While we were browsing the 99cent only store, we decided we didn't want to buy any produce because it would sit in the cooler all day, the hotel room all night and we would have to haul it back and forth from the back seat to the truck bed when we picked up our passengers. Since we were going to shop at Costco when we took the folks back to the airport after their visit, we didn't buy much at the 99 cent store. Then it was on to Harbor Freight. We picked up a chain saw sharpener for Wayne and Pa picked some items up for himself and then we were done shopping. We still had hours left before meeting our friends for dinner so we just drove around. Pa was actually looking for a Hobby Lobby, he was so desperate for something to do!!!
We had dinner at Monti's. Delicious! We all had prime rib which I usually don't care for but it was yummy. We weren't too far from the airport so left at 8 to drive to Sky Harbor airport. I don't know who designed that airport but they need to be committed to an insane asylum!!!! What a nightmare!!!! Pa dropped me off at one of the terminals while he went to park. I was so lost and asked at the help desk where Allegiant airlines came in. Well what do you know? They don't use Sky Harbor, they land at Gateway in Mesa!!!! I called Pa, (thank God for cell phones) and told him we were at the wrong airport. He was somewhere in the parking garage so said to meet him at the street. I waited and waited, finally calling him again and told him where I was standing. He said he was just coming out of the garage and drove right past me!!! I called again and he said he would illegally park and wait for me to catch up. Geeze, he was only 1/2 mile ahead of me. I huffed and puffed and finally....at 8:40 caught up with him. The help desk lady had given me a map so we could find our way to Gateway. I was going to punch the address into our GPS but couldn't find an address anywhere. We knew it was off the 202 expressway so headed out. I kept calling my mom but she hadn't turned her cell phone on. I was starting to panic since we were so late. Finally found an address on the map ( in tiny little letters) punched it into the GPS and it couldn't find it!!!! Pa finally stopped and asked directions. Just as we were approaching the airport, Mom called. We finally met them at the baggage terminal. Everyone was kind of frazzled. We drove to the edge of Mesa and got a motel for the night. Finally got home around noon on the 16th.
Richard was like a kid in a candy shop. The country side around here reminded him of where he grew up in Eastern Oregon. Pa took him to look for pottery and he was amazed at how much was just lying around. We took walks, played Scrabble, gave them a tour of the ranch and drove from Springerville the back way to Show Low and had lunch at our favorite Chinese buffet. Traveling always upsets my mom's stomach so there were a couple of days where she didn't feel well. I wanted to take them to El Morro Monument but it was a 200 ft climb to the top to see the ruins and we weren't sure Richard could make it so didn't go.
Time went by so fast and it was time to take them back to catch their flight. This time we went thru SnowFlake, Heber, Payson and on to Mesa. Talk about a beautiful drive!!!! The roads were so much better and the scenery was breathtaking. Richard could not believe it when we drove thru a forest of Saguaro cactus. There were millions of them. I was pretty amazed myself. He asked me to take some pictures and send them to him which I did.
So now we are back to our usual daily routine. I was so glad my mom finally got to see our place and now when I mention something, she knows right where it is. Next year, I'll go visit her, which will be easier for her.
We've had freezing temps for the past few mornings. I hauled in most of my outside potted plants, the garden is gone and waiting for the rototiller. We had to have a fire in the wood stove last night.
The ten thousand gallon water tank arrived yesterday for the community well. Now the guys are waiting for the solar pump so they can proceed to the next stage. This whole community well thing has been a major cluster #$#!. The POA voted the funds and the president of the POA has been nothing but trouble, nickel and dime-ing and questioning every move the guys make. They are about ready to dump everything and let someone else do it. They could have had the whole thing done a month ago! It's very frustrating. They don't even have the solar panels yet so that means another wait. Ha! I bet they don't volunteer for anything else!!! It will be nice to only drive 11 miles to the community well to get water instead of 25 miles....one way. Which is what I am going to do now, drive to town that is to get water and mail a bill. So yak at ya later!
