February 2019

Our brand

February .... truly a very busy month.  We were busy trying to get things ready for when all our company came and we actually did very well.  Kay was still working throughout the week and came home on weekends.  We were able to get a lot done and were pretty much as ready as we could be by the time the guests arrived.  Of course all throughout his period we were still getting guests in the casita so I was very busy with the housekeeping chores once our paying guests left.  This actually kept me busy for the whole time we were in Arizona.  Housekeeping was one of the jobs that I was able to contribute to the cause so between John, Kay and myself, we actually gelled very well and it really did work out well.  John was the builder, I was the cleaner and Kay maintained her work schedule during the week.  On the weekends we all pitched in and did what needed to be finished up. Because we didn't have enough projects on the go, John started building the fence in the back yard.  This would allow our guests access to the laundry room without having to worry about running into Booko who is one of those mean scary pitbulls!!  Actually he is a big sweetheart but does look very intimidating!!.  The fence would also, once it is finished totally enclose the yard and that means that there could be no chance encounters with the ever present javelina that tend to be nocturnal.  I always worry that Booko would meet one on his late night pee break so we always closed to doggie door at night.  A finished fence would stop this worry.

snow

We got a freak of a snow storm which dumped about eight inches of wet, heavy snow on the ground.  Unfortunately it came just as the kids arrived.  They were not impressed and we of course blamed them for bringing it down with them.  They were supposed to leave it in Saskatchewan!!
The only good thing about all the snow was that the temperature was still quite mild.  Kimmy was hoping to get some suntanning in but that had to wait for a few days.  She did get to do the tanning she wanted but that was after a pretty good burn!!

Coors in Daisy's bed covered with her pink blanket

Naomie had booked to stay in the casita for a few days while the kids were down so she got to meet Jace and Kimmy and the rest of the gang.  Of course there was partying in the mancave the whole time they were there and Naomie joined in like one of the family.  Daisy (Naomie's dog) got along with all the rest of the four legged creatures that arrived with the kids.
Jace and Kimmy brought Neena and Coors.   Coors is a big old pitbull who loves kids and cats.  He is a gentle giant and took to Daisy like they had been friends forever.  Naomie was very relieved by that.  Of course she has heard all the scary stories about pitbulls but wasn't totally convinced until she saw Coors all curled up in Daisy's tiny pink doggie bed!!  That big scary pitbull won her over right then!!

And a party broke out!!

By the time Jace and KImmy arrived he was a few weeks past the surgical repair on this ankle and spent his time mobilizing with the help of a little scooter thing.  Apparently it easily takes the place of crutches and Jace was mobilizing like a pro.  He did not appreciate the uneven decorative bricks in the sidewalk but after a few "almost" tip overs, he managed to navigate the sidewalk without too many difficulties.

Snow and more snow

The snow came in all its furry and although it was not a real issue with any of us, Naomie was scheduled to leave and head back to Las Vegas.  She was scheduled to work and needed to get back despite the lousy weather and the advisory to stay off the roads.  She was going to be very busy over the next several weeks and was worried about Daisy so asked if I would take care of her until she was able to come get her.  I agreed and Daisy stayed with us when Naomie left.
There was snow packed on top of her car and she actually had no idea as to how to get it off.  She had been living in Vegas for 30 odd years and had seen snow only a few times.  This was truly overwhelming for her.   Well, the boys came to the rescue for her and cleaned off her car and the windshield (she had never seen a snow brush before).  After they gave her a bit of a push  to get her fancy Mustang going in the slush and ice of the driveway, she was headed out.  She managed to get to Vegas after sitting several hours in a traffic jam outside of Kingman, Az due to an accident.  Apparently it was a rather harrowing trip home and one I'm sure she does not want to repeat.  She did however, arrive safe and sound.
Of course the snow did not deter the kids from heading out into the desert on the side by sides.  They took lots of pictures as they had never seen snow in the desert before and were awed by the spectacle they saw.   How blessed were they to see snow glistening on the majestic arms of the many saguaro cactus and the sun shining down on them.  They made lots of memories that day.

Daisy and Booko

Booko and Neena

The snow melted and Bernie and Gloria, Jace and Kimmy and Jaustin and Shanna headed into the racetrack in Phoenix to watch the drag races for a few days.  The weather remained on the cool side but that did not stop Kimmy from sitting in the stands in her tank top and when they returned to us she was supporting a wonderful burn.  She was quite proud of it saying that the sunshine was what she had come to Arizona for!!

crested cactus

The snow was gone in three days and the sum came out.   It was time to take the kids touring and we hit the trails in the side by sides.   We took them to see Box Canyon in the hopes that we could actually show Justin and Shanna the box but were uncertain if we would be able to get through the water.   With all the rain that we had and now the snow, there was a chance that the flow of the water would be prohibitive.
We stopped at the crested cactus along the way to show them this phenomenon.  They are rare to see so it was a necessary stop.  Only one in every ten thousand saguaro are "crested" or "crowned".  Scientists are not really sure what causes the malformation.  We are lucky enough to have one of these beauties close to us so we always take those interested to see it.
We made a quick stop at Stanton Ghost Town (which is now a thriving gold mining town) where it is said to have 13 ghosts that inhabit the area.  It has a very rich and violent history and truly is quite fascinating.  I loved walking around the old restored building and I think the kids did too.
We then headed down the trail towards Box Canyon stopping every so often to admire the fauna and flora.  Bernie was in awe of the huge saguaro cactus that looked like they were growing right out of the rocks.  He said "Wow" so many times I lost count!!

Rocky hillside and saguaro

Teddy Bear Cholla often called "jumping' cholla as it tends
to jump on any passerby that happens to disturb it.  Once it is on
you, it is hard to get off!!

wild horses on the way to Box Canyon

beer break

Justin and Shanna

As suspected, we were unable to get to the box due to the flow of the water but that did not stop Justin or Jace from trying to get to the big cottonwoods further down the river.  The rest of us "smart" ones stayed behind.  It wasn't long before Jace came back as Justin had been caught in the quicksand and was totally stuck.  John had to take the jeep down to him and was lucky enough to be able to winch him out!!  Justin really had no idea how lucky he was,  as the Hassayamppa quicksand has claimed many a victim.
With that little adventure behind us, we headed back to the house.  It was time for beers and food.

headed up to "Lookout" on a trail around the back side of the mountain

Another of our tours took us on a longer Loop Trail out behind the house.  The terrain was varied with a combination of rocks. boulders, sand trails and shelf trails.  The first time we attempted this trail with the kids,  Kay and I took Henrietta and ended up only getting to the "Lookout" after we travelled up the shelf trail.   Henrietta had an issue with her axle or something and had to initially be "fixed" at the Lookout and then limped home.  We managed to make it home but needless to say,  it was a bit stressful.  Henrietta would now require a better "fix" job so she was out of commission.
The next day, the kids did the loop with John and made more memories.  I think they were having a good time.

You can see for miles from the the top of Lookout

Miles of unforgiving desert

Lots of different rock formations - kind of looks like a fish

evening and still on the trail

Lorne and Marilyn got some terrible news from back home about an unexpected death so had to fly home from Mexico to go to the funeral.  It was all very sad but they are hoping to get back to us by the beginning of March.
We did manage to get the kids to both of our favorite little bars while they were there.  The Arrowhead became one of their favorite hangouts and we introduced them to Gilligans in Yarnell.  It too became a favorite hangout.  Justin and Shanna departed and that left only Jace and Kimmy and their departure too was looming.
Kimmy suntanned every morning in front of the garage to catch all the morning sunshine and that was when I actually got to experience their infamous "breakfast beers"!!  Holy Buckets....it's only ten o'clock!!   Apparently time does not matter!!  LOL
February......it was a busy,  but a good month!!   Life is Good!!