoon in the sun.  We shared some fun laughs and learned a thing or two about some good tourist spots to visit around here.

L-R   Rod, Sylvia, Ginette, me, Trevor and Jeanette.  Rick is the official photographer.

Mom and daughter painted this funky colour on their toe nails.  We could spot them anywhere in a crowd simply by looking at feet. If they got lost in the desert, they could easily be spotted by search and rescue airplanes.

Easton was in fine form too and looking forward to all the visitors for the barbecue.

Rick and Easton are familiar with each other.  Some of you may recall our regular Sunday, 'Open Mike' sessions(back home) and on one of those pre-Christmas occasions, I brought Easton along.  He took to Rick then and also here.  He and Rick had some good 'face time' together.   I was teaching him to drink water from a glass.  He took to that quickly too....but more likely due to the hot conditions.

Denis and Odette, (below) arrived and I started to barbecue the baked potatoes and steaks while Jeanette was busy with the rest of the menu preparations.  The others enjoyed visiting.

L-R  Odette, Denis, Easton and Ginette.  

Easton got spoiled again with a precious little blue stuffed bear that Odette and Denis brought along. They also brought along a fine Napa Valley wine that was thoroughly enjoyed with the Filet Mignon steaks.

We enjoyed a wonderful outdoor meal on a lovely outdoor desert night.

Yesterday (Friday) was a family day.  No golf!  What?  Our kids wished to to a bit of shopping so off we went, late morning, looking for a few sport stores.  The truck was also served a full tank of diesel before we headed off on the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flats. The 'S' curve road is slow going but we arrived to a busy Tortilla Flats and on time to enjoy lunch in the saloon.

We did stop along the way to enjoy some fine Arizona scenery.

Cowboy Easton....trying on some western hats in Tortilla Flats.

Following a good lunch, we made the slow drive back to Canyon Vista RV Park....for a well earned soak in the hot tub.

Ginette and I challenged Jeanette and Trevor to a quick game of Bocce.  The beautiful facilities in this park are underutilized....but we took advantage of that.

Today is another touring day.  Rick will join in when we head further west towards Globe, AZ., and points further east and north.  More to come on that.

Thanks for dropping by.

Easton Has Landed....and It's Been Fun, Fun, Fun!

Easton, our grandson, arrived with his parents in tow, yesterday, at the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway airport.  You want to see his grandmother smile? 

Trevor Ginette and Easton are visiting for the week....and it sure is fun for us......and them too.  Although they all had to get up at 4:00 am, to catch the flight down, Easton would not settle for a nap.  Not a chance!  Hey, he's come all this way to have fun in the sun so, no naps.  And what a trooper he was. He was his usual smiley and happy self.

Easton is checking out his new digs...

Letting Nana feed him lunch.

While we gave him the 25 cent tour of his accommodations and the RV park, his parents were fast enjoying the sun and heat.

"OK Nana, these digs will suit me fine.  I have plenty of things to play with and the outside play site is pretty nice too.  I'm set to enjoy my holiday!"

Once he had a good look indoors, we were outdoors where he played himself out.  New toys acquired by his grandmother had him busy.

 

  

In a previous blog, we introduced our readers to Teresa and Trent.  Learning of Easton's arrival, Teresa - a grandmother too - longed for a hug and face time. She asked for a bit of substitute time with Easton.  It doesn't replace her grandchildren but it was fun. Well, Easton didn't really mind.  After all, Teresa and Trent brought a new toy along!  "Whoa, nice folks these are.  Bring it on!  I get to hug these folks and I get a brand new toy!  That is win, win!" 

L-R  Teresa with Easton, Rick, Trevor and Trent.

We enjoyed a lovely early evening outdoors.

Easton moved over to his mom for some dinner before his much needed bed time.  Once down, he slept the entire night - save for a 3:30 am requirement for some refreshments before sleeping till 7:00 am.

"Hey mom, where's my dinner?"

Jeanette and Teresa engaged in conversation.

L - R    Jeanette, Teresa and good friend, Rick, who flew down for some golf

Teresa and Trent had returned from dinner out to celebrate her birthday and, when they left, we barbecued some dinner and enjoyed a lovely evening sitting outdoors.

Rick is digging in to the food.  Ummm, ummmm, good!

Early this morning (Wednesday) my good friend, Denis, came by our RV park to hustle me off to meet Phil and Rick for a round of golf at the Gold Canyon Mountain side golf and country club.  What a treat this course is.   It is expensive but, through  Denis' connections, we got to play at near half price.  This resort is 5 star!

The course leaves one believing the grass is manicured with scissors.  It is just that stunning!

We have been playing golf, as a foursome for many, many years.  To meet here in the desert is a gift too.  Phil (and spouse, Diane) winter here while Deni (and spouse, Odette) fly here several times during the winter months.  Rick, as many blog followers may recall, will fly down anytime for golf too.  So, we all agreed, several months back, to meet up here for a few golf rounds.  

Tomorrow's round (Thursday) will have us meeting up at the same resort as today but playing the 'Sidewinder' course. We are led to believe that it is a wee bit easier than today's round.

L-R   Denis, Rick and Philippe  (Yours truly manned the camera)

We did have a fun round and Phil won with a solid  88.  Well done!  The rest of us had some magic moments on this challenging golf course.  There were moments of brilliance interspersed with moments of dread.  No complaints!  That's golf!

I was personally attracted to a lot of the desert you see above.  On the front nine, I seemed to drive my ball away from the lush green grass and into the desert.  That cost me several penalty strokes.  I woke up on the back nine and the game improved exponentially.

Some truly beautiful homes dot this exceptional golf resort.

The tee boxes, fairways and putting greens were in immaculate condition! The greens ran true.  If you read the line and putted right, the ball would go in the hole.  Unlike less manicured and managed golf courses, this course was well worth the value.

Such beauty!

Rick and Phil share a moment below but I'm not sure if it was because they really like each other or whether one beat the other on a bet.   LOL  It is always a great day out with these guys.

Back at the RV, I played with Easton before he enjoyed his dinner and a nice bath.  We caught the photo of him fooling around with his dad before bed time.

Easton sat out and enjoyed watching us have out dinner but shortly after, he was sound asleep.

We ended our evening outdoors, chatting and laughing before closing things up and calling it a night.

While I was at golf, Jeanette, Ginette, Trevor and Easton enjoyed the pools and other facilities here at Canyon Vista RV Resort. Tomorrow, they have a hike in their plans followed by more pool time and general R & R.  More on that later.....!

Life is good....oh, and fun too!

Thanks for dropping in.