Aug 22nd to 24th - Parker AZ

Aug 22^nd – Thurs – Parker

Yesterday evening we got severe weather warnings on our phones about a possible dust storm.  We switched to a weather channel and saw that the wind would probably not hit us.  But about 9 (2 hrs after the warning was cancelled) wind rocked the rig so we went outside and put our chairs away.  It didn’t blow hard for long.

We were up early but not doing too much besides TV, email, trying to figure out a couple of things on our phones and, eventually, breakfast.  We went to Parker (8 miles) and drove on the road closer to the river rather than on the highway.  There are lots of houses and scattered businesses along the road.  Our first stop in Parker was for diesel.  Then we went to the Blue Water casino – nice & cool!  I did quite well – covered our allowances, paid for something to eat and had some left over.  Terry didn’t do so well but he generally has fun.

We went to WalMart looking for swim shoes and just ended up with a few groceries.  Then we tried CVS pharmacy with no luck but next door was a clothing store (River Rags) that had what we wanted.  We stopped at the golf course on the way back to make a tee time for tomorrow morning.

We put on our suits & new shoes and headed for the river.  There were clouds so we left the umbrella behind this time.  The water felt cooler but I can’t imagine that it would change much in one day.  There are lots of wave runners and boats pulling kids on floats which are fun to watch.  Across the river (California), a burro came down to the river even though that area is solidly lined with homes.

Terry boiled & BBQ’d baby backs for dinner and finished just before it got dark which is a little after 7.

Aug 23^rd – Fri

We had a tee time at 6:45 – yes, am! – to golf at Emerald Canyon which was taking advantage of the special for $12 per person including a cart to golf the back nine before 7.  We had a quick frozen waffle before the 2 minute drive to the course. 

There was a 3-some in front of us but we were hitting multiple balls, sometimes with different clubs so we could get a feel for our new clubs.  The 17^th hole is quite different.  It is a par 4 for men (OK – white tees) and a par 3 for women (red tees).  But the white tees are 243 yards from a cliff where you have to lay up and then hit across desert and down to the green which is another 220 yards.  There is a nice approach to the green so that shot can be shorter and not in trouble.  The red tees are uphill from the cliff edge and 155 yards from the green which is “way down there”.

We had a second breakfast late in the morning before we went back to the casino.  This time it was Terry’s turn to win and he ended up with more money than I did after covering our allowance.  We went to Safeway for groceries before heading back.  We had an early dinner and then made our trip to sit in the river.  109 is very warm!  It was nice to cool down before going to bed.

Aug 24^th – Sat

We got cooled off this morning. Unfortunately it was by a downpour that hit as we were finishing the 16^th hole.  After the winding climb to the 17^th hole, we sat for a few minutes under a tree that didn’t block much blowing rain and then headed back to the clubhouse.  There is a tunnel under the highway between holes 17 & 18 so we sat there until the rain let up a bit and then made a dash for the truck, unloaded the clubs and went to the clubhouse for a cup of coffee.  By the time we finished our coffee, the rain had stopped and people were heading back onto the course but we were done.

We changed out of our wet clothes and I made breakfast.  We were able to shut off the AC and open the door when we got back but it heated up by the time we left for Parker.  We drove all over town looking for a hair salon and finally found one.  However, the only lady working today was busy so I took a card to call them on Monday.  Then of course we returned to the casino.  I figured it was time for both of us to do well but it was exactly the opposite – neither of us was lucky.  Lunch was chips & salsa/salad when we got back about 2:30.  There is a lot of traffic on the river today.

After dinner we walked to buy a couple of gallons of drinking water.  I have been complaining about the water ever since we got here and finally decided to do something about it.  On the way back we passed a couple sitting outside with their large dog who “asked” to be petted.  So we stood & chatted with them for quite a while – and I paid attention to the dog.  Unfortunately they are leaving tomorrow.  Some dark clouds provided a lovely sunset this evening.