Mind Boggling Stuff

Number one mind-boggling is Katherine joining me on this blog. It's great to have her join with me even after she was a little resistant, saying she was no writer. My thought is that if you write, you are a writer, so she now is a writer. I have and will continue to appreciate her input and participation. She has a different perspective than me that is invaluable.

Number two mind-boggling is what Katherine brought up in her last post: Connections. I had many connections in Green Valley and Tucson that I don't want to lose and that I value. I don't know yet where we will end up but I will want to have easy access to those Southern Arizona communities because of my ties there. The Scribblers, writers group, the two exceptional writers at Canyon View are all people that are special to me and that I am missing already.

Number three mind-boggling is our current location we are staying at Katherine's brother's home. Earlier a family reunion took place. I have never really felt at ease, accepted by her family but this time it feels different. Maybe they changed or more likely I changed. Perhaps I am more accepting and more myself, this probably happens as we get older and it makes for better relationships, or as Katherine says, "connections," doesn't it?

One final mind-boggling thought. It's cold up here in the North, I lived here in Kennewick twice during my career. I didn't think it was so cold but after 10 years in Southern Arizona it certainly feels cold. I don't seem to ever get warm but, of course, I don't have the correct coat  and gloves that would be a bit of protection. This is the so-called Banana Belt of Washington State but its still winter. In the distance, jutting up 2500 feet from the flat landscape is Rattlesnake Mt. This morning it was white with new snow. The temperature hasn't been above the 50s since we've been here. I know, it's not below zero like Minnesota and places like that but it feels downright cold to us. I'm not sure I could live here again.

On to Panama, heat and humidity in two days. Sounds good to me. 

Stan the Man 

 

 Connections and Re-Connections

In our mind-boggling migrations from Green Valley, this time in a northerly direction, we leave behind good friends, including mi tres amigas. Whether by serendipity or divine intervention, these three ladies have become dear friends.  It all started with volunteer opportunities and weekly visits and morphed into friendships that will last a lifetime. Despite distance, these ladies and I still connect through texts, emails, snail mail and phone calls. And it's more than just a technological connections, it is the heart strings that are connected too.

We have felt that with our reconnection face to face with family here in Washington.  We have been far-flung for years and yet our gatherings are joyful and heartfelt.  We leave other friends here and there behind as well, and over many years continue to stay connected, looking forward to meeting up again to share and exchange the adventures and lives each of us is living. 

This week our migration will be to the south as we fly to Panama City, a new country I've never visited.  What mind-boggling connections and adventures await us... 

Till next time, 

Katherine 

 

 

More Mind-boggling Travels 

Our travels continue. Staying at the Sure-Stay Hotel on Van Buren in Phoenix for the free parking and shuttle to the airport. Order in Italian for dinner, a brief nap and up at 2AM, getting on the shuttle at 3AM. We were going early for our 6:15 flight to Seattle because of the problems with TSA staffing, the news said there were 3 to 4 hour waits to get through security. Of course when we arrived at the airport there was no wait, got through immediately but prior to that we had to ride the train and walk a mile because of remodeling at the airport. By the time we got to our gate we still had nearly two hours before boarding. That will be the last time I get up at 2AM, at least I hope.

After a 3.5 hour flight we arrived safely in Seattle where we would catch our flight to our destination at the Pasco, WA airport which is just across the Columbia River from our true destination, the home of Katherine's brother John and his wife in Kennewick. Katherine was born in this town which has probably tripled its size or more since she lived there. I also had lived here twice during my career. Also present upon our arrival was Katherine's other brother Dave and his wife and cousin Mike and his wife and another cousin Jan. Quite a family reunion!

Lots of catching up, conversation, sharing of memories has followed for the last couple of days. Great people and wonderful sharing. We are staying here for a few days before our big international trip to Panama. We are looking forward to that adventure but will continue to enjoy each other here until our departure.

Stan the Man 

 

  

 

 

 

More Mind-Bogglings

We are still living or at least visiting the city of Phoenix just off Indian School Road. Lots of traffic but we are far enough away from that main drag so we hear very little except the loud motorcycles that pass mostly at night. We were lucky enough to find a Sprouts grocery store within walking distance so that's convenient. In the same strip mall is a restaurant called the the Angry Crab. Initially I wasn't interested in eating there (I'm allergic to crab) but we decided to try it for lunch. What a feast. Most customers get crab by the pound, dumped on their table and are equipped with gloves and bibs. We didn't go that route, simply had an appetizer of shrimp, calamari and hush puppies followed by deep fried fish. Even that was a feast. I couldn't believe how much I ate which didn't look like near as much as the others were eating. It was delicious. Certainly a mind-boggling kind of place but I don't think I will return.

Another day we went to the Phoenix Zoo, I didn't even know there was one here. Large desert terrain for many animals but it was difficult to imagine a giraffe or a hippo living in that patch of desert. The most colorful were the parrots, I've always wanted one but settled for a painting. The temperature was in the 80s so many of the captured animals were in whatever spot of shade they could find and were napping, not much activity. Most of the activity came from the thousands of young humans that were there, nice to see youngsters running around. It was not cheap, I think the entrance fee was a mind-boggling $40 for an adult but Katherine asked about a senior rate and we got $10 off but with the lunch of chicken we had I guess the final spent was about $100. Too much for what we saw.

We now have three more days before we are out of here, a place I don't think I will remember with fondness. Next to the Tri-Cities in Washington State and a week later we fly to Panama. It will be good to arrive on foreign territory and to experience a different culture.

Stan the Man 

 

 

More Mind-boggling Change 

Yes, we continue to move on, as of last night we are in Phoenix, Arizona. It could be a culture shock but of course we have been here before so we were kind of ready for it. In fact we lived here for awhile quite a few years ago but since we left this city has grown from the 7th largest city in the U.S. to the 5th largest with a population of 1,673,164. Now that sounds big until you compare it to New York City where we also lived for a few years. NYC now has over 8 million inhabitants. But try comparing it to the last place we were, where we spent three weeks, Sonoita which has a population of 803. Each place has it's own culture, its own strengths and its own problems. 

Currently we have 10 days in Phoenix to see what its like living here, of course 10 days will only allow us to scratch the surface. We were planning on being here to meet up with Todd, my son and his wife Joy. They were going to be in Phoenix for major league baseball spring training, they're big fans of the Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately, their plans changed so they aren't here. However, we will be having a mini reunion with other family and friends.

I'm sure you can imagine the process of not knowing a huge city but yet needing to get somewhere specific. The traffic is terrible and it either crawls or accelerates to the point that its scary. We did find our apartment with little trouble. Another well equipped Air B&B with just about everything we need. I don't think we have lived in an apartment before. Without Katherine and her GPS we could have been lost for some time. We are in the area that is known as South Biltmore, hopefully we will get a chance to visit the Biltmore Resort and Spa.  

Until Next Time,

Stan the Man 

 

Preparing for More Change 

Yes, we have been stable for awhile but we are on the precipice of another mind-boggling change. I suspect what we write about here doesn't always seem mind-boggling to the reader but to us every change without having a home to return to seems to fall into that realm of mind-boggling. We pack-up, prepare to move on but its not to head home but instead to another set of unknowns, sometimes scary and sometimes exciting.But we are a couple days away from the next change which will be followed by other changes. For the days left here in a cottage on a Sonoita farm we will be getting ready for the next move.

It's been a good time here in this place and last Friday was a special day. Our good friends Jon and Sonja from Tucson came up and met us for lunch at Dos Cabezos one of the few restaurants in or around Sonoita. Like every establishment here they have wine tasting and wine by the glass along with delicious pizza and wonderful chocolate cake. It's a great place to visit for eating, drinking and meeting up. Locals and visitors seem to enjoy it, a very busy place.

As always, good conversation with Jon and Sonja. Jon is very curious about most everything. He asked what the name Sonoita comes from, I hadn't checked that but out came his phone and we learned it is believed that it means "land of many springs". That rings true since we have seen a number of springs that stand out here in the dry landscape. There is one on this farm we are staying on that feeds a small lake.

After a great lunch of pizza and conversation we headed out to the Historic Empire Ranch where we had an interesting hike under towering cottonwoods and amongst fallen members of the tree scape. The trees are able to grow there because of the creek that runs through the area but not now. It was bone dry. At any rate, a great day.

If you read the last post by Katherine you know we may be spending our summer at Crater Lake. We have been notified that we should know whether we are chosen by early March, coming up soon.

Next we will be back in Green Valley for a couple of days so I can get a shot in my eye for my Macular Degeneration "ouch" and to take care of several business things. Then off to Phoenix, Kennewick, WA and Panama.

Stan the Man 

  

 

 

Mind Boggling Development

 Mind Boggling Development

 Hello, this is Katherine, Stan the Man's wife.  He invited me to be a guest writer on his blog.  This week we dusted off our resumes and applied for volunteer positions at Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon, in the Cascade Range.  This summer season gig includes giving nature talks, guiding hikes, engaging with visitors at view points, and working in the gift shop.  We know it is a long shot, but why not?

If we do get hired, we will be in for a grand adventure in an amazing geological site.  The mind boggling development of the lake 7,700 years ago when the Mazama volcano erupted then collapsed into it's caldron, filling with snow and water. The lake is over 1900 feet deep and filled with crystal clear blue water.  

This crazy escapade will perhaps be another adventure!  We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for reading and following our ongoing travels.

 K.