Monday, October 4, 2010
SKP Saguaro Co-op, Benson, AZ - Apr 10-23
Now we are back at this lovely co-op, where we have our name on the list to become future leaseholders. Since originally putting our name on the hotlist (11/2000), we have risen from #212 to #128, so in a year or two we will be able to decide if we want to have our own little parking space here. It is a beautiful area, and we are starting to make some friends here. We belong to a group (within SKPs) called Boomers, which are mainly baby boomer aged people, and there are lots of them at this park, so we have gone on several outings with them. We went to the San Pedro Riparian Area to see hummingbirds being banded. The woman doing the banding wrote the Peterson Guide to Hummingbirds, so she was able to tell us fascinating facts about the tiny birds, while attaching absolutely minute bands to their legs. The only type here at this time are the Black-chinned. They banded one female which had an egg ready to be laid.
We have been up to Tucson twice to visit Doug's dad, Gayle, and his girlfriend, Gertie. Gayle recently had aortal surgery and is still a bit slowed down from it, but we were able to have two nice visits with them. The second trip we 4 went to the golf course. Only Doug & Gayle played golf. Willie & Gertie enjoyed the lovely cool day and the beautiful scenery -- and driving the golf carts! We will spend another week up in Tucson with them before heading further north.
We attended the local SKP Chapter annual picnic at Roper Lake SP, about 50 miles NE of here, and enjoyed a nice lunch with many SKP friends. We also spent a day with the Boomers in Bisbee, an old mining town. In 1900, Bisbee was the largest cosmopolitan center between St Louis & San Francisco. By the early 1970s, most of the mines had closed. Now it is home to many artists, with over 27 galleries & studios. The town is built on many hills by the side of the Lavender Pit of the Silver Queen Mine. We took the walking tour of the historic buildings, with our own detours up & down the stairways that go between the various levels of the town.
We have also used this stay to get caught up on some chores, which (alas!) have to be done even when living in an RV. Since they have an excellent (& cheap!) laundry (and wonderful solar drying!), we have taken the opportunity to change out our winter linens for summer ones and also do some basic "spring cleaning". We also had the truck in for new front brakes. Still planned are refrigerator repair work and carpet cleaning. So it has been a busy time.The cats are enjoying our long stay here. Somehow, I think they know when they are among friendly SKPs, too. They also enjoy the warm days and cool nights of the high desert country.
# posted by Doug and Willie @ 9:47 PM 
