It was my intention to blog more often after we got to McDowell Mountain but we’ve had so much going on I just haven’t found the time. I must admit it’s been a nice break, and I’m finding it hard to get motivated to do this post, but I want to document our time here so here goes.
It was cold and rainy over the New Years holiday and the park asked everyone to let their faucets drip, as temps dropped into the upper 20s. We had a nice stalagmite the next morning, and it didn’t melt the entire day.
Managed to get in a cold and dreary New Years Eve hike before the rain.
Following the rain the mountains were covered with snow for a couple days.
We’ve been out biking the trails on the warmer days. The Pemberton trail picnic shelter skeleton is sporting a new outfit.
A local bike shop installed a pump, tools, and a mailbox containing tire tubes. The note says if you need a tube just bring one back to replace it, or stop by the shop in Fountain Hills and buy one, which they will replace for you. Nice service.
Due to other obligations I’ve only been able to join the Friday Fitness Hike group once so far, 9 miles on and off trails through McDowell Mountain Park. It was a beautiful clear day but only in the mid-30s when we started at 8 AM, too cold and early for Jim.
Part of our hike went through an interesting wash where we came upon three owls that kept flying ahead of us.
I managed to get a bad photo of one before it flew away. We think they were long-eared owls. If you want to hear a fascinating story about owls listen to the first 10 minutes or so of this podcast although the entire show is worth a listen. Animal Instincts.
There are some remnants of an old ranch, and we came upon what must have been where they dumped their trash. Amazingly none of the jars were broken.
With winter rains being plentiful there was quite a bit of water in this tank, which the wildlife must appreciate.
We do all of our annual medical checks at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, which has kept us busy over the past couple weeks. Jim also saw an orthopedist about his knee pain and is now going to physical therapy twice a week for the next month. So far it seems to be helping, and the good thing is the doctor told him there was no need to stop hiking, biking and playing pickleball.
The following are just random cactus photos. Barrel cactus.
Teddy bear cholla.
My favorite, the saguaro. I find them so fascinating I end up taking photos of the same ones every time we’re here. Each one is unique.
Last week we met our friend Debbie in Chandler at the Phoenix Premium Outlet Mall. Jim has been looking for a replacement wind breaker jacket for a couple years now but had no luck. We did buy a couple things at the Columbia Outlet since they had a good sale going on. After our shopping spree we stopped for lunch at Mellow Mushroom Pizza, one of our favorites.
We’ve also been filling in at Fearless Kitty two or three times a week. I really miss having cats so this is a great way to enjoy some kitty time without the responsibility of ownership. My favorite is Marius, on the lower left. He was a stray found in Fountain Hills last year and tested positive for feline leukemia. He isn’t sick but it weakens the immune system and can be contagious to other cats so he has to be kept in a room by himself, or with other feline leukemia positive cats, of which there are no others at the shelter. I hope someone will come along and adopt him since he’s such a sweetie.
For you cat lovers out there, here is a link to the webcam where you can spy on the cats in the big adoption room and maybe see a volunteer at work. https://www.maddiesfund.org/maddiecam-fearless-kitty-rescue.htm
We can still see ourselves living in this area some day, so we checked out a new apartment complex in downtown Fountain Hills, right across from Fearless Kitty. It’s a great location but the apartments just didn’t do it for us. We also plan to look at some condos this week but most likely will not do anything, as usual. One of these days…
Sounds like things are going well if a little bit hectic. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks, we always have a great time here.
DeleteWe're passing thru McDowell, 15th to Friday 18th? You still around?
ReplyDeleteWe'll be here, site 12. Look forward to seeing you. You will love the biking!
DeleteWe were just talking about you two the other day wondering how you were doing. We understand how tough it is to get back to blogging once you have the freedom away from it. John keeps saying he should do a "little" blog, but so far no go as you can see...haha! Good to hear you are enjoying your time at the Fearless Kitty. I had to laugh when you said you were looking at places again. You need to take a decision maker with you:)
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth. We're still trying to figure out who those people were that decided we should sell everything and hit the road 10 years ago.We need them back.
DeleteJim
I want to adopt Marius. But same as you guys, we don't want another pet until we stop traveling fulltime, and that's still a few years down the road.
ReplyDeleteLOL at your stalagmite. We were in the Davis Mountains at New Year's and it was 22 degrees. But Arizona? Really?
How did I miss that gorgeous saguaro wearing a crown when we were at McDowell? And very cool that you saw Long-eared Owls.
Getting into the 20s is a bit colder than we like, especially being in an RV.
DeleteI've taken pictures of that crowned saguaro many times but I can't tell you which trail it's on. Next time I find it I'll let you know!
Fountain Hills would be hard to beat November through May. Keep the Rv and sail up to Colorado all summer. A perfect blend of mountains and deserts :).
ReplyDeleteYes, that would be the best of both worlds.
DeleteWe live in a gated community where there are many seasonal RV'ers who live here in a manufactured home during the pleasant months, and travel, or live elsewhere, during the unpleasant ones.
ReplyDeleteWhen we weren't fulltiming (starting in 1997) at some level, this is the lifestyle we have found to be most conducive to a good mix of travel/homebase.
I don't think I would do this in an area where there was excessive heat or cold because it can be hard on the possessions and real estate left behind when traveling.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
We know there is no perfect place to be year-round, but eventually the time will come when travel is no longer possible. We think we could better tolerate summer heat than winter cold, gray skies and snow. We'll see.
DeleteThat New Year's snow was something else in AZ. Glad you only had to look at from a distance. Love that kitty running wheel. I think Sierra would like that especially when it's too cold and wet for her to want to go outside.
ReplyDeleteLuckily we've never had snow here.
DeleteI've only seen one cat so far that likes to run on that wheel and it's pretty funny to watch.
I would not be surprised to hear that you have found a place to live in Fountain Hills one day. Perhaps we will join you?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind me asking how much of an up front and monthly cost to join Jojoba Hills RV Resort.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Rob
The buy-in is now around $32,000, which you get back when you leave. Monthly maintenance fee is around $300, which includes water, sewer, cable, land-line phone, and DSL internet.
Delete