Friday and Saturday, December 15 and 16, 2017 (Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ)

Friday morning Deb picked Steve and I up 9:00 and we headed to the Mesa Marketplace...Ray stayed home to do a little maintenance on their coach. There was one condition that Steve had to agree to in order to join us...once there, we go our separate ways and if he was finished before us (very likely LOL), he'd have the keys to the car and would have to wait for us. So once there, Deb gave him the car keys and away we went! I was looking for some tops, so we concentrated on those kiosks. I found 3 tops...I feel better now that I have something to wear with my black slacks for all of the Christmas festivities we'll be attending!

As predicted, Steve was finished way before we would have been...but he ended up with a reprieve. Ray was having some issues with the work he was doing...so we cut our shopping trip short and headed home. Steve took a few pictures of the marketplace. There are over 500 vendors in four very long covered structures...

Once home, Steve went to give Ray a hand with what he could. Their fresh water tank was filling when they were set up for city water. We had the same issue when our rig was new and it turned out to be a faulty check valve in the water pump. Steve has since read about the same thing on RV forums. Ray had changed out the pump but discovered it wasn't the pump but the ball valve that switches city water to tank fill wasn't closing properly. He had removed the handle and stem assembly for inspection but was unable to stop the leak. The valve is located behind a large panel that requires the removal of a lot of things so as it turned out, a mobile RV Service was called.

We had a surprise visit this afternoon from Chloe and Dale, folks that we have spent time with while in Quartzsite, enjoying the trails on our quads/side-by-sides. They live in the area and once they found out we were here, wanted to see if we had time for a ride on the quads. They know this area well and we would love for them to show us around but unfortunately...it will have to be next time! Our week here is pretty full. It was great seeing you, although briefly...our apologies for not being able to spend more time with you.

Micheal from We Ride Powersports had called late yesterday afternoon, leaving a message that my quad was ready for pickup. So since we had time this afternoon...off we went to get it. After it was all loaded in the truck, Steve and I went for a wander around their show room...wow, this place is huge with a lot of inventory! They had my favourite motorcycle, a Spider, so I had to climb aboard...

We stopped at a Sport Clips in Mesa so Steve could get his haircut...and then by the time we got home, it was going on 4:00 and time for happy hour up at Ray and Deb's site. Steve hamming it up..."I MAKE FIRE!" LOL...

First thing Saturday morning, Steve and I walked up to say goodbye to Deb...unfortunately a family emergency (her dad was taken to the hospital) has her flying home today instead of the planned "home for Christmas" trip on Thursday. Hope all goes well, and you both will be back after Christmas (Ray will join her in Vancouver Thursday). Safe travels!

I took the truck and headed into Apache Junction for a 9:00 pedicure appointment Deb had booked for us both. While I was gone, Steve edited pictures taken the other night. He also captured these pictures of the birds at our feeder...it has  drawn quite a variety!

After my pedicure appointment, I did a little shopping at Walmart and then headed home. I have a mountain of laundry to do and could have very easily taken it all with me this morning...had I had it ready! But I didn't and I also decided to get Steve to give me a hand with it...besides there was a big Ace Hardware in the same complex as the laundromat that I'm sure will pass some of his time while he waits.

At 5:00 Ray joined us for a drink and then we headed off to Barleens Dinner Show. Ray and Deb had gone last year and loved it so much they wanted to go again...and share it with us. Too bad Deb couldn't make it...but the three of us will carry on with all of the plans she had made for us this week!

Steve got a chuckle out of this sign he saw in the restroom...

The place is filling up...

When you are seated at your table, there is already a piece of chocolate cake waiting for you...their philosophy...life's unpredictable, eat your dessert first!
Thanks for the picture, Ray....

They have very efficient staff that are constantly around refilling coffee cups, lemonade glasses, etc...they also have a bar (Ray and Steve had a beer and I had a glass of wine). Dinner is served to you at the table...and it was delicious! Chicken, beef, pork rib, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad and a bun...

Then it was showtime! Steve captured some pictures using his cell camera...

This fellow does impersonations. Starting with Deputy Barney Fife, to many other voices...and can he ever sing, from an extremely low velvety voice to a high voice. He did Elvis and Bing Cosby...

Here they are doing the Grinch...

And what a fabulous show it was! WOWZA! Absolutely excellent! If you are in the area, we'd highly recommend seeing it. We saw the Christmas show but they have a number of other shows they put on...all worth seeing, I'm sure! We'll be back the next time we're here.