Dec 17, 2012 - Prescott Valley, AZ - Still Here!

(Elena Writing) Just to update you that we're still here in Prescott Valley, AZ. Ron's sister has health issues that require major changes in her life and we're helping her with them. Hopefully, we'll be able to leave some time after the first of 2013 to our winter home in Congress, AZ. Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Nov 16, 2012 - Prescott Valley, AZ - Visiting Ron's Sister

(Ron Writing) We left Rockhound SP around 8 AM this morning and drove straight through to Prescott Valley, AZ. At 430 miles that’s a lot more than we usually drive in one day. We did make a stop in Tucson to purchase fuel and have lunch at Costco. We are parked in my sister’s driveway and plan to stay here for several days – at least through Thanksgiving.

May 9, 2012 - Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

We drove a few miles up the road from our RV site to Cottonwood, Arizona. There is a animal park named Africa. There are a lot of African animals as well as a few natives. Almost all are rescues, or were donated. Some were confiscated (illegal to be owned by an individual without proper licensing). One interesting thing about this park that seems different than others. All of the workers really love the animals. There is interaction between the animals and the workers. None are trained. Anything that the animals do is strictly instinctual....

May 4, 2012 - Mogollon Rim Road Drive

Today we took a road trip along the Mogollon Rim. Pronounced Muggy-own, the Mogollon rim is the natural dividing line between the cool high country north of it and the blistering hot desert below it. It about 200 miles long. We drove about 40 miles of dirt road along the rim. In some places, the drop offs were 2000 feet deep. A lot of breath-taking views were along the road. The drop offs had me more than a little nervous and I was afraid to look over the side while driving.

May 3, 2012 - Prescott Valley Area

We went on a small hike near Lynx Lake, part of National Forest located within the city limits of Prescott Valley. We also visited a little town park, Fain Park, mostly to take the dog, Stitch, for a walk. Nice little park of 100 acres donated by a town benefactor. And we enjoyed lemonade with our friends, Ray and Donna, on the patio of their home. And, I just had to add more owl pictures!

Apr 27, 2012 - Prescott Valley, AZ

We are on the road again! Now we are in Orchard Ranch Senior RV Resort in Prescott (pronounced Pres-kitt) Valley, AZ. It is a little town north of Mesa about 120 miles. We intend to stay here until May 13, at which time we will head up to Las Vegas, NV for a week. We came up here on April 15th to get out of the heat in Mesa. It has already reached over 100 degree in April down there. It is about 15 to 20 degrees cooler here. Our goal is to go to Glacier National Park this summer. It is too cold to go straight there so we are taking our...

Apr 22, 2012 - Northern Arizona

We are now parked at the Elks Lodge in Prescott Valley or PV as it is called by the locals. What drew us to the area is the hiking in nearby Prescott National Forest and a rails-to-trail bike path. While PV was incorporated only in 1966, its neighboring town of Prescott was established over 100 years ago and has a long history. It was the territorial capital of Arizona and is now the county seat. The surrounding Bradshaw mountain range was mined in the late 1800s. Today, Prescott has an active downtown that has been designated a National...

Mar 1, 2012 - Heat, Cold, Beautiful Scenery and A Lot of Wind

We just spent 8 days in Death Valley, California. We love visiting National Parks and this is one of our favorites of the ones we have visited so far. Although we have both been here multiple times (Cheryl since she was a young girl) we enjoy and discover new things at previous stops (Badwater, Artist’s Palette, Titus Canyon, etc.) and we come across new things. My Aunt Charlene and Uncle Dennis joined us for the beginning our Southeast trip and we camped side by side in the dry camping area. This was also a new adventure for us as we...

May 5, 2011 - 5 more days to get ready

In the trip prep stage - cleaning, packing, stressing - but it's all good! Very sad that Cali (our kitty) can't go. She's never been on a trip, so not real sure how she'll react, so this time decided to leave her in the care of our neighbors. Thanks - Lloyd, Mady, Pat, Rick & Dan and all the others who may check on things while we're gone. You are ALL great friends and neighbors!

Apr 9, 2011 - Snow in April ???

We arrived in Prescott Valley on the 6th. Everything went well except for the cats, “our girls”. Tiff is pure black and weighs 16 pounds. Callie is a calico and weighs 6 pounds. We had put them in pet carriers to get the 5th wheel ready to go and then let them loose in the truck when we started. All they did for the whole trip was meow. At least that’s what Callie did. Tiff finally settled down and crawled under the back seat. We are camping at the Fair Grounds campground. Passport America, ½ price, but only good for 3 days. The wind has...

Dec 21, 2008 - Prescott Valley, AZ - Visiting Ron's Sister

(Ron Writing) Yesterday we brought plates of cookies to a couple friends that live here at North Ranch. We ended up spending a couple hours over at Jim and Marilyn’s house visiting with them and another couple. Very nice time. This morning we attended worship service at the Community Presbyterian Church in Yarnell, AZ. This was our first time attending this church and we found it to be a very friendly congregation. In fact we knew several of the members since about 30% of the congregation lives at North Ranch. After the service we attended...

Dec 9, 2008 - Prescott Valley, AZ - Back From Our Thanksgiving Trip

(Ron Writing) It was bright and sunny but windy and cold this morning when we left Barstow, CA heading east on I-40. We had a very nice day for driving and arrived back in Prescott Valley, AZ about 2:30 PM. We saw a little snow along I-40 at the higher elevations. According to the weather forecast, it’s predicted to get down to 24° - toooo cold. We have a couple appointments and chores to take care of here before we head home. We had a fun time in Rancho Cordova celebrating a slightly delayed Thanksgiving. Ever since our mother died my two...