SATURDAY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT AT TT PALM SPRINGS

Sat Oct. 22 - As reported in a previous article, we checked into TT Palm Springs on Wednesday, October 19. We have not been here since early Spring!! We were delighted to discover that Rick is having the Saturday morning Pickleball tournaments again this season. The tournament today was Round Robin Luck-Of-The-Draw, in which everyone draws a card and is assigned the number of the card drawn. Then according to a set format, players' numbers are put with other players, changing for each match. We still enjoy participating in the Saturday Tournaments!!

Pictures of some of the action. Hope I included everyone.

Linda and Rob.

Judy and Mike.

Bob and Ken.

Nancy and Brian.

Richard and Larry.

Judy and Brian.

Linda and Pam.

Lynn and Faye.

And, the Winners! First Place, Judy. Third Place, Brian. Rick who ran the tournament. Second Place, Linda.

Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who participated. Thank you,Rick. It was a lot of fun!! Look forward to next Saturday!!

PICKLEBALL AT TT WILDERNESS LAKES AND TT PALM SPRINGS!!

Oct. 20 - We have spent two weeks at TT Wilderness Lakes, located off I-215 between Los Angeles and San Diego. We left there on Wednesday morning for two weeks at TT Palm Springs. The picture below is the group of Pickleball players who were there in the morning as we were leaving!! A whole group of great players came in yesterday!! Just as we were leaving!! Oh, Great!!

From left to right: Rich, Dee, Dean, Val, Bill, Bob, Phyllis, Ron, Ede, Jessie, Ray.

Have a lot of fun you guys!!!

Now we are at TT Palm Springs, off I-10 east of Los Angeles, about 65 miles from TT Wilderness Lakes. We arrived Wednesday afternoon, got set up, went to Costco and Home Depot, got our flu shots and pneumonia shots at Walgreens, then went to the $2 movie (saw "The Devil's Double"), picked up a pizza on our way home, and collapsed!!

It's early in the season here, nevertheless they have a number of Pickleball players here already!! Captured these guys on the courts this morning!

Left to right: Ranger Linda, Rick who runs the Pickleball program, two new players Nancy and Mike, Roy, Ken, Ranger Larry, Richard, Lee who inspires the Water Volleyball program, and long-time friend Cowboy Paul!

Later this afternoon friends Pam and Bob arrived at the park. We had not seen them since last spring so decided to have an impromptu get-together with them and a few others!!

Seated: Faye, Ken, Pam, Bob. Standing: Brian, Judy, and John. Great fun!!

It's great to be back!!

IN REMEMBRANCE OF OUR FRIEND JOHN DAVIS

October 18 - Many of you know our good friends Carolyn, an excellent Pickleball Player, and her always supportive husband John.

This morning we received the very sad news that John died suddenly last night while sitting in his favorite chair, after talking on the cell phone to their daughter.

John and Carolyn had just been here with us at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes. We had enjoyed Pickleball with Carolyn in the mornings and John drove over to the courts every day to say Hello to the group.

They had just left Wilderness Lakes a few days ago and were camping in their motor home in the middle of the desert at Quartzite, AZ, an area of the West that John loved, when he died. We were very relieved to learn that Carolyn is currently staying with their friends Rich and Lynn in Yuma, just south of Quartzite.

For your information, Carolyn's address is 154 Bandit Lane, Bailey, CO 80421.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carolyn at this very sad time. We will miss you, John.

SKIN CANCER DOCTORS RADENTZ TIMES TWO!!

Oct. 17 - If this were not so serious, it could be pretty funny!!

Before leaving Arizona, I had seen a dermatologist and had three biopsies performed on areas on my face and on my right thumb. The result of the biopsies showed I did indeed have some skin cancer and needed additional procedures. By the time we got the biopsy results, we had left Arizona and were in California at TT Wilderness Lake. Our Pickleball friend, Jim who had lived in this area for years, recommended his dermatologist in nearby Murrieta. He said it was a husband and wife team. Jim's wife Shirley went to Doctor Leslie, and Jim went to Doctor Bill. I called and was able to get an appointment with Doctor Leslie the following week!

I told Jim I was going in on Wednesday afternoon to determine how the doctor would proceed. Jim said he had an appointment that same afternoon. Later, I told Jim I was going in on Monday afternoon for a procedure Doctor Leslie said was called Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Jim said he was going to see Doctor William that same afternoon!!!

On Monday afternoon, my surgery was complete and I was having the dressing applied when I heard, "Hey, Faye!!" from the hallway. Jim had just arrived for his surgery across the hall. "Hey, Jim. Good luck!"

I asked Doctor Leslie if it would be possible to get a picture of this most unusual happening! Two friends visiting two doctors at the same time. The doctors were wonderful and agreed to my request!

Picture: Doctor Bill, Jim showing the area on his hand pending surgery, Doctor Leslie, and me showing my nasal surgery.

Doctor Leslie told me she had excised sections of skin surrounding my skin cancer and tissue evaluation showed the margins were clear. All evidence of the cancer had been removed. I have two more surgeries to go.

May I take this opportunity to encourage everyone to have a skin check-up with their dermatologist!! Skin Cancer is Serious!!

TWO BIG CELEBRATIONS IN OCTOBER!

Well, I crawled and clawed my way up that huge hill for years and I just rolled over the other side on Sunday, October 2nd!! Yes. I am officially OVER THE HILL!! 75 years old!!

We were staying up in the San Bernardino Mountains, miles away from anything, so we decided to celebrate my big day later in the week. But, we did spend the day eating!!!

First, Ken treated me to a really nice birthday breakfast omelet! Ummmm!

For lunch we had one of our favorites - chopped tomatoes and mixed olives with basil and Feta cheese grilled on tortilla (or pita bread)! Ummmm!

And, for dinner it was Ken's special Shrimp and Crab Fettuccine!! Ummmm! A very tasty birthday!!

Later in the week we moved to the Elk's Lodge in Buena Park, Ca, because we needed to have our Hughes Autoformer repaired. Hughes Autoformer is located in Anaheim, CA, about 15 miles from the Elk's Lodge.

While we were waiting for the repairs, we decided to go to Marie Callender's to celebrate my birthday!

We noticed the cake and pie display as we entered the restaurant!! It looked so sinful!!

Ken ordered a Pecan Pie to go!!

We stopped back by Hughes Autoformer and picked up our repaired unit! Only $175!! What a deal!!

The Elk's Lodge is also located only 30 miles south of Culver City where Ken's Granddaughter Niki lives and works. Fortunately, Niki was able to meet us for dinner at Rush's Cafe on Tuesday evening. Niki has been working 12-16 hours a day at a Zoic Studios that creates movies and TV programs. Currently, she is working on the new TV series, Pan Am. Later, she will be involved with True Blood coming on Showtime. Way to go, Niki!!

Our October celebrations are not over!! Tuesday, October 11, was our Anniversary!! Our 32nd Anniversary!! We decided to go to Outback Steakhouse in Temecula. We both knew it was too much, but we started with their famous Blooming Onion!! Only about 2000 calories!! But oh so good!!!

After our Steak dinner, our waiter Branden surprised us when he brought a complimentary Anniversary dessert!! It looked like a volcano! Ice cream topped with whipped cream with hot fudge sauce and Oreo cookie crumbles! Ummmm!! Delicious!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to us!!

BACK AT TT WILDERNESS LAKES, CALIFORNIA

We arrived at TT Wilderness Lakes, California, on October 5th. Soon after that we were on the Pickleball Courts ready to play. It's a little early in the season, so there are only a few of us, but we had enough for a foursome with one or two sitting out.

Here are Ken, Jessie, Jim and Ede who lives nearby.

And another foursome: Al who is a Ranger here, Carolyn, Faye and Jim.

It is great to play with these players again!

The courts have been redone and now we have four courts, painted across the tennis court. Al was instrumental in getting that work done. Thanks, Al!!

I have been getting up about 5:40 AM to exercise a little before Ken gets up. If I don't do it early, I just don't get it done. At this time of year it's a little too cold and dark to walk outside that early in the morning, especially since they have a great Fitness Center here at Wilderness. I have been walking on the treadmill and a little light weights every morning while Ken snoozes!

Our plants have been growing all Summer. We all know that Ken has a "green thumb" but this is ridiculous!!

(Left to right) Periwinkle, Mint (almost hidden from view behind the Periwinkle), Basil, and Purple Shamrock!!

GRANDSON RUSSELL'S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME

Friday, Oct. 7 - Ken's Grandson Russell attends Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, CA. And, he plays defense on the Varsity Football Team!! We wanted to watch him play; so we drove down on Friday afternoon to go to the game!!

Russell was great!! He played the entire game -- every time the defense was on the field!! His number 67 and name were announced a number of times as being the defensive player involved in the tackle!! We were so proud!!

On one particular play, on Fourth Down for the opposing team, as the punter kicked the ball, Number 67 was there and blocked the kick; then Russell charged down the field and fell on the loose ball, less than 10 yards from the Lancer's goal line!! Yeah Russell!! What a play!!

Here Russell receiving instructions from his Godfather!!

A family picture with the hero!! Jacob, Emily, Faye, Russell, Rich, and Ken.

Congratulations Russell on a great game!! That was a lot of fun!!!

DETOUR THROUGH OATMAN, AZ

When we left the Hoover Dam, we decided to take a different route back, so we took Route 93 south to Kingman, AZ. From there we took Historic Route 66 through Oatman, an old mining town.

Route 66 was a narrow winding road, with many hair-pin turns so several times it seemed we met ourselves on some of the turns! Scenery along the way.

A sign about the mines seen just outside of Oatman. The sign reads: There are five active Federal Mining Claims in this area on both sides of the road. Due to changes in the mining laws everyone needs to get a permit to be on the claims. To get a permit see Don at 9044 Oatman Road.

Driving into Oatman.

Below: A sign on the outskirts of town: Oatman was founded about 1906, By 1931, the area’s mines had produced over 1.8 Million ounces of gold. By the mid-1930s, the boom was over and in 1942 the last remaining mines were closed as nonessential to the war effort.

Burros first came to Oatman with early day prospectors. The animals were used for hauling water and supplies. As the mines closed and people moved away, the burros were released into the surrounding hills.

Wild burros are protected by Federal Law from capture, injury or harassment. Help protect these living symbols of the Old West.

We drove past the Historic Oatman Hotel (below). The Oatman Hotel is said to be haunted with the ghosts of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard who were married in nearby Kingman in March 1939 and spent their wedding night at the Hotel. They enjoyed their stay so much they returned several times. It is said they have so many fine memories of the old hotel that they refuse to leave.

Wild burros roam the town, going in and out of the shops at will!


Or welcoming drivers as they drive through town!

REPEAT VISIT TO THE HOOVER DAM, BOULDER CITY, NV

Sept 26 - We drove from Verde Valley to Bullhead City, AZ/Laughlin, NV yesterday. We will stay here for four nights.

Today we decided to drive up to see the Hoover Dam again. We had been there in April 2001, but we heard there was a huge new bridge across the Colorado River and we thought that would be worth a 85 mile drive.

This is funny. When I told my daughter Stasia that we were going to the Hoover Dam she said she had just found a picture of us taken at the Hoover Dam! I wonder if her picture was anything like this one!! HA HA!

Close up!!

View of the new bridge that we came to see!! Picture taken from top of the Dam.

This is a picture of the Dam. No water flows over The Hoover Dam.

Water flows through releases at the bottom of the dam, allowing the Colorado River to continue its southwesterly journey through Arizona, Nevada and California. They have a saying: Food Grows Where Water Flows!

We didn't take the tour this time so I don't remember what these two towers contain. Water backed up by the dam forms Lake Meade.

The Hoover Dam was built in two states. The Eastern end of the dam is in Arizona!

The Western end of the dam is in Nevada!

When we left the Hoover Dam, we drove across the new Hoover Memorial Bridge. Unfortunately, the walls were so high we could not see anything below.

On our drive south on SR 93, heading toward Kingman, I told Ken that Arizona has so many beautiful places -- The Painted Desert, The Grand Canyon, Sedona, etc. -- but God must have forgotten this whole area when he made Arizona! This is the ugliest place we have ever seen!!

On our way south we passed the cut-off to the Sky Walk, the Indian tourist attraction where you walk out over the Grand Canyon on glass flooring! I would have loved to detour, but it would have added 80 miles to our trip. Maybe next time!!

SIDE TRIP TO PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ

Sept. 23 - Today is our last day in Verde Valley and we decided to take a side trip to Prescott Valley, about 40 miles South, just over Mingus Mountain. Ken wanted to get a few things at Costco and I wanted to check on having a prescription filled there. (Note: I am just about to go into my GAP under my Humana M/C Drug Plan so did not want to have the prescription filled under the Plan!!) We planned that after doing our chores, we could have early dinner at the China Buffet!! Yeah!!

It was a beautiful drive. Here's a view from the first pull-out, looking down into the Valley!!

We remembered that years ago when we took this route to Prescott, we would always see the wild Pronghorns in the meadows. They did not disappoint us this time either!! They were here to greet us!!

We had a successful trip and finished up at China Buffet at about 3:15 PM -- not a minute too soon since their prices change to dinner price at 3:30 PM!!! It was as delicious, as we remembered from five years ago!!

Here are my appetizers!!! We love Sushi!! One thing I like about this establishment -- they don't place a Tip Jar at the Sushi Bar!!! I have to say, while the Hot and Sour was very good, I like Ming Garden's soup better.

Ken has enjoyed his appetizers and has moved on to the entree!!!

We both ate too much, of course, but this was a great way to end our extended on stay in the Verde Valley!! We highly recommend the China Buffet, above the Costco parking lot in Prescott Valley.

Tomorrow we will head to Bullhead City, AZ for a few days and then on to Southern California!! While we love this area, we will be glad to get the wheels rolling again!!