The Everett Pedersons

Thanks to the government start up, we were able to visit the Casa Grande Ruins.  These ruins were discovered in the 1800s, and were the catalyst for the national park system.  Completely made of earthen composition, the preservation effort fights against the climate and environment.  The main large building has a complete roof built by the park service over it. Large cactus that fell over.  They have ribs in them. After the saguaro dies its woody ribs can be used to build roofs, fences, and parts of furniture.

I attended a Chainsaw carving demonstration at the park on Saturday.  The Carver lives here and does.a.great job.   We are getting ready to go to the Tucson gem and bead show in the beginning of February.   Doris cousin Lois and her husband Dolly arrived, we had dinner with them last night and had a really good time.  We go to Church here at the park and it's a great service.  Have to admit its nice to sing good old hyms and here straight from the Bible sermons. 

Lots of pictures this time.  We went up to Apache Junction to visit a ghost town, come back to life.  Doris did a bit of gold panning, and we hit the mother load!!   Well we found a few flecks of gold.  They trow in some other purdy rocks just to make it interesting.   It was a fun stop, got some great pictures, and a few trinkets to bring home.   Monster lathe!!!

Had a great weekend, went to a huge outdoor Fair, and car show.  Enjoyed checking out all the local artisans,  and music.   The resort has a lot of things to do, this week we will be going to a couple of music venues.  Doris is busy working her ceramics.  Im working my carving.  The resort just started a survey to see if there is interest in a wood shop, and a lot of people have signed up.  We have a couple of plays lined up and we haven't even started much activity outside the resort.   We are planning a trip up to Apache Junction, Sonoma, Tombstone and the Grand Canyon. We have been scoping out the Park models here, some as low as $26,000 to an average with an Arizona Room attached $49,000.  We figure we will continue our RV camping and leave the possibility open for a park model in the future.

Beautiful Arizona evening.  Took a walk through the park last night and it was nice to just put on a light jacket for the trek.   Doris is enjoying Zentangle this morning and is working on Ceramics this afternoon.  I've been carving and just hanging out.  Lots of activities to get involved in, and as one lady stated, she gets bored when she goes home.  

CASA GRANDE RUINS It's finally starting to get warmed up here, we had a good day took a trip to Mesa, for a couple of errands.  Also decided to swing by Casa Grande Ruins.  Couldn't get in because there was a WALL around it and a GATE that was locked.  Why do they put WALLS and GATES around it?  Maybe to keep out criminals or troublemakers.  Ironic that it is closed because of the Government shutdown, yet there is a WALL around it to keep us out.

Carving Club!!  Went top the Carving club here in Casa Grande about twelve members, and all do great work.  Talked about the Mesa show in March and Im looking forward to that.  We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays so will have plenty of opportunities to carve.  We had the Grand Ole Opry show this last Friday night.  It was a hoot, and some darn good music too. Doris isn't there only one with a blue bottle tree.  Here's an attractive one that thrives in the desert. And this one just says it all.  

Took our first run at the In-n-out burger place.  A very nice fast food restaurant.  Your basic burger and fries place. We are checking out he site activities.  Doris was going to a craft class/gathering, and I have a wood carving group...  wooooo hoooo, coming tomorrow. Super nice people here and a beautiful park, gated community, so it's safe and secure.  

We have arrived and set up.  Had plenty of experts waving their arms and providing useful tips on backing up a trailer.  What a show! As you can see its a nice beautiful day.  Took the truck and trailer through a semi truck wash so we shed all the road dirt getting here. Internet here is almost non existent, you have to go to a room onsite with all the internet equipment and join the club to use the wifi.  Cellular is worse!!  No one here sitting around staring at their phones.  Maybe that is a good thing? We have already signed up to go to one play in February.  

Stopped in Soledad Canyon Thousand Trails, it rained like it was coming in buckets.  Next day it turned out bright and Sony.  We hit the road early and arrived at a KOA near a town called Salome. Getting to warmer areas and it feels good.

This cracked me up.  😄

W e've been on the road for two days now.  One stop in Roseburg that turned out pretty good.  Nice park with a pull through, didn't even have to unhook.  Drove till late to get there, but worked out great. Today we made it from Roseburg to Sacramento to a Thousand Trails park, at lake Minden.  Not a bad spot but all their water was out, so dry camping it is. Mount Shasta was maginificent on our way down, and Doris got a few shots as we passed by.