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Saturday, May 1. 2010
Spring Time and Old Age
Spring and warmer weather is coming in fits and bursts as my stay is extended in the Phoenix area. Just three days ago, the day time temps were in the 90s. For the past two days, the temps climbed up to 70 degrees briefly before dropping back once again. Wear a jacket -- or not. That has been the indecision. The Hawaiian shirt was not an option, but to stay warm a jacket was required. That was especially true to counter the cooling wind.
No complaints -- really. My Colorado friends are experiencing a long drawn out winter with snow falling this past week. Just because the calendar says the first of May, that is no guarantee that will be the end of snow. When living in Denver many years ago, there was a snowfall on the 30th of May.
Recall that Silver Slug celebrated 200,000 miles this last summer. However, with that goes the signs of old age. It was that periodic creaking sound that was heard that could not be masked with turning up the volume on the radio that caused me to check into "urgent care" at the nearby Ford dealer. Yup. Replacement of the hubs was required.
The walk back to Wandrin Wagon for the day and the return at the end of the day to retrieve Silver Slug was a good way to exercise. Sure wasn't a walk in the nearby hills -- let alone a park. It was a walk along city streets and sometimes without sidewalks. Once again, Silver Slug is rolling along without noises that need to be masked with radio volume.
Curiosity is why Silver Slug is needed. That curiosity is all about the world in which I live. The natural world of animals and plants. The man made and altered world. Sitting at a coffee shop and watching people. That is curiosity. Perhaps overhearing conversations at the coffee shop could be called nosy, but the term curiosity is politically correct.
Most RV parks are not located in that preferred natural world. Most are located just off the busy road and next to a shopping center -- and coffee shop. The exceptions are the Thousand Trails "preserves" -- a campground membership that I have. My preferred places to camp are the Thousand Trails parks along with state parks, federal parks, and other public parks. My current stop is the Usery Mountain Park near Mesa, AZ. Sure it costs more, but this is where I want to explore. My plan is to spend my savings to enjoy and live each day.
That curiosity will find -- in Arizona -- the unusual and non-native species such as a flowering crab tree most usually found in those northern climes with snow fall.
The state flower of Arizona is the Saguaro blossom. Considering the blooms are at least ten to fifteen feet off the ground, my curiosity to take a close up photo of the blossom is difficult. So this telephoto lens shot will have to satisfy. Considering that the saguaro is growing throughout the neighborhoods of Phoenix, I haven't given up hope of getting a closeup of that one rare blossom that is more like six feet off the ground.
Off to satisfy curiosity -- and keep the balance.
No complaints -- really. My Colorado friends are experiencing a long drawn out winter with snow falling this past week. Just because the calendar says the first of May, that is no guarantee that will be the end of snow. When living in Denver many years ago, there was a snowfall on the 30th of May.
Recall that Silver Slug celebrated 200,000 miles this last summer. However, with that goes the signs of old age. It was that periodic creaking sound that was heard that could not be masked with turning up the volume on the radio that caused me to check into "urgent care" at the nearby Ford dealer. Yup. Replacement of the hubs was required.
The walk back to Wandrin Wagon for the day and the return at the end of the day to retrieve Silver Slug was a good way to exercise. Sure wasn't a walk in the nearby hills -- let alone a park. It was a walk along city streets and sometimes without sidewalks. Once again, Silver Slug is rolling along without noises that need to be masked with radio volume.
Curiosity is why Silver Slug is needed. That curiosity is all about the world in which I live. The natural world of animals and plants. The man made and altered world. Sitting at a coffee shop and watching people. That is curiosity. Perhaps overhearing conversations at the coffee shop could be called nosy, but the term curiosity is politically correct.
Most RV parks are not located in that preferred natural world. Most are located just off the busy road and next to a shopping center -- and coffee shop. The exceptions are the Thousand Trails "preserves" -- a campground membership that I have. My preferred places to camp are the Thousand Trails parks along with state parks, federal parks, and other public parks. My current stop is the Usery Mountain Park near Mesa, AZ. Sure it costs more, but this is where I want to explore. My plan is to spend my savings to enjoy and live each day.
That curiosity will find -- in Arizona -- the unusual and non-native species such as a flowering crab tree most usually found in those northern climes with snow fall.
The state flower of Arizona is the Saguaro blossom. Considering the blooms are at least ten to fifteen feet off the ground, my curiosity to take a close up photo of the blossom is difficult. So this telephoto lens shot will have to satisfy. Considering that the saguaro is growing throughout the neighborhoods of Phoenix, I haven't given up hope of getting a closeup of that one rare blossom that is more like six feet off the ground.
Off to satisfy curiosity -- and keep the balance.
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It appears as if the balance is back. Good for you! I can sympathize with Silver Slug...I have several bodily parts that creak too.
Because of your stays at Thousand Trails, I have become interested in their preserves. I don't know if I can afford their membership but it is worth checking into because I like their style of campgrounds. Thanks.
Larry,
Aches and creaking are common for the aged.
Rick,
My TT membership was free. Right place. Right time. My initial cost was the $1000 transfer fee. A web site that lists some that are available: http://www.rvonline.com/campgrounds/camplocate.html. I have also seen some listed on the Escapees Forum. Caveat: some TT parks are more attractive than others.
Aches and creaking are common for the aged.
Rick,
My TT membership was free. Right place. Right time. My initial cost was the $1000 transfer fee. A web site that lists some that are available: http://www.rvonline.com/campgrounds/camplocate.html. I have also seen some listed on the Escapees Forum. Caveat: some TT parks are more attractive than others.
Ah yes, the elusive saguaro blossom. Have you considered a hike carrying a step ladder?
Love the saguaro blooms - I have yet to get one because I'm too wimpy to stick around that long.
Diana,
It was bad timing for me. According to the ranger here at Usery Mtn Park, the bloom is about two to three weeks late this year.
It was bad timing for me. According to the ranger here at Usery Mtn Park, the bloom is about two to three weeks late this year.