Surprise, Arizona

The last night in Vista, the slides went in, the step we put a deposit on went back to the office and we had to pick the dogs up to lift them up the 3 foot drop (the front of the motorhome is on blocks the RV park provides due to the steep slope of the sites).

Went to Five Guys Burgers and Fries for a whopping burger and of course, peanuts.

Walked around the little promenade in Old Vista - happened upon Neil Diamond warming up at the old theatre for his concert that evening.

Left Vista after three weeks on fun in the sun (most days were a blistering 100+).    

Us Canucks are still trying to get climatized!   Going from 50 to 110 in a few days is definitely an adjustment.

Spent a couple of nights in Indian Waters RV Park in Indio (a hop-skip-and a jump from Palm Springs)

The park was apparently quite run down but obviously a ton of work has been done (and still in the works) to make it a nice RV park with a few park models, wide spaces and pull throughs.   It was extremely quiet - they apparently are fully booked starting in January.

The neighborhood is a bit sketchy.   A park just down the street houses many homeless patrons.   There is a firehall adjacent to the RV park so sirens go off at all hours.   Down the way is a Juvenile Detention Center, Mental Health Clinic, Coroner and Forensic Lab and Police Station.

Just outside the electric gate is a small grassy area next to a large pond with 7-8 foot hedging around it with a couple of gaps in the thick brush.   Was playing with the dogs (the park has been reseeded so no one is allowed to walk on the grass) in this nice shady spot.  Tazz barked a couple of times and a homeless man woke up from his slumber across the pond, next to a busy road.   He yelled out "stop puppy."   I spent almost an hour and over that time this man had constant conversation with himself.   He was talking about how he isn't 'bad' and 'they're not taking me to jail.'    He left with his shopping cart after an hour and said bye to the 'puppies.' 

Spent a little time at the College of the Desert - an outdoor market in Palm Springs.   Extremely quiet (we are here a couple of weeks earlier than normal) and they have put in solar panels for the vendors.   Only about a quarter of the usual number of vendors are currently set up.   The solar panels were definitely appreciated in the 100+ temperature.

Surprise, Arizona

Have been settled into the Happy Trails RV Park in Surprise now for one week.   Pickleball Central!!!   Nationals are taking place this weekend so players from all over the country are arriving.  

Have some favorite washes to take the dogs for frisbee play time.  There's always some shade, grass and some areas are fully watered with timed sprinkler systems - great for these warm days (has been 95-100 most of the week).

Preparing for Halloween - have brought my little Halloween painted river rock.   My first attempt at rock painting.

Marc's birthday tomorrow.   Difficult to buy for - he's already bought a new bike, a new GPS, helmet ... etc!   And has enough pickleball paddles to open a shop!

Settled in for a few months now.