February, 2005
The
first week in February started, for us, on Saturday, January 29. We were
up bright and early and headed in the car from Casa Grande, AZ to San Diego,
CA. We had arranged to meet our friends Kathy and Dennie Dew (Ohioans) and
Bonnie and Don Wolfe (Former Ohioans, now from Las Vegas) at the home of Bonnie
and Don's daughter and son-in-law, Dwayne and Dawn and grandson Cody.
Bonnie and Don's second daughter, Wendy and her husband, Tony arrived as well,
and with two trucks, the sons-in-law drove the six "cruisers" and all their
luggage to the San Diego waterfront where we boarded the MS Oosterdam for a
7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera.
We had a
fantastic week! The weather was on the cool side, but sunny most of
each day. The winds and sea were calm, which made the cruising
comfortable. Our cabins were "Verandah Suites," meaning that we each
had a balcony, and with the dividers removed, the six of us were able
to share the sea view together. Of course, we had many dining options
available to us 24 hours a day...and we took advantage of many of them!
The entertainment was varied and plentiful and while we were in port in Cabo San
Lucas, Mazatlan and PuertoVallarta we had a choice of different touring
excursions as well as opportunity to just visit the cities and absorb the "local
color." We learned how Tequilla is made on one tour - and got to taste
several varieties!!! Dennie and Don went deep-sea fishing. We
had two "formal nights" and we found ourselves all dressed up in outfits we
"retired folk" don't often wear. There were almost 2000 passengers on the
ship, but the service and opportunity for activities on-board was
excellent. Dennie and Tom used the golf simulator (Dennie even won a
contest). We enjoyed stage shows, bingo, movies, a little shuffleboard and
of course, the casino. It was a fun, relaxing and restful week and we
enjoyed spending time with our good friends.
"The
Six Cruisers"...Mary and Tom, Kathy and Dennie, Bonnie and Don...all dressed
up.
A
"rock diver" in Mazatlan. (He made it!!)
Our
ship...the MS Oosterdam.
Did
you know that the best Tequila is made from the "pineapple" of a 15 year-old
Blue Agave Cactus??? This is a pile of them after having been cooked for
36 hours.
Some
of our choices at the "Dessert Extravaganza"
Saturday, February 5, our ship returned to port in San Diego and we drove
back to Palm Creek...the cruise over too fast! Sunday morning, it was back
to the golf course, tennis courts and bridge tables - our usual
"stuff." The next Sunday, February 13, Tom flew to San Bernardino,
CA as part of a Head Start Review Team. He spent the week going over the
books of the Head Start operation in San Bernardino and Santa Anna and returned
to Arizona on Friday evening. Meanwhile, Mary kept busy with the "usual
stuff" and made a shopping trip to Phoenix with some of the
neighbors.
Suddenly, it was the end of February. Much of the month was cool
and rainy.....the area had 3 times the usual rainfall for January and
February. The rivers - usually dry - are flowing, reservoirs are
full and overflowing, roads are closed because there are no storm drains,
and the desert, instead of brown, is green and wildflowers are
beginning to bloom. The residents of Palm Creek go stir-crazy during bad
weather and the minute the rain stops, they pour out to the outside
activities...its difficult to get tee-times and courts for tennis. Bicycle
traffic is heavy and patios are noisy at "happy-hour" time. The quilting
group and the pottery group held open houses, showcasing all the beautiful
work they have created this winter. There will be a large exodus of rigs
on the first of March, but many of the spots will be taken by new
residents. The promise of warm and sunny weather will keep us enjoying the
great southwest for a few weeks more.
We
shared a happy-hour with Ohioans and Bounder-owners, Ed and Judy Lichtenberg,
who had spent the month of February at Palm Creek. We're glad they enjoyed
the park and look forward to seeing them here again next winter...and perhaps in
Ohio this coming summer.
Ed and
Judy Lichtenberg from Medina, OH.
One of
the quilts at the Palm Creek Quilt Show.
