Hacienda Del Lago Golf Club & Bottled Water

The big topic of the day around here was the record setting high temperature we had.  The old record was broken by 5 degrees and the high reached 92.  Average temp for this day is 71.  Yes, it was hot and the a/c got a little workout.

Gerry had a card crafting session to attend and I went on a bottle water run at Costco.  We needed some other items so I combined them into one shopping trip.  Costco was crowded as usual, but when I got to the bottle water section I was very surprised.  They usually have a number of pallets of water stacked high and into the aisle.  Not so today and what water was there was being grabbed by people picking up multiple cases.  I managed to snag a case and then had to wend my way out the of area.  I wonder if these people knew something that I didn't?

Since it was so hot outside, Gerry wasn't that interested in doing any cooking and heating up the motorhome.  She has been wanting to go to the Hacienda Del Lago Golf Club for dinner for a long time and tonight was the time to go.  We could have sat on the beautiful patio, but I was concerned about the heat.  Bad move on my part.  We should have dined out there.  There is a beautiful view of the golf course from the patio with the Rincon mountains in the background.

They have a very nice restaurant, full menu and great service.  The prices were reasonable for what you got and we will be going back there again before we leave.  I ordered the club sandwich and it was so large I could only eat half of it.  Gerry had a steak sandwich and brought back home half of the sandwich also.  She had a nice margarita and since I have been congested, I ordered an Irish Coffee.  It really it hit the spot.  If you are in the Vail, AZ area check it out for lunch or dinner.  Oh, they also golf there.

Our neighbor at the park works next to a bagel bakery and brought us over a huge bag of bagels.  That's after he took a number for them.  We've had the bagels before and they are great.  It looks like we will be freezing some bagels for later use.  Yumm! 


 

PT Day & A/C works

It's seems to be a little early for such warm temperatures in Tucson with temps up to the low 90s.  It was just a week or so ago that we were in the low 50s for a high.  It would be nice if we could average these temps and stay around 70+ for the next month or so.  

Late in the afternoon I turned the a/c on in the motorhome to make sure they worked as expected.  I am happy to report they did fine and it was comfortable in the motorhome very quickly.  The thought of sitting in an a/c MH all day doesn't excite me very much.  I'd prefer to sit outside in the shade and enjoy the weather.

They had an end of the season party at the pool today, but it was held right in the middle of my PT session and I couldn't make it.  I heard it was smaller than usual and many people were surprised how low the attendance was.  The park has been changing over the years and it is really evident this year how much.  In the past the park would be almost full from Dec-April, however this season I don't think it ever got to 80% full.  I wonder what that is all about.

The PT session was a little more difficult and I got a good workout from Ian.  He introduced some new exercises and a couple were difficult to perform.  Most were about flexibility and balance.  I did ok on the balance but the flexibility part made it more interesting.  The worst part is that just a few years ago these would have been a piece of cake to do for me.  Hopefully the flexibility will come back over time.

We stopped by and visited with cousin Sharon and Al for a while in the late afternoon.  They were sitting in there 5th wheel without the a/c on and it was hot in there.  Neither of them really care much for a/c and were comfortable with the temp.  We haven't been over there since January and it was nice seeing them again.  They plan on leaving around March 28 and heading in the general direction of Las Vegas and then through Death Valley and winding up in Yosemitie Nat'l park sometime in April or early May.  Have a great trip guys.

More people are sitting outside and we managed to stop and chat with Steve & Judy and a little later with Ron & Dee.  Dee had an important appointment she couldn't miss (Bingo) and had to cut short the visit.  It's too bad we don't have more weather like this so we can get out and socialize more.

I hope you all had a great day.  We did.     

Basketball & Mucinex DM

This was a wasted weekend for me except for the numerous college basketball games being played on TV.  This is the time of year for basketball junkies to go into overload.  I enjoy seeing all the teams play to see who I think lives up to their reputation.   The Creighton-Wichita State game was fantastic and well played.  Loved it.

The above was the highlight of the weekend since my allergies and a cold knocked me off my feet.  As usual my head felt like an enlarged basketball that wanted to get larger.  Healthy doses of Mucinex DM and Sudafed have helped ease the discomfort, but I know it will take a few days to run it's course.

I know this isn't that interesting and we all have to go through this, but just wanted to let you know we are still here.

It looks like we are in for a warming trend with the possibility of highs in the 90s by Friday.  I am not ready for that yet, but will take that over the cold and snow anyday.  

  

Off to the airport

Barb & Henry's visit to Tucson came to an end this morning very early.  We got up at 4 AM and left the motorhome at 4:35 AM for their flight.  The nice thing about staying at CCRV is that the airport is only 20 minutes away.  That early in the morning it was even quicker since there wasn't any traffic at all.   We dropped them off at the Southwest Airline door and said our goodbyes.  It was sad to see them go, but we will see them again in June.

They had a flight to Las Vegas where they will go to the NASCAR race there on Sunday.  I think Barbara also has her eye on some slot machines and a show Saturday night.  The show doesn't start until 10:30 PM since it has topless dancers and then it lasts 1 1/2 hours.  I bet they will be tired puppies after that.

 I think Barbara was at the slot machines before we woke up.  Her partner in crime, Liz is at the next machine along with Henry Sr.  Neither of the Henrys like to gamble so they must have hung around had some of the free drinks for the players.  Actually, I don't know if they still give out free drinks on the strip.  You can tell by the big smile on Barbara's face that she is enjoying her time in Las Vegas.  Have fun guys & dolls.



We returned to the MH and caught a couple hours of sleep before we took the rental car back to the airport.  Going to the airport twice in a day was a first for us.  Returning the car went off without a hitch and we were out of there in less than 10 minutes.

By this time it was time for my PT and I had the owner giving me a workout today.  She really makes it difficult since she pushes me so much.  It is for my own good so I endure it.  I think I will ask for someone else next time.  NOT!

That was our exciting day, how was yours? 

San Xavier Mission, Titan Missile Museum & Tubac

This was an early to rise and hit the road kind of day with a number of places to visit on the last full day of Barb & Henry's visit to Tucson.  We planned on visiting Madera Canyon also but ran out of time and energy.

The first stop of the day was the San Xavier del Bac Mission just south of Tucson.  The Mission is a very popular tourist attraction and is a very interesting place.  We managed to snare a parking place near the entrance to the Mission and I guarded the car while they toured.  

 A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. 


The current church dates from the late 1700's, when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain. In 1783, Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain was able to begin contruction on the present structure using money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher. He hired an architect, Ignacio Gaona, and a large workforce of O'odham to create the present church.

Following Mexican independence in 1821, San Xavier became part of Mexico. The last resident Franciscan of the 19th Century departed in 1837. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, the Mission joined the United States. In 1859 San Xavier became part of the Diocese of Santa Fe. In 1866 Tucson became an incipient diocese and regular services were held at the Mission once again. Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened a school at the Mission in 1872. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity now teach at the school and reside in the convent.

The Franciscans returned to the Mission in 1913. Recently, Mission San Xavier became a seperate nonprofit entity. It remains a testament to the endurance of culture throughout our history.

The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.

The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.

Dummy missile in silo

Just a short drive down I-19 is the Titan Missile Museum which was a Cold War missile site in service from 1963 to 1982.  When they deactivated the 54 missile sites in the U.S. they left this one intact.  The silo doors remain open and a dummy warhead is on top of the missile engine.  The controls and silo are just like they were when it was closed down with all the original equipment left in place.  This was one of the first tourist places Gerry and I visited when we first came out here for the winter and we enjoyed the 1 hour tour very much.

Barbara & Henry took the tour today and I had to stay behind due to the steps down into the control room.  Barb did manage to sit at the launch table and it made everyone nervous.  She did resist launching the missile and the world is a safer place for that gesture.  Thanks Barb!

Hello Stephanie, guess where I am.

Antenna array built to withstand bomb blast

Nice shady spot to wait

Check out the sign.

Barb & Henry taking the tour

Our next stop was Tubac a few miles down I-19 for the girls to do some shopping.  We grabbed a couple sandwiches at a local deli and was surprised how good they were.

Henry & Gerry at deli counter

The girls decided to spend the remaining time in the shops and Henry and I found a nice table to sit at outside the deli.  We sat there for a long time and it started to get chilly with the strong wind blowing through the patio.  That is when we retreated to the car and waited there for the shoppers to return.  Both came back with little packages which meant jewelry and no questions were asked.

We drove around town so they could see the sites and stopped by this pottery shop for them to look for some more bargains.  Everything was too large to take back with them so Henry lucked out on this stop.

  

 By then they were shopped out and we were tuckered out so we headed back toward the motorhome with a stop at a local Italian restaurant called Argenziano's.  We managed to snag a table very fast and ordered our meals.  The meals were huge and we took doggy bags with us for the leftovers.  The meals were great and I recommend the place if you are in the Corona de Tucson area.

I thought we were done, but there were 3 Dairy Queen freaks in the car and I was out voted once again.  They still have the buy one, get one for $.99 and I ordered my usual.  It took it's place in the freezer next to the other two that I haven't eaten.

Then, it was time to head back to the motorhome.  Whew, I was tired out.

That was our day, how was yours?