Nov 9th to 12th - Mesa

Nov 9th – Tues – Mesa
After the gym, water exercises and breakfast, I did some dinner prep and then we ran a couple of errands. Friends Claude & Val arrived in their fifth wheel to stay for a week. After they set up, they came over just in time to head to the courtyard to listen to music and have a beer. We left a little early (it was quite cool in the shade) and gave them a tour of the main building. Back to our place for drinks, catching-up and dinner – yes, Marie, we had baby backs.

Nov 10th – Wed – Mesa
Val joined me this morning at the gym and water exercises. After Val finished getting ready, we all went on a bike tour around the park so we could show them all the amenities.
Then it was off to Camping World. All the people in this park received a coupon to take to Camping World and turn it into a $50 gift certificate by looking at some RV’s or just by filling out a form that may result in a salesman calling you later. So we filled out the forms and spent our $50 for each couple. We made a stop at WalMart for a few items for C&V and Terry ended up buying 2 pairs of much needed jeans. We were all thirsty and hungry but it was already after 2 so we went to Fat Willy’s for beer & appetizers. We hit there at happy hour so the beer & appetizers were at reduced prices and very good.
When we got home, Terry installed the new bike seats that we got at Camping World. Our bikes have a different seat post than most but Terry ended up getting them to work by making a trip to Home Depot for a longer screw. I am not sure that I like the seat real well but will have to ride a bit more and see.
Val put a beef roast in the crock pot today and invited us to dinner. We ate a bit later since we had our substantial snacks at 3. It cooled off enough that we were happy to eat inside.

Nov 11th – Thurs – Mesa
Val joined me again at the gym and I left a few minutes early so we could go to coffee & doughnuts and listen to all the updates. At 9:45, we picked up Claude & Val and followed Dennis & Gloria to the Olive Mill in Queen Creek. We did the tour which is mostly listening to a very knowledgeable and entertaining young man talking about olives and olive oil production. We filed through the small pressing room but you couldn’t see much besides tanks and oil running slowly into a pan. On the way out, we had samples of different types of plain & stuffed olives. Then we sampled many flavors of oil and balsamic vinegar. We all had a good lunch at their deli and then we all went to BevMo which is a large wine & liquor store. Dennis & Gloria left us at that point and we proceeded to Costco where we (foolishly?!) had ice cream after shopping.
When we got back, Terry went for a ride on his bike to test the seat and a large screw – the one he got at Home Depot - holding the seat bent so he decided we better get different seats. So - pack up the seats, return them to Camping World and get a gift certificate since that was how we paid for them, go to WalMart for new seats and new grips and come back to install everything. Then, finally, relax and have an easy, mostly leftovers, dinner.

Nov 12th – Fri – Mesa
Claude & Val wanted to go to the Mesa Marketplace (aka Swap Meet) so we left at 8:30 and had breakfast there before we started shopping. We got a couple of small items and C&V had a lot of fun finding things to buy. We were supposed to go visit mutual friends Tim & Kim at 1 but luckily Kim called and asked if we could come at 3 so we had more shopping time. We came back to drop off our goodies and have a snack, then drove to Tim & Kim’s house in Scottsdale.
We had a great time checking out their house and catching up. Kim made some great guacamole & chips and then hamburgers for dinner. Their son dropped off their 2 granddaughters who were going to spend the night so we left fairly early – besides, we were all tired from walking so much at the swap meet.