There is no place like home when it's this far away.....

Once again I am behind in posting on our blog.  No excuse for it.  Just too busy, maybe a bit lazy.  Okay, that sounds like an excuse doesn't it.  Life here in the desert is fabulous.  The weather since the big rain two weeks ago has been outstanding.  Great weather and fun times.  Reminds me of the lyrics to a Jimmy Buffett song:

The weather is here I wish you were beautiful

The skies are too clear, life is easy today
The beer is too cold, the daiquiri's too fruitful
There's no place like home when it's this far away 
I need time for to play 
Time for to play 

Speaking of playing, here is a run down of our activity for the past week.

Rides:  5
Golf for Barry: 2
Birding: 1
Bocce Ball league: 1 (won that one.  Record is now 4 and 1)
Tennis: Barry helping out the beginner team and played with brother Mike on Monday
Shopping: Bike gear for Dana.  It's PINK and beautiful.
Church: 1  (That would be Dana....)
Street parties and Happy Hours:  Several.....

Bike riding here is amazing, and I have said that many times before but bares repeating.  Over the past 9 days we have rolled out of here 5 times and have logged 300 kms.  It adds up fast.  We continue to average around 27 or 28 kph (20 mph) on the rides.  Most days we beat into the wind on the outward leg and come home with a tail wind.  Today was different as the wind had changed direction and we went out with a tail wind and home into the wind.  We think we prefer a head wind out and a tail wind home but what the heck, it's cycling and it seems one is always riding into the wind so really, it doesn't matter too much.  It is just great to be out in the sunshine and dry weather.  Yesterday we had a bit of adventure when Dana not only flatted once but then had a blow out on her front tire.  She hit a sharp rock and "Ka-Boom", a dime sized hole in the tire.  Fortunately we were only 5k from home and 1k from the nearest Starbucks.  We walked the bikes to Starbucks and then Barry cycled home and returned with the 4Runner rescue vehicle.  Dana did a great of controlling the bike after the blow-out.  Fortunately we were on a straight piece of road and while we were travelling at around 35 kph at the time of the blow-out she was able to brake and stop in the bike lane.  Dana admits to be a bit shaken by the incident.  We replaced the tire later in the day and today we were right back out there.  Getting back on the horse is often the best cure.

After a short 12 year layoff Barry is golfing again.  Barry learned quickly why he gave up the sport in 2001.  Just kidding....  Really not much to say about golf.  It is a work in progress and when there is anything noteworthy to say on the subject it will be reported on the blog.  (Discern what you will from this brief summary.  Either way you take it, you will be right.......)

We birded at the Gilbert Water Ranch on Tuesday morning.  Not much happening but we did spot a pair of green Herons and a pair of Kestrels.  We also observed several Warblers but did not make a positive identification of any of them.  We are tempted to put forth a suggestion that all Warblers be required to display name tags, just like we do in our RV Park!

We won our latest Bocce Ball league match.  Our record is now 4 wins and 1 defeat.  Some team members are talking playoffs.  This last match was a dozy.  After 4 ends the score was 2 - 2 and it looked as if we would have a low scoring game.  Within 15 minutes our team was ahead 12 - 2.  10 minutes later we were down 13 -12.  We tied it up and then in the final end Dana scored the winning point.  Clutch!  Bocce Ball is not so much of a physical game but it is nerve racking.

Barry continues to assist in coaching the 1.5 Tennis Team.  It is a lot of fun.  Something to look forward to each Wednesday afternoon.

Dana bought some new bike gear this week.  I don't have any pictures yet but I'll just say she looks pretty fantastic in her pink jersey and pink vest.

Dana found time to attend church with our neighbour, Lila.  Barry was attending service at the "Tee to Green" church.  Dana took a couple photos of the interior of the church.  I've included one that will shows the understated elegance of the Chancel.  Surprising for a Catholic church (Barry's editorial comment).

Finally, our days seem to end with social gatherings.  Some organized, many more of the impromptu variety.  These gathers normally, and that is not really the word for it, begin with  Dana and I sitting on patio chairs in the street either having a late lunch or afternoon coffee/tea.  Soon one or two neighbours join in.  Then a few more join in.  Coffee/tea give way to wine and beer......  We have a lot of laughs and get just the right amount of sun.  The combination of vitamin D with "vitamin" B and W is wonderful.  The socializing is fantastic.  We feel very much a part of this small community on 14th Street.  Everyone here has accepted us as neighbours and friends even if we are only here for a few months.  I can't tell you how great that feels.  Well, I guess I just did.

I leave you with yet another verse from a Jimmy Buffett song.  Ciao everyone!

It's those changes in latitudes,
changes in attitudes nothing remains quite the same.
With all of our running and all of our cunning,
If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.