Thousands view neighbourhood Christmas lights

A neighbourhood in Gilbert is one of 'the' places to view Christmas lights.  Thousands of people park and walk through this neighbourhood each year.

Keeping up with the "Joneses'"

(Santa is in motion, waving & the sign above says "Save the Troops")

A Minister's back yard is decked out in hundreds of statues depicting scenes of Bethlehem.  

A great community feeling; family & friends gathered around the 'wood stove' (washing machine tubs) burning mesquite & hosting weiner roasts.

This time of year, apparently, the air quality decreases due to all the fires being burnt in back yards and fireplaces (for those older homes that have wood burning fireplaces).

Christmas came & went extremely fast and was non eventful for us.   No exchange of gifts for us two and we did gifts prior to leaving Canada, with family.   So, dogs opened their presents on Christmas morning (happiness is a new squirrel frisbee & noisy squeak toys).

We have been making up for Christmas with shopping since early November - stocking up on some much needed clothes, much needed golf equipment (hmmm) and replacing a few things inside the 'home' and, Marc working diligently on getting his brakes on the mt bike to stop squealing.   Specialized sent him new 2012 Shimano disc brakes after a couple months of alot of dickin around.



BEST PITA CHIPS EVER!
Only available over the Christmas Season



No family turkey dinner on Christmas for us (there was some sickness going around & with my compromised immune system - opted to try again at a later time).  

The evening we drove around (Christmas Eve) checking out lights it got quite late & we realized, we didn't really feel like trying to go back to Apache Junction & cook.   Well, just try and find somewhere open on the Eve of Christmas after 6:30 pm.   We found one place in Gilbert - Sonic.  A drive in burger joint - yes, they bring out your meal to your car (no roller blades or short skirts however).   Well, my first ever Sonic food - let me just say - it made the hunger go away.

McDowell Park

Christmas Day was sunny and about 16C (60F) so drove N to Fountain Hills and McDowell Park for some mt biking.    A network of fun, fast, smooth hills & turns in a County Park.  The 'Competitive Trail' is well known for cross country racing. 

Not far into the desert & we are back in thorny terrain

(Saguaro's, barrel cactus and those nasty jumping Cholla).

Thought I was paying close attention while taking close ups of the cholla ... oops.   Had to get those off quick, before the thorns work their way through the shoe. 

Note to self:   do 'not' attempt to suck the juice outta the fruit of the prickly pear!  Marc had invisible little 'slivers' on his lips and tongue for a couple of days.   They do make jelly, jam, ice cream from the stuff but somehow, they get rid of the sharp things.



Fountain Hills

Fountain Hills, approximately 40 mins on the freeway looks like a larger expanded version of Sedona with adobe buildings, parks and gorgeous neighbourhoods, cafes and lots of shopping.

A 33 acre, million gallon lake is host to the world famous fountain which, with two pumps, can reach up to 330 feet and operates on the hour from 9-9.   During festive holidays, a 3rd pump will push water to heights of 560 feet.   The park takes in over 64 acres and has a pathway encircling the lake with picnic ramadas, amphitheatre, playgrounds and disc golf.  Fountain Hills will be worth exploring some more.