Snowbird Journal Nov 7, 2008 Tucson to Oracle

As mentioned previously we wanted to check out Oracle because it's sort of in between Tucson and Gilbert. To get there we could go the scenic way or the quick way. We elected to go the scenic way to Oracle and the quick way on the return trip. We knew that the road would be gravel and rough in places, but I don't think we fully understood the going over the Catalina Mountains part of the trip. In places the gravel/rock road was very narrow with several switchbacks. But the vista's and view's were great. It only took us about 3 1/2 hours to go the 50 miles to San Manual which is about 15 miles away from Oracle and the place where we hit pavement again. After arriving in Oracle we stopped in at a resale shop and had a nice conversation with the owner. After finding a local real estate office we grabbed a couple of listing books and then had lunch in the parking lot of the local Catholic mission. We roamed around the residential neighborhoods, but were somewhat disapointed by some of them. Call us picky, but I'd rather not live in a neighborhood where the folks next door keep goats in their front yard. We did however find the local Rust Is Us outlet antique shop. They certainly win the prize in the large rusted objects catagory. The return trip was much quicker and we got to see the Catalina's from the east side. We went through Oro Valley which was founded in 1974! I love finding towns that are younger than I am. We never find that in the mid west or east.
Also went through Catalina, and Marana where we hit the interstate to make the final leg home. A good day.

Snowbird Journal Nov 7, 2008

On the contest to name our make believe RV, the winner is. Well, actually we have two winners. Pat who submitted the name Exxon Valdez. And Amy who sent in the name Jabba, The Hut. Prizes will be coming their way. Thanks to Jim, Larry, Juan, Jack, and Ed for playing.

We've been busy the last few days. Jim and Amy wanted our help in cleaning up their backyard in preparation of a new patio and garden. All of us pitched in and the backyard is now stripped bare, except for two Agave plants. We have also completed work on our sunscreen. It's just a terrible thing to be in a place where the sun is just too hot to sit in during the late afternoon. I know that all of you share our pain. We'll try to be brave.

A few nights ago I was just leaving the shower room when a lady stopped me in the hall and ask me to go back in and ask her husband Scott if he needed any lotion. Now, I knew that Scott was in the 2nd shower and I could have prefaced my question to Scott that it was being relayed from his wife. But I decided that it wouldn't be any fun to do it that way. So I just yelled over his shower door, "Hey, do you need any lotion in there?" You should have heard the quaver in his voice as he answered, "n-o-o-o".
I dutifully reported to the wife that he didn't need any. I wonder what he told her when they met up again! I just hope they were passing through and not winter residents as the wife can identify me.

Betsy and I are enjoying watching Little Elizabeth grow. She's now holding her head up and looking about. Her favorite thing is to lay on her play mat and look at the baby in the mirror.

Tipper has been cactus free for three days in a row. He hasn't gotten any smarter, but his people have. We are slowly learning the layout of Tucson streets, but have relied on our Garmin heavily. We have also been overwhelmed by all the activities in a large city. There are so many things to do.

Today we're going to drive up to Oracle, AZ and see what it's like. It's about half way between Tucson and Gilbert (where Jeff, Lisa, and James live) so a possible relocation city.