The Final Week at FOY

Another busy week of relaxation and sun.  This is our last week at the Fountain of Youth, so ii I am going to get a more youthful look, I had best  get at it.  As always, this week there has been a flurry of activity around the resort.  We attended a Canada Day potluck supper (word has it that almost 70% of the folks here are Canadian) and on Saturday were the final of the Can-Am games.  This included a parade (reminiscent of the 60's), dog show,  chili cook-off, plus various other activities.  Everywhere folks (Canadians) were dressed in red and white.

 I expect many of these folks may have been part of the hippie movement





 Katie is 107 years old and looked pretty proud to be in the front seat of that convertible.

Grafitti on the walls

We took an off-road tour over to Chiriaco Summit with three ATV's.  At Chiriaco Summit is a museum dedicated to General Patton as this is the area where held maneuvres during WWII. We stopped at various sights as we went through canyons, washes, and over ridgelines.   In spots a few desert flowers were starting to bloom.  We decided to come home via the highway and stopped at Painted Canyon - a picturesque canyon with walls of different colours.  The poor fellows on the ATV's had to bounce across country to get back home and they were tired and full of dust.  That's the advantages of being in a vehicle where you can roll up the windows and turn up the air conditioner if you wish.  On our way home we saw the vineyards that are starting to turn green.

desert flowers

 

Outside the General Patton's Museum












A trip into Brawley for groceries also meant lunch at a Chinese cafe.  Eight of us went and enjoyed an excellent meal.  

When I went on a bus trip a couple of weeks ago, near our campsite there was an incredible scent of some flowers.  We went touring to find where it came from and found a large field (about 100 acres) of stocks - many colours.  As we were looking for the flowers, we came across a field of fig trees.  They too were just starting to leaf out (any leaves were still too small to be of any use).












We have almost spent a month at the Fountain of Youth and many of you may wonder exactly what kind of place is this.  One of the folks here has put together a video of the various activities and amenities available here.  Here is the address if you would like to see it. Video Link

We think of many of you as the cold weather has been around while here it has been warm and sunny.  I hope it warms up soon so you can enjoy the outdoors.

Until next week, I would like to wish each of you a great week!!

Another Week of Sand and Sun!

How can one be so  busy with so little to do we have often been asked.  Well to tell the truth, I have no idea but time quickly passes by.
 

View of the Salton Sea from the top

Will it fit

Yup

This week we went off -roading one day.  There were two vehicles and two ATV's and off we went to Box Canyon.  It was a great day for a great ride to see some pretty sights.  There was not rough stuff other than some fairly washboard road.

The fountain in front of the mall - day and night

And of course I wanted to go do some shopping at an outlet mall.  There were a couple of busloads going from the resort so Myrna and I went.  It started that the bus was to leave at 8:00 a.m. - sharp.  Well, by 9:45 we were on our way for a two and a half hour ride.  Once there, we had to go to the casino to register and then have lunch - 1/2 price buffet.  We did ourselves proud before we hit the mall.  But we had to gamble a bit so I made $9.08 (Myrna wasn't quite so lucky) and we were off.  The rest of the afternoon was spent touring the stores, and that was all we did, was tour.  Our purchases weren't much - I bought one item, and Myrna none.  Back on the bus which was to leave at 6:00 p.m. and finally we were on the road back by 6:30.  That was my experience at a bus trip - likely won't have another one any time soon.

This is plate number 3

Old school buddies came out for a short visit this past week.  It was great to see them as it has been way too long.  I was so glad that they had hardly aged at all as I was beginning to think that I was the only one who had a slow aging process (hehehe)!

Sometimes the dog finds it too warm

I did a little sewing this week - took me four days to hem a couple of pair of shorts.  As you can tell, I spent many hours at the sewing machine.

And pickle ball - Gerry played in a tournament this week and didn't do too badly - even won a game.  He has been playing everyday and seems to be enjoying it.  In fact, I tried it this morning and I even was able to hit the ball a couple of times.  But, I did get lots of practice chasing the ball so hopefully that counts for something.

And some days I go walking but I must say that Gerry has gone faithfully everyday.  And some days I go down to the gym (well a couple times) as they have a really nice fitness centre.

I hope everyone had a great week and until next time, take care!

We're Back!

Early in the week, and early in the morning, Kyla picks us up to take us to the airport.  Unlike the previous couple of years,  the temperature is a balmy -15C or so.  Fortunately, that was the norm for most of the week - again, unlike the past couple of years.  When I had checked in I received a notice that said one or more segments of our trip was overbooked and would we consider a $150 credit.  I decided that we would just take our flights as they had been booked.  Well, when we went to board at Denver, they asked for three volunteers to take a later flight as they were overbooked.  This time, though, they were offering $500 so we volunteered - thinking we would love a $1000 travel credit.  All we had to do was take a later flight which was four

Our View

hours later.  BUT, that was not to be as they ended up not needing our seats.  

When we arrived in Palm Springs the weather was warm, and not a cloud in the sky.  Off to the grocery store and then back to the motorhome we went.  It was a long day, but it was a super trip, and we were glad to be back in the warmth.

It seems that everything went just too smoothly so  there had to be a little hiccup - a holding tank sprung a leak so under one cabinet it was soaking wet   plus two bays had a couple of inches of water.  Fortunately, with the warm dry air, it dried out fairly quickly and we were able to get a replacement tank overnight.  All is well and we are back in business (so to speak).

The Athlete

Gerry has decided to try his hand at pickleball.  This game is played on a court and is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong and is becoming very popular.  I think he is enjoying it although he is finding it rather challenging having never really played any sports that use a racket.

The weather continues to be perfect and every day is a great day.  I hope each of you have a great day every day, and until next week, enjoy!!

BRRRRR!

Sorry,  things are a bit late this week.  The last week started at the Fountain of Youth where we made every attempt at trying to preserve some youth.  Apparently we still need more time as everyone seemed to easily recognize us.  The weather was a bit cooler and we had one day of drizzle.  While we complain about the sun not shining, the moisture is definitely appreciated.

On our way to the Fountain of Youth we drove through the Imperial Sand Dunes.  They are quite the sight to see and as you can tell, the sand drifts onto the roadway the same as the snow does here.  It seems strange to see what we call snowplows but they use the same equipment to remove the sand.

From This

Then we headed for the north.  We boarded the plane in Palm Springs in 20+ degree weather (70'ish for the folks still using the Fahrenheit scale) and arrive in Regina in 20 degree weather.  This time, though it was on the minus side (just below 0 for you Fahrenheit folks).   It did warm up somewhat during the day (some days) but was also colder some days  Fortunately we have heated jackets so we were toasty warm.  All one needs now is a heated belaclava and the winter temperatures could be easily braved. 

To This

The problem is the ice that has resulted from several thaws and freezes and I, once again, am able to attest to the dangers of walking on the rough icy surfaces.  Yup, another test of bone strength - only a sore wrist and hip this time.

Besides doing a bit of work, we were able to spent some time with the kids and grandkids.  We were fortunate enough to watch a basketball game, a couple of soccer games and some swimming lessons.  It reminds one of the days when their kids were young and we were able to enjoy watching the progression of the various activities.

But our week is almost over and it's time to head south once again.  It's been a great week and we have thoroughly enjoyed "Christmas" once again and especially with the kids.  I hope everyone had a great week and this coming week will be the same.