Merry Christmas

Only 15 more sleeps! 

Man, where does the time go?   Gotta quit sleeping - might be able to fit more in!  And quit eating - might be able to fit into more!

Arizona Market - shopping extravaganza!  1 1/4 miles and 1600 booths on Fri-Sundays.  (Photo taken a few weeks back when friends were down this way from Whistler.   They're back home in ski heaven).   Went there today for a quick trip to get socks (some great sports Pima Cotton socks) - someone calls "MARC"  - one of the golf shop owners knows him by name - what does that tell you?  LOL

I have purchased 6 bags - not purses - but bags for about $5.00 (some as presents) which work great for groceries or also great for dog sports to carry treats, toys, leashes, etc.  Every kind of bag imagineable - backpacks, day packs, wallets, coin purses - its there.  And all the time you walk around (and around) you can get disorientated very easily OR lose someone just as quickly as every lane looks the same - not to mention, alot of people to lose yourself amongst.   Have to pay attention to the N & S entries and lanes A thru D.

Hole 18 on a great looking golf course en route along the trail system in Scottsdale.   Miles and miles of parkland, disc golf, picnic areas, walking & cycling paths weave through residences (all beautifully manicured &/or gated with decorated stone fences) & golf courses we wouldn't think of trying to pay for.

   Stretch time on our over 20 mile trekk.

         The overpasses around Scottsdale

are gorgeous  . . lots of primitive art and rockwork.

EVERYWHERE we go, there is texting while driving, cell phone useage, lighting cigarettes while dialing on the iphone ... it is scarey.!

35 States have 'banned' hand held cell phone useage and texting while driving BUT laws do not seem to be enforcing the laws.   The Mesa/Phoenix/Scottsdale area has apparently had a 50% increase in the past couple of years in texting while driving.   While driving on the Indy 500 (the 60 or 202 freeways) you see it all the time on the six lanes while, during rush hour, people are darting in front and behind you front both directions while doing other things.   A bit unnerving, actually!

I haven't even driven in 'major' rush hour ... Marc drove to Phoenix at 5 am to deal with our window situation on the motorhome and said it was 'INSANE.'

Kylie enjoys relaxing after agility practise!

Kylie & Tazz are enjoying the new indoor agility arena (owned by the owner(s) of our previous visit that still operate a practise facility in Queen Creek).   We can drop in anytime seven days a week and enjoy playtime.

Cotton has a long history in Arizona.  In the early 1900's Pima cotton  was given the name in honor of the Pima Indians who helped sustain the fields.  The Goodyear Rubber & Tire company purchased 16000 acres to raise cotton in the Phoenix area as it was in short supply during WWI in war torn countries.

Goodyear used the cotton to fabricate tires and aircraft fabrics and its success fueled unprecedented success & growth in the state.

1953 cotton production surpassed copper - until the 60s when production of synthetic fibers and insect infestation slowed production.   Today, land is becoming lost to developers paying more than $30,000 or more per acre for farm lands west of Phoenix and cotton acreage has plummetted 75% since 1997. 

Cotton requires 160 frost free days & the yield is approximately twice as much as in the 50s due to irrigation, fertilization, mechnization & plant varieties.   A U.S. bale weighs approx 500 lbs, yielding approx 1 1/3 bales per acre, then shipped to the marketing Gin to be processed. 

ARIZONA GOLF COURSE

The oldest golf course in the Mesa area - 6,523 yd, par 71 course is among low roofed, old style houses, mature grass and trees.   A lucky day - Marc chipped in at about 50 yds on one hole and Bev hit 210 yds with the 3 wood (fabulous cart path!).

Fishing in the stocked pond along the canal.  . carp, bass & tilapia.

A green heron stands by waiting for bait or dropped fish.

Obviously, Superstition Springs Golf Course has restocked their pond with fish  - based on the 20+ egrets and the blue heron standing watch!

Have to mention Beall's Dep't Store in Apache Junction:   Similar to Winner's back home, they have BARGAINS!   Bought several tops (Tehama, Tail Tech, Cb Dry Tech - great for sports) which, in a local sports shop or golf store are approx $60-80 each.   I got three of them for 85 cents (yes, the 'dot' section ... depending on the color of the dot you can get up to 95% off, which I did).  So, I have stocked up on much needed replacements.

Oh  - new flash: Marc has retired his infamous RAD pants (the ones with the black knee patches & the pants of many a conversation)!  Like the hole in the bucket .. he could no longer repair them and so - you will see him sporting a new look when you see him next!