Wander with the Wallins

Day 7 – Cave Creek

A mixture of art galleries, tchotchkes, and cheesy. An enjoyable day 😊

Bozo! Fun fact: we were on the Bozo show when we were kids. I even played one of the games. Not the cool bucket one – the stupid team game. We lost because of one uncoordinated girl with big glasses and a pink sweater.

I love a place that takes care of the pooches

Not as bad as a Southwest check-in or the old days of eBay sniping, but I was still all over this pre-sale because I was determined to see this show.

Score! If you have a few minutes to check out the YouTube promo for this 19 city tour with Mellencamp and Sean Penn….

Day 6 – Cactus balls and critters

Slow news day. We checked out the town of Tubac. Town and lunch joint were underwhelming.The best part of the day was the coyotes by Melanie’s house!

Day 5 – Tucson

Headed south to see Mel, Pat and Felix. Added bonus is good friends Cindy and George are also in town!

Chilly start to the day but definitely better than the house in Wisconsin!

A drive over 2 hours requires gas station food. My fav is the stuff on the rollers. Don’t judge.

Went for a short (not short) walk in Sabino Canyon. Beautiful, but I would prefer a more level terrain for my old ass. And paved!

Beep beep

Found a Bears joint to watch the game.

Collyn was at the game in the -16 degree windchill weather of Chicago. She’s on the left! 🥶

And as we know – Bears lost 😭 But what an exciting game! We were screaming.

Day 4 – Phoenix

Dinner with niece Liv, Jeff and the clan. Met my new great-niece Reese (I had to look up the correct relationship 😁) and hang out with great-nephew Theo! ❤️❤️

Ice cream and Spider-Man = big score. Theo is smart as a whip and I think he must take after Jammy…. 😬

We were introduced to the “3 spoon circus.” A feeding / training subterfuge gig in which babies will eat from one spoon, drop the spoon that they just ate from and eat from the one in the other hand, then drop one spoon to grab and eat from the third spoon being introduced to the situation. Or something like that. It was a whirlwind of hands and spoons and food flying around!!! Gone are the days of prop plane and choo choo train sounds!

Schlepping on day three

I wouldn’t call myself a shop-a-holic, but I do find in my old age that shopping and vacationing are quite conducive!

Since I only have a carry on and this stuff I couldn’t live without will take up precious real estate, I fear I’m creating a dilemma for myself 🙄

There is a backstory about how we came to know and love the bells of Arcosanti (and would be happy to share if you’re interested the next time you see me) and we made a trip to the shop in Paradise Valley. Got myself a new bell.

Killed some time before we hooked up with our friend Tonia. Usually a casino visit is wasted time (aka wasted money) for me, but this one turned out OK!! 👍

Dinner at Singing Pandas included entertainment. A Jewish guy singing Sinatra in a Chinese restaurant. Awesome.

Visit to Jeanie and Co. – sans the hubs. It’s going to be a family and friend visiting, ladies lunching, shopping and road tripping kind of a week. Steve was kind enough to drive me to Tampa so I could direct flight it and have a whole first day! You rock Waldo. ❤️

RIP grapefruit tree. This guy had THE BEST grapefruit I’ve ever tasted. 😢

The Julie Wallin Bodacious Birthday Week

I’ve decided that a week long birthday celebration is in order at this age….

Started with pre-matinee snacks and football.

This production of White Christmas at the Gulf Shore Playhouse in Naples was better than the movie.

Heading to Orlando Monday morning. When road tripping, we seek out small, hole in the wall restaurants. As usual, the food did not disappoint. Those cinnamon pancakes were incredible.

I have never learned to pack properly. This is for both of us for four days!! 😂🙄

Met friends from the Keys (now living in the this area) for dinner at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disney sells tickets for the park after 6 pm for the lights, parade, and fireworks. Which we didn’t know . And they had been sold out for months. 🙄 We did Universal and it was amazing.

This rollercoaster was THE most intense and insane ride I have ever been on! My hair was in knots afterward from going 70 mph

Butterbeer in Harry Potter land. Some butterscotch disgustingly sweet concoction that was delightful

Ahoy! 😎

No service as we cruised so be warned – entire trip on this post!

Tourists 🙄

Day one action on deck. Thankfully it wasn’t like this every day! Crowds ugh.

We noticed people decorate their doors

This is probably why…..

First stop is Celebration Key Bahamas. Owned by Carnival and has activities, food and drinks, and shopping. Meh

Not sure what exactly this is but appreciate the effort by Komang, our cabin steward.

Second stop Grand Turk – Turks and Caicos islands. Rented a golf cart to drive around

Wondered why there was no crap with all the donkeys running around …

Had ribs for dinner and the bones were a little creepy. We do baby back ribs at our house and they don’t look like this…

They had a real nice presentation for all branches of the military.

Amber Cove Dominican Republic. Tim and Shar and me chillin at the pool party.

Bye D.R.

Headed to the space coast

Going on a Caribbean cruise! Some of our friends heading over to Cocoa Beach

Home!

We’ve made it back and now we spend days unpacking. Thanks for traveling along with us. We will share future travels as we make them. Much love to all ♥️

Definitely not in Wisconsin anymore!

Happy to be able to see our frangipani, as they are usually done blooming by the time we get back. These are the flowers they make leis out of in Hawaii. The maroon ones are actually from there that were given to us by cousin George. It’s a rare color here in Florida.

Last day on the road

The consummate road tripper never passes a Buc-ee’s

My favorite bathrooms. No bending over looking for feet or startlingly occupants by jiggling knobs

In Florida we have to be clear.

Thanks faithful followers. 😍 This was mostly from the 2020 trip but appreciate you following along!

Day 2 sassiness

No fun on the road today. Made for a LONG travel day. Ugh.

Southbound!

Headed back to the Sunshine State. Bittersweet as this is our first trip without Joan Jett. Miss her laying between us as we drive. 😢

First plate: Wisconsin 😂 Only got 7 for the day. We have to get in the swing of looking

One of my favorite things about road tripping is leaving when it’s dark and then when the sun comes up, you’re in a new city.

Cuteness overload

Vegas baby. Six pics.

On the move

Built a trip to Vegas entirely around seeing the The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. The bonus was hanging out with Jeanie and Adrian for a few days.

I just love the ceilings in the big casinos

I ALWAYS bet Collyn’s birthday on roulette and keno.

I don’t play big so I don’t win big – this is a windfall to me!

Oh yeah, and being the idiots we are, we booked our Sphere tickets – for SUNDAY – not realizing the Bears are in town!! Lesson learned, do more research. 🙄

Homeward bound

Fall was is full swing in the northwoods so, hopefully, it starts soon at home. 🍁🍂

Yeah, I’m not sure what’s happening here… Thrift stores in general make me feel itchy – this would be full-blown anaphylactic shock.

Hayward

Made a quick trip to Hayward to see old friends on Moose Lake and to place a bet at the casino. Last day before heading back to the homestead.

Schlepping and tchotchkes

Spent the day in Bayfield dodging raindrops.

Parking lot guard Baxter keeping an eye on this shady character

Lake Superior whitefish is reason enough to travel this far north

Incoming

Written by my sister’s high school boyfriend who moved to this area way back when. I’ve picked it up several times when I’m up here and put it back, remembering how he told Jeanie he didn’t like the way I walked. Yes, in 1974….
Misguided nostalgia or something like that made me buy it this time 😂

Minocqua to Cable to Bayfield (oh my)

Minocqua Brewing Co….
Came for the beer – stayed for the safe parking

Clearly not the Wallin fridge! We’re staying at our kind and generous friends’ home (who, btw, are out of town).

Northwoods backroads are the best

Killing time and putting the wallet on a diet before the Bonnie Raitt / Jimmie Vaughn concert

Jimmie didn’t make the cut on the ticket

My watch looking out for me when Jimmie took the stage. 🤘

Miss Raitt. “I never imagined how incredible she would be to see live” ~ Steve Wallin

And to cap off a long day and night and delay departure of our hour long drive back to Cable….
our 2WD Florida pick up was no match for the sand in the parking lot of Big Top Chautauqua 🙄 A kind concert goer in a big beast of a truck hooked up a strap and yanked her out…. 🙌

Headed to Lake Gitchigumi

Left Montello and going to Bayfield WI for a concert to poke around a bit….

Stopped for a bite at one of our old haunts in Steven’s Point – Hilltop Pub. They have a real aging barrel that you walk through. Great food. Highly recommended by the Hippies if you’re ever in the area. 😋

Loved the kitschy north-woodsy hotel we stayed at on the way.

The UP, a couple of weddings, and a lot of Wallins.

Spent just about two weeks in the UP for two family weddings, family visits, and all that implies… 😬

Brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, in-laws and one auntie

Maddie walks with Jodi and hands her mom to John 😭

This guy is named Larry Schilling. Explanation on request…

Some of our favorite people in the world live here 😍

Hello all!

Hope this finds everyone doing well. We are going to be doing a little more traveling in the upcoming months and we wanted to let y’all know. Many of you went with us in 2020 – which turned out to be not such a great time to go see the United States, if you remember what happened that year! 😷 If you are interested in wandering with us again, stay tuned!

✌️♥️

November 16, 2020

Happy 3rd birthday to my baby beans. We couldn’t love these sweet, goody little girls more! ♥️♥️

October 30, 2020

We are back hone in the Keys and are already hard at work on the house and yard and RV! I had practically nonexistent WiFi for a while so I haven’t posted. Stay healthy! 😷

Guinea Hens on the way into the ranch. They’re like guard fowl!

Pearl of wisdom. I think the signs were for sale…

Out for a bike ride

We went through this really cool thoroughfare between two lakes and it was like being in the Amazon or something

Joan was happy to see DJ

October 17, 2020

Pics from the road. Stay safe 😷

A never miss stop for us on I-75 in south GA. They also have a field with full hookup RV spots where we spent the night 👍

How the heck to you gas up this kerfuffle? Or is it covfefe…

October 17, 2020

Road tripping – what a concept. Woke up in Illinois and went to sleep in Alabama! Stay safe! 😷 Much love! ♥️

October 16, 2020

And they’re off!!

Wedged in for the ride and stuff still gets tossed around 🙄

Getting out just in time. Snow moving through…

The Rail Golf Course in Springfield IL (a Harvest Host) was once a 240 acre dairy farm

October 12, 2020

I have been asked where last Monday’s post was. Sorry faithful followers! Had a lot going on. We found out we had contact with a COVID + person and we had to be quarantined and tested. The first test was negative and second is being done today. We have been symptom free. 🙏 All this a week before we were leaving Wisconsin to visit family in Michigan and then work our way home! 🙄 We are letting our tenants out of the lease a month early and with this delay in departure, our return trip has been cut short by 6 weeks so it’s straight home to Florida when we pull out around the 17th. Anxious to get home! Stay safe! 😷 Much love! ❤️

The last of the harvest moon about 5:30 am. I forgot to go out earlier and take some pics 😦

Fall color and other stuff…. I’ll spare you having to look at a ton of pictures!

Quarantine drive

Yeah that’s hail

You can get produce and eggs from local farmers at the bar. It costs you a beer. 😁

This was at the orchard so I assume a beehive?

Glad to get these guys and get them mailed….

Probably the last picture from our deck until next year…

This girl! I ran inside to grab a few things and Joan Jett sits and waits for me! 🥰

Happy birthday in quarantine dinner for Steve Wallin! ♥️

September 28, 2020

Fall, farms, Beans. Blessed. ♥️

September 14, 2020

A week at Wallinworld. Stay safe all! 😷♥️

The look of fall on our screen house. I hope we get to see some beautiful fall colors before heading south!

I filled the bird feeders thinking it would last the last 4 weeks, and the finches and songbirds and cardinals went ape crap on it!! This was like 4 days afterward. We walk out and there are sometimes 10 birds eating! 😍

After a fabulous burger at a really cool place we found in Baraboo, we were given dessert to drink. Licor 43 with a heavy cream float. 👍We MUST find this stuff!!

Got a hair cut in town at a cute little place for $15! They must have swept the hair over from the old lady next to me….

Found a bar in Packer country with owners from Illinois!

They play a game, flag football. Everybody’s name is put in a jar. Whenever a flag is thrown, the person gets the GB mug and drinks free until the next flag is thrown. Steve got it halfway through the second quarter and was hoping to have it through halftime…. (*that* would have been a loser for the bar!)

2 seconds before the end of 2nd quarter a flag is thrown!! I got the mug from him!! Na na na na na!!

September 11, 2020

September 7, 2020

Hope everyone has an enjoyable Labor Day! Here’s a little of Wallinworld from last week. Have a good week and stay safe 😷 Love to all ♥️

Got out on the scoot for that awesome weather

Veggie pizza was molto bene! Steve had a Cuban sammy and said it was the best he’s ever had.

So my thought that we had one rogue mouse was wishful thinking….. This was number 5. 😳

Going to try cotton balls soaked in peppermint as a deterrent. Super jumbo should do it! 😁🤞

The line at Dollar General. I don’t generally shop there, but I was in need of mouseproofing supplies. This is a return visit deterrent!!

Our friend the Blue Heron taking flight. I read they eat mice. My new hero!

I now look at all small animals as potential intruders

Crazy rain last week left a lot of areas flooded

September 1, 2020

Hello September – goodbye 90+ degree weather! Well, here in Wisconsin anyway we’re done with hot weather… Forecasts already just upper 70’s during the day. 👍Love my fall sweatshirt weather! Last week was wonderful with the beans, and then with the Yackos on the weekend. Cockles warmed! 🥰

You can already tell Bennie is going to love roller coasters

Found a farm that caters to the kids with interactive play and a petting zoo

JJ a little more timid with feeding then Bennie

This guy kept turning his butt towards me and posing 😂

Ringo Jr

Getting the hang of it

When you leave a bag of stuff (including snacks) in the screen tent overnight. In that baggie was flaming hot Cheetos! The dog’s water bowl was red and I couldn’t figure out why at first. He was either dipping the Cheetos or washing them down!! 🥵

They started off hesitant, then turned into jumping machines!! 👍

Outside the bakery. Some kind of washing contraption 🤷‍♀️

August 24, 2020

The week in review

You can hear this guy fart when he’s walking….

Sucky parking is not exclusive to Florida

I got ducked. I didn’t know this was a thing – but I’m game!

If it were 4 wheels, I’d be more skeptical…… 😳

This guy landed on my arm and it took a few swats to knock him off. No idea what it is, but that shield looking thing was hard. 🤷‍♀️

And staring. Freaked me out since Steve was gone for a few days!

As I was writing that I was pretty sure it was a rogue that got in (and got caught within 10 minutes of setting the trap) I swear I’m hearing movement around me!! My loathe of killing anything is not as strong as my refusal to share my living space with a rodent!

This was just from this morning. Joan hearing it too. Crap!!

The difference between me and Steve eating. One (well I) could argue that I’m neater while eating and use more napkins….

The best news of all – my beans are here for the week!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

The girls are digging their loft

Sissy love 🥰. Bennie fell asleep.

I think Papa had the most fun on the campground train ride! 😂

August 17, 2020

5 more sleeps til my beans come up for a WEEK! 💤💤💤💤💤 Everyone stay safe and have a good week! 😷 Love to all! ♥️

Got back from Hayward to find these beauties waiting for us! I never eat hot house tomatoes, but love, love them right off the vine, grown in fresh sunshine! 😋

Found Andy’s Meats in the little town of Endeavor WI

We took a drive in the deep farmland. So green and lush… It was beautiful! Farm houses on the horizon. I am so intrigued by the whole farming industry…

The county roads we were on were literally cut through acres of corn and soy (?) We drove for miles like this!!

Got out for some Cubbies. Glad Brewers fans don’t go out and fill up the joints!!

Woodpecker

Bennie entertaining Jammy on FaceTime ♥️

August 9, 2020

Northwoods scenes. Headed back to central Wisconsin today. We sure will miss this area ♥️

This on the gravel road to our campground. Doesn’t necessarily make me feel warm and fuzzy 😳

Last day fishing

Had to change sites for the last two nights. Better but WiFi worse 👎

Roasted corn 😋

I see the tree that attacked the kids in Poltergeist

I got up in the middle of the night. That spot on the left is mine. I know I’ve shown similar pics before – more proof the struggle is real.

August 6, 2020

A great day on Lake Namakagon with old friends Cindy and George ♥️

We had lunch outside at the Loon Saloon and yapped a little with a couple on the dock. On the way back, we found them in the middle of the lake attempting to row back to their cabin because their motor konked out. We towed them back. He had a Cubs hat on or we would have left them out there 😂😂

Joan Jett watching Steve take the garbage to the dumpster.

August 4, 2020

Fishing and reminiscing

Grandpa and O’ma’s cabin on Lost Land Lake. Built in the 50’s – it hasn’t been changed at all except for the picture window… Memories 😔

August 3, 2020

Ahhhhh the Northwoods – Hayward Wisconsin! The Wisconsin of my yoot and vacation spot up til we moved to Florida. Also the original planned retirement spot. It makes my heart smile to be back! 🥰

As kids, we knew when we made the turn onto A at Dow’s Corner we were almost to the cabin!

Dow’s is a bar now and owner Ken is an Elvis fanatic like Steve…. he gave us a preview of the song he’s doing at his upcoming “Elvis night”

Sounds of morning

One of my favorite places to go junking is closed due to stupid Covid 😥

We never miss eating at the German restaurant.

My favorite place for jelly bismarks adjusting to Covid

August 1,2020

Wow August! SoFlo heading into the big storm months and us in Wisconsin are ordered to wear a mask at all times when out! After a day of decompression from company last week, we got ready for a trip up north to Hayward and the UP. Stay safe! 😷 Love to all ♥️

The seaweed mower. Not sure what the actual name of the implement is 🤷‍♀️

I have often wondered if the fields of sunflowers have some purpose other than just being beautiful

We buy farm fresh anything when we’re out exploring. And you rarely see people. Just drop your money in a coffee can….

If you ever see a farm stand selling “ground cherries” – buy them. Described as a little pearl in a paper lantern that tastes like a cherry tomato infused with mango and pineapple. Absolutely delicious! 😋

I’ve seen more wild turkeys wandering around in the last few months than I have seen in my entire life …

Was trying to get this guy and he posed perfectly

A mom isn’t supposed to have favorites…..🥰

Went out for dinner before hitting the road and had crazy good craft old fashioneds

This dude just hanging out on the picnic table

Two days of packing up and you know where Joan Jett was….. No way she’s getting left behind!

Three months of pine needles and cottonwood fuzz needed to be cleaned off!!

July 27, 2020

Wow! A wonderful Wallin weekend to celebrate Ma’s birthday. Everyone stay safe! 😷♥️

Met friends Cathy and Ron in town for a brew

That would be brown duct tape for a rear door and window

This was the work of a raccoon… Shucked and eaten clean!!

Wild turkeys

Asking visitors make me a star for under our canopy (like the buoys in the Keys) to remember their visit….

July 20, 2020

Beans and scenes. Everyone stay safe and healthy and happy! ♥️😷😁

They need a new advertising angle. We’ve been riding by since May and it always looks like this…

If you never had peaches and cream corn on the cob, you’re missing out!!! The best!!! 😋

July 13, 2020

A weekend of family and friends. Daddy took the T-bird away!! Have a good week and stay safe! ♥️

The squirrels are cleaning out the birdseed! Can’t wait for the baffle to be delivered. 😡

Our turtle friend checking out the girls

That’s Jes screaming at the end 😂

FYI by “throw” Col meant food!! No animals get harmed at Wallinworld!!

July 6, 2020

Scenes from Wisconsin. Have a good week! Stay safe!! Much love!!! ♥️

Corn check

We love riding these back roads through farm country

Nobody says you have to keep your woodpile neatly stacked behind the house

There’s these two gravestones all by themselves on a corner in the middle of nowhere. Every time we pass it I think about stopping and checking them out. I am intrigued.

Stopped at the American Legion right as Jeanna opened so we could be socially distant.

If you never had Dot’s pretzels – definitely try them! Here they’re all over. We discovered them at the flea market in AZ – the only place out there that had them.

June 29, 2020

Hello from the land of cheese curds and cow pies!! Here are a few pics from the last week. Everyone be safe! ♥️

Turned on the news this morning and saw Ed! We usually get a local Madison feed but our CBS link gave me Chicago news for a change! 🤷‍♀️

First of our tomatoes. Back to a Midwest growing schedule! In SoFlo the tomatoes are done by now.

Every time we drive past the corn fields by us, I comment on how fast the corn is growing. It’s crazy!

Somebody knows who these pics are for!! 😍

Poked our head in at the American Legion in town. Clarified that YES your $5 ticket gets you *all* 8 knives!

Outside the little tchotchke shop in town.

This was the sky as we headed out for a bike ride. No surprise we got drenched…

Not sure if this contraption was that hard to handle or if the guy had too many PBRs at lunch!!

While she looks happy, Joan is ambivalent about being on the water.

The stare down went on for quite a while…

We love the scenery here as much as the mountains in Arizona and the waters of the Keys! #blessed

June 22, 2020

June is fading fast! We made a quick trip to Chicago so Steve could get the last of his knee injections and Jammy could get a beans fix! Have a good week! Be safe!

Went back to the U pick farm for more asparagus. Big difference in the field!! This is asparagus that went to seed. We managed to get 7.5 pounds without getting bit by field snakes or field mice or whatever field creatures may live where I had to reach into to find the viable stalks….
😳

Cleaning and sorting out the asparagus. I can’t even describe the taste difference of fresh picked! We brought some back to IL for a few people.

Picked up some decoration for the windshield on the trip 😡

Bennie isn’t into ethnic food

Entertained by Marla Hooch (who just turned 12!)

ELSA!!!

I love the names of OPI nail polish. This is Nessie Plays Hide and Seek 😂😂

Papa got a new drinking vessel for Fathers Day! Unique, one of a kind tumblers Jes makes.
Notyourbasictwinmom on Instagram or Etsy if you’re in the market!!

Last but not least, our friend Maggie Yacko turned 9!!!

June 15, 2020

We’ve had some great weather up here! Enjoying it and our little slice of heaven on earth. Everyone have a great week! We miss you! ♥️ Carry hand sanitizer and use it often!! 🤚

Had our first visitors to the campsite! Thanks for visiting Deb and How! 😍

Our campground delivers fresh donuts on the weekend 😋

Enjoying my hibiscus. Some of you may remember the Great Iguana Attack of 2015…. My hibiscus plants in Florida didn’t have a chance because I didn’t know they were like candy to them! 🙄🦎

Albino squirrel! Just this one lone guy hopping around the trees by our site. I guess there used to be a ton of them but the owls could see them so well they were easy prey.

It’s National Dairy month! I know these aren’t dairy cows but they were too cute not to post! 🥰

Our anniversary was the 14th so we went out for a ride. Such beautiful countryside.

Made a reservation at a supper club for the anniversary dinner. I was a little apprehensive about eating indoors and if they were keeping the tables 6 feet apart… It wasn’t a problem.

The cottonwood tree is shedding that fuzzy stuff. It’s killing Steve’s allergies. The lagoon ended up looking like it had a layer of snow on it. Crazy.

June 1, 2020

Hello! Happy June! We are 6 months into our journey and it sure has been an experience. Only the Wallins can plan a road trip and end up in quarantine! 🙄 We’ve been getting settled in our summer home in Wisconsin and we love it more every day. Everyone please stay safe as the stay at home orders are being eased!

Jammy made a pillow mountain to jump into for the beans!

All my beans. ♥️♥️♥️♥️ Even Marla Hooch🥰

If you’re wondering about the band-aid – Bennie just like them. Les Nessman Jr 😂

JJ likes to help out in the yard……

Sun bathing snapping turtle. I waited to see him blink his eyes because I thought he was dead!! 😁

May 17, 2020

Rain and rugrats

In their princess dresses watching Frozen for probably the 100th time!

Not happy with Jammy and the constant picture taking 🤷‍♀️

May 16, 2020

Left the land of cheese and gifts for a quick trip to say hello and pick up the Jeep.

This sign has a recycled 88 or homemade feel to it….. 😬

May 15, 2020

Scenes. Or “The World According to Wallin” 😁

The cardinals found the feeder! 😍

May 14, 2020

One of those days that are cloudy and drizzling and make you kind of lazy……

Steve tinkered with the tackle and threw a line out to test the waters. 👍

Me and Joan lazed around and watched a few movies.

One of my favorite movies from back when Collyn was small and our favorite thing was watching movies all weekend.

May 13, 2020

Either frogging isn’t her gig or these guys hiding in plain sight really works…. She never even looked at this one!

Binging Ozark. (👍 BTW) There’s a warning about the smoking but not the bloody bodies with heads cut off or the people getting shot and stabbed. 🤷‍♀️

May 12, 2020

Scenes from Wisconsin

Farm stubble. I know this is stubble because when Collyn was a kid (like 6 or 7) we were driving through farmland somewhere and I commented on the field and wondered why it looked like that. She said “It’s called stubble. The farmers cut down the crops and that’s what’s leftover.” Oh. OK thanks!! I think of that every time I see *stubble*! 🥰

This tickled me. CASH is King until you wave a Ruger or a sweet riding lawnmower at him! 😂

May 11, 2020

Our feathered friends and deliveries

These guys were having fun in the lagoon

Pretty bird and moss! 👍😁

The orioles that hang around are just beautiful! I’m hoping to get some good pictures at some point.

Mail delivery. Signed and designed by the beans! 🥰🥰

May 10, 2020

Rain, relaxing, FaceTime, big honkin steak. Have a great week everyone! ♥️

This all day

Joan started perking up about 5pm, but was feeling punk all day

The new Frozen – Paw Patrol! Sent the beans costumes and got to watch them open the box and try them on 🥰

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 9, 2020

We woke up to COLD! By noon Joan Jett was really sick and we had to take her to the emergency vet an hour away in Madison. She had something intestinal going on and is still not up to par so we are watching her closely…. The campground lent us a truck to take her as we don’t have the Jeep here yet.

That would be ice in Joan’s water bowl on the deck….

Careful – they tend to dart out in front of you …..

May 7, 2020

A week ago it was 105 degrees, here we have a freeze warning! 🥶 What the deuce.

I was taking my newly potted pothos plant down to bring inside – with the *freeze* warning and all – and it fell out of the hanger and bounced into the lagoon. This is the pot floating away.

At least the cuttings fell on the ground for easy rescue 🙄

May 6, 2020

Springtime!! After living in an area that looks the same pretty much all year round for the last 5 years, I am reminded of what it feels like to watch the sun wake up the trees, grass, and flowers. 🥰

May 5, 2020

Getting settled in…. Looking forward to being able to get OUT and settling in the new hood.

Steve taking a break from unpacking and going through all the brochures and stuff we’ve collected along the way

Night one (of 3) of the Flower Moon. The last super moon of 2020.

A look at our travels. We lost quite a few places having to alter plans because of stupid coronavirus! We are grateful we are healthy though! 👍♥️

May 4, 2020

Scenes from Wisconsin!

Hummingbird feeder – a “new home” gift from Jeanie

Once we get more in order I’ll send updated pics of our new digs. This is upon arrival. Love it thus far!

Joan’s not hating it either!

May 4, 2020

Scenes from Wisconsin!

Joan’s not hating it either!

May 3, 2020

The drive through Kansas was so nice! Beautiful spring green pastures for miles and miles with cattle laying around or grazing. It seemed so tranquil and harmonious. Kind of conflicting since I really like to eat beef!

May 2, 2020

May 1, 2020

Last Arizona sunset. First day back on the road. Flagstaff, Winslow, fun with signs.

April 29, 2020

Last few days in the valley of the sun. Took our last ride in AZ for a while. Went to see the old Gillespie Dam out past Buckeye. The West valley is very different from the East! It’s farm land, irrigation systems (no surprise) and cows! Had lunch with the girls, and we had a “fare thee well” dinner with Jeanie and Adrian.

The last time the dam washed out was in the 90’s and they didn’t fix it. This is the remnants of the dam.

Truss bridge 1662 feet over the Gila River

This guy’s got to have the best WiFi in the area!

April 28, 2020

Arizona will soon be in our rear view mirror. We are anxious to get back on the road and get sheltered at home in a new place! Being closer to our girls and the rest of our family members for when the restrictions are lifted is at the forefront! 🥰 Aside from a worldwide pandemic that prevented us from actually getting out to the pubs and restaurants and other points of interest, we enjoyed our time in The Grand Canyon State. Being near my sister was awesome. We will definitely be back!

*Another* emergency tooth extraction but finally out of pain! Thanks Ma and Dad! 🙄 This guy cracked while still in my mouth, and once it was pulled, the doc pulled it apart so I could check out the roots and nerves. He was very excited. I didn’t get as big a thrill… 🤷‍♀️

My attempt to beat the clean and jerk record has to wait

I literally have less than 12 inches to sleep on

April 20, 2020

Got out on the bike, and me and Jeanie cooked and then dropped off food to Mel and Pat. It’s always nice a nice break to have somebody else’s home cooked meals.😁 That’s about it – everybody’s story. We are leaving Arizona May 1 and going directly to Wisconsin, as we got the official okey dokey to get into our campground!! We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe! 😷

The wheel is safe. And by the way, it’s got a $200 price tag on it if anybody wants us to go back and get it for them…

Toys and holsters all in one place!👍

This guy pissed somebody off. It has a woman’s feel to it….

I love quirky Tucson! This is a place I would definitely patronize!

Hard to see loved ones and not give hugs and kisses….. 😢

Pinal Airpark – an airplane “boneyard” that used to be a CIA operation. Kind of creepy and cool.

Looks like we will be getting out just in time!! 🔥☀️ Anyone that tells Steve how cold the Midwest still is will get an ass kicking!!!!

April 13, 2020

Hope everyone is well and keeping busy while at home. One of our favorite things to do is chat with Bennie and JJ via FaceTime. My special girls!! Stay safe all!! We miss everyone and we continue praying for you all. ♥️

Chicken noodle soup to stave off the germs!!

Easter at Jeanie and Adrian’s. Celebrating while keeping away from each other.

I’m intrigued but fear we will be gone before the opening…

April 6, 2020

Hoping this finds everyone well, settling into their new normal, and following the recommendations of the medical experts. Please take care! ♥️

Joan making sure we didn’t leave her behind.. She sat there the whole time we were packing up to make the move from Mesa to Goodyear

Our new RV park in the middle of nowhere. It’s there on the right 😁

There is a prison out here with us in the desert so that’s nice.

Stocked up. Well to be honest, it always looks like this!! 😂

Ready for when I have to go grocery shopping

Keeping in touch with my favorite grand babies!

And with all the good things people are doing for one another, there are still jackasses out there. I only wish I was there to see it 😡 You *know* I would have said something!

March 30, 2020

Well people, life has certainly been turned upside down for us all! We are staying at least another month in Arizona. We’re moving closer to Jeanie though, about an hour from here. Mesa is very populated and the new place is much smaller and is kind of in the middle of nowhere in a developing area. Could be a good thing if this disease continues on the current course. Arizona is not locked down yet and we are prepared to do so. We are doing what everyone else is – walking the dog, riding bikes, binging on tv shows and old movies. We are keeping all of our family and friends close in our hearts as we pray fervently for us all!! God bless!!

Steve has juiced about 250 oranges in the last few days for our daily vitamin C intake. Which may or may not have vodka in it. For medicinal purposes.

Mountains and clouds. Something rarely seen on the blog…. 😊

March 24, 2020

Hello! We’ve had a lot of folks checking on us and we appreciate that. We cancelled the travel plans that we had through the first week of May and are trying to figure out what to do. We will probably stay here in Arizona for another month and see what happens with the place in Wisconsin we were planning on staying at for the summer. As of yesterday, they are closed as being a non-essential business but they plan to open their season April 15 on schedule. Of course, that could always change. Arizona is is in the middle of the list for number of cases by state, and where we would be headed towards family and friends (IL, MI) are up in the 5 and 6 spots. We feel we are safer here at this point. We may even end up heading back to Florida if things get worse. Medical experts say they likely will. We are keeping busy around the park here. Nothing is open as far as pools and spas though and might be forced to exercise by walking and biking! 😁 We took Joan out to Canyon Lake to do some fishing Saturday but everybody else had the same thought, and since we weren’t catching anything, we left. People with their groups of 20 were making me nervous…. 😳 Be safe family and friends. We are keeping you in our prayers. ♥️

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

We have been here since February 1 and I just remembered my favorite cookies that you can only get in Phoenix!!

Have to get a shot of clouds and mountains in there ….

March 17, 2020

Happy St Patrick’s Day! 🍀 I don’t know what this coronavirus is doing in your neck of the woods, but for us it is throwing a monkey wrench into the travel plans. Not complaining… I think it’s important to follow the advice of the experts. On that note, we are altering our plans and cutting off 4 of our stops and heading to Wisconsin around April 15. One of them was Las Vegas – the first to get 86ed! I’ll continue to check in weekly, but In the meantime, take care of yourselves! Be smart! Stay away from crowds! Wash your hands and don’t touch your face! God bless us all. ♥️

San Tan Flat in Queen Creek. My last real social outing to meet family. I think this is where it really sunk in how stupid it was to be out and about. Continuing to use hand sanitizer and worrying about others *not* using hand sanitizer made it hit home….

My favorite bologna sandwich from Heidi’s Brooklyn deli

The cacti I’m traveling with are digging the AZ weather!! This guy never bloomed like this in FL!

March 10, 2020

Cubs, clouds, cones, Beach Boys, bags, big beavers, Elvis, and a little more. Have a good week and sing happy birthday twice while you wash your hands!!!! ♥️

87 degrees and sitting on the ground in the lawn *seemed* like a good idea …. 🙄

Fire and Rescue waiting for people to fall out

A frosty welcome for the Sox

Post Beach Boys. Adrian made inconsequential was unintentional 😂😂

One of my favorites

Working that fringe!

I took the silversmith class and made a few rings. Fun but a little too labor intensive for me…

Silversmith dropout. My stone fell out 7 hours after I made the ring 🙄

The many uses of the loops on my phone case/purse gig. I had to look up boba tea lol

March 3, 2020

Well last week was exciting. Not only the fun and exhilarating kind, but also the upheaval kind! I had to have emergency oral surgery and still recovering, and Joan Jett ended up at the emergency vet when she cut her toe open. Again, if you remember from last year. Hoping March is better!! 🙄 Have a good week! ♥️

Joan keeping me company after oral surgery

Visited Goldfield ghost town at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Eh.

Just a hunch here, but I think the graves *might* be fake….

I can’t help feeling like I’m missing important instructions. If you ……” WHAT?? Get bit, your death is imminent?? 😳

The Gila woodpecker makes holes and takes shelter in the saguaro cactus. When they leave, the plant heals itself with a scare tissue to protect the hole. Interesting plants that live to be hundreds of years old and usually die from wind or washouts….. My favorite here!

I can sniff out a bargain, Steve can sniff out a beer stand… Talent!

My date for Three Dog Night, who played at our park!

I wondered what the band thought of the audience that never moved. I stood up for the encore and got yelled at 😂

February 24, 2020

Hello all! Had a good week! Took a side trip to Tucson with Jeanie and went to the Cubs spring training opener! We’ve been in Mesa almost a month and time is flying! Have a great week!!

Water volleyball at the park.
The ball rarely hit the water!! 😂😂

February 18, 2020

Rode to Tortilla Flat, a small (pop. 6) unincorporated town that is the last surviving stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail. It was originally a camping ground for prospectors in search of gold in the Superstition Mountains. The town is owned by a former farmer from Indiana.

We walked in and the hostess asked if we wanted to saddle up at the bar. I thought it was a cute Wild West kind of question …..

147 curves and a lot of beautiful scenery on the way up!

This one for my heavy machine loving friend Porter!

Thanks for making it to the end! Trust me, this was a small sample of what I actually took!! 😁

Feb 17, 2020

Hello strangers! It’s getting warmer every day but still cool at night. I love the day/night contrast of the desert! Have a great week!

The cloud shadows and the sun on the mountains

We never miss a side trip to Queen Creek Olive Mill and The Pork Shop. The BEST green chili brats!!

And last but not least – an Irish pub in Chandler that has peanut butter whiskey and chocolate ice cream shots. Cheers!

Feb 10, 2020

Hello!! Hope everyone is well!! Settling in and getting to know our new hood. Here’s some pictures of the last week. Have a great week! ♥️

Citrus abounds! The park picks the fruit that is growing all over the grounds and puts them out in various spots for the residents. I have to say, this fruit is sweeter than any I’ve had in Florida! 🤷‍♀️

The beautiful Superstition Mountains. Named by early settlers on account of myths and stories told by local Pima and Apache Indians about them…

FaceTiming Bennie while I’m at the pool and she’s checking out the snow 🥰 I miss all my girls…

Feb 5, 2020

I know I just said I wasn’t going to post everyday unless it was something cool….

After a 5 year bowling hiatus (no alleys in the Keys) we bowled with the VOD bowling club and I beat Steve the first game – cool. 👍

Steve is a pretty good bowler and throws strikes consistently. I got this on the second attempt to record. 👍

We lost our bowling shoes in Irma so we had to rent. NOT cool shoes!! Velcro 😂

Side note: we got pedis in the park salon and I chose a dark green – almost black color – and the girl said it was the first time it’s ever been used!! Always the non-conformist!!! Cool! 😁

Jan 4, 2020

OK faithful followers, I am going to probably post just once a week, or whenever we do a day ride or see something cool to share. We are staying here at this park in Mesa for 2 months and I figure you’ll grow weary of pictures of food and drinks and RV park activities pretty fast!!! Steve wants to take two step lessons so I will for sure put that up 🤠

The Cactus Grill. Wearing our badges as instructed!!

Feb 3, 2020

A crazy cloudy day in Mesa as a cold front moved in!

BADGES! We don’t need no…… Wait, we do need badges! To flush out interlopers, of course! Instructed to wear at all times!! 😁

This is for #1 fan Pammy! This song still makes me think of you and Jes. 😁
Our park people showing off their line dance class skills!! In jackets. In Arizona. 🥶

02.02.2020

Sunny and close to 80 degrees! Jeanie came down for the Super Bowl with all sorts of goodies! 🥰 Heard we’re in for a cold snap this week – no surprise – they heard we were coming!! Have a good week everyone!

Feb 1, 2020

Made our move to Mesa. This place is like a small city!! Met a few nice people, got a few dubious looks – like the Hell’s Angels just rode into town – but I think we’re going to love it! 😁👍 So much to do!!

Joan is going to wear out her sniffer in the dog park!

Ahhhh…. bold aromas of Milk Bones and cheese, laden with rich soil and a soft finish of rawhide

Felix didn’t want us to leave so he would not cooperate with the departure photo!😁

The last, lonely little Snickers bar on the counter. A sign??

For our family and friends in the north, we’re hoping for clouds in Punxsutawney today!!

Jan 31, 2020

Farewell January! It’s been 2 months on the road! Spent our last day in Tucson bumming around the downtown area…

Our nephew Pat runs a bar (among other things) in this cool annex where the shops and the bar and food joints are in shipping containers! Loved it – shipping containers are my new obsession.

Ten55 – another cool place! Good food and beer!

Tiger’s Tap Room. I met him a few years ago and loved him!! He has been bartending there since 1959 and is now like 86 or something!! He wasn’t there and I was afraid to ask, but it turns out he works Mon – Thurs. Neat place to check out!