Dodgers Spring Training, Glendale, Arizona and Meeting Blog Friends - Tues., Mar. 4

Such a beautiful day to go to Camelback Ranch for Dodger spring training, predicted high is 82 degrees. We arrived about 11:30 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. game between the Dodgers and Mariners.

The facility is beautiful. We walked around the game field, then wandered over to one of the training fields where some of the Dodgers were practicing. Dodger spring training has been on Bob's bucket list for years. The day has arrived and Bob is thrilled.

Bob at Camelback Ranch, home of Dodgers spring training.

Dodger facility.

The stadium at Camelback Ranch.

Dodgers practicing...

Matt Kemp, center fielder

Matt Kemp and Mark McGwire, batting coach

Mariner Felix Hernandez stretching before the game...

Felix Hernandez

During the Dodgers-Mariners spring training game...

Our seats were to the right of the Mariners dugout.

Looking across to the Dodgers dugout.

Batter up - Hanley Ramirez

Father and son moment at first base.

Seventh inning stretch

Bob was thrilled that six of the starters today are projected opening starters for the Dodgers. We both wore long pants and I wore long sleeves so we wouldn't get totally sunburned. Also had on 60 sunblock, plus Bob bought me the cool Dodger straw hat. Thankfully we were sitting on the Mariners side of the field and the sun was off to our right shoulder. If we had been sitting by the Dodger dugout, we would have been facing the sun.

The day was relaxing and we had a good time. The Dodgers, however, lost 4-1. Didn't really matter to us. We both grew up in southern California and went to Dodger games as kids, but we lived over 30 years in Oregon and rooted for the Mariners too. We used to take trips to Seattle to see the Mariners play.

After the game, we were off to meet blog friends Ingrid and Al of "Live Laugh RV, Our Next Chapter..." at Pleasant Harbor RV Park, across Lake Pleasant from where we camped. A number of RVers meet at the community picnic table to enjoy the beautiful weather, fellowship and sunset. Through the course of the evening 11 people showed up.

We had drinks, snacks and stories to share, not to mention the spectacular sunset Mother Nature provided. Linda, who writes Bear Tracks Blog, and her husband Mike were there with their cute pooch, Lucy. I had not read her blog before and added her to my reading list. They are full time RVers and before becoming landlubbers, they lived on their sailboat for seven years. A motorhome is like a mansion to them!

Karen, Al, Ingrid, Linda, Don, Curt, Bob, Mike

Karen, Al, Ingrid, Don, Bob, Susan, Curt

The sky before sunset

Just before sunset.

Ingrid happily snapping photos

Al and Ingrid

Sun's getting lower

Just after sunset

Experiment with flash in foreground.

Ingrid (LiveLaughRV) and Linda (Bear Tracks Blog)

Three hours later, in the pitch dark, we said our see you laters. What a wonderful evening. Bob and I were still talking about the good time two days later. Thank you for the invite to watch sunset.

Another wonderful day and evening. Travel Bug out.

What a Difference a Day Makes - Fri., Feb. 21

Saturday morning we're taking the 5er for a spin...all the way to Las Vegas (but not in one day). Our countdown is down to one day. Hitch itch is strong with us and we can't wait to have the wheels rolling again. Two weeks on the road! Yippee.

We'll be going to City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico to learn about the big volcano that caused their rock formations. A visitor center and a walk through the rocks is in our future.

Then we're off to Lake Pleasant Regional Park to camp near Carefree, Arizona, and we'll visit with Bob's Aunt and Uncle. We may have time for some Volksmarches in the Phoenix area too.

From Carefree, our next stop is Lake Mead to camp for five nights. We'll be going to Henderson and Las Vegas, NV from our campsite every day. Bob's family lives in Henderson and I have two cousins coming - one from Sacramento, CA and one from Tennessee - with whom I'll have a mini family reunion. I see more Volksmarches in our future.

On the return trip, we will see the Dodgers vs. the Mariners in a spring training game, and wander the Camelback Ranch learning about training and shopping at the booths. This has been on Bob's bucket list for quite some time.

Next stop will be Carlsbad Caverns and we may even throw in a trip to Roswell. I've always wanted to go to the kitschy UFO Museum. And from there, we'll be headed back to our site in San Antonio.

It's getting late, so I'll fall asleep thinking about all the fun things we'll do on our vacation.

Travel Bug out.