Fun in the sun

What can one say about being in Arizona and splashing in a very nice pool, watching baseball and eating way too much at a variety of restaurants? Wahoo? We've had a lot of sun and lots of "pool time" as my brother calls it.

Most days were getting up, swimming, showering, eating, going to games, swimming, eating and lots of laughing. Of course, since I had a sinus reaction of some kind to AZ, I needed to take some drugs. My eyes watered, my nose ran and my sinus (only the left side) hurt. I had to cancel a dinner with an old work mate and her sister on Monday due to the sinus. But by Tuesday I was okay and did not look like a one eyed squinty goof.

I think the best day came on Wednesday when I went for a drive and passed by the "Turf Soaring School". I drove by and went on to Wickenburg after trying to see Lake Pleasant just for fun but I did not want to pay $6 to see the lake. On the way back to the house I decided to see what was up at the soaring school.

Sure glad I did.

Got to see Lake Pleasant from 5000 feet. The flight was just under an hour and counts as my first sail plane lesson. Not that I did much learning. I just for the most part looked out and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Wahoooooo!!!!

I did take the stick for about two minutes but decided I did not want to be nervous and told the pilot that I would just enjoy the ride. I sure did!!

Today is cloudy and our last day and last game. Yesterday was hot. Today may be hotter but I hope the clouds keep it cooler. Under 90 is what I mean by cooler. Tomorrow my bro and I head for home. We still do not know which way we will go yet.

We have to find a new house to rent too. The owner is no longer renting after our stay. We were not the cause she assured me. So it's back to VRBO and a search for a 5 bedroom rental. Such is life.

Sunny Arizona

After a few days on the road we have arrived. Sunny Arizona is keeping up its image. Very pleasant drive from Blythe to Peoria. Arrived at the house, checked things out and took a dip in the pool. Nice end to three days.

We had nice weather the whole drive. Ate too much but sure enjoyed it all. We had stops in Canyonville, OR. Woodland, CA (Davis) and Blythe, CA (on the border with AZ). In Woodland we swam in the pool then spent the evening with our niece's family including her mom and dad. The kids were a little wound up with all the company but still cute. It was good to see Danette and tell her how much we cared and how glad we were that her treatments are over.

Tomorrow we have a game in Peoria. It is just a 15 minute drive to the Mariner's stadium. A lot closer than we have ever been.

Maybe they will win?

On the road Again

Well, today at o'dark early, I took off for my brother's house in Bellevue. There we loaded his stuff into the Mini and we were off. A very nice day for driving. Sunny but cold and full of WSP's. And one of them decided to sting me. Oops. But Officer... So a ticket for 70 in a 60. I really did think it was a 70 zone. $218!!!! Ouch. And I have to respond in 15 days. I will need to call and find out about delays due to travel or something.

We had lunch (at Denny's of course) in Woodburn and gassed up (the car). We arrived in Canyonville at the Best Western about 4pm. Checked in had a drink and set up laptops. Will head over in a bit to the 7 Feathers Casino to see about dinner. There will be no gambling.

Mad March Weather

Looking outside one would think "Spring" but step outside and one would be freezing ones butt off!! 22° this morning! In March! In the great NW?! Strange weather. It is not unusual for it to spit a little snow but the temps are never below freezing. Not this close to the middle of March anyway.

Oh well. At least it appears to be sunny in Oregon and California. Getting packed for the Annual BBRT to Arizona. This year is a "Go south, turn left at LA kind of year. Coming home will be different depending on weather. The return route? We will play it by ear.

Time to do some last minute shopping for suntan lotion (well, more like winter dry skin lotion right now) and stuff. Might see whats in drawers first though.

Getting ready is always a bit of a bother. Sometimes I wish I could travel but just buying what I'm going to wear the next day and throw what I just wore away. Just a jacket, shoes and toiletries. Only need a very small bag. Just think of all the different styles and fashions one could go through in ones travels.

Dream on...

A long line of Lunches

Yesterday we went down to Seattle to have lunch with friends. A coupl10e of them live a block away and the others in North Seattle. Why a "Long Line of Lunches"? We have now been doing this for over 21 years. That's a lot of lunches. About 5 or six a year. We shoot for every two months but I guess the average has been nearer five. So about 105 lunches with so much laughter if you could use it for fuel I am sure we could power a moon launch.

This was originally a church group at our old church in Seattle, Elim Baptist. It was supposed to meet a couple of times then disband and we would form a new group of people within the church. Well, we did that. Then met again anyway after our other groups. We just kept on going even after most have left that church.

Even though we have been laughing and sharing for over two decades we have no intention of stopping anytime soon. It is good fellowship and good friendships. Next time it is our turn to host the group.

The drive down yesterday was quite pleasant. The sun was out for part of the drive. We did a short stop in Barnes and Nobles books in Northgate on the way in. Bought a whole bunch of books. I needed a couple for AZ and Ina needed some to fill in the blanks while I am gone.

Coming home we were anticipating a bit of snow as the weather man had been predicting it. Yes there was snow. Just not a lot of it. It was very spotty. We would drive along on very dry pavement then suddenly be in a snow storm. But nothing was sticking. Thank you very much.

Last night we had a bunch of hail. Woke us up as it was hurled against the sliding door in the bedroom by the wind. Now it is sunny and cool. About 42°. Big fluffy clouds to the south showing the convection currents in the atmosphere. Dead calm wind wise. The water is almost glassy. A good day.

Oldies

Today was a sunny cold day and great day for a drive into Seattle to have lunch with all the old retired farts from the City of Seattle. Good to see old friends and catch up a little.

I even had time to stop and get the Mini washed on the way down. Had time to stop at the Mt Vernon Co-Op for some things for my upcoming trip to sunny (warmer - much warmer) Arizona. The freeway through Everett did not back up in either direction today. Must have slipped through a warp in space.

Found out about a couple more people who will be in AZ at the same time going to ball games. I usually call their cell phones during the game to see if they are there and then we meet and jabber a bit. Might even have dinner with a few of them if they don't have other plans.

Getting excited about the 2009 BBRT. We are expecting more cold weather and possibly more snow this weekend and next week. Yuk. It's Spring already! No more snow! Okay. It's not officially Spring but ... who cares? I have Daff's who think it is.

Liberal angst not for young eyes

While others in my circle of readers/bloggers have been posting cheery notes or signs of normalcy, I have been reading about the stupendously irresponsible republican party and its gas bags of the air waves. The wholy disgusting diatribes from radio gas bag Rush "Druggy Boy/Fat Ass/Liar" Limbaugh and the equally truth disabled idiot of Fox "News?" Bill "Liar Liar" O'Reilly have reached new depths of disgusting.

Why these lying sacks of shit are still on the air I don't know. Can people actually watch them and believe anything they say? All one has to do is go beyond their little circle of lying friends and you can determine the truth behind their lies. Oh yes, I forgot the other lying rat bastard, Sean Hannity. Oh yeah, there is also Glen "Oh my god what a putz" Beck. All lying stinking sacks of excrement. Don't get me started on Ann "Are you sure she is a woman" Coulter.

I should probably stop paying any attention to these disgusting pinheads but ya gotta speak out about the lies they spread. I find that I can find reason and a modicum of truth by reading Mother Jones and The Nation magazines. Heck I can get the truth by listening to any other station than Fox and whoever it is that carries Druggy Boy. Thank the lord for Air America. A breath of fresh air coming through all the stink.

Okay enough. Spring. The sun was out and so was I. Working in the garden is cathartic. Work out my frustrations on the weeds. Sit on the deck in the sun with a coffee and contemplate all the things that are good in this world. Like we have a President with a brain.

Spring also means baseball. And the annual BBRT (Brown Boys Road Trip) to Arizona to catch a few games. Next week at this time the BB's will be in Canyonville, Oregon and staying at the Best Western there. We will probably have dined at the 7 Feathers Casino after a long day on the road. The next morning we will drive to the Woodland, CA Best WSestern and then see my niece Danette and her family in Davis. Friday will be a long day to Blythe, CA and another Best Western.

Road Trip. A time honored institution. My brother and I have been on several. We both enjoy driving and traveling. We get along well so it works out fine. This year, as we did last year to Duluth, we will be driving my Mini Cooper S. New tires, fresh oil change and the dings in the windshield fixed (ala Novus) ensure a safe trouble free trip. One always hopes.

This evening we once again are listening to the Frog Chorus. Thousands of little frogs singing their hearts out in the pond by our house. It is so loud at times that when you step outside in the evening you can't hear yourself think. A sure sign of spring. Happy sound.