Maui, Hawaii

 We stayed one night before the cruise at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. We started our 7 day cruise on the Pride of America, the only cruise ship registered in the U.S.A.  The cruise stopped for the first two days in Kahului, Maui. Our first excursion off the ship was called " The Best of Maui."  This gave us a good overview of the island.  Our guide Wally from Roberts Hawaii took us all around the island to Ioa Needle, a plantation that grew so many vegetables fruits, we couldn't try to remember them all. The guides really give great information, teach you about the culture, their experiences, and teach you the Hawaiian language.
                                                                       

Ladies receive a flower Lei

Men receive a shell Lei

The Pride of America, the only ship that cruises the Hawaiian Islands

At our first cruise stop in Maui.

We walked up to the top of the trail to Ioa Needle,

This photo would make a pretty good postcard.

The mountain on Maui are beautiful.

We visited a plantation that grew Mango, Papaya, and many other fruits.

We learn a quick way to get to the center of a coconut.

Beautiful Hibiscus

We saw flowers, vegetables, Jack fruit and more

                                                                       

A Day at the Rockin' R Ranch & other things

Today we took Terry and Glenn Gordon (their daughter Heather is married to son Vince) out for a cowboy dinner and show in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.  We went to the Rockin' R Ranch and had quite the feast.  The menu is simple, you get a choice of barbequed chicken or barbequed beef along with baked potato, cowboy beans, applesauce or baked peaches, a biscuit, applesauce cake, lemonade and coffee.  Quite a spread!  The show was cowboy country music, mixed in with some cowboy humor and it was great.  They even called up to the stage everyone having a birthday or anniversary, so Terry and Glenn went up with a little coaxing.  Afterwards we witnessed three authentic re-enactments of famous shootouts.  It was a fun night.
This morning we are at the pool, relaxing and enjoying the February sun.  It is snowing today for all our friends and relatives up north, but it is sunny and will be 88 today here in Mesa.  Why do they live where it snows?                                                                                

Heading into Rockin' R Ranch

Terry & Glenn up on stage getting congratulated

                                                                                Debbie's movie of the celebration
                                                                               

Relaxing at the pool at 10:30 a.m (its only 80 degrees on February 16th)

Debbie is the first one in the pool today. 

Even though it will be 88 today, Debbie's already in the hot tub

Saguaro Lake Cruise on the Desert Belle, Mesa, AZ.

Today we took a cruise on beautiful Lake Saguaro. Who would envision a huge, ten mile lake in the middle of the desert. The average depth was 85 feet, with some areas up to 130 feet deep. We learned a lot, as Captain Tom was very informative. During the 90 minute cruise we got to see a variety of cactus, trees, water fowl, bald eagles, red tail hawks and two bighorn sheep.

Debbie and the Desert Belle

A Bighorn sheep sit atop a mountain (this is a great long distance photo with our new camera)

Canyons galore with great views

Beautiful views

A Bald Eagle floats high above us

Red Rock Mountain

The four peaks-the one on the left is Brown's Peak, the others are unnamed and all appear on the Arizona license plate.

                                                                                 
                                                                         

Mesa, Arizona

We are in Mesa at the Val Vista Village for 45 days, enjoying the company of Glenn & Terry Gordon, our daughter-in-law Heather's parents.  We are seeing shows, swimming, and enjoying the weather.  We stopped here also to go to the VA to get my medications, but some asinine Arizona law won't allow a "Transient" like me to get my medication.  So, we cut our visit to 45 days from 75 days. We'll head to California to get service with a smile at Loma Linda.  Boo to the Phoenix VA!
We've been here just over a week and have gone to two shows already, Eddie Diamond, a Neil Diamond imitator and a very good Elvis Impersonator,"Danny Vernon is the Illusion of Elvis."  We had fun and enjoyed the shows.
                                                                           

Eddie Diamond

Danny Vernon as Elvis

Elvis was very good.

Gold Canyon, Arizona

We are in Gold Canyon Golf & RV Resort for a FREE week.  This is a luxury resort and we are enjoying it.  We went to their booth at the Rally this year in Atlanta and they offered us a free week, so that we would come and check out the great park and amenities. This place has it all and it the nicest park that we have ever stayed in.  We are enjoying the January weather, in the mid to upper 70's everyday.  While our family and friends are enjoying the snow up north, we are in the pool everyday.  Why live up north anyway? Geez!
We are spending a lot of time in the pools and hot tubs, playing pool and seeing shows.  We did go to a nearby ghost town, Goldfield, that is now a typical tourist trap, compete with a gunfight and souvenir stores. They did have some good ice cream.                                                        

The front entrance to Gold Canyon Golf and RV Resort

The pool area, the lap pool is about 88 and the other pool is around 90 degrees.

One of the 2 hot tubs ans the Pickleboard courts.

The Lobby

Our very spacious site

Debbie challenged me to a pool tournament, first to 5 games wins.  Vince 5 - Debbie 0.

Debbie at Goldfield Ghost town

Nice view of the Superstition Mountains

The gunfight begins

Last nights sunset. Beautiful, Huh?

                                                     

Tucson, AZ

We are at Far Horizons Trailer Village in Tucson for a week.  We are seeing a bit of the area and spending time in the pool.  The weather is above normal by 10 degrees everyday, so at 74-78 degrees everyday, we are using the heated pool and hot tub.
We also spent 4 days sight seeing.  We have been to Sabino Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Mt. Lemmon and to the Mission Xavier Del Bac.  The day we went up 8,400 feet to the top of Mt. Lemmon, it was 74 degrees at the start up and 48 degrees at the top.  There was still snow on the ski slopes, but nobody was skiing. Tucson is very scenic and we are enjoying our stay.
                                                              

Yes, its January and Debbie has one of her new swimsuits on.

I'm enjoying the pool, its about 90 degrees.

                                                                               

Beautiful Saguaro ( Sa-War-Oh) cactus

Debbie with a Staghorn Cholla

Debbie with a Teddy Bear Cholla

A Fish-Hook barrel Cactus

About half way up Mt. Lemmon

Strange rock formations on the way up Mt. Lemmon

                                                                             

                               
                                                                              

Debbie atop Mt. Lemmon, snow, no skiers & 48 degrees

                                                                                   

Smile Deb, we're heading into the canyon!  The walk will do you good!

See, she made it to the top

            

See the rock on the right, he seems to be winking at you.

I made it too!

This is gorgeous country.

                                                                                   

Completed in 1797, the mission is in great shape

Next door at a place just for lighting a candle and saying a prayer.

We could not take photos inside the mission, as baptisms were being performed.