Family, friends, sporting events and water time!

AZ Cardinals - NFC Semi-finals

Family, friends, sporting events and water time...all great ways to pass the time this winter!

If you know Tom then you know he's a die hard football fan.  Me, not so much, but I have always said I'd like to go to a pro game.  Tom's team, AZ Cardinals, made it to the play-offs and were playing at home in Phoenix so I said, "Let's Go!".  Thank you Stub Hub for the reasonably priced tickets just hours before the game.  We picked up my bother and nephew and headed out to a fantastic night of the best football ever!  Unfortunately they didn't do so well in their next game but we still got to see an incredible game.

Tom and Jake enjoyed some male bonding time at a college basketball game at U of A.  They headed to the court early and by doing so Tom had the chance to meet, and shake hands with, Bill Walton, Former ABC/ESPN/NBC Basketball Announcer, NBA All-Star Basketball Player, UCLA All-American, and one of the fifty greatest players in NBA.  

It's been great being so close to Phoenix to have several opportunities to spend time with my brother and his family.  In addition to the game, we visited Colossal Cave (his first time in a cave!) and Catalina State Park.

Rita shows us the ropes with Letter Boxing

In 2013 we met Stephen and Gisela on a hike in Bend, Oregon.  We've kept in touch ever since and finally had the chance to see them again.  They were passing through the area in their RV and stayed in a park in Benson.  We spent a day in Tombstone as well as wine tasting and a day at Kartchner Caverns.  So great to see you again!

Roxy & Moxie!

Downtown Tombstone

Even though we're in the desert I've enjoyed some kayak time with Rita.   Patagonia Lake State Park is a nice place to kayak and hike.  We've enjoyed a few trips to this park so far.

Girls Trip!  Rita, Sandy and I headed out for a 3 day adventure to the Lake Havasu area.  Sandy was a sweetheart and offered to go with us so that she could shuttle Rita and I to our kayak drop off and pick up points.  Thank you, Sandy!  We had a blast on our little girls outing and Rita and I had a fantastic kayak down the CO River through Topock Gorge - 15 miles of pure beauty and perfect weather!  

 Ok, so there was a little adventure.  Why not?  The 15 miles seemed way too easy so we had a little challenge at the end.  We heard from someone that had kayaked this stretch that it was difficult to find the take-out point.  We laughed when we saw the big sign for Castle Rock (our take out point) and wondered  how in the world they missed it.  Well, let's just say we now know!  This little path through the tall grasses is how you must end the trip to get to where your ride is waiting.  We laughed so hard getting through this area and will certainly not doubt the words from others!

Til next time...Happy Trails!