The original shower curtain snapped into the top of the wall/ceiling and we had seen that Wincrasher had done a modification that looked more practical. The first curtain hook is “fixed” at the hinge side of the medicine cabinet and it crosses the back doors, the wardrobe and bath pocket doors to end up behind the shower head on the other side of the medicine cabinet. We open the toilet seat while showering to keep it drier, squeegee mirror and floor then microfleece to dry. This has also solved our problem of water flowing down the door track to deposit itself under the wardrobe.
The new rod is “Super More” 5 Meters Bendable Straight Curved Curtain Track Top Side Ceiling Mounting (not all was needed, 19 rollers were used) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B16BHMQ The existing snap locations were used to screw in new L brackets, needed to purchase separately at Ace Hardware. We drilled two new attachment points at Wardrobe in order to accommodate a larger curve in the curtain track.The Shower Curtain Hangers are “Yueton” Pack of 30 Stainless Steel Clips w/ Hook for Curtain, Photos, Home Decoration (20 were used) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01851VE5K The top of the shower curtain was folded over twice before hemming. White iron on fabric stiffener tape was put on in equal locations, folded over the top so the hook doesn’t snag the fabric and gives it extra support. It has laundered several times very well.Medicine cabinet had the one shelf installed in the middle so we lowered it to accommodate full height bottles. Wincrasher did his a bit different but this allows us to put soaps and little travel bottles on the bottom and maximize the top angle on the back wall.The latch on the right side had two holes located perfect for hooking in the small bungee cords without any modifications.On the hinge (left) side, two eye-hooks were screwed in to accept the other end of the bungee cord. Voila – we can now store full height bottles without them spilling!
The Brittle Bush blooms were amazing – we missed the height when we were in Florida.One of my favorite locations with the Palo Verde in bloom. The canyon is so green!Ocatillos in bloom as well.The Gila Monsters are out of hibernation. How cool is this!We got a hike in to Hutches Pools – a very hot day but still nice water in the creek.Looking the other direction into a little canyon.Gorgeous cactus blooms!And a nice spot for a picnic lunch.The hike is 8 mile roundtrip from Shuttle Stop #9.The Cholla in bloom – there was quite a variety of colors.This is “our” saguaro, taken from the Winnebago Travato in early morning.A close up of a cactus wren and the flowers of the saguaro.This one was even more prolific! What a sight to see.We feel really lucky to have spent the winter here and to be able to appreciate all these lovely views. We trimmed some branches at this site.An end of season pizza party – make your own and bake on the grille.Group shot of the winter maintenance team – employees and volunteers.We are “hot stuff” with our matching socks!The parting shot as the neighboring 5th wheel has headed towards home a day before us…
Sunrise on the Atlantic…quite a ways from Arizona!Beautiful sunrises – such a peaceful way to start the day!Lots of home improvement projects like painting the patio furniture on the balcony.And some good family time with this salmon luncheon.Meeting the newest family member.Four generations!
My “rich” uncle rented a three bedroom home and this was our family meet-up.It was on this nice little lake, complete with blue herons, night herons, swans, Canada geese, bunnies, quails……and sunsets!My parents were also there and we posed them for anniversary photos next to this Joshua tree on the other side of the lake.Hers and His – retirement life on the golf course.My aunt, Mom, Betty Homemaker and me in the 1960 Sun City Museum Model Home kitchen. Mom still has the Pyrex bowls and her canisters are stainless rather than pink. It was fun to tour and watch the original promotional video.We made it to White Tank Mountain Park to hike a bit of the Mesquite Canyon Trail.The wildflowers were looking quite spectacular.Our hiking companions – this was a more challenging trail than last years waterfall trail. http://tealsky.com/2016/01/09/white-tank-mts-phoenix-area/The size of the California poppies were amazing. Lupins also in bloom.My “rich” Dad treated us to their celebration dinner at Arrowhead Grille – half of us had fish and half had steaks – YUM!And this incredible desert with 6 spoons.We played 9 holes of golf – MINI, that is.But oh! The concentration. Do you win with the high score? HaA full moon in the morning – we were all up to watch it set. Very picturesque.
Our picnic table with the moody sky before a storm.Our favorite work lunch picnic spot overlooking the Bear Creek and the start of 7 Falls Hike.Another great spot is the Dam in Lower Sabino – it is beautiful this winter with all the rain and snow melt from Mt Lemmon.Another favorite Nice (Gneiss) rock outcropping.The first Spring flowers are this pink fairy duster.Part of an old road to the Dam, that we have dubbed the Roman Road. We cleared the edges from growth to expose the beautiful cobblestone work.The Roman Road before the brush was removed – barely a path through the prickly bushes.And we finished clearing the shrubs next to this beautiful stairway as an alternate to using the Roman Road to visit the Dam.Helping out on some brush cutting along the Phoneline Trail.Emptying the bucket loads of prickly pear that we cleared from the Bear Creek Roadside – safety measure for the pedestrians, especially children.The result is a much safer road to walk on.We also cleared growth above and below this wall in a large parking area in Upper Sabino Canyon. Little did we know that the Youth Corp was going to camp here the following weekend while doing some trail rebuilding.This crested Saguaro cactus is much visited by the visitor center, but really interesting.Walking back to the Winnebago Travato after work before a rain storm. this is such a beautiful place to be!More snow in the mountains was visible at sunrise.We found an oasis in the desert (south of Sabino) at Agua Caliente Park.
Beautiful Sabino Canyon watching the clouds build in mid-January.Reflections of the saguaros.Looks like more rain as we are watching from the Travato.Wow – another amazing rainbow.So much rain (and it is cold), we are working in the warehouse – prepping new boards to revitalize some picnic tables.Pre- drilling: three coats of paint to follow. The legs got spray-painted.There were large signs to paint in “Federal Brown” – these will go up Mt Lemmon.You can check out, but you can never leave!We met J & J at Starr Pass for a hike before dinner out and an astronomy lecture at UA. The day ended by seeing a 4 star cluster in Orion’s sword at the Steward Observatory. Their blog with more pictures of the hike.We took a group hike from Molino Basin on Mt Lemmon to this trailhead on Reddington Pass.It took us all day but we had some great scenery and camaraderie.We took a break to Kartchner Caverns State Park and shared a camp site with J & J – leveling was a challenge. But we now have a new leveling app from Truma that should be helpful on other sites.We hiked a couple miles to this overlook. Then back for some of Joan’s home made pizza – yum! It was great to have so many times together this month, building memories and sharing our travel stories. Joan and Jim’s Blog on Kartchner CavernsThe waters really reached a high point and even the trams could not go up Sabino Canyon.We have shoveled, then swept all the sand and debris off this bridge as part of our job to keep it safe for bikes and peds.The mile markers were looking a bit less than fresh as this one at the top of the canyon.This one was buried behind debris but we have it cleaned up and looking good.Having friends over for a BBQ and sunset. Lights under the Travato to keep away the pack rats.Hanging out under the awning – well deserved after washing the house inside and out.Our neighbors also enjoying the view at Cocktail Hour.Another full moon in the canyon.
Our hiking friends helped us snag a volunteer position with Coronado National Forest. We work three days a week in full uniform in exchange for this camp spot next to our friends.Warning – you might get tired of the sunsets!!!Or sunsets with moon rises…The full moon over Blackett’s Ridge was beckoning us to come for a closer look.So we headed out the next afternoon for our own sunset/moon rise hike up the ridge. J & J are staying in Catalina so they could partake in this adventure.Enjoying the views of Tucson in the warm afternoon light. We really enjoyed all the city lights sparkling on our way down.We made it to the top of the ridge in time to enjoy a bit of dinner with the view.The most gorgeous sunset ever!!!!! It can’t even be captured in a panorama but we had a 360 view – wow! It was so worth it in spite of the challenge of hiking down in the moon shadows.The next day we took off to hike Seven Falls while the water levels were lower for the seven creek crossing.Sunrise as we reported for our second day of work – we need to be there at 7:00 AM so we bought an alarm clock! Are we still retired?Rain brings its own beauty (picture taken from the Travato)– we got a reprieve from a day of work due to too much rain. Our duties are to keep the public areas tidy, clean, and safe to enhance the visitor experience.
We were on the road in the rain on New Year’s Day leaving Green Valley in the rear view mirror. Glad we had packed the van the day before! We arrived in Organ Pipe Cactus with some nice low clouds but the sun shining on us.We picked a great site a bit further south than last year’s but an auspicious number….maybe?
Meeting up with our full time RV friends to start the New Year on the right foot! We toasted with champagne and had a mini-quiche happy hour after a pleasant stroll around the campground.We had a gourmet meal of crab cakes from the professional chef – graduate of Cordon Blu Pasadena! Followed with a cheese platter and port. I am intimidated but the next day, we fixed our Spanish Bean Soup with fresh baked rolls in the convection oven which was well received by all. Whew!A drive around Ajo Mountain and a hike to the arches. Who is blogging about who?Looking good coming up the mountain trail.The guys ready to tackle the arch.It is necessary to walk back down on the other side to see this view of the arch.It doesn’t seem this large – the distance is so deceiving.Back in time for wine o’clock on the picnic table.We all piled into Bill – a 4-wheel drive Ram pickup truck – to explore an area we had never been. On the Mexican border, the western side of the park.The rare little pupfish were in this pond – quite a surprise that it was so large.Wouldn’t you like to know Jose’s story of how he got from Brest, France to here and why?
