FALL and WINTER: 2025-2026
|
|
|
|
| Return
to "Spring/Summer" 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, December 18, 2025: Gary,
Jeanne, Gwen and I visit the Sonoran Desert Museum. It's an hour
drive to the museum on the other side of Tucson. We have visited
previously by always fun to see the animals and plants. In-spite
of the rattlesnake sign, this time of year the snakes are below
ground. We walked the entire museum. I recorded more than
5000 steps. Most of the desert animals were not visible,
probably in an area to stay warm. Still, we enjoyed our day
together. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, December
17, 2025: Last evening I drove to Chandler, Arizona to
meet son Joe who is working this week in Tempe. I've
done this before and the Cracker Barrel restaurant is
just too easy for both he and me to find. It's right off
Interstate 10 which we both must drive to meet. I'm
flying to Reno, Nevada this Christmas to visit children
and grandchildren. Joe is bringing me a carry-on bag.
The report at left is the record the Toyota Prius made
for the one way trip to Chandler. The speed limit along
the trip was 75 mph. I imagine I could have done better
MPG if I was driving slower than the speed limit. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, December 16, 2025: Last
evening we walked through the Winterhaven light show after
riding there on a park shuttle bus. It is about 4 square blocks
of Christmas lights in an area of Tucson called Winterhaven. It
was more walking than I've done in a while and painful due to
the sciatica in my right leg but I didn't complain. Click these
photos for more views and check out this short
video. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, December 12,
2025: Gary and Jeanne invited us to go with them to La
Freda Mexican Restaurant. It is one of the better
restaurants in Tucson. I ordered the Ahi Tuna
wrapped in Avocado which Gwen had a Chicken Salad. Both
were very good and we were hungry since we had no lunch
anticipating this meal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, December 11,
2025: This is our first visit to the Reid Park Zoo
here in Tucson. This time of year they fill the park
with Christmas lights for evening walks. We went with
the RCE Photo Club specifically to take photos to show
off with the Photo Club exhibit. We arrived at 9am, the
time they open. No crowd at that time of day but the
activities began at 9:30 with staff describing and
interacting with the various exhibits. It has been many
years since we have been to a zoo and today was perfect
weather and zoo features. Click all photos for
another view. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, December 9,
2025: Our park model is on the perimeter of the Rincon
Country East RV Resort. We also sit across from the dog
park rather than another park model. That means we have
no one behind us and no one in front with a clear view
of the mountains. We are also three park models from the
Pantano Wash. We also have a gate in the fence behind us
which allows us access to walk Abby in the Pantano Wash.
Unfortunately some folks in the nearby residential areas
have ATVs, side by sides, off road motorcycles, etc.
They take a road which is 100 yards behind our park
model. They come to a Y in that road and some make the
choice to take the left branch which brings them closer
to us. They create lots of noise and dust. Some of those
residents also have made the edge of the Pantano Wash
their personal dumping ground. A week ago someone dumped
a freezer and refrigerator alongside the access road. I
got the idea to move those items into the Y branch which
brings the ATVs closer blocking the road. I got help
from a neighbor and we moved the refrigerator and
freezer into the road along with a whole lot of
branches. I purchased "Caution Tape" and stung it over
the road also. Hopefully all the ATVers will get
the message. Click the photo for another view.
I couldn't believe it but later this day while walking
Abby out back, someone else had dumped another
refrigerator with those we had moved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, December 3, 2025: We had
a short rain storm today along with some wind. As the storm
passed to the east the clouds began to break open. |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, December 2, 2025: This was
a special night for Rincon Country East RV Resort. Fifty-two of
us went together to "Race to the North Pole" which is a slap
stick comedy musical at the Gaslight Theater. They always seem
to sell out their performances. The style of the play has been
the same for the few performances we have attended. Always a
musical and slapstick comedy. The plays are well performed
and music was enjoyable and always have a happy ending. I made a
very short video for you to get the idea of the
players. |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 27, 2025: On this
Thanksgiving day we hiked into the desert for views and rock
collecting. The hiking weather was perfect. Only a slight breeze
and the scattered clouds kept it cool. Click these photos for more
views. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, November 26, 2025:
Bouse is 25 miles to Quartzsite so we must visit. Gwen has some
items in mind for herself and Jeannie in Tucson. I have nothing
in mind. I was very surprised at the lack of winter visitors and
winter booths. My memory tells me it is usually busy this
time of year. We spent most of our shopping time in Gem World
where you will find the largest display of rocks, gems and
equipment. I found items for the grandchildren and Gwen found
what she was looking for. After Gem World we visited Silly Als
for lunch. It's the best restaurant in Quartzsite. Click
the three photos for more views. |
|
|
|
Tuesday, November 25, 2025: We are
prepared for boondocking, without utilities, as we have done many
times in the past for as much as 4 months at a time. This time
will be less than a week since our park model in the Rincon
Country East RV Resort has spoiled us. But RCE does not compare to
the desert views, sunrises, sunsets, and hiking here. Both Gwen
and I have been to the top of the tallest peak you see in the
background. Click this photo for a view of our solar setup.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday,
November 24, 2025: This was a 6.5 hour travel day from
Tucson to Bouse, Arizona. Bouse desert is a
favorite location to park in the desert. When you
check our winter camping posts you will learn we have
been in this desert nearly 20 years. We plan to visit Quartzite
then just relax for a few days in the desert. Some
hiking is planned too. Click on both photos for more
views. |
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 22,
2025: This was a busy sports day. The Arizona
Wildcats played Baylor today in the Arizona Stadium and
won. The Oregon Ducks played USC in Eugene today and
won. Here in Tucson, the 42nd annual Tour de Tucson
Bicycle ride happened with better than 10,000 riders.
The route brought the riders within 1/4 mile of our
park. It was pretty windy but no rain until the ride was
over. Here is a short
video I found to explain the ride. I haven't
attempted this ride yet because I don't have the
strength or endurance. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Saturday,
November 15, 2025: The RCE photo club took an
excursion to the University of Arizona campus. The
campus is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the
Center for Creative Photography (CCP). We are here to
see the exhibit of the photos over the past 50 years.
It is our first time to be on this end of the campus.
After viewing the exhibit our group went to Chedders
to have lunch together. It was our suggestion so we
were very happy when everyone enjoyed themselves.
Click both photos for another view.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday,
November 12, 2025: My morning began at the Wednesday
morning park meeting in the club house. We learned of
events, dinners, and parties.
I had given Gary and Jeanne my outdoor storage bin in
exchange for transporting our stuff from Oregon to
Tucson. After the morning meeting we unloaded the bin
from his utility trailer and assembled it in his car
port. Click the photo to see the assembled unit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 8, 2025:
Today the Arizona Wildcats play the Kansas Jayhawks as
one of their final home games. In fact, this was their
"Homecoming" game. Gwen and I have seats facing the sun on
the 50 yard line. It is a warm day so after the halftime
show from the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, we bail to
recover at Cheddars a few miles away. They have fairly
good food and monitors so we can finish watching the game.
Click both these photos for more views. I also took a video of the marching band. |
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, November 1, 2025: Gwen and I
went to the afternoon session of the Arizona Band Day. It began
this morning with 1A high schools. Band Day ended at 9 pm with the
5A high schools. We watched all nine of the 3A high schools. Four
are pictured above, click on the photos to see the other two. You
can see they have close to the same number of students. I didn't
stay for the presentation of the awards so I don't know which got
awards. They were all good and I know how much work it took for
these bands to achieve such a good performance. I believe they all
should get awards. I did make a
short video of the band I thought did the best although
several were tied in my view. Here is a link
to high schools in the schedule.
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, October 31, 2025: This was a busy
Halloween Day. We first dressed up Abby with a Cookie Monster
costume to be in the pet parade. The pet parade followed the golf
cart parade. Abby was getting hot so we only did the first portion
of the parade but she always enjoys being in the parade following
the golf carts. Behind the center photo is a Bearded Dragon
dressed up like a bat. Gwen and I wanted to hear the band so we
went to the Halloween party. Gwen did a great job dressing for the
Munster family. I was a cowboy with pillow stuffing as hair. Click
all photos for another view. Here is a short video
of the golf cart parade after Abby and I had left. |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, October 29, 2025: I
purchased a cheese pizza from Costco then added black
olives, spinach, mushrooms and squash. I thought it was
great. Gwen didn't care for the squash. |
|
|
|
Monday, October 27, 2025: I took a bike
ride today to the Coffee XChange just to get some photographs.
Next Monday I will lead the park cycling group and this is a
popular short ride for us. It turns out to be 14 miles round trip.
I picked from their lunch menu and got a Greek Salad. The pastries
were very tempting but expensive.
|
|
|
| Friday, October 24, 2025:
My day began very early. Abby had a spa appointment at
7:30 this morning. While she was at the spa, I took myself
to First Watch for breakfast. When I arrived home I signed
up for Rouvy cycling APP to learn how it compares to
Zwift. However, I was only on Rouvy for 15 minutes when I
got the call Abby was ready to be picked up. When we got
home, Amazon had delivered the replacement parts for our
Shark Robot vacuum. I quickly learned we have been
very poor at maintaining our robot. The photo at the right
shows just one of the many filters which were clogged. I
have no idea how the robot has been working. This filter,
when I pulled it apart dumped a half cup of dust from the
inside of the filter more than what you see on the
outside. I was able to replace all the filters, the roller
(brush) and the sweeping brushes too. I also blew
out the inside using compressed air. I'm sure the robot
will do its job like new again. Later, I watched Toronto
beat the Dodgers in the first game of the World Series. I
also watched the Nevada and Boise State Football game. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday,
October 16, 2025: I got to drive a long distance
today in the Prius. We have been dog-sitting
Joe's dog Casey since Sunday while Joe is working in
Phoenix. Today was the day to return Casey to Joe so I
drove to meet him in Chandler which is 110 miles. I
got to use the "Adaptive Cruise Control" and I loved
it. I set the speed at 77 mph, where the speed limit
was 75. If a car was in front of me, it would slow to
match that car's speed. When we got close to Chandler
the traffic was stop/go. The car would slow then stop.
When the traffic began to move, so did the car. The
car was doing the thinking for me. The 60 mpg was when
Gwen was driving at 60 mph behind me when I was
pulling the trailer.
When I returned home I had two bicycle wheels to take
care of. Front had a flat, rear needed to be replace.
I almost gave up trying to remove the tires from the
rim then I remembered the trick to make it easy. I'm
making both wheels tubeless. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, October 14,
2025: I began my morning with another Zwift ride.
After the ride I learned of Cleo living in our park.
Cleo's master has decided he can't keep such an energetic,
one year old Golden and must rehome her. We would love to
help out but we have just enough energy to be good masters
to Abby. I wanted to make sure Cleo's master knew of the
Southern Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue (SAGRR). It is an
organization which will carefully rehome Goldens in a
situation just like this. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday,
October 13, 2025: Two days ago, on Saturday, I
measured a wind gust of 56 mph plus rain of almost 3
inches. That was enough to rip the aluminum awning off
a neighbor's park model about ten spaces away from us.
This park model was the only one damaged in our park.
We were standing on our deck watching the storm which
was very violent. The 56 mph wind gust was the most my
weather station has ever measured. I watching the
action of the tree behind our park model, I would not
be surprised if this was not a small tornado. We got
more rain today but the forecast calls for clear skies
tomorrow. |
|
|
|
|
| Sunday, October 12, 2025: While
my son, Joe was visiting, we decided to take a tour south
of Tucson toward the tiny area of Sonoita and Patagonia.
Joe wanted to visit a couple of distilleries and Gwen
wanted to see the Patagonia Fall Festival. We dodged
the rain and even got to walk the Patagonia Festival
without getting wet. We ended up at the Copper Brothel
Brewery in Sonoita where we enjoyed a good late lunch.
Click all photos for more views. |
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, October 11, 2025: Joe
and I went to the Arizona Stadium to watch the Arizona
Wildcats take on the BYU Cougars. Our seats ended up in
the middle of a large group of BYU fans all dressed in
their blue jerseys. The weather was a big factor and the
game was put on weather hold at the beginning of the
second quarter. Joe and I decided to try to escape the
weather but got caught in our walk back to the car. We
were soaked. The game resumed after more than an hour then
went into double overtime after three more quarters. We
were able to finish watching on TV. BYU won. Click both
photos for more views. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday,
October 7, 2025: Gwen and I have decided to try new
things here in Tucson. We'll start with a new cafe for
us, the Eclectic Cafe. I spotted this ad in a Tucson
Guide magazine, showed it to Gwen and she agreed to
give it a try. I ordered 1/2 Corned Beef sandwich with
a green side salad. It came with poppy seed dressing.
Click my meal to see Gwen's order of a Strawberry and
chicken salad also with poppy seed dressing. We were
both very happy with our meals and will visit again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, October 5, 2025:
I sent most of my day completing the installation of our
security camera's around the perimeter of our park model.
However, this was one of the better NFL games today with
the Denver Broncos pulling out a win in the end. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Saturday,
October 4, 2025: Gwen and I were hopeful for the
Arizona Wildcats against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The Oregon Ducks walked all over the Cowboys so we
thought that might give the Wildcats a chance. In
spite of two interceptions thrown by the Wildcat
quarterback, the Wildcats beat the Cowboys, 41-13. Of
course the band always wins so here is a video
of the Arizona marching band. Click on both
photos for another view.
|
 |
|
|
|
Friday, October 3, 2025:
This morning I saw the AD at the left. Gwen agreed to go
with me and we learned this was the Cinnaholic store
only four miles from our park model. This was a new
experience for us. We learned their "Old Skool Rolls"
regular price is $5.75 so this was a good deal. Click on
both photos for another view. Once we returned home I
checked out their presentation
on Shark Tank and learned more about the business.
|
|
|
|
|
