Dolly Steamboat

Friends from home, actually The Pas, Manitoba, are staying at Lost Dutchman State Park and they dropped in for a visit.  They are a little more adventurous than us, staying mainly at State Parks, often without services.  We on the other hand are soft and spoiled and like the full service amenities of the snowbird parks.  We had a great visit with Pat, Brad and their daughter Pam and decided to take in the Dolly Steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake on Wednesday.

To get to the dock we needed to navigate 3 fairly steep ramps plus walk out on a floating dock to board Dolly.  Normally not a problem but navigating on crutches, while doable, was going to be a bit of an adventure.  Luckily there was a wheelchair available and we got to board first.  Lori did her best to hold me back as we descended the ramps.  At one point, as we gathered speed,  I was a bit concerned we might have a runaway wheelchair.  I managed to grab the wheels to provide a little resistance and avoid the real possibility of going into the drink.  I actually felt a little guilty as there were lots of people with canes and another lady with crutches navigating the ramp to the dock.  All got there safely but I got there first.  

The Salt River runs through the canyons of the Superstition Mountains with a series of Dams' built over the years to provide hydro electric power for the valley.  This has resulted in a number of lakes being created and have been a boon for water recreation in the area.  A bit of a novelty in the desert.  The lake has nice blue waters, great for swimming, fishing and boating.  Hundreds of boats of all sizes are docked in slips at the head of the lake.  There are a number of picnic/camping spots accessible only by boat with hiking trails heading up into the canyons.  Renting a Pontoon boat sounds like a great idea for a future visit.

Dolly with Canyon Lake in the background

Just a small portion of the boats in their slips

There is a Bald Eagle nest up at the top

A lone Saguaro Cactus making a statement

A cactus growing out of nothing but rock.
Talk about determination. 

The wall of the canyon.
Notice in the centre of the picture a formation in the rock.
Its actually the end of a tree stump that has fossilized.
There are a number of them in the picture. 

The sheer canyon walls make a beautiful backdrop 

Makes me want to dock and see how far up the canyon I can get. 

This Saguaro doesn't know which end is up. 

A picnic/camping site available only by boat. 

Rock formation likeness to Mozart,
or was it Bach.
Anyway, one of those composer guys before the Beetles.  

The Dam blocking the Salt River and creating Canyon Lake 

Rock of Gibraltar?
No but sure looks impressive

Looked through all our bird books and couldn't find a match
Any ideas?

A day out on the water made us real hungry.
Off to Tortilla Flats for dinner.
Brad, Waiter, Pat and Pam

On Sunday, Feb 25 we met up again with the above trio for breakfast at the Village Inn.  Had to wait almost 30 minutes to get in but we had a great breakfast and visit.  It seems that Sunday morning everywhere is a very popular time to go out for breakfast.  Pat and Pam had wrangled another hiker to guide them up to Flat Iron on Monday.  One of the highest peaks in the Superstition mountains.  Pat says they made it no problem so now we have someone to guide us, perhaps next year.  

On Tuesday Lori and I headed to the movies and saw The Post which we would highly recommend.  While the setting of the movie is 1971 in the Nixon era it has a lot of relevance today.  Lori and Jan are off to Ikea on Thursday for some Shopping Therapy and Thursday night we have another Legends Concert.  This time its Roy Orbison.  

Its been 3 weeks today since my last Pickleball game and never could I imagine that I would be on crutches for this length of time recovering from something as simple as a sprained ankle.  Big news today.  I am finally taking some pain free steps without my companion sticks.  It seems ok to walk on a level surface with no twisting or turning.  If I get a little off centre there are still some twinges so I will be taking it slow for a while yet.  At least there is some hope I'll be fully mobile by the time its time to pack up and head north.  

Thats it for now.   

Schack Wacky

A technical term meaning that I am getting real bored sitting around reading and watching TV.   Trump TV is non-stop and was somewhat intriguing for a while but has become tedious and repetitive.  Kind of like watching a daytime soap.  Everyday a new dramatic turn or rather a continual loop of dramatic turns.  It never seems to end.  Canadian politics, even with Trudeau's antics is so boring which is really how it should be.

I downloaded the CBC App hoping to keep up with the Olympics and the results of the Canadian team, particularly the Curling, however when I go to play the videos they won't play.  A quick email to CBC and they tell me that their licensing agreement with the Olympics only allows them to play video within Canada.  So I'm stuck watching NBC and I can only watch so much Luge.

One nice thing about this RV Park has been the TV and Internet connections.  In the past the TV reception has been flawless with fast Internet and few bottlenecks during peak periods.  Its all brought in via a cable hookup with a Modem/Router combo provided by the Park.  This year we have had the Dish service guy here twice and after replacing the Modem the Internet is back up to speed but we are still getting lots of freezing on the TV.  The Dish guy was surprised we were getting reception at all with our cheap Sansui TV.  I'm wondering whether its a problem with the tuner/receiver in the TV.  Perhaps a new TV is in the works for this summer.

I am making slow progress with my ankle.  Almost 2 weeks after the incident I can now place my full body weight on my left foot and I can walk while using the crutches to take some of my body weight.    Unfortunately every few steps the ligaments in my ankle pop, kind of like twanging a stretched rubber band.  The Physio said there is very little blood flow to the ligaments so healing takes time.  Following the exercises he gave me he said it was important to ice my ankle.  The cold tells the body to send more blood to the ankle thus aiding in the healing process.  I didn't know that.

Sunday, Feb 18, we decided to take a drive to Dana Park Mall and go for lunch and follow that  with a visit to Barnes & Noble.  Lori hadn't been there for a few weeks and she needed to get her fix.  We found an Italian restaurant just outside the mall which we hadn't been to before.  The exterior looked a little dated and when we walked in the interior was quite intriguing.  I'm sure it hadn't been remodelled in years but the walls were plastered with pictures and posters from the 1950's and earlier.    All with an Italian theme.  Lots of Sophia Loren, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

The name of the restaurant on a plate smothered in Olive Oil.

Placemat.  Very traditional Italian 

Pictures covering the wall. 

Murals and posters on the ceiling. 

The food was great.  The menu is al a carte, much like a Chinese restaurant,  where you order your entree and sides separately.  The portions are large and really setup more for large groups rather than a couple.  It was an expensive lunch but enough leftovers for Dinner.
It was a good days outing and got me out of the trailer.

Next up ... Dolly Steamboat.

South Mountain

On Thursday we met up with Audrey and Laurie, friends from back home.  They were in Mesa for a few days before meeting up with their daughter and heading to Sedona to take in the sights.  Love Sedona.  Have to get back there some day.  

A few weeks ago we had met a couple from Calgary at the Theatre and after the show they invited us back to their Condo for Pizza.  They had mentioned a few places where they have visited and one of them was South Mountain which provides a great view of Phoenix from the top of the mountain.  As there wasn't any hiking involved I figured I could hobble around while the others explored.  The weather hasn't been great the last few days, lots of cloud, rain and cool temps but as we set out to pick up Audrey and Laurie from their hotel the clouds started to breakup.  Not great Arizona weather but at least we weren't going to get wet.  

South Mountain Park is located directly south of downtown Phoenix and is an easy drive just off the interstate.  At more than 16,000 acres South Mountain Park/Preserve is one of the largest municipally operated parks in the country. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. Being on crutches does limit ones ability to participate in any of those activities.  From the park's main entrance, we drove up Summit Road 5.5 miles to Dobbins Lookout and spectacular valleywide views.  Unfortunately the clouds and the smog made for poor visibility and worse pictures.  

I had used the GPS in the truck and after one false start which took us in entirely the wrong direction a second attempt got us at least to the base of the mountain.  Then we ended up in someones driveway.  At that point we pulled our our Phones and used Google Maps to get us to the proper road and to the Visitors Centre, which was closed due to construction.  We kept on driving up Summit Road which is a long, narrow winding switchback eventually getting us to the peak. 

With my support team in place I hobbled off the asphalt over some sand and rocks to a bench with a view.  Lori, Audrey and Laurie headed off to explore a bit while I snapped some pictures and enjoyed the view.  While in the Valley of the Sun you don't really notice the smog until you look to the horizon over downtown Phoenix, particularly from an elevated position.  Then you really notice the impact of all those cars.  Too bad.   Perhaps in 20 years we will all be driving electric and the great views will be back.  

Phoenix is at 1000 ft so Summit Road took us up another 1300 ft.  

Audrey and Lori.
Audrey is Lori's regular walking partner at Birds Hill Park
I really didn't adjust the exposure very well.  

Greater Phoenix down below.

Downtown Phoenix.
The downtown skyscraper area really isn't very big.
Mostly sprawling development, housing 4.2 million people. 

Eastern Phoenix looking out over Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa.

Young love.

We left South Mountain and had time to kill before dinner so we decided to head over to Southwest Pottery just to show Audrey and Laurie the huge selection of pottery available.  Unfortunately we were in rush hour traffic and as we got close to our destination we realized we were just going to get there and they would be closing for the day.  We decided to reprogram the GPS and head to Organ Stop Pizza for dinner.  

We had heard about Organ Stop Pizza from a number of people in the RV Park and were told it was a must see.  It is basically a large restaurant specializing in Pizza but the main attraction is the huge Wurlitzer Pipe Organ.  

I took the following info off of their website.  I understand very little of the technical aspects of the organ but it was one huge sucker and put out some pretty impressive sound.  The theme to Star Wars was pretty dramatic. 

"Organ Stop’s Wurlitzer theatre organ was built for the Denver Theatre and was installed in 1927. The organ was used regularly until the early 1930s. With the advent of the talking picture and the 1930s depression, the organ was rarely heard. It was silenced when a fire in the auditorium caused extensive damage to the organ’s relay.

Organ Stop purchased the instrument in the early 1970s and undertook the mammoth task of rebuilding the instrument. Several additions were made to the instrument by acquiring parts from other ill-fated Wurlitzers. The resulting 23 rank organ was installed in our original facility in 1975.

The building’s design is expressly for the enjoyment of patrons, with the organ installed in four chambers at one end of the restaurant.. Forty-three foot ceilings provide unparalleled acoustics. The console is “presented” on an 8000 pound rotating hydraulic elevator. Many of the percussions (such as the xylophones, glockenspiels, drums, etc.) are installed in the dining room for greater audience appeal.

The enlargement and improvement of this instrument has been an ongoing project… This is the largest console type ever designed and built by Wurlitzer.  As of today, the organ has nearly 6000 pipes. The massive quantities of wind required for operation are provided by four huge turbine blowers. The resulting instrument boasts 82 ranks, 17 tuned percussions and innumberable traps and effects.  It is not only the largest Wurlitzer theatre organ in the world, it’s the largest Theatre Pipe Organ of any type to ever be assembled!!!"

The keyboard or Console is extensive to say the least.  Consists of: 4 manuals with 61 keys each; pedalboard with 32 keys; 422 stop tabs- red denote reeds, amber for strings, ivory for flues; 113 combination action pistons and toe studs; 5 expression pedals; 5 toe levers; 2 drawers housing 326 switches controlling various selective stops, sound effects, theatrical lighting and effects. 

What I wonder is how much of this extensive array of controls the musician actually uses.  I bet most of them he never touches.  

The outside of the OSP with a lengthy lineup to get in.
Actually better to come later as Snowbirds eat early.
When we left there were lots of empty seats and no lineup. 

Lots of glitz on the organ.
The platform it sits on rises up out of a pit and it rotates.

Just some of the 6000 pipes.

The restaurant seats hundreds, all on long narrow tables and long benches.
 It was packed.  Not the easiest to negotiate on crutches.
Had a hard time finding 4 spaces and definitely
did not want to do the stairs to get to the second floor. 

Kind of reminded me of Winnipeg Arena,
40 years ago, doing Octoberfest.  

An Iphone does not handle the glare of spotlights very well.
As noted above the key board is extensive.  

Older love, 

The important word being love. 

Lori's newest Amazon purchase.
2 Mexican stars for our patio at home. 

On Friday I made an appointment with a Physiotherapist in Gold Canyon.  I wasn't very happy with the lack of information that the Hospital ER provided me or the instructions for rehab. The ER Doctors hands on physical exam of my ankle was almost non-existent and their instructions for rehab which they provided me in written form upon us leaving was so vague as to be useless.  After 7 days and still not being able to walk on it without it popping I thought a physiotherapist might provide me a better action plan for recovery.  

I made an appointment with Michael at Vitality Physical Therapy in Gold Canyon.  He got me in and did a thorough physical exam of my ankle, lots of questions about how it happened, how it felt when I moved it in different directions, etc.  He provided me with a detailed explanation of the structure of the ankle and gave me an exercise routine to follow.  He also said that if I had any questions I could email him and he would provide followup without charging me.  Cost me $85. and I should be able to claim that on my Sun Life Medical Insurance that we have back home. I doubt the Travel Medical will cover it.  Even if I don't get reimbursed it was money well spent.    

Not much planned for the next few days.  Wednesday we are off to see Canyon Lake on  Dolly's Steamboat so will provide a report on that excursion.  

Who...Who...Who

When I have been at the pool I always had this feeling I was being watched.  Then we were told about the Horned Owls who had a nest in one of the palm trees right next to the pool.  Apparently this couple has been here for a few years and after a quick google search I found out that they usually lay eggs in late January and incubation takes about 25 days.  Will have to go back to see if I can get some shots of the little ones.  The partner, not sure if male or female, is often up in the top of the palm trees, I guess waiting for his turn on the nest.
Strange that they would pick pool side to nest as this is probably the busiest place in the park.  The pool, hot tubs and patio to the club house are on one side and the Pickleball course are on the other side.  Obviously very comfortable with all the activity and curious onlookers standing 20 feet from their tree and gawking at them.
I circled the tree, snapping shots and her gaze never left me.  Didn't even blink.  Got to get myself a bigger lens.  500mm would sure bring out the detail of those feathers without having to crop so severely.
I took these pictures at about 7:30 AM after all my morning shots of the Super Blue Blood Moon and then got some shots of the the Superstition Mountains and the main drive into the RV Park.  The light is so much softer at this time of the morning.

The nest is only about 20' off the ground right next to the Pool.

Peek a boo!

My, what big eyes you have. 

Flat Iron is on the right.  There is a hike that goes up there.  
Not on my agenda. Thank-you very much. 

A very pretty drive into the park from I 60.

We were at Walgreens picking up some meds for Lori's hives 
(result of reaction to pool chemicals).  
Saw these on the shelves next to the Cold meds.  
Hmmm.  A sign of the times. 

Lunch at the Dana Park mall.  
A Sunday morning visit to Barnes and Noble followed 
by lunch at one of the outdoor cafe's has become 
a monthly occurrence.  

My bike ride through Gold Canyon takes in some great views.  
Golf course down below with Superstitions beyond. 

One evening we went to the Barleens Dinner Show.  $38. per ticket got us a great 

meal complete with roast beef, mashed potatoes, chicken breast and carrots all 

smothered in brown gravy.  Dessert was Chocolate Cake which was served first cause,

as the host told us, life at our age is short so why wait.  Following dinner 

Ice Cream Sundays' were also available however Lori and I passed on this indulgence.  

Mark partook and it looked delicious.  The meal was excellent.  

Following dinner we were thoroughly entertained with the Rock n' Roll Tribute show.  

They played lots of the great hits from the 50's and 60's, added in some impersonations 

and comedy routines.  We were thoroughly entertained.  This is a must see if you are 

in the area.  They have a number of different themed shows during the Snowbird season 

and it is recommended purchasing tickets well in advance.  

Mark & I listening intently to the wisdom of our wives.

Not sure what they put in the lemonade but Lori and Jan were very happy.
Perhaps it was just the fact they had the total attention of their men.  

Not sure how much hair spray it took to keep his peak in place.
It lasted the whole show. (note the hair)

This guy did a great Elvis, complete with the sneer. 

He also did a great impersonation of Barney Fife of Andy Griffith fame.  
If you don't know what I'm taking about you are obviously very young. 
Google it.  

Not the whole band.  4 more out of frame. 

Now for the rest of my story which I alluded to a few blogs ago.  The reason I now have the time to update my blogs.  

I was out playing pickle ball on Wednesday and as per usual they spend a good 5 minutes before we start reminding us that we aren't as young as we used to be and that injuries can happen very easily.  Yada, Yada, heard it before.  Lets get going, eh! 

So off we go.  I do all my stretching exercises and keep my athletic endeavours well within my diminished capability.  During my second game I was at the back of the court, planted my foot to position myself to return a shot and CRACK.   

I felt and heard a crack in my ankle.  What I don't get is that I wasn't reaching or twisting and that my feet were basically under my shoulders so no reason for something to give out.  I hobbled off the court and biked back home.  Hopped up the steps of the trailer, applied ice and propped up my foot above my heart and proceeded to watch my outside ankle bone grow and grow.  

Lori was still partaking in her dolphin activities but when she got home I informed her we were probably off to the hospital for some X-rays.  I phoned the Travel Medical Ins (don't leave home without it) and got a claim number and off we went to my favourite Emergency ward at  Mountain Visa Medical Centre.  I had been here for some medical attention 3 years before.  There was only one other couple in the waiting room and after we gave our personal information we were taken in to see the Dr.  After some preliminary questioning they brought in a machine to our room.  Looked like a large commercial floor buffing machine but was actually a portable X-Ray.  Took a couple of pictures and then the Dr came back with her shadows.  One shadow was a med student and the other had a laptop and was busy typing in all the questions they asked and the answers I provided.  Then off they went to view the results of the X-Rays.  After 30 minutes the two shadows came back to tell me there were no broken bones, just a sprained ankle.  A sprained ankle is basically a stretching or possible tearing of the tendons and ligaments surrounding the ankle and can be anywhere from a Level 1 to a Level 3 sprain.  No way of telling specifically without doing an MRI.  I was expecting an MRI next but they decided based on my symptoms and lack of excruciating pain that there was no torn tissue and a splint, crutches, ice and some Motrin combined with some time off my foot would heal me up.  

So they wheeled me out sporting my new splint and a pair of shiny crutches.  Although I drove to the hospital the Med Student that accompanied us to the parking lot suggested it was time for Lori to learn how to drive the truck.  Lori has not driven this truck and has repeatedly refused my offer of driving lessons.  Its not that the truck is difficult to drive, in fact it almost drives itself, but she is a bit afraid of how big it is.  Well despite the look of fear in her eyes she navigated through the parking lot out onto the Interstate and got us all the way home, even merging from an on-ramp into traffic on I60, with no problem at all.  I wonder what sort of injury it would take for her to drive the truck with the 5th wheel hooked up.  I don't think I want to find out.  

So for the next while I am on my ass watching the Olympics or CNN and periodically trying to navigate down the narrow hall and up 3 steps to the bathroom on my crutches.  Haven't fallen over yet.  I'm not in any pain and the swelling has gone down.  I can now put some weight on it but with the slightest twist I can feel the ligaments pop so I'm not ready for a return to the Pickleball courts just yet.  Frankly,  my season and perhaps my career is done.  Shuffleboard looks like a fun game.  Much like curling and no sweeping required.    

To steal a phrase from a fellow blogger
This is my view from here. 

Thats it for now.  We do have a few activities planned for the next week as friends from home are coming down.  I will be the chauffeur but probably won't venture too far from the truck while they explore.  

More on that later, till then Go Canada Go.