Happy Trails
It's been three weeks already since arriving in the Surprise area. Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, AZ. In the 2010 census, the city's population grew to over 117,000 (from 30,800 in the year 2000); the second fastest-growing municipality in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area (after Gilbert).
It's been three weeks already since arriving in the Surprise area. Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, AZ. In the 2010 census, the city's population grew to over 117,000 (from 30,800 in the year 2000); the second fastest-growing municipality in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area (after Gilbert).
Happy Trails became a reality Jan 31, 1986 for owner Roy Roger, "King of the Cowboys."
Happy Trails was a subsidiary of Thousand Trails RV Travel Club.
Homeowners purchased selected lots and chose which model would be placed on it. Later, awnings, sheds, decks and Arizona rooms were added. Double and triple-wide manufactured homes were later added.
The street names carry on the Old West flavor of the original community where Roy, Dale and their son Dusty would stay and perform. Street names such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Trigger, Gunpowder, Tumbleweed, Ghost Rider.....
Our site is open and very wide and the 303 traffic isn't an issue nor are the planes from Luke Air Force Base (about 10 miles west) - at night.
We were set up with a mailbox key and a transponder (a chip reader to allow entry to and from the two electric gates). There are well over 2000 RV sites (this does not include park models, single and double wide).
The garbage bins are underground trash barrels and twice a week workers fly by (on foot) - literally running and lifting the trash into wheelbarrows which they then run over and dump into the main truck.
OK - we are getting into the "senior games" . . . playing around with an electric golf cart which we rented for our time here!
The dogs have never ridden in one before but took to it right away - so we travel down to the recycling bins regularly and around, checking out the pickleball which is spread out over two separate court areas.
Went into the "Dog walking" area which is a straight dirt path along two sides of a water canal. You can go into a couple of different sections, each with a gate. I went in (and only had about a half hour before a planned Pickleball game), only to find that to get "out" you need a code. Each side of the canal is walled with a 10 foot cement wall.
Luckily, someone came along to drop of some recycling and let me back out. Why .... do they need a code to get 'out' of the dirt path and canal when everyone already lives there or has to go through the main gateway with a guard? So now, if I do go there, I put plastic bags in the lock area. The security guard caught onto it one day but he was gracious and said he would leave my door 'unlocked' with my blocking method.
Thank you!
Went into the "Dog walking" area which is a straight dirt path along two sides of a water canal. You can go into a couple of different sections, each with a gate. I went in (and only had about a half hour before a planned Pickleball game), only to find that to get "out" you need a code. Each side of the canal is walled with a 10 foot cement wall.
Luckily, someone came along to drop of some recycling and let me back out. Why .... do they need a code to get 'out' of the dirt path and canal when everyone already lives there or has to go through the main gateway with a guard? So now, if I do go there, I put plastic bags in the lock area. The security guard caught onto it one day but he was gracious and said he would leave my door 'unlocked' with my blocking method.
Thank you!
Yes, we have our bicycles but we use the cart in the evenings and when we have lots to carry around that doesn't fit well on the bike- or carting someone else around. Fun! People travel to and from the grocery stores in the neighboring area but you need a special license in order to do that (will see if Marc can stick to the rules this time!).
Drama continues to follow us ... .... ......
Went out to a burger joint and our cards wouldn't work. Both of us so thinking oh, oh! Marc contacts TD bank; they said we were on the list to call as there was some activity that raised a red flag so they put a hold on our cards.
Apparently, someone borrowed our card number & spent $5,000 on 5 x $1,000 gift cards at several Target stores. (We later found out the Target stores were in and around the Vista/San Diego area).
Apparently, someone borrowed our card number & spent $5,000 on 5 x $1,000 gift cards at several Target stores. (We later found out the Target stores were in and around the Vista/San Diego area).
So, cancelled cards and the bank went good for the exchange rate and will credit us the full amount.
In the meantime, we are going to use the bit of cash we have and then debit cards (which means lots of fees between the store, the bank, then the Canadian bank, etc). But the cards supposedly arrived within a day and a half. The tracking info said the cards were delivered to us.
Um .... we weren't around that afternoon at all! Marc calls UPS and they said Beverly Anderson signed for the package. Not me as we were out of the RV Park from 1:30 to about 6:00 pm).
UPS adamantly stated I had signed for it. Marc asks, "what site was the package delivered?" It was delivered to another site on the other side of the park.
So, Marc drives over, catches the people at home. Turns out, there is another Beverly Anderson in the park and she signed for the package although she didn't know what it was. Her kids often order and have things delivered to their site BUT she didn't read the package.
So, the cards had to be cancelled and new ones were ordered. We ended up with new cards the next day and all has been sorted out.
Difficult to believe that after all the issues around Target having people's account information compromised that they would allow $1,000 gift cards to be purchased without any ID being shown!
In the meantime, we are going to use the bit of cash we have and then debit cards (which means lots of fees between the store, the bank, then the Canadian bank, etc). But the cards supposedly arrived within a day and a half. The tracking info said the cards were delivered to us.
Um .... we weren't around that afternoon at all! Marc calls UPS and they said Beverly Anderson signed for the package. Not me as we were out of the RV Park from 1:30 to about 6:00 pm).
UPS adamantly stated I had signed for it. Marc asks, "what site was the package delivered?" It was delivered to another site on the other side of the park.
So, Marc drives over, catches the people at home. Turns out, there is another Beverly Anderson in the park and she signed for the package although she didn't know what it was. Her kids often order and have things delivered to their site BUT she didn't read the package.
So, the cards had to be cancelled and new ones were ordered. We ended up with new cards the next day and all has been sorted out.
Difficult to believe that after all the issues around Target having people's account information compromised that they would allow $1,000 gift cards to be purchased without any ID being shown!
Have found some fantastic green space to play frisbee with the dogs and a short distance away.
Palo Verde trees and Bougainvillea
A huge wash area. . . . they are not classified as 'parks' but have a dual purpose; to protect the land during flash flooding but also an area for neighborhoods to enjoy as most yards do not have grass or lawns.
And, there are mushrooms.
The Mesquite Tree
The bean pods of the mesquite can be dried and ground into flour which is high in calcium, magnesium, potassium iron and zinc and lysine (amino acid). Wild animals eat mesquite bean pods . . . it is common to find coyote feces consisting almost entirely of mesquite beans and pods.
Mesquite wood is hard and used for making furniture and implements. As firewood, it burns slowly and very hot and when used for grilling, has a distinct flavor commonly used in the Southwest and Texas-style barbecue.
Have been having temperatures in the mid to high 90s so the dogs thoroughly enjoy the sprinklers and shade.
No wonder we haven't heard extreme traffic sounds from the new 303 freeway (about a half mile from our site). This wall is a great sound barrier.
The Nationals
(Pickleball Championships)
A week of the best of the best, playing in the Nationals, just down the road from us (15 mins). It is DEFINITELY not just an "old persons" sport any longer! Competitors included 11-18 year olds and the top players up and coming are anywhere from around 16 to 30+. But, having said that, the top players that have played for 'years' and are now in their 50-60s are incredible!
Not to mention, those in the 70+ bracket!
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| Byron refereeing |
A 'humungus' moth was flittering about and I saw it first hand, landing on a chair beside me. I swear . . . the body of the moth was about 3" long! It flew into a competitors eye during the finals which caused a huge amount of discussion with the ref(a different game from the picture above with Byron) on how to handle the situation.
"Deli" still continues to get the crowd motivated with his encouraging chearleader-like comments "yah ... that's some pickleball" .... "ya .... time out"... and get s the crowd going with waves and "we will rock you."
Pickleball Nationals are not the same without Deli!
Prem Carnot stayed with us for a few nights (sleeping on the air mattress in our motorhome) and we hardly saw him as he was so busy with the Nationals and also coaching. I was fortunate enough to have him help me out one evening but other than that . . . we rarely saw his face!
Have spent a little time with Marc's relatives in Mesa (went to the Mesa Market & out for lunch). Bumping into a lot of people from previous travels but also some from our neck of the woods and hearing about others & getting known within the park.
This is a small community on its own but very friendly and I am finding a ton of opportunities if I find the time. Photography is one of them. Biking is all around us but have to admit, Pickleball is ruling. It is hard to explain to anyone who isn't really INTO it but it is a totally social thing and as competitive as you wish it to be.
The dogs are doing great and having a fun time although we have not found agility out this way. . . used to have a facility in Mesa that we could practise and I took a few lessons with a fabulous trainer based in Queen Creek (west of Mesa).
This has been a "chatty" post . . . . . will get into it soon with some new happenings, hopefully!
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