Update #2 - Apache Junction to El Centro Ca

Hello Everyone from a Sunny and Warm El Centro:

When I left you last time we were still in Apache Junction. We did a hike in the San Tan Mountains south of the Phoenix area. We did the loop trail and it was easy by Arizona standards; no big rocks to climb over.

We drove over to Scottsdale and did a bike ride along the Grand Canal and down the Arizona canal. This is all part of the Salt River Project. We saw some swanky neighbourhoods, some not so swanky neighbourhoods, the Torvea Castle, the Wrigley House and the Arizona Biltmore which is definitely out of our price range.Next time we're in the Phoenix area we'll have to tour Torvea Castle and the Wrigley House. 

Another day we went with Gerry and Marlene, friends from one of our caravans, and did the Hieroglyphic Trail. This is a short hike up a wash to a pool where the surrounding rocks are filled with petroglyphs. There was hardly an area left without a drawing. 

Another day we did some geocaching by bike which took us from the Usury Mountains and then out towards Lost Dutchman State Park. We managed to find 15 that day which brings our grand total to 419.

It was time to leave ApacheJunction and head over to Tucson. Plan A was to take the motor home over to a fellow who was going to change the oil in the generator. We left the park at 6:30 am. I drove behind the motor home in the dark, in the rain, on a freeway I've never driven on before, and in rush hour. I broke several rules in less than an hour. Then the fellow couldn't do the job till the afternoon so we decided to go on our way. We'll stop in Florence for breakfast. There's no cafe on Main Street so we went to McDonald’s. So much for trying to give the locals business. We made it to Tucson and met up with the Backyard Group. It was great to see everyone again and catch up on all the news.

 

Sunrise @ Voyagr

Christmas @ Voyager

Christmas was just around the corner. Doris and Gerald who own a home in the Bay offered their place for Christmas dinner and New Years Eve. We set up tables and chairs in the garage and Marna and Karen did a great job of table decorations. On Christmas Day Drew and I went for a 10km walk on the desert after our Pillsbury Cinnamon buns.

At dinner there were 20 of us so needless to say there was LOTS of food. We all went home with a bag of ham, a bag of turkey, a bag of stuffing, a bag of mashed potatoes and a bag of sweet potatoes. We had dinner for 2 more nights!!! 
 

We did a lot of biking in Tucson both on our own and with the bike group. There's a few more improvements on the 55 mile loop. It sure is nice having the JulianWash section so close to the RV Park as we don't need ride the 10kms on Kolb to go anywhere. We did have a visit to the Loop Bicycle Shop on the Santa Cruz Pathway. Nice little shop with a good selection of maps, tools, clothing and odds and ends one needs for cycling. 


Drew did a hike to Seven Falls with a few of the guys from the hiking group.

It was time to say good bye to our Tucson friends and head over to Yuma for a couple of days. We actually had 2 calm days here. We had a good bike ride here with no wind. Walt and Jan came over to coffee, cinnamon buns and beer. We had a good visit.

I've managed some sewing days and a trip to Grandma Jo's in Yuma. We saw the movie “Saving Mr. Banks”. We've had lunch and dinner with friends. Gerry and Marlene in Apache Junction. Sheri and Gerry in Gilbert. Marna and Ed in Tucson. Went for breakfast at TTT with the Backyard Group.

We're now in El Centro with Bob and Ann getting ourselves prepared for the trip to Baja. Pete and Deb should arrive today. It looks like we'll be making another trip into El Centro for some groceries and one more time to Costco.

I think we're in the warmest part of the country at the moment. Even the southern parts of Texas and northern Florida are getting some cold weather. Hope this finds everyone staying warm and happy and healthy where ever you might be!

Drew and Donna.