Apricity West

February 26, 2021, Friday

 

Went into Wickenburg today. It was very quiet so we browsed in a few shops and had a Mexican lunch at Anita’s Cocina. 

No luck with cowgirl boots. Not sure where I would wear them anyway.

  

We will return to visit the Western Museum which takes a while to go through. 

Wickenburg gathering for two man roping competition. We don’t have hats or proper footwear to stop today. 

Yarnell

It was still early in the afternoon so we drove up to Yarnell. Talk about switchbacks and hairpin turns! The paved road split near the bottom so there was only one way up and one way down. Smart since the roads are so narrow and curvy. 

Yarnell Emporium was a lure with the bright colors of lawn decor sparkling in the sun. The inventory was remarkable - so much to choose from. 

 

On the trip down the mountain there is the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Memorial in honor of the 19 firefighters (ages 21 to 43) that lost their lives protecting their community in temperatures exceeding 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit on June 19, 2013.

 

This picture was taken 11 days before the Yarnell fire. It was to commemorate their success in saving an ancient world record alligator juniper from the Doce fire in nearby Prescott National Forest. 

The memorial is at the base and the site of the incident is a hike up the mountain. There was one surviving member who was sent to be a look out, Brendon McDonough, who continues to live in Prescott, AZ with his daughters and fiancé. He is a public speaker and works with numerous nonprofits. The movie about this horrific event is "Only the Brave.”

 

February 27, 2021, Saturday

Went to Surprise today to see John and Eileen. 

We got a wonderful tour of their community - Sun City Grand. It is gorgeous and plush with all kinds of activities in their rec center - pickleball, tennis, golf, bocce, lap pool and recreation pool, lawn bowling, crafts, glass works, softball, and more. 

February 28, 2021, Sunday

The wind is howling again so even though the sun is shining bright, I plan to stay in and work on bank reconciliations and taxes. Fun, huh?

 

March 1, 2021, Monday

Can’t believe it is already March 1st and my baby sister’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Terri. 

We walked over to Roberta and Keith Bisel so that I could meet them. They have a home at North Ranch in the very first row. Roberta is the resident line dance teacher; Keith is a master pickleball player.

March 2, 2021, Tuesday

Went to Surprise again for lunch at Saigon Kitchen with Eileen and John. They are frequent visitors of this venue and since they just got their 2nd shot, this is the first place they wanted to go. The owner came to our table and invited the four of us to the 10 year anniversary of this family owned restaurant. They will have a tent to cover the entire parking lot and have a limited menu, masks required until you are seated, and set up according to CDC rules. There is a grand prize drawing of a 2021 Mustang!!

 

March 3, 2021, Wednesday 

Mailed my taxes in, and it is laundry day at John and Eileen’s - some call this mooch-docking though we are not parked in their driveway. We had lunch at the Irish Pub Wolf Hound - the guys enjoyed a pint (or two) of Guinness. 

 

By late afternoon the wind was stirring up the desert dust so bad that we could not see the pink mountains. 

 

March 4, 2021, Thursday

Woke up to a surprise this morning - lots of clouds in the sky! I really don’t think I have seen more than occasional wispy clouds since we’ve been in Congress. Apparently it rained last night for about an hour which washed our very dusty exterior rug. 

 

There has been a change of plans in our itinerary since we got appointments for 2nd shots on March 10th IN TUCSON! We were supposed to be here in Congress until March 21st, but will pull up stakes on the 9th and will stay in Tucson until the 21st. So we are scrambling to see more friends in the area before we leave. 

 

Meet Voni and Paul Jones. Paul does fine finish woodworking - he made this entertainment unit and laid the floors as well. Voni beaded the striking band around his hat.  Such intricate work that a magnifying glass is necessary!

  

Voni is also a hairdresser and quilter. These machine stitched horse quilts took 1st prize. The one below the horse is hand stitched.

 

Paul is a retired pastor who was very involved in the aftermath of the fatal Yarnell fire which I talked about earlier. And Voni actually hiked the trail to view the site from above where the “19” perished when she was 75 years old. She plans to do it again when she is 80! The trail is 7 1/2 miles long and there are steep stone steps that come up to her knees. It was more difficult to come down than to climb up. Her quilting group created over 100 quilts for distribution through the church to those affected by the disaster.  

 

Went over to visit Bob (86) and Eddi (85) Erdman from Milwaukee who will be married 65 years in September! They have lived in their 5th wheel here in North Ranch for 12 years as work campers, but are considering retirement next year. Bob is retired from machine sales after a 32 year career and hasn’t had coffee or chocolate since June of 2019 due to a stomach bleed; Eddi’s career was in banking. Rich and Bob had kidded about going on the road as R&R Comedy Show - and I can see why!

Stopped over to see Alet and Tom and the talent in this family is amazing - Tom’s woodworking...

And pencil art

And Alet’s quilting. Her group has committed to providing 100 quilts for Veteran’s Day in November and they already have 96 made. 

This quilt is unique - each leaf is cut in half and replaced  with another quilter’s version. There is a key of who’s who on the back. 

Some of her pieces are finished off with beads to glitz it up. Below is Brazilian embroidery which is 3D - raised. 

Isn’t it amazing how much talent there is here?

End of another gorgeous day!! On to Prescott tomorrow...