CLOUDS & RAIN TO SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ARIZONA!!

A dreary rainy day's drive to Apache Junction east of Mesa gives way to snow on the mountains the next day. We had an all night rain here in Mesa Saturday and got up to a few rain drops on Sunday which changed into a sunny day with a lot of puffy clouds. But it did not stop us from seeing the snow on the mountain peaks. It was still cool, but enjoyable! Gary had wanted to go the Lost Dutchman Rodeo to take pictures of the horses, etc. But when we got there we were disappointed to find a very small carnival , and we decided it would not be worth the fight through the crowd and all of the dust and dirt to take pictures. We did have an enjoyable drive, but decided to end it with that. For our Sunday Ice Cream Social here at the Resort, they had the Arizona Cloggers come in to perform for us. They were in age from three years to Grandmas and Grandpas. They were fun to watch and they make it so effortless!! The following Sunday we went back out to the north edge of Mesa to Sunshine Acres Childrens Home to attend their Annual BBQ. It was rainy and very cold (for us and this area) so we did not stay around long after eating. We did enjoy seeing the kids and knowing that they were serving and waiting on their guests. When I told the kids behind the serving counter thank you for a job well done, they lit up with smiles. They seem so appreciative and well mannered. I am sure that is not always the case when they first get these children since they come from many sad and angry situations. But they sure show them a lot of love and discipline here, so it soon changes. This is the mountain view in one direction behind the administrative building. I just love this scenery!

They served us BBQ beef from this serving counter in their dining room, used for the school primarily. This is what we saw on our first tour at the home. It then changed from that empty room to this busy dining room. We were fortunate to have arrived when there were only a half dozen people there. Before we finished eating it began to fill up as you can see here.

By the time we left it was fully packed and they were filling a tent twice the size of this dining room just outside. I over heard someone say that they had gotten 1600 lbs of beef for the event! We so enjoyed the food since we have been so much rabbit food for our diets! We even had a piece of pie!!!

They were set up in the yard to entertain, but we decided it was too cold and wet to our liking.

As an after thought, I had Gary turn right when leaving their parking lot and we found that their large pole building Thrift Shop and the typical South Western house Boutique were open for business. You can just barely see the Boutique in the right of the picture. We did not know what to expect at the Boutique and Gary was prepared not to stay in it if it was decorated with a lot of potpourri and such because of his allergies. Well, it was not and we found it to be a wonderful shop with many rooms set up like store room displays of furniture, glassware, china, and other decor items. I could see the granddaughter of the founders decorating hand in this. They get many donations from estates and it makes wonderful sale items, very first rate stuff! We were so enthused with this shop that we did not think to take any pictures inside or outside.

The Thrift store was your typical and many were filling bags since they were offering three different bag sizes for $5, 10 and 20. While we were browsing to see if there was anything that we could not do without, they doubled the take and let everyone have two of the size that they bought. I was disappointed that I did not locate any great find, but I am sure that Gary was relieved as we certainly do not need any more to pack away to move down the road. I did see one woman find three or four of those new style silicone baking pans and several women were finding a lot of clothing to suit their family needs. I am sure that they cleared a lot out by the end of the day, but still leaving them with plenty to keep them open!

On the whole, we had a wonderful day!

Gary visited with our neighbor, Cliff, and took pictures of his hobby. He lives in a park model home with a storage shed that houses their laundry and his tool work room. He has many wooden toys that he has made from blue prints.

Then last evening we went to the BEST concert here at the Resort. The Texas Tenors, formerly known to be winners of the America's Got Talent show, where here! They had been winners there of $1 million and they also got a contract for Las Vegas. They have since been traveling for shows and feeling so blessed to be doing what they love.

They were by far the best that we have had this year!! They will be in Branson in September and October and I want to go there!! But I don't think that we will be close enough to our line of travel. I did buy their CD, though. I did not wait around in the crowd to have it autographed. It had been a packed concert hall!! I think that any fire marshall coming through would have had a fit as we just kept setting up chairs! Unfortunately, that put us very near the back. I stood to take pictures, but unfortunately they are not good. Too far away and probably too many lights and shadows!

So you have seen another eight days of fun. Check back with us for more. We do not have much planned right now, but I am sure that we can find something soon. I will be scrapbooking tomorrow with a friend and Gary will be teaching her husband the pencil drawing. He is so enjoying his art class and they will keep him on next year if we return. So we are seriously thinking about it. There is so much for us to see out west here and we will only have checked out four or five states by then. The gas prices will make us want to leave the motorhome here in storage while we fly home for a month's visit. It will be much cheaper that way!! So we are glad there are options.

CONGRATULATIONS to our friends, Dick and Jane, who are first time grand parents of twins, a boy and a girl!! Also to John and Debbie who are also first time grand parents!! What blessings!! Dick and Jane are friends from our Sunday school class back home and Debbie was a co-worker of Audrey's who just recently retired to better enjoy live. Way to go!!!!

The weather is getting much nicer. It is to be 80 by Friday, but will cool off some again next week. Not complaining though!! Take care and stay warm.

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