Happy New Year! Leaving Arizona Experience

 Happy New Year!

We just left Mesa Arizona, on our way to Las Cruces, New Mexico. It’s raining a lot today, the most rain we’ve encountered when traveling to a new location. Wouldn’t expect rain like this in Arizona, or at least we didn’t. This is a 6 hour plus drive. We are over half way to our destination. 

My favorite things about Arizona: 

The Grand Canyon was my absolute favorite. It was four hours from Mesa, Arizona, where we were staying. It was snowing and beautiful. We stayed the night there, as to have more time to explore. The dogs loved it too! 

Our home for six weeks, Sun Life, a Cal Am property was very enjoyable. It was especially nice compared to the many campgrounds we’ve stayed at, it was all inclusive with lots to do, and the weather was perfect, it only rained lightly 3-4 time during the six weeks we were there, and only for a few hours. The temperature was generally between 65-75 degrees. We were able to walk and ride our bikes almost everyday. There were multiple tennis courts, two dog runs, activities galore, I even took a painting class. A Band played every weekday for a couple hours (happy hour). The Grill and Bar area also housed the pool and a Crazy LARGE jacuzzi. So, you could essentially take a dip, listen to the band, have a drink and watch the Sunset... if you chose to. The people working there were very nice and we enjoyed chatting with them. We learned a lot from people that have lived in or traveled to other States. Always helpful to chat with people along the way.

We explored the Tonto Forest, took highway 88 through the Apache Trail, which runs through the Forest. We saw the beautiful, Superstition Mountains and the gorgeous Canyon Lake. The drive was spectacular but the road was extremely narrow, with lots of curves!

Visited Goldfield Ghost Town shortly after starting our drive on Highway 88. Saw a western gunfight, visited the old jail, we couldn’t believe how tiny it was, and that the hangman’s noose was just a few feet outside the jail door, yikes! We visited and toured the Mine and a Bordello. Learned a lot about the towns history. For instance, the average life span was only 35 years, the kids started mining at 12-13 years old, and usually lit the dynamite fuses. The Mines were only lit by candles and extremely dark and very dangerous to work in. The Bordello ladies (a step up from a brothel) were generally educated, licensed but unfortunately used arsenic for birth control. Obviously, they were not aware that it was killing them slowly. Some would have their lower ribs removed, (without painkiller) to make their waist smaller. They were generally voluminous women. The same life span for them, 35 years. Sadly, if you were widowed, you usually ended up in that line of work. This town only existed for 5 years. They mined gold, silver and copper. They hit water deep in the Mines, which provided for the town, but could also flood the Mines, if not careful, they had pumps on every level which was a full time job for someone. The Mines were very dark! We were only 20 feet below and were amazed at the conditions they had to work in. To think, they only had candles for light. The term widow maker came from the dangerous equipment they had to work with, it was insanely dangerous and eventually outlawed. 

http://goldfieldghosttown.com/

Visited Tortilla Flats, also off highway 88 It was a small, cute little town. We had lunch in an old Saloon that had saddles for bar stools and $1 bills plastered on the walls. Good food, nice people!

https://www.tortillaflataz.com/restaurant-saloon/

Visited the Mall in Scottsdale, AZ to do some Christmas shopping. HUGE Mall, many levels and pretty busy since it was almost Christmas. Explored a park and saw some cool buildings while in Scottsdale. 

Visited Shane’s friend and his wife in Buckeye, AZ. They took us to lunch at Dillions bbq restaurant where we dined with the Sharks. It was located in Lichfield, AZ at the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. We saw the most beautiful flamingos in the outdoor lounge area but didn’t have time for the Zoo, it’s 600 acres, so it requires a full day. 

Got to hike the Piestewa Peak in Phoenix with my friend Shannon, the chipmunk whisper. We had a great time, we hadn’t seen each other for over two years. She recently arrived in Arizona and we were leaving just a week after, would have loved to have explored more cool places with her. 

Had dinner at a great Mexican restaurant, Nando's Mexican Cafe, courtesy of my daughter-in-law Kalae who asked her sister-in-law that lived close to us to drop off a gift card to us for Christmas. She and her son were delightful. We met her other nephew at the restaurant. The food was great and the drink’s interesting, at least to me. 

We found a Trader Joe’s and Art Store in Tempe, AZ, an adorable college town. Arizona State University seemed to be most of the town. Loved the vibe! 

Well, these are the highlight. We did more exploring. I got a massage and pedicure. We both took advantage of the Hair Salon on site and Shane found Uncle Bears Brewery. 

Pictures of these places will be on the next Blog! 😊