A LITTLE CONTRAST

We had a look at this traffic cam yesterday.

 It's located on the bridge at Revelstoke, which isn't home anymore, 

but a lot of our friends still live here.

This is our view tonight, over our back wall.

It's almost freezing overnight, but beautifully sunny during the day.

The pool and hot tub are warm, so we count it good.  :)

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

El and Doug took us to the Mormon Church last night, to see the fabulous light display they put on each Christmas.

This is what we saw as we approached from the parking lot. The three wise men, and their camels, off in the distance.

We're on the main pathway, making our way along. Just so much colour and light, everywhere.

 Then, we came across this peaceful scene. 

You can see the 'star' in the top left corner.

Thoudsands of lights, everywhere! Even the bottom of the palm trees are lit.

Pretty displays along the path. 

 We were told that the work begins October 1st.

 Not just lights, there is a story to be told.

What at first appeared to be just lights on the palm trees, become angels.

 Hundreds of volunteers work hard to create the beautiful displays.

We've come full circle, and again see the wise men with their camels, and the angels in the sky.

These pics do not do it justice, nor do the words written here. 

Truly, a great experience.

CHRISTMAS 2014

We had a lovely Christmas day. This pic was taken after dinner, and what a dinner it was! Just delicious, and so much fun. A lot of laughs, good conversation, good people.

We hope you had the same.

That morning, we'd been to a brunch. Again, so much fun! All of the same folks shown here, and a few more. A lovely, sunny, but cold day.

Yeah, we know, kinda hard to feel sorry for us eh?  :)

A CHRISTMAS STORY...or something like that......

'Twas the afternoon before Christmas

And down at the pool

Brian and Holly

Were keeping things cool.

Not a creature was stirring

The weather was so hot

Down in Arizona

Where they like it a LOT!

We're thinking of you

With lots of cheer!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

xoxoxoxo

Edited to note:

a creature was stirring!

PARK LIGHTS AND ANOTHER....... SUNSET!

For a few days, we've had some rain, and grey days. Got a little chilly too. Yes, really!

Then a bit of a change.....

Isn't that a great sky?

Then, we took a night time walk around the park.

You can see slivers of the pool behind the lit palms and shrubs.

This is our street, and our theme is cactus.

Love the red lights wrapped around the palm trunks.

This afternoon, we got a little sunshine -yay! We also got a pretty sunset. 

WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?

We took a little drive to an area called SanTan today. D and E said we'd have awesome burgers for lunch. They took us to Johnny Rockets, and as promised- awesome burgers, and shakes, and floats, and chili cheese fries, and onion rings, and.....fabulous food and great service.

Our waitress, Nichole, did these wonderful portraits for us. Ketchup faces!

Then we went over to Fry's Electronics and saw this on the door......

You just don't see that everyday!

No sunset pic today but I'm sure there'll be another soon :)

SUNSET, SUNRISE

This was our sunset Thursday night. Not as red as previous nights but a very pretty sky just the same.

The following morning, yesterday, we got up to this amazing colour in the sky. Rain is forecast starting Saturday.

THEME FOR THE DAY--MUSIC!

This piano was a new one on us. Yes, we have seen baby grand pianos before, BUT never in a McDonald's! Yep, this was smack in the middle of a McD's.

The whole place was very high end. Marble tile, gold accent tile, black, white and grey colour scheme.

On the right, you can see the edge of the enclosure where the baby grand is kept. Straight ahead are the comfy couches and chairs, and to the left up high on the wall....... yes, a big flat screen tv.

We were all quite impressed- this is one beautiful McDonald's. Even the restrooms were beautiful.  :)

Later on, we headed off to the Arizona Opry Dinner Theater, and what a fantastic evening we had!

We had a delicious dinner, followed by some of the BEST entertainment we've ever had the opportunity to enjoy.

They welcomed pics, but we had a hard time getting good ones due to the glare and it was hard to keep the camera steady enough. Trust us when we tell you, the talent on this stage was amazing. We'd go again, and again, if we could. They sell out weeks in advance. Just a fabulous night.

FYI- The fellow fourth from the left, in the red jacket played at least ten different instruments, including the Swiss Horn.  We had no idea they sounded so beautiful. Apparently, he can play around 50. His name is George Staerkel, and was with the Tokens in the 80's. He sang The Lion Sleeps Tonight- awesome!

To find out more, click HERE.

Another fabulous day here in Arizona.

See you soon!

OUT & ABOUT LA HACIENDA RESORT

This is the pretty sunset from last night. There will be a lot of those, I think.

This is the pool area. The pool aerobics class was a lot of fun, and I can feel ALL my muscles this evening!

This is winter in Apache Junction- some of the trees lose their leaves. Beyond the grass is the shuffleboard court.

We had Market day here today. A BBQ, and a market- some vendors from outside our park, and some park folks selling their creative wares. This happens once a month. A fun day!

MESA MARKET

Once in March, then again yesterday, we went to Mesa Market. This place is huge- feels like ten acres! We have yet to see all of it.

If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere. Everything from AS SEEN ON TV to beautiful art. Just a fun place to wander around in. There will be more visits there for sure.

Time to go get ready for water aerobics. :) 

See you later!

Remember, you can click on the pic to make it larger.

BEAUTIFUL!

 

Sunset in Apache Junction, Arizona on December 6th, 2014.

This was the only time the sun came out today.

Our first meal outside. We'll be doing more of this.

WE HAVE ARRIVED!

Our 'home sweet home' for the next four months. Yay!

Done up for Christmas.

LONG LONESOME HIGHWAY - NOVEMBER 30

Looking north.

When  you hear the stories about the highways in Nevada/Arizona being straight and narrow and going for miles and miles without a curve in the road, well..that's exactly what it's like. Literally MILES of straight highway and you can drive on this road and not see another car for a good half hour. WE WERE THE ONLY ONES OUT THERE!!!

We stopped and I got out, stood in the middle of the highway and took a picture in each direction. Not another car in sight for the longest time.

Looking south.

AUSTIN, NEVADA

This is Austin, Nevada. It is on the ORIGINAL Pony Express trail. This is a restaurant where we had breakfast after leaving Winnemucca, Nevada. It's like being in the original Virginia City in the days of Bonanza. VERY COOL!

This is the elevation LEAVING Austin, Nevada. This is the highest we've ever been with both feet on the ground. Imagine riding along here on the Pony Express. 

AFTER THE RAIN NOV.28TH

Arriving back at our motel in Goldendale, we were rewarded for our trek in the rain, with this stunning double rainbow!