January 2020

Arizona Sunset

Happy New Year everyone.  Hopefully this will be a bigger and better year than the previous one.   Our hopes and dreams are big and I hope all goes well this year.

Hank chillin

Hank shopping at Tractor Supply

Luke and Becky left on January 1st.  They had a great time with us but it was time for them to return to Canada.  They have finally got the OK from the truck dealership that it was safe to drive their truck home.  He had been rear ended last month and it caused some damage so Luke was hesitant to drive the thousands of miles home without some reassurances that it would be OK.  When that came theough, they were ready to head home.
The casita had been booked pretty steady with some longer term rentals and that was a good thing. It was less housekeeping and we could concentrate on other projects.
Kay has been off work since the 22nd of December so her and John got busy cutting the fence in the horse property and installing another gate.  This second gate allows guests access to the State Trust trails without having to use the gate beside the casita.  This allows more privacy for our guests and that is always a good thing.

Our new gate

fence is finished and landscaping rocks look great

outside bar fridge

Hank cuddling with Booko

Hank is finally settling in but still displays many "puppy" traits.  It has been a continuing battle and Booko has had to get a bit angry with him at times and has put him in his place.  All in all, I think he is doing great and eventually will be an awesome dog.  It is this "puppy" stage that we have to get over with.

Man cave bathroom

The man cave bathroom was completed this month in time for Lorne and Marilyn's arrival.   It will be so handy to just scoot in there instead of having to walk to the house or back to the casita.
The kids will be coming soon and this extra bathroom will be pretty darn handy for them as well.

desert run

nasty rock climb - doing the back way around
the mountain loop

Lorne and Marilyn arrived on the 22nd of January.  They stayed with us until they had to catch their flight bound for Mexico on the 9th of February.
Of course Lorne and Marilyn are very independent when they are visiting us, but we always manage to take a few road trips with them and that is always fun.  They often go on daily drives but always arrive back in the yard for happy hour.  We are either sitting at the outside bar or around the wood stove in the man cave for the evenings. Suppers are sometimes a collaborative effort and that always leads to some interesting meals.  It is always fun.

rocks and cactus

sunset

outside fire

painting the fence with water repellent 

looks awesome

building the man cave bathroom

outside bar

We managed a trip into the desert behind the house and did the mountain loop trail the back way.  Doing it this way gets the tough rock climbing part over with at the start of the trail and allows us to be in the sunshine near the end of the day as we are out in the open desert headed towards home.  This trip was good and both dogs enjoyed the day.  Hank is getting more comfortable in the side by side and is always eager to "load up".  Booko of course loves the trails and hates to be left behind.  Lorne and Marilyn brought their little tracker down again this year and I'm sure it will serve them well again.

beer break in the desert.  Does it get any better than this>

beer at Antelope Creek

We took a trip to Antelope Creek one day and enjoyed the sunshine.  As always, it was fun.  We had stopped for a beer at Gilligan's before hand and it was nice to get back there for a bit.  Unfortunately, our favorite bar, The Arrowhead had once again, been closed.  Apparently, the new owner absconded with the money and fled town!!  Holy Buckets!!  We are going to have to wait and see what happens to that.  I sure hope it reopens as it was a good place to go for a beer and a decent meal.

Lorne was busy re-wiring the upper casita and installed an overhead fan as well.  He too has been a busy beaver in helping us get that casita closer to being rented.  It's a good thing we have talented friends and family.  Life is Good!!