May 11, 2013
Wow! What a crowd — 35 people showed up for lunch at Nick’s Steakhouse & Pizza in NW Calgary. The place was hopping with hugs and hello’s and how-are-you’s.
Thanks to our great hosts, Norma & John, for arranging this gathering.
Our next event is the June Rally at Aberdeen Hall east of Innisfail. Please contact the hosts by June 3 if you plan to attend.
April 10, 2013
Ladies and gentlemen, launch your boats!
“Yes,” writes Judi, “there was this big BOAT RACE on a desert lake. The boats had to be within certain size guidelines and the object was to see who could make their boat (under its own steam or the wind power of the creator) to the other end of the ‘lake’. I’m not too sure who the BIG winner was. I was busy taking pictures and laughing at all the wind being generated to notice who was in the final. Guess everyone who participated was a winner for taking part.”
I wonder if a new tradition has been born?
April 2, 2013
As in past years a happy bunch of Chapter 44 members and Guests gathered at Usery Mountain Park near Mesa, Arizona. Attendees came from above and below the 49th and from many locations in each nation. We were missing a number of “regular attenders” due to various other commitments.
Activities for the week included morning walks, crafts (thanks Barb P), line dancing lessons (thanks Carol), sharing RV Tech and Phone Apps. A first time (could become a regular?) Boat Race. Bet you did not know there was a lake right there in Usery!
We enjoyed front row seating at the Duttons musical show and a couple of our members were even up and coming stars of the show! No rally would be complete without lunch at Organ Stop Pizza.
One of the park Rangers came and talked to us one afternoon sharing lots of interesting information about this lovely park.
One extra piece of excitement this year involved the attack of a Saguaro on poor Don’s 5th wheel. The whole top broke off the cactus and landed against the rig wrecking the awning and landing in a chair that Don had been sitting in not long before. Could have been a terrible event if the timing had been different.
Happy hours, great food and campfires with entertainment including movie night filled the evening hours.
By the time the guys prepared a great breakfast on Friday we all agreed it had been another successful Rally.
PS: Oh yes, there was a baseball game but I have already forgotten who won. SIGH!
March 18, 2013
In early February we got an Email from Elaine VandenBerg saying she was going to their place in La Penita for a short visit, accompanied by her friend Inez.
We arranged for a visit and Sharon and I hopped a bus for the hour trip from Bucerias.
The bus was nothing like the rattletraps that ply their trade between Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta! Air conditioned, movie, restroom and comfortable seats. Our bus was on its way to Tepic, so was absolutely full. They don’t announce where they are stopping so you have to keep a “heads up” for signs etc.
We did catch the town sign for La Penita and disembarked, address in hand! Elaine had mentioned that most of the cabbies would know where they were. Our luck being what it is landed us a new driver! In our more than halting Espanol,we gave him the address. He did smile and say “Si” ! This of course means either A: He knows where it is! or: B: He had no idea what we were saying!
Once in the cab, we find he speaks fairly decent English and is delighted to practice. We also found that he really just had a vague idea about the address.
Some twists and turns through some questionable districts lead us eventually to Elaine’s complex.
Once there, we had a tour of their stunning location, on a tidal estuary, right near the beach, so bird pictures were in my future!
We walked back to town for a delicious lunch, while Elaine chatted with vendors along the way and arranged for needed things.
Inez and Elaine walked with us through downtown to the bus depot where another bus awaited us for the trip back to a very spoiled, babysat poddle named Cappy!
Not much different than the Red Arrow from Calgary to Red Deer and back!
Life is good!
February 7, 2013
Where does the time go? To think that we once had jobs and kids and other stuff to eat up the space!
Our “left turn” winter has been marvellous so far! Funky apartment with a resident gecko, great folks, new foods, and wonderful experiences.
We started off with a welcoming cocktail party on the roof patio, hosted by the owner, to introduce new guests to the old guard who winter here regularly.
Then Christmas dinner on the roof with its knock out view!
New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks — the Mexicans love their fireworks!
Parades and festivals? There is hardly a week goes by without one!
We did fit in some visitors on occasion. First Merle and Judy and friends here for a couple of weeks! Then Merle and Judy and John & Judi for a short visit during their Panama cruise!
The blessing of the fishing boats is a major event here, lasting some 10 days. Each morning starts off with cannon blasts around 4:30 or 5:00 A.M. Think window-rattling, bone-jarring loud!
Poor Cappy our poodle is now requiring regular therapy sessions!
Every seat in the large cathedral is filled every A.M. at six! That’s dedication!
Here we are now, entering Feb. with more festivals and parties to come and our time here is already half gone!
Life is good!
Sharon & Bill
asdf
February 3, 2013
We have been very fortunate to be able to travel to wonderful places on this planet. Our next trip is to Australia and New Zealand, one that we having been planning to do since we met some 50 years ago. (Oh my, how time has flown.)
The following is an abbreviated itinerary that we will be updating after our visit to each location. Our hope is that you will enjoy our adventure along with us.
Flight to Australia
February 15 – 18 Fly from Calgary to Los Angeles to Brisbane to Cairns
Australia
February 19 – 22 Great Barrier Reef Cruise
February 23 – 25 Cairns Area
February 26 – 28 Sydney
March 1 – 8 Melbourne Area
March 9 – 15 Sydney Area – Hunter Valley
Cruise
March 16 – 30 Cruise from Sydney to Auckland
New Zealand
March 30 – April 28 Rented a camper van – traveling both North and South Islands
April 28 to May 3 Turango Area on the North Island
Flight Home
May 3 – Fly from Auckland to Vancouver to Calgary. (Interesting point — we leave Auckland at 8 pm arriving Calgary at 7:15 pm the same day. Who says you can’t time travel!)
We look forward to sharing our adventure with family and friends. Follow us on our new blog!
“We have too many places to visit, not enough time to do it, and not enough money to do it with, but we are going to give it one hell of a try”.
Hugs, Ann & Mel
January 25, 2013
Well, I know my last posting was a bit of a downer, but the update should be happier reading.
Mary-Ann’s surgery went very well and her recovery has been tremendous. Foot surgery takes a long time to heal, but she is really doing well.
The trailer replacement saga is in the final stretch. The insurance company treated us very well and we just factory-ordered a brand new Arctic Fox 29-5K fiver with lots of goodies in it. The hardest part other than nervousness while working through the claim was that it was really hard to pin the insurance company down on specifics of what constitutes an “equivalent” trailer to our Titanium (which isn’t produced any more).
Well, in the end, if it was approximately the same length, with similar features it was okay. We got quotes for the Arctic Fox and a Cedar Creek. The Arctic Fox (which is the one we preferred) came in cheaper so that’s the one the insurance went for. We had no battles, just clarifications with the claims agent.
So, we will pick up the unit at Trailer Town in early May and start camping right away. We’ve already booked a rally with the Northwood (manufacturer) owners association in late June near the factory in Le Grande, Oregon.
So, learnings include:
 | Sally on Mesa Rally 2013 Pics — Judi… |
 | Gary & Pam on Mesa Rally 2013 Pics — Judi… |
| Gary & Pam on Events |
 | Bill Denney on Mexican Update — Sharon &… |
 | Robin Elford on Mexican Update — Sharon &… |
