Oct 23rd to 26th - Mesa

Oct 23rd – Sat – Mesa
Terry had what we thought was a good idea today – a drive to the Swap Meet at Goodyear which is west of Phoenix. We drove the 41 miles (45 minutes on freeways) to discover that the swap meet is not open and from the look of the place may not be open this year. Of course, once we saw the closed swap meet, we had to drive another 5 miles or so to the next exit.
Shortly after we left the park earlier, we drove past several yard sale signs which Julie & Lauri wanted to check out so now we could do so. At one sale, we got a map of a neighborhood sale and hit a few of those before everyone was hungry – and needing “facilities”. We went to a sports bar for lunch and a beer and then went back to the sales. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the guys, a lot of them were closing by then. The largest purchase was a bicycle for Julie which she does not know how to ride and we are all afraid that she will get hurt learning.

Oct 24th – Sun – Mesa
I don’t know what I ate that disagreed with me but I did not have a comfortable night as I spent quite a bit of it appreciating the porcelain toilet in our rig. I didn’t feel well most of the day so was content to be very lazy. We took a short walk and stopped at Larry & Julie’s for a bit. Terry went back to get some wrenches so he & Bill could adjust the seat & brakes on Julie’s bike but she was still scared on a short test ride with Bill running alongside and holding her.

Oct 25th – Mon – Mesa
I had a great sleep last night and felt all better this morning.
We went to Camping World to talk to a knowledgeable employee about a satellite dish to be mounted on the roof of the 5th wheel. With the information from him we realize that we will be much better off with the more expensive model so will think about that for a bit.
Then we went grocery shopping at Fry’s. I forgot the store card in the truck and tried every phone number that made sense at the checkout but none worked. A lady behind me said to use her card so I did and then went to the customer service center to get things straightened out. There was a line of customers and one clerk so Terry had just about given up on me when I finally got it all done. For some reason, the phone number on our account was not linked to the card so it wouldn’t pull up. Good thing we are retired and have lots of time!!
Julie invited us and Billy & Lauri over for what she calls a “summer dinner” – brats, potato salad & baked beans. Of course she also made appetizers and Lauri brought a Waldorf salad. And let’s not forget the spice cake for dessert. I will have to increase my treadmill time!

Oct 26th – Tues – Mesa
Our cooler was making so much noise last night that I got up at 3 and went outside to unplug it as it was plugged into a DC plug in the compartment. Before I could get the compartment door unlocked, Terry was out there is his underwear helping me – which I mention since there was a nearly full moon and it was very light out.
After the gym, the pool and breakfast, we went to WalMart to get a new cooler. From our experience and comments of others, it appears as if the coolers only last about a year but it is really nice to have one even with our larger fridge.
We went over to say hello to new neighbors across the street – Larry & Norma from Colorado – and ended up staying & chatting for a while.
Later in the afternoon, we went to Lauri & Billy’s so I could help Lauri on her computer. I think part of her problems is a slow park wifi connection so I suggested she take her computer to a spot in the park that is closer to a signal. While we were working on the computer, Terry went back and got our happy hour supplies. Bill & Lauri’s new neighbors -Neil & Robin from Cle Elum WA - joined us.