March.....gong to be such a busy month and with a global pandemic ramping up, there are so many unknowns and I feel like the world is just taking life one day at a time and making things up as they go.. Such a time of uncertainty is upon us.
Jace, KImmy and Kelly arrived in the1st of March and with them brought Mason (Kelly's yorkie) and Neena. They were happy to finally be here as they have been traveling pretty much nonstop for two days. It was time to relax and let their hair down. Breakfast beers were soon to be a reality in your yard.
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| "The boys" playing in the water |
It wasn't too long before the kids had us out on the trails and while they were here we took several trips out into the desert. Jace loves doing the loop around the mountain so that was done at least once.
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| Mitch's quad four wheelin backwards |
While Jace and Kimmy were here, James and Belle arrived with their two kids and a dog and then Scotty and Jill and came with Miss Tessa and their dog. Both brought their RVs so they parked out in the horse property. Jace and Kimmy were staying in our camper as Lorne and Marilyn were in the casita. With the arrival of our extra guests the need for us to "entertain" the children was gone.
It wasn't too long before they all loaded into the side by sides and headed out into the desert. they actually were gone on the trails most days and that was a good thing. They did have one stay at home day where they all challenged Kay to horseshoes and if I remember correctly, they all lost!! Kay is a pro when it comes to horseshoes!! It was a busy few days the "extra" kids were here and their children added to the chaos. The three little ones actually got along very well and their interactions gave both Kay and I several giggles. We celebrated one of their birthdays complete with the smashing of a piñata filled with all sorts of candies and crafts.
For the most part the dogs got along but there were a few tense moments when one thought he was bigger than the other. Holy Buckets!! If it's not the kids, it's the damn dogs!!
All in all, it was a good visit with the 'extra" kids but they soon had to depart. Scott and Jill had to get back to Canada and by this time, there were suggestions as to a 14 day quarantine would be necessary when they got home. The pandemic was still very much a concern. James and Belle had to return to their spot here Arizona where James was going to be working for another little while. Then, they too would be returning to Canada.
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| Hank hunkered down in the back seat of the truck |
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the quail staying out of the nasty weather
on the bird feeder |
Of course we managed to have a bit of nasty weather but that didn't seem to deter any of the activities. Lorne and Marilyn were still around but they were wondering what they should do in view of the Covid 19 global pandemic. There were so many rumors and unknowns floating around that one really didn't know what to do.
We did manage to go for a bar hopping excursion with them and Jace, Kimmy and Kelly. Marilyn had heard about a bar in Nowhere, Arizona so we had to go check it out. It was a cute little bar and we all bought some form on moments of the place. I got a koozy and the kids bought hoodies and tshirts. Kelly bought stuff for her kids back home and Im sure the bar owners were happy that we had drifted in as there was lots of money spent that afternoon. Of course we had to continue to the Kirkland Bar as the kids had never been there. Jace was in awe of all the different signage on the walls. The place is deemed a "historical" building and the musty smell inside the bar verifies that!!
Once we were done with a few beer in Kirkland, we all headed back to Gilligan's in Yarnell. Have and Kim thad been there last year but we had to stop this year as well. It was great fun and I for one had way too many beers and it was time for me to head home to bed. The kids decided to check out the BBQ Depot cause they were not yet done partying!! Good Grief, that was not in my plans and Lorne and Marilyn had had enough as well. We headed home and the rest continued on.
Needless to say.......the following day was a "quiet" day for everyone!! It was a good way to finish off their visit. They left for home on the 13th of March knowing there was a 14 day mandatory quarantine for anyone returning to Canada from abroad. No one was going to be allowed to return to their work. The Covid 19 pandemic was worsening and there continued to be so many unknowns.
Canada had put out a release that all those traveling outside the country were advised to return to Canada immediately or risk not being able to return at all. No one knew what was going to be shutdown and for how long. Countries were starting to hunker down and close their borders.
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| hail |
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| nasty weather on the patio |
Casey and Marissa arrived on the 15th of March. They had crossed the border before it had been closed and travelled long hours to get to us. They brought their two dogs with them and even they were happy to be out of the confines of the car. The kids were not too worried about the corona virus and were bound to enjoy the warm weather despite the pandemic.
They were going to be staying in the camper as Lorne and Marilyn were still in the casita but, that was soon to change.
Lorne had been listening intently to the news and was worried about the virus. There was some suggestion that the medical insurance companies were going to be cancelling policies they had issued due to the global pandemic and advised all travelers to head back to Canada. Lorne decided to return home as Marilyn has a heart condition and it was advised that anyone compromised with underlying medical issues should "social distance" from everyone else.
So, on March 16th, we said goodbye to Lorne and Marilyn and they headed back to Canada where they would self-quarantine for 14 days. It was sad to see them go.
With the casita now empty, we moved Casey and Marissa into it so that they could have more room and have a few more conveniences.
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| Terry and Casey both being rude!! |
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| Hank "helping' Casey under the quad with him |
Terry, one of Kay's good friends is an over the road trucker and whenever he is in the area and, if his schedule allows always stops in for the night. It is always a fun time when Terry arrives and he was able to meet Casey this time around. They got along well and it wasn't too long before a party broke out. Me, being a good girl went to bed early but Casey and Terry stayed up rather late despite the fact that Terry had to be up early. He had an early pick up for his return trip home. The next morning, there was some suggestion as to whether or not the sign near the driveway was perhaps a little askew. It looked like it had been "rubbed the wrong way" by something on the way by!! Of course the trie tracks running over a nearby cactus told the story!! Apparently, it had been a good party!!
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| not sure what it is but looks creepy |
While Casey and Marissa where there, we took several trips out to the trails in the side by sides and everyone enjoyed that. Both the kids were at awe of the splendor of the desert. They too were under the impression that it was a rather bleak and dreary place. They both realized quickly that it was sooo much more.
Of course many of our trips were planned dodging the rain storms but that really didn't dampen any spirits. The best part though was the beautiful rainbows we got to see after the rains.
Marissa apparently loves to hike so John mentioned that I had hiked Vulture Peak Trail and had climbed to the top of Vulture Peak so Marissa decided that they should do that as well.
The kids packed their backpack one morning and took off to do the hike. Of course Marissa did not have any decent hiking boots but was lucky enough to fit Kay's so that was a good thing. It took several hours but they managed to get to the top and enjoy the view. One can see for miles up there and it is a hike well worth the effort. They both enjoyed it but were pretty sore for a few days after that.
Marissa had also planned a horseback ride for the two of them as well so that was another day spent doing more muscle aching activity. I think Casey felt the horseback ride more than the hike. Out came the Tylenol and muscle relaxant and before too long they were feeling better!! I think maybe the adult beverages may have helped too.
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| resting after another long day |
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| Rainbow |
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| Kay and Hank |
The Covid 19 (corona virus) pandemic was still very much in the news and the individual states were all putting in precautions. They was a "stay at home" order in most states and "shelter in place" order as well. People were advised to do minimal traveling and that meant only is necessary. President Trump had closed the border to any international travel. People started hoarding food and anything else they thought they may need as they did not know how long these orders were to be in place. It was advised that only one person leave the house to do any shopping so I was the one that went to the store. It really was surreal to see all the bare shelves in the grocery stores. There was no toilet paper to be found anywhere which was really strange since the corona virus was a respiratory ailment and not a stomach/bowel thing!! Most of the staples such as flour, sugar, beans, pasta, water and yeast were gone as well. People were hoarding mass quantities and the stores had yet to put limitations on the amounts that people could buy. Of course, they finally did institute limitations but it was too late by then....the shelves were empty and no one really knew what items would be on the next delivery trucks. It truly was something to witness. It was also a bit scary and brought home just how fearful people were about this uncertain time we were living in. The media did nothing but inflame the fear and anxiety so that didn't help the situation either.
I suggested to Casey and Marissa that they should think about heading home earlier than they had planned but both said no. They had looked forward to this vacation for too long to cut it short. Of course we were kind of isolated where we were so they really were not too worried. And, being young, they thought themselves indestructible!!
John and I had decided that we would "shelter in place" for the time being. We really had no intentions of returning to Canada any earlier than we had to. We were just as safe in Congress as we would have been back home. Of course there is the fact that we live in an RV and it was still bloody cold back home!! Canada too had closed their borders by this time to all international travel. It would be interesting to see if Casey and Marissa had any difficulty crossing back into Canada.
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| horses in the wash |
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| crested cactus |
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| Kay, Casey, John and Marissa |
While the kids were here, we took them to see the crested cactus and drove past Stanton Ghost Town. Of course we couldn't go into Stanton due to the Covid crisis and the sign at the gate stating that no one was allowed to enter definitely told us we were not welcome!! We carried on to Box Canyon then travelled back home. It was a good day and the kids got to see even more of the Arizona desert. They were not able to see "the box" as all the recent rains had the Hassayamppa river flowing far to fast to even risk it. But, I'm sure they will come visit again and we will be able to show them what they missed this time around.
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| Marissa standing infront of a saguaro |
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| creeping vegetation |
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| Kay and Kim with stupid hat on head |
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| Kelly relaxing at Box Canyon |
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| Jace, Lorne and Marilyn at Gilligan's in Yarnell |
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| KImmy and Marie at Gilligan's |
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| Kay and Kelly at Gilligan's |
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| awesome rainbow |
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| Marissa, chillin with three dogs on couch in man cave |
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| Casey and Marie (Mother and son) |
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| Out on the trails |
Mitch (one of our friends) stores his side by side at Kay's place and doesn't care if we use it when we have company. Casey and Marissa used it while they were there. There is a saying when the kids take it out...."if you break it, you fix it" and this became very true in their case. Marissa had gotten out of the side by side to open the gate and did not shut the door. She had been told a few times that day to shut the door when she got out. Casey, not paying attention, didn't; realize the door was open, drove through the gate, hooked the door on the way through and bent it farther that it wanted to go!!! Shit Oh Dear......$600.00 dollars later and it was fixed as good as new!!
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| vicious game of 31 |
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| Casey on the trail - surveying the situation |
We celebrated Casey's birthday while they were there and that was good as it had been several years since we have been together on that date to do so. I even baked him a cake!!
The time flew by and despite some lousy weather, the kids were able to get a bit of a tan. Marissa had taken over the spot where Kimmy usually sits and tans. And, there were several "breakfast" beers consumed as well while they were there. Alll too soon, it was time for them to pack up and head out. They planned on going home a different way than when they arrived so that they could see more country. John provided a route home and gave them the necessary maps so they wouldn't get lost. They departed on March 27th. It was bittersweet to see the kids leave but then again, the quiet would be welcomed. We had been entertaining kids and more kids for several weeks now and we were all looking forward to the peace and quiet!!
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| Kay and Marie at Antelope Creek |
Once things had settled and the weather improved, we managed to take a road trip to Antelope Creek. It was a sunny day and we stopped at our usual spot. We toasted to Lorne and Marilyn who unfortunately. had to leave early. We then traveled a bit further down the trail and found an even nicer spot along the creek so now think that this spot will be our "go to" place instead of sitting right beside the road in the old spot. We will have to show Lorne and Marilyn this spot cause it is sooo much nicer.
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| Antelope Creek - so serene and quiet |
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| Great spot for a beer |
March ended with more nice weather and once again, it was time to start thinking about John's and my trip home. It was coming up way too fast and for some reason, I didn't really want to leave here and go home. Even John mentioned a few times about being able to stay longer which is rather unusual for him as he really has no great love for temperatures in the 90s let alone the 100s!!
We are both quite content in Arizona. Life is Good!!
