by 332 – Home base for Christmas. Long but beautiful drive thru 395 – 10.5 hour day. Rio and Felix were great troopers for such a long trip. Got great breakfast burritos @ Consuelos Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Banning going north. Clear roads until Mammoth, then multiple chain control areas NB as we traveled thru Mono Lake and Lee Vining to Carson City. Graham arrived about the same time we did. Snowed before we arrived – had to shovel driveway to get cars off the street. Picked up Cameron from the airport a week before Christmas. Worked thru multiple logistics helping Rio adapt to Reno house (booties, ramp, snow, et al). Rio had an easier time with the house vs RV, but hardwood floors were a challenge – Rio didn’t like walking in the snow in the backyard. Gram & Gramps arrived on tuesday before xmas. Graham met a friend for skiing @ Palisades and Alpine in Tahoe. Graham and Cameron skiied together @ Alpine – they turned around Saturday due to amount of traffic (gondola opening day and major concert.
Had dinner @ Great Full Garden (bowls). Got great coffee and pastries @ Perenn Mid Town (great bread – liked this location better – got bread from S Reno location). Coffee and pastries @ The Cup and Reno Roasting company. Coffee & scone @ Lighthouse Coffee in Sparks. Met up with Suz and the boys @ Death & Taxes for drinks – then dinner @ Hometown GastroPub. Breakfast with Suz’s parents and the boys @ Two Chicks mid-town location.
Cancelled Suzanne’s hip surgery @ St. Marys – rescheduling for early February @ the ROC. Suz went to her pre-op testing visit to get an appointment.
Took Graham’s Subaru into LT Automotive to figure out why his car failed smog check in California – found out that the O2 sensor and catalytic converter need replacement – huge cost difference between legal OEM vs after market for NV and CA. Evaluating options for car registration as well as insurance plans for Subaru.
331 – Springs @ Borrego. Back again (sort of). Dry camping site #14. Unexpected visit with Peg & Franz! Met for wine then dinner @ . Gave RV keys to Brent and Krista for safe keeping whilst we visited Reno with Reno.
330 – White Tank Regional Park. Site #30. 50-amps and water – dump station. Really enjoyed our visit – recommended by June and Larry. Beautiful area on the west side of Phoenix near Surprise. Rain and wind overnight. Will come back again. A little longer drive to airport and Scottsdale vs Apache Junction.
329 – Rancho Sedona RV Park. Back again – site 55 (our fav). New TV was able to use their cable this visit. Graham went on multiple local hikes – Graham also drive Jeep to Sedona. Took him to Phoenix Airport. Met June and Larry for breakfast. Got Jeep rear tire repaired in Flagstaff (2nd screw – this time it was leaking faster). Took Graham to Elote – we were fortunate to get a reservation this year. Went to Hudsons to celebrate Suzanne’s birthday. Visited Southwest Wine Center twice – first time we bought a bottle and listed to two performers; second visit was wine tasting. Had a great visit at D.A. Ranch Winery – great dog friendly venue – met a really nice 30ish couple. Visited downtown Cottonwood whilst twice – first time they had a chocolate walk; second time we had coffee and nice walk (La Crema). Took a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad – a lot of fun – beautiful views – met a nice couple from Alaska (both worked forest service). Graham took us to Chocolate Tree Organic for lunch. We had coffee and pastries at Indian Gardens Cafe and Fire Creek. Breakfast with J&L @ Wildflower. Did not enjoy coffee from The Potion.Visited Flagstaff – Had good coffee and pastries @ Late for the Train. Good drinks and local tacos @ Mother Road Brewery. Shopped @ REI and Mountain Sports for xmas presents. Was rainy and cold for about five or so days (mostly mid-week) but warmed up our last couple of days. Outdoor hoses froze two nights.
328 – Lost Dutchman State Park. Love it here. 50-amps and water – dump station. Facing the mountain area. Missed our turn from Oro Valley – beautiful drive but had a mountain drive vs valley drive. Graham arrived to help us celebrate Thanksgiving. The natural museum night light show had not yet started nor did the xmas light shows. Good coffee and food @ Bergies Coffee Roasting in Gilbert – liked the downtown area – Graham worked for a couple of hours in the outdoor patio. Good Tres Leche cake @ Carmens Bakery. Enjoyed historic downtown Scottsdale – surprising for John. Took Graham and Rio to visit Tortilla Flats again – great music – same group as 2020. Got PB at Medmetrics compounding pharmacy in Chandler. Got Rio Pheno from Walgreens near Apache Junction. Graham took us to Valentine for really interesting food and drinks. Ate dinner @ Cornish Pastries in Scottsdale.
327 – Catalina State Park. Back again. Went to Sierra Vista to see Dr Lou for Rio. Seizures seem to be under control, but it appears that Rio has a large mass in the anal sac area – Dr Lou worried – giving Rio lots of pumpkin and laxatives. Suzanne decided to have her hip surgery in Reno instead of Oro Valley. Got new windshield for Jeep. Got Jeep rear tire repaired (since NB Yukon). Great visits with Trisha and Greg as well as Bob and Anne (played bocce ball) @ Rincon East. Went wine tasting @ Deep Sky and Autumn Sage wineries (latter had live music). Tacos @ 143 Street Tacos. Need to spend more time near Patagonia and Green Valley.
326 – The Reef. Back again. This time on the beach with the group. Uneventful entry and departure thru border crossing. Drove into Ajo to get mail and to submit our ballots – uneventful trip. Group included Bob & Sue, Ed & Donna, Sylvia & …; and a new couple for us Bob & Helena. Rusty & Sharon and Pat & Gary did not make it this year. Met a really nice Phoenix couple (Rich and Diana) who built a beautiful house in nearby La Cholla. Great weather except for a couple of days – colder and windy. Rio did a lot better this year. We were able to go into town with a lot more confidence that Rio would be okay for a few hours – although Rio’s late night outdoor visits were somewhat challenging. Went into town for Dias De Muerto this visit and had a great time. A lot more food this year during shared meals. Went to Mermaids, La Curva (good as last visit?), La Casa de Capitan, Favlios. Mare du Blu (will not go back) and Playa Bonita (will try their molcajete next visit). Enjoyed live music @ The Wrecked. Enjoyed lunch @ Tacos Brissa (papa relleno – recommened by Rich and Diana). Got great tres leche cake @ Candy Cake Dessert and Bakery. Great tortillas @ Tortilleria Mia. Good pastries @ Panaderia Cornejo. Went to Super Rey for market shopping. Bought shrimp from Jessy Fish Market. Enjoyed shopping @ the Rodeo. Could not get Rio’s pheno, but did get meds for Suzanne. Went to open market with the group (sort of).
325 – Hickiwan RV park. Back again, this time for 2-days. Came a day early to visit Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. 30-amps. The group arrived on our 2nd day. Went into Ajo to get supplies, get coffee and scope out the post office.
324 – Palms RV Resort. Back again. Really enjoy this RV resort. Good coffee at Cafecito – moved to new downtown location. Went back to Garden Cafe – the food is good as always, but they had a tough time with getting food out of the kitchen. Went back to Da Boyz italian restaurant – really enjoy their blue cheese wedge salads. Lots of errands getting ready for our mexico trip. Was really hot during the first few days.
