Living the Dream...: Saturday, Sunday and Monday, January 28, 29 & 30, 2012 (Val Vista Village RV Resort, Mesa, AZ)

We have had a very busy few days, so I thought that I would just combine these days into one posting. After spending the last 9 days in Quartzsite, the truck was pretty dusty and needed to be washed before going in to the paint shop Monday. The fridge and cupboards were also looking pretty barren and I had a mountain of laundry to do.

So Saturday morning...after a rather late start...we walked up to the post office to mail a letter and take a few pictures...this is the main street looking back at the entrance...

There was a big shuffleboard tourney on...

Then we were off to find a car wash wash that had a bay big enough to wash the truck. Steve could have washed it here at our site but the water here is very hard and the water deposits actually etch into the paint if you don’t dry the surface. The car wash has a special spot-free rinse option...that we actually use to wash the truck. Also, it was quite windy out and he didn’t think our neighbours would appreciate the water spray on their rigs...besides trying to wipe it dry before the wind did would have been impossible.

After about an hour and a half, the truck was clean and Steve dropped me off at Fry’s to do some grocery shopping. It wasn’t far back home, so I told him to give me an hour and a half. That gave him plenty of time to clean the interior and dress the tires them come back and pick me up. It takes me a long time when grocery shopping in a new store...gotta check everything out.

It was after 3pm by the time we were home and I had all the groceries put away. I still had laundry to do but that was just going to have to wait until tomorrow. We sat outside and chatted with Dennis and Suzanne instead...

So bright and early Sunday morning...okay...it was about 9:30...Suzanne and I loaded up the back of the jeep with our laundry and drove the short distance over to the laundry room. After a fun couple of hours there (haha) the laundry was all done and we were back home...now I just had the job of putting it all away and making up the bed. But first we sat and chatted with Dennis and Suzanne for at bit and discussed our plans for the rest of the day. They were going to go for a dip in the pool and enjoy some sunshine while Steve and I go to Walmart and to Best Buy for a little more shopping.

We arrived back home...I had my new toy—iPad2...in time for happy hour with Dennis and Suzanne. Dunkin was feeling much better and was expending all his energy chasing his ball. Our neighbours, Coit and Lucy, also joined us for a drink...they are leaving in the morning. Ed and his dog, Penny, stopped by for a visit as well (but I missed getting them into the picture).

That night, we all had dinner at our place and then cleared the dishes from the table and played Catch Phrase...OMG...what a hoot...I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time!!! We had a great time...of course, Suzanne and I won!

We were up and ready to go shortly before 8am Monday. The drive to Lucky Luciano Custom & Collision would take almost an hour and we were to have the truck there by 9am. Dennis was nice enough to agree to follow us in his jeep and bring us back...thanks, Dennis! I wish I had remembered my camera...I usually have it in my purse, but forgot it this time. The work Lucky does is just amazing...not just custom vehicles but custom painted garage cabinets and furniture, fridges, gas pumps ...we were very impressed! He displays his creations at the Sema Show in Vegas and the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show in Scottsdale. Unfortunately he hasn’t kept his website up to date so his best work isn’t on it.

We stopped at a Denny’s for breakfast on the way home...it was close to 11:30 by the time we got home. We relaxed for a bit before heading out for a bike ride around the RV Resort. It is huge complex with over 1500 sites split into 3 sections. Dennis and Suzanne took us on a tour the clubhouses and pools...it’s quite the place. There are all sorts of activities to keep you as busy as you want...stained glass classes, woodworking, beading, lapidary...just to name a few. This is the pool at the Fiesta Section...

A well equipped Exercise Room...

Another pool...this one is at the main Val Vista Section...

There is also an indoor pool (altogether there are 3 outdoor pools and 1 indoor)...

And a big bar and grill patio restaurant...

This is the main office where we registred upon arrival...

The main building also houses a big banquet room where they have concerts and special event; as well as various rooms for card games and a library...

After we got back, we chilled for the rest of the afternoon...Steve was outside soaking in some sunshine while I worked on our blog...I am getting a little behind—just been too busy! Dennis, Suzanne and Dunkin in front of their coach...

We enjoyed a late afternoon cocktail in our site...Ed was walking by with Pebbles and joined us. We then moved over to watch Dennis barbeque burgers for us all. Notice his golfclub hamburger flipper...