Oct 10th to 12th - back to Mesa

Oct 10th – Mon – to Mesa AZ
We left at 5:50 for the 413 mile drive back to Mesa. The weather was clear & sunny and got down to 33 degrees near Gallup. We stopped for diesel & a breakfast sandwich and then took a casino break just south of Payson. We gained an hour and pulled in to Val Vista Villages about 2.
Larry & Julie drove by in their golf cart as we were starting to set up and said they were at the big pool. We finished all the setup and some cleaning and headed to the pool with large glasses of strawberry daiquiri. We came back to relax a bit outside and have leftovers for an easy dinner. Terry was falling asleep in his chair outside so we moved in to watch TV for a bit.
It is in the high 80’s today and 100 degrees is forecast for Wed & Thurs. The nights are cooler though so the AC won’t be needed then, I hope.

Oct 11th – Tues – Mesa
Long pants take way more room than shorts in the laundry basket so it was time to do laundry this morning. Neil stopped by to chat for a while just as we got back. One of the lights above the kitchen counter blew out so we went looking for a new one. It looks like an automotive bulb but you can’t find them at auto supply stores and we couldn’t remember where we found them previously.
We took it easy the rest of the afternoon and then went to Neal & Judy’s for spaghetti dinner. Billy & Lauri and Larry & Julie were also there and we had our usual good time. I think we are still running on New Mexico time so went to bed early.

Oct 12th – Wed – Mesa
We rode around on our bikes this morning and stopped briefly to see the changes Neal has made to their 5th wheel. We visited with Larry & Julie and then with Billy & Lauri where I said that I would help them sew curtains for the front window of their motor home. The lining in their old curtain is in shreds and they couldn’t handle the $900 - $1300 estimate and 8 weeks to get new curtains. They had already bought 8 black-out curtain panels and were prepared to buy a sewing machine or just tack them up as the afternoon sun beats into that large window.
Billy went to the store for thread and we came back for the sewing machine. There was a nice breeze so we weren’t too hot working in the shade outside. I only had to rip out 2 seams and everything went quite well with Terry, Billy & Lauri eager to help. We started just after 12 and finished about 5:30. The curtains are pleated and have a 2 level hem just for additional fun. Larry & Julie had joined us by then (back from the pool!!). Laurie ordered pizza and we had some premade turkey kabobs that needed to be used so we put them on the BBQ. I forgot to mention that the guys had started drinking beer part way through the project but Lauri & I waited until we were done to hit the wine.