On to Phoenix Family and Friends - Friday, March 22, 2019

This morning we put Tucson, Arizona in the rear-view mirror. We feel we know the city and surrounds much better after nine days, and we also know what we want to do on future visits. 

The Escapade RV Rally was fun and educational. My brother and his wife may want to go to the one in Rock Springs, Wyoming in June 2020. They will be new to full-timing in the next year.

We are on our way to Lake Pleasant Regional Park on the northwest side of Phoenix. This will be our fourth stay in the park. We love it there. March is a time of year we hadn't been here. The lake was higher than we've ever seen it. Our back-in site was plenty big for our rig and Bob backed in like a pro. No one could laugh at his performance. The class we took really helped.

After we set up camp and relaxed for about an hour, we headed to Carefree, Arizona to visit Bob's Aunt Sally and Uncle Skip. Bob's mom, Louise, and sister, Laura were there as well, having made the drive to Phoenix from Las Vegas the day before. When we arrived at his aunt's house, his cousin, Charis, was there. Michael, her husband, would join us after he got off work.

They have a lovely home surrounded by desert with lots of quail, curve-billed thrashers, deer, and the occasional javelina or bobcat. Sally served chips, salsa, and guacamole for the appetizer. We gathered in their den and watched the birds jockey for position at the bird feeder.

Curve-billed thrasher on the branch,
Gambel's Quail on seed cube.

Gambel's Quail.

Curve-billed thrasher.

After Michael arrived, we gathered in the dining room for salad, rice, chicken enchiladas (Aunt Sally's specialty), and berry pie with whipped cream for dessert. 

Uncle Skip (photo courtesy of Laura L. Alton).

Bob and his mom, Louise.

Our lovely "restaurant" for the evening.

Michael getting his plate. We
dished up our own servings.

Uncle Skip.

The best restaurant in town.

Charis, Michael, Laura.

Me and Bob.

Louise and Aunt Sally.

Aunt Sally and Uncle Skip.

The evening was the best. Bob says, "Epic. It was wonderful the way the cousins connected. It was wonderful for the first-generation and second-generation to share their memories. The parents loved hearing what their kids remembered from growing up. It's an evening that I will always cherish."

Thank you, Aunt Sally and Uncle Skip, for hosting the clan. We loved being around everybody. It was everything that a family gathering should be.