Rainy days, sunny days, birthdays....

Dateline Mesa, AZ: Wednesday, January 30th, 2013.....

I have just received a less than subtle hint, and I'm interpreting here, an urgent request to post on our blog.  It seems that I have not posted since January 23rd.  My oh my, where do the days go?  Had I known that some of our friends and fans are relying on our blog, for what periodically passes as entertainment, and thereby bringing a little sunshine into there clearly dark, cold days, well I would have posted sooner.  To our friends and fans, and you know who you are (hint, hint...in the Yukon....) I offer you a thousand apologies and commit, once again, to be a bit more reliable in posting details of our adventures here in the Valley of the Sun.  Let me see if I can recall our adventures of the past seven days.....

TIME OUT!!!!   I wish to take this opportunity to wish brother-in-law Carl a very Happy Birthday.
............and many more!

I'm going to write a lot about the weather but before I get to it I want to tell you that one of the highlights of the week was a hike that Dana and I did this past Sunday.  We finally were able to get out in the desert after 2 days of intense weather.  We hiked one of our favorite trails in Usery Park following the near record rainfall here in the Valley of the Sun.  The desert was amazing.  Hard to describe but it was literally washed clean.  The colours were vivid.  The smell wasn't exactly what you would sense in a rain forest but it was very different than normal.  The air was also washed clean and enabled me to take this great photo of Dana with the Superstitions mountains as a backdrop.  Here is the photo:

Dana in the desert. (shirt by REI, Eyeglasses by Transition Lenses,
Visor by Nike, necklace by Michael R McKee)

Yet another weather event!  When we were here last year we had 2 days of rain from Jan 1 to March 21.  This year we have had rain on probably 6 days so far.  Rather than complain about the rain we are rejoicing!  This part of the American west has been under drought conditions for most of the past decade.  Rain here is rarer than goals from the Sedin twins at playoff time.  This past week found us more inside than out.  We did get in a couple 8k runs, 2 bike rides, a short birding trip to the Gilbert Water Ranch and I played tennis once, and coached tennis once and we did the hike in Usery Park on Sunday.  Okay, okay, we have not exactly been hibernating but with all the rain we have had to cut back on our riding and hiking as with the intense rain storms it can be dangerous to get caught out in the desert.

Weather fact:  This past Saturday we received 1.21 inches of rain.  The biggest single day total since a big storm in August, 2010.  This is a big deal in the desert although not so much in Vancouver or Seattle where 1" of rain is a morning shower.

I can't think of anything else to write about.  I sometimes have a writers block and I turn to writing about something familiar - Me.  Cheap self promotion you might ask?  Madelyn would certainly agree. Never the less, I want to tell you about my recent tennis exploits.  As you know from my previous posts my tennis playing is down to a bare minimum.  Sometimes once, or twice a week, and no league matches.  Thus far my knees are thanking me and I am able to enjoy cycling, hiking, dancing, running and other fun stuff with Dana.  So I guess Dana is thanking me too.  What I am doing to get my tennis fix is that I have volunteered to be an assistant coach with the 1.5 (beginner) tennis team.  While I have only turned out twice, it is turning out to be a lot of fun.  The head coach is having me instruct on serving, something that I actually seem to do quite well.  I work with the class on Wednesday afternoons for about 3 hours.  Not all the time is spent on serving drills and I get to help where I can with other aspects of doubles play (court position, strategy, etc.)  I am mindful that I far from an expert and am careful not to give instruction on aspects of the game where I struggle myself.  Like I say, lots of fun so far and it give me a chance to meet new players and give a bit back to the tennis club and help my old coaches.

That's about all for now.  Hope you enjoyed the post as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Keep safe out there.  We'll do the same.  Ciao!

Robin, back to the bat cave.......

Update on the Barrett-Jackson auto show and auction:  On the final day of the auction the "original" Bat Mobile, the one used in all 21 episodes of the show, was sold for $4.2 Million!  It was bought by a fellow in Tucson, AZ who when asked what he was going to do with it said, "I'm going to put in my living room".

Back to reality.......  Since I last wrote we have been doing more of the same old stuff.  Birding, biking, tennis, bocce ball (won our match on Tuesday.  We are now 3 and 0.), hiking, a bit of shopping and lots of eating good things.  Have I told you how great it is to wake up every morning and juice 6 or 7 oranges for fresh juice!  Mother Natures Elixir.  We buy the oranges by the 40 pound box ($14 for the box) at one of the local Citrus Orchards.  I digress....

Dana and I finally got out for a long hike last Saturday.  The weekend is never a good time to hike as it can be quite busy on the trails.  This day was no exception.  We chose to hike the Pass Mountain trail at Usery Park.  The trail is 7.1 miles and goes clear around Pass Mountain.  I'll describe the terrain as "up and down".  We got a late start and ended up hiking in the hottest part of the day.  By the time we returned to the truck the temperature was close to 80F.  We severely miscalculated the elements and ended up a bit short of water.  Funny how one thinks of themselves as experienced hikers and can still make rookie mistakes.  No harm, no foul.  We survived only slightly dehydrated.  The beer tasted mighty good when we got home.  I did take one photo on the hike to show the desert trail.  Make sure you click on the photo to enlarge it to get a better perspective.

We got out on a couple of rides since I last wrote.  Riding down here never gets old.  Looking forward to riding again tomorrow.  We were going to ride today but both of us got up feeling a bit off and decided birding was a better option for the morning.  I spent the afternoon on the tennis court.  I have volunteered as a coaches assistant for the 1.5 team.  Lots of fun plus it is great to meet so many enthusiastic folks.

Birding has been pretty good.  In the desert you have to really look for life and what you find will often surprise and amaze you.  On our Pass Mountain hike we spotted a lone hawk circling not far from us.  From out of nowhere a red-tailed hawk came swooping in to, we presume, scare it away.  Then from again out of nowhere another hawk similar to the first one came along.  The red-tailed hawk then left the scene and the two Ferruginous Hawks circled together in the sky close enough for us to identify them.  Wow!  Finally a Ferruginous Hawk, no a pair of Ferruginous Hawks.  We reported the sighting to Sandy, the Usery Park "bird-lady" who told us that someone else had seen one Ferruginous Hawk last week.  Bingo!  We had our confirmation.

We also added the following birds to our list this week:

Snowy Egret (Photo included below.)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Kestrel
Juvenile Red-crossbill
Harris's Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Costa's Hummingbird
American Avocet
Peach faced lovebirds
Wilson's Snipe
Green heron
Black crowned night Heron

Other wildlife sighting included 2 miniature horses in a miniature coral at the horse staging area parking lot in Usery Park.  I have included the picture because someone just might think they are cute.  Go figure.....

That's all for now.  Hot weather is leaving us for a few days.  We may even see a few showers on the weekend although they often indicate that showers are possible and they don't always come.  Must be because we live in a "desert".   To our northern friends and relatives, stay warm!  Remember, you can always put on another wool sweater.  Ciao!  Enjoy the pics.

Snowy Egret at the Gilbert Water Ranch

On the Pass Mountain Trail

Minnie horses....

 

Fast cars, girls, music and life in the fast lane.....

Warmer days have returned to the Valley of the Sun.  74F today, might be warmer tomorrow.  Like days of rain followed by a day of sunshine back home, everyone has all but forgotten the 5 days of freezing desert weather.  We are not quite to the "make t-shirts" to commemorate surviving the longest cold snap since 1988 (that is what the locals are reporting) but everyone is feeling a lot more lively now that the warm sun has returned.  After enduring the ribbing that we had colder weather than some parts of Canada I pledge to gloat less about our near perfect weather.

This past week was not spent entirely indoors.  We did manage to get in 2 quality rides, back to back, Wednesday and Thursday.  We rode 50k on Wednesday afternoon after getting a new rear shifter cable for Dana's bike.  On Thursday we rode 64k, half of which was into a 15-20 mph wind.  We did a 6 mile hike in Usery Park on Monday morning.  Barry had tennis practice Monday afternoon.  Tuesday afternoon we played our league Bocce Ball match, which we won 15-12. (Dana reports that "Barry shot the lights out!"  ...ah shucks :-) Barry played tennis Thursday afternoon.  Today was a day of rest.  We did attend our first block party today which this month was a morning coffee get together.  Friday evening Barry and his brothers went to the Barrett-Jackson car show and auction in Scottsdale.

Birding this week yielded a couple of new birds to add to our growing list.  At Usery Park we spotted a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a Gilded Flicker and a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher.  Very exciting!  We are also beginning to see more hawks in the area but mostly on our bike rides when we do not have our binoculars.  We hope to soon get a better look at these guys to make a positive identification, although Dana is convinced they are all Red-tailed hawks......;-)

The visit to the Barrett-Jackson car show was a unique opportunity to see the classic car scene up close and personal.  For those not familiar with the Barrett-Jackson "industry" it is not something that is easily described.   This is a huge event.  We attended in the evening when we could get the "twilight" rate of $25.00 for entry.  I would put the crowd on hand at around 7,000.   I can summarize the event in two words: "excess" and "culture".  99% of the people attending these events are more or less ordinary working or retired folks.  1% are there to spend, spend, spend.  We saw one 1968 Camaro sell at auction for $270,000.  Late 1960's muscle cars went for between $70,000 for a run of the mill stock Barracuda to $110,000 for a 1965 Mustang.  Cars were being auctioned at a rate of 1 car every 6 or 7 minutes.  They would be rolled onto the huge stage and off faster than you could say Hooker Headers Batman.  This was the excess.  What was also on display was "car culture".  Having been through most of the displays at the show there is no doubt in my mind that we live in a car culture.  On display were not only every type of car and truck imaginable but all the accessories that go to make up the car culture.  This includes the clothes, jewelry, personal accessories, car toys, toy cars, etc.   2 1/2 hours was enough to over stimulate our senses but we departed happy that we attended the show.  It was an interesting experience.

This weekend we will sit back and enjoy the 75F weather (mini gloat...).  Sunday will be for football.  We are very disappointed that the Seattle SeaHawks lost their playoff game to the Atlanta Falcons.  That could have been a franchise turning point for the team.  As with our other sports team, we are left to say "wait until next year".....

With that I say Ciao!  I have included several photos from the week.  Enjoy!

Our Bocce Ball Team (Barry, Tony, Gayle and Dana)

Barry rolling the last ball, a counter, to win the match 15-12

1967 Camaro "concept" car

$2.9 million Ford Lotus

Barry and "friend" Rachel, Miss Arizona.  Yes, Rachel made my day...

Display of original Johnny Cash guitar

Can't have cars without gas pumps.

Hunkered down in Arizona

For the second night in a row temperatures in the Valley of the Sun will be a frosty -3C (27F).  The forecast is for this cold snap to last until Wednesday.  Daytime temperatures hover around 8C (47F).  Best I can offer is lots of sunshine.  Please, shed no tears for us.  Despite the unseasonable weather we are still doing almost everything we want to do.

This week, our second here in Mesa is all but done.  3 bike rides (174kms), 1 trail run, 2 birding outings (Usery Park and Gilbert Water Ranch), Bocce Ball league match, tennis, various walks, some great dinners and, oh right, Elvis' birthday.  Funny, it seems like a quiet week.

Birding has been a bit quiet.  We added a few birds to our list this week.  They are:

American Kestrel
Merlin Hawk
Say's-Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Bald Eagle
Red Tail Hawk
Several disputed species hawks

We are starting to stretch out our mileage on the bikes.  Nothing significant yet but this week we will ramp it up to between 70 and 80k per trip.  We will do this by riding an extra loop of the Bush Hwy/Usery Loop.  Cold weather will factor into our decisions.  We find that our muscles are not as efficient in cooler weather.  We know warm/hot weather is coming so another week of shorter rides will be fine.

On the tennis front, 3 family members are active in the local tennis club.  Sis-in-law Donna finished her first week in 1.5 tennis lessons.  My brother Kelly performed very well in his rating session and ended up being rated at the 3.0 level.  I am very proud of his performance.  He will do very well at that level.  My brother Mike had his first 1.5 level league match.  Despite a spirited effort his doubles team lost in a match tie-breaker.  Me?  I'm taking things easy this year.  My knee is holding up well but complains a bit after an hour of practice.  Too many things I want to do outside of tennis to risk further injury to my knee.  I keep reminding myself that I have an MRI on May 6th.

Today Dana and I joined our friend Steve for a 5k desert trail run in the hills in north Mesa.  While only 40 minutes it was a great workout, cardio and legs.  The scenery with Red Mountain in the background was stunning!  (sorry, left my camera in the 4Runner...) We enjoyed it so much that we hope to get at least one trail run in each week.  Just have to figure out how to fit it into our busy calendar.

Tomorrow is the SeaHawks/Falcons game.  I hope it is good game.  Playoff games today have been exciting.  Go Hawks!

I have been a bit tardy in taking pictures this week.  I have included one of the few I took this week.  This pic was taken on the Cat's Peak trail at Usery Mountain park.  I'm sending this one out to Erica and Valerie.  Kinda speaks for itself.....  Enjoy!

Stay warm out there......

Ciao!

Elvis is in the building.....thank you, thank you very much.....

Happy Birthday Elvis!!  The King lives on in the memories of millions of people around the world.  One such person is our dear  neighbour here in the park.  She lives in South Dakota but winters here in Mesa.  To celebrate the Kings birthday Lila hangs a life sized photo of Elvis on the front of her park model.  To help her celebrate we parked our 4Runner in front of her house, opened all the windows,  tuned into Sirius/XM satellite radio channel 19 (Elvis radio) and cranked up the volume!

Elvis died on August 16, 1977.  His contribution to rock and roll music in the 20th century was as significant as the contribution that the Beattles had on rock and popular music.  Today Elvis fans of all ages flock to Graceland to celebrate the "Kings" birthday.  And many fans, including Lila, stop to listen to Elvis' music and recall memories of Elvis.  Lila's special memory was being at one of Elvis' last concerts which was held on June 27th, 1977 in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Like many Elvis fans, Lila has shed a few tears today.  This speaks to the impact that He had on his fans.

As a footnote, I can't say that I was a huge Elvis fan.  Yes, growing up I did listen to Elvis.  My older sister had a few of his records.  Musicians influencing my generation were more likely to be Led Zeplin, The Doobie Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad and Carlos Santana.  I must say though when I hear Elvis sing (I'll Do It) My Way, Heart Break Hotel, Suspicious Minds or Can't stop Fallin in Love (with you) I become a fan.  While these songs have been done by so many artists, Elvis will always be The One I think of when I hear these and many of his songs.  Long Live The King!

Elvis has left the building...... thank you, thank very much.......  Good night Priscilla.....

Birding at Gilbert Water Ranch

Today Dana and I headed out into the sunshine on our bikes to get in our 50k ride.  The ride was more or less uneventful, no spills just some thrills.  Today we had higher than expected winds.  The outward leg was tough as we were going full on into a strong headwind.  The return leg was "exciting".  We shot down McDowell to Greenfield averaging 45 kph.  Occasional side winds provides a few "Oh Shit" moments but nothing we didn't handle.  Glad to make it back to the stable and yes, we can't wait to go again.  Tomorrow though we will hike in Usery Mountain Park.

This afternoon I played tennis with my brothers Mike and Kelly.  First time for that.  Had a blast.  Look forward to the next session.  My knee held up well in the elastic sleeve and I think I may give the league a go.  I am sure you'll hear more tennis news in future posts.  I'll bet you're giddy with anticipation....

Okay, now for the birding news.  But first, a little background.  Dana has been a "birder" for several years although it was only recently that she was comfortable with being referred to as one.  Dana is great with  names of species and is quick to identify many of the common species.  I on the other hand have a good eye for spotting birds, or so I have been told, but have never dared to consider myself as a "birder".  Although as my friend Diane told me recently when discussing the very subject, if you go out specifically to see birds, and you count birds and try to identify species of birds, then you're a birder.  Okay, then I guess I am one.  Geesh, I feel like I just joined AA....

Yesterday Dana and I went birding at the Gilbert Water Ranch.  One of my commitments for 2013 was to begin to track the number of species of birds that I see and identify.  Yeah, just like a real birder.  We arrived at the Water Ranch at around 9:00.  Normally this is a bit late to start birding but the overnight  temperatures have been on the cool side so a late start seemed like a good idea.

We spent the next 2 1/2 hours winding our way through the Water Ranch.  We had the good fortune to connect with several seasoned birders.  We also ran into a few photographers who search for interesting birds to photograph.  I consider these folks birders but as I have learned, some birders consider them photographers first, birders second.

Okay, now for the exciting news.  Well, exciting if you are a birder, surely interesting if you are not.  My first official birding outing we identified 43 species of birds and saw 1 that we were unable to identify.  The list of birds included: Pied-billed Grebe, White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Green winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck,Sharp-shinned Hawk, Sora, Black necked Stilt, Orange crowned Warbler, Aberts Towhee, and 2 species that are rare or uncommon.  These were, Northern Parula and Rufous backed Robin.  It was a very productive day.

Tomorrow we will bird and hike in Usery Mountain Park.  Hoping to see more interesting birds and enjoy the wonders of the desert.

Enjoy the pics...

Dana arriving at the top of Usery Pass hill this morning.

White Pelicans and Egrets at the Water Ranch

This is our home for the next 3 months.  Thought I would throw this pic in.

Ouch! That hurt!

Dana and I went for our 50k loop ride this morning.  On the return leg I pulled at 40 kph (25 mph American) for about 10k.  At one of the few red lights I asked Dana if she was okay.  She replied, (gasp...) "that was Fast.  Real Fast" (gasp!).  Dana had just raced 9 boy riders up the Usery Pass hill (5k at 6% average gradient) beating all but 4.  Dana Rocks!

On the last turn before we arrived back at the RV park I went around the corner on a green light only to have the back wheel slide out from under me like I was riding on ice.  No ice here though.  I went down hard.  It was a slow-motion fall and when I hit the pavement I skidded for about 8 feet and bounced right up.  I picked up my bike and leapt to the sidewalk as the light was changing at the intersection.  I looked down and noticed that my rear tire was flat thereby explaining my fall.  Flat road tires are crap on turns (duh!).  It was just bad luck.  I thought I was slowing down but I figured it was the hard 40 kph pull that I did.  Turns out my tire was slowly deflating.  Bad timing.  I hope 2013 is  not a bad number for me.

The damage from the fall is limited to road rash and bruising on my right hip and some bruising on the inside of my left knee where my leg hit the top tube of my bike when I went down.  No big deal.  We roadies treat "raspberries" like badges of honour.  The bike is fine and so are my bike shorts.   If you're squeamish, don't look at the picture I have included in this post.

We'll take tomorrow off and go birding at the Gilbert Water Ranch.  Should be safe there....

Ciao!  Ride safe.

Changing a tube after the fall.  See, I'm still smiling....

Gratuitous photo of my "raspberry".....