Monday, November 28, 2016

The Week of Thanksgiving

 

DSC06861                                                             Lovely Saguaro Lake

When I last posted a week ago, Jim was taking the Subaru in to get the dash air vent problem fixed after our airbag recall. The GPS died on his way, so he just assumed it was the GPS. After getting the other problem fixed, the old GPS we keep in the car just in case also quit working. Too much of a coincidence, which is when he realized the 12 volt charger wasn’t working, due to the fact that the cigarette lighter outlet was dead. Unfortunately he was already home by then, so he had to drive the 20 miles back to the dealer after lunch to get that little problem resolved. If anyone out there got the Takata airbag recall, remember to check everything on the dash to be sure they have things reconnected correctly before you leave the dealer. Lesson learned.

On Tuesday Jim was back in Scottsdale for his annual check with the family practitioner. Blood tests still to come. Our two weeks were up so we had to move sites and dump tanks. Most of the sites here at McDowell Mountain are very nice, but this one is exceptionally so.

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The next day we met up with Ron and Barbara for a hike on the Butcher Jones trail at Saguaro Lake. We’ve been there once before but forgot how pretty it is.

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The happy hikers, Barbara, Ron, and Jim.

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Thanksgiving was spent doing a long bike ride with Alex and Ellen, then having dinner with the volunteers and some other couples who spend much of the winter here at McDowell Mountain.

More biking on Friday and Saturday, and also back to Fearless Kitty to take care of cats. It’s nice having Jim’s help this year, as we can spend more time playing an socializing with cats rather than cleaning. This is Jim’s favorite so far, Shadi, a very petite and affectionate older lady.

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Yesterday it turned cold and windy, so instead of biking, we did a 7 mile hike on the Scenic trail with Alex and Ellen. Just got back before it started sprinkling.

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Ellen thinks all that green is an orange grove.

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Alex and Jim.

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And the highlight of our week was receiving this email on Friday from Simply Cats in Boise:

“Wyoming (aka Elvis) was adopted by a really nice family who fell in love with his sweet personality, and loved how calm and affectionate he was with their young son. Hurray for shy Wyoming!”

So maybe we did raise them right after all! I am just ecstatic that he finally has a new home, and I truly hope they live happily ever after.

While coming back from the restroom a few minutes ago I saw a man walking a black and white cat on a leash. I spoke to him, and his reply was, looks just like Sophie, doesn’t he? It was blog reader Lee, from Colorado, and we had a pleasant chat about cats and RVing. Always nice to be recognized!

20 comments:

  1. Glad to hear Elvis found a new home. We just dropped off a large fish at the fish store yesterday. It was our only fish with a name, and my son was quite sad. But we were consolidating our tanks, and that one didn't get along with the others. "Just a fish", but I hope he gets a nice new home as well.

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    1. Maybe just a fish, but still a pet with a name. I would have felt sad, too.

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  2. So glad to hear about Elvis. Has Sophie also found a home? Bummer about having to turn around and drive back to get something they should have checked reconnected. I take it you get to keep your great site after dumping tanks. Very nice. Really looks like a great place.

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    1. I think I forgot to mention on the blog but back in late August we were told Sophie was being adopted, but before she was actually taken by her new family, in a case of mistaken identity, she was transported to the shelter in Boise where Elvis was taken. They didn't want to subject her to another 3 hour drive back to Ketchum, so she and Elvis have been together in the same room at Simply Cats, along with 4 other cats. I am not worried about her living in a shelter, as she likes other animals and is probably happier there than she was here, since there is a cat door to an outside enclosure she can access anytime.
      We like moving sites every 2 weeks and getting a new view!

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  3. Wonderful news about Elvis. Hope Sophie gets adopted very soon.

    What a nice surprise to run into a reader. And what a hoot that he was walking his cat on a leash. Small world.

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  4. A home for Elvis is definitely a great gift for the holidays :-)

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  5. Such good news that Elvis found a new home! And very sweet that you're again volunteering at the kitty shelter. Seems like a good way to get a kitty-fix, and I know they love the attention. McDowell looks so beautiful—it's been on our list forever. I probably missed something, but it sounds like you're able to stay longer than two weeks there?

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    1. At all the Maricopa County parks around Phoenix you can stay two weeks in one site, then as long as you move to a different site every two weeks you may stay as long as you like. There are many people here who come and stay the entire winter. It isn't inexpensive, at $30/night, but worth it to us to have access to trails right outside our door.

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    2. Wow, I didn't realize that (or didn't remember it). We might see if we can finally make it there when we leave Ashland in January—unless all of the sites are booked throughout the entire winter. We would love having the beautiful trails right outside our door, too.

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    3. Sites book up fast during Jan-March, but there are always last minute cancellations and there is overflow (dry camping) if the campground is full.

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  6. Wonderful news about Elvis!

    I've never been to Saguaro Lake, we'll have to check it out when we are there in February.

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    1. Are you coming to McDowell in Feb? We may extend our stay but haven't decided yet.

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  7. We just hiked Butcher Jones last week. There are 2 pairs of eagles nesting there. You can hear them and follow the sound to find them.

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    1. Wish we had seen the eagles. Give us a shout if you get up near McDowell Mountain!

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  8. Hurray for Elvis! I'm sure that is a big relief:)

    Thanks for taking me along on this beautiful hike:) I really needed this. Love those saguaro:)

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    1. Yes, I am so relieved about Elvis. He won't know how to act having an entire house to run around in.

      And I've been looking at your Florida photos thinking how inviting it looks!

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  9. GREAT news about Elvis!!! I know you are thrilled!

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  10. I'm glad to see you are enjoying your stay here in the Valley. I haven't stayed at McDowell but have heard good things about it. I personally like Cave Creek Regional Park (it's quiet) and Usury Mountain Park.

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    1. We've stayed at both Usery Mountain and Cave Creek, but McDowell Mountain is still our favorite.

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  11. Great news about Elvis! I'm sure that has put both your minds at ease. Seeing photos of Saguaro Lake has reminded me of former days kayaking and waterskiing. Enjoy!

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