Feb 5

Saguaro Park west of Mesa.

We haven't explored alot yet as we have been enjoying time with Marc's Uncle Steve & Aunt Sandy - and Lucy (the 8 month old grey tabby with personality). So, we have got a real flavor (no pun intended) on the Mesa area with shopping and checking out the great markets, stores and grocery stores (staying away from the big box stores). Fry's & Walmart (Walmart Markets are different that the super centres in that they are all grocery Walmart markets) are very popular. We hit Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Costco, and Chandler (the 'mini' Scottsdale) to Kona Grill for lunch. Uncle Steve took us to the 'huge' Mesa market & swap meet. We thought the Yuma market was big with over 250 vendors. This one has over 1 1/4 miles of non-stop shopping and 1600+ vendors. We 'lost' Marc for about ten minutes ... every aisle looks the same and you are definitely in a maze of people and busy-ness! This market doesn't have a variety in food options but the music was very peaceful with Native Flute music. Marc went on a road ride with the Valle Del Oro RV Park group. Approximately 12 showed up for the 8:30 am ride and went to Saguaro Lake (which has a long descend/ascend) and road for about a 60 km ride. Interestingly, he was the youngest of the group (they asked him how he could get into the RV park as the minimum age is 55 - luckily, I'm old!), with the majority being 65-70, with one incumbent rider. Kokopelli golf course. Marc said it was quite uneventful. The course is good but not super scenic as you play among the residential areas. Guess that's a sign of having lots to choose from and there is around here. Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix all within close proximity and there are dozens of courses, all with varying prices.