Mesa Arizona

Jan. 8 to Jan. 31st.

We arrived at Monte Vista RV  Resort on Jan. 8th and settled into our spot.  There are over 800 sites here and most are double wide or park model homes.  There are a few empty sites where short timers are put.  We have a large patio and even our own garbage and recycle cans.  It's like living in a small town.   The people are friendly and there are many activities to participate in.  Dick has been doing shuffleboard and I am taking silversmithing class and lapidary.  Every sport is offered here and lots of different crafts.  There is a cluster of buildings where the different crafts are offered and someone is there to teach and help.  We are enjoying our time here.

Office

Fountain

Hot tub

Small pool

Large Pool

Studios for crafts

Dick got into a jeep group and we go out into the desert on trips with them.  They are located at a different RV resort in Apache Junction but we have been welcomed into their group.  We have gone with them on three trips.  We went into the Box Canyon and the high rock walls on both sides of the one lane road was impressive.   The desert around Phoenix area is beautiful with lots of different cactus and trees.  We saw a crested Saguaro cactus which are really rare and the cause is not known.  The growing tip produces a fan-like form

First trip into Box Canyon

 

Boys had to climb the rocks, girls got out and watched.

Dicks turn

Crested Saguaro

Second trip in the desert.

Driving through the Saguaros

Everyone at the top

Heating pulled pork for lunch

Third trip in desert

Going down a rocky stair like area in road.  Girls got out and watched again.

Lunch time.

Dick and I spent an evening in Glendale where it was the last night for the Christmas lights in the center of town.  Small hot air balloons were filled and raised in the middle of the streets.  There were rides and food and lots of people.

Balloon blowing up

The weather has been fabulous, warm and sunny most days.  There are 2 pools to cool off in and a hot tub.   I finished my three projects in silversmithing and working on making pendents in lapidary.

Two pendents I made in class

Lapidary stones I'm working on.

We are going to Hawaii on Feburary 1st for two weeks and visiting three islands.  We're meeting Chad, Mel, Jacob and Andrew in Kauai for a week.  I will blog our trip when we get back to Mesa. 

Happy Travels, Barb