California Here We Come

A 93-day adventure by Betty Read more

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Day 73
Thursday, March 12, 2015
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 628 m
United States Paradise 36.102009, -115.15836936°6’7” N 115°9’30” W
Las Vegas
March 12, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The Bellagio fountains are one of my favourites, both day and evening shows. We could feel the heat of the erupting volcano from our viewpoint across the street. The theme of the gardens at The Bellagio was Chinese New Year. The children were completely made with fresh flowers.Read more
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Day 75
Saturday, March 14, 2015
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,032 m
United States Arden Mining District 36.147766, -115.38839536°8’52” N 115°23’18” W
Las Vegas
March 14, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We did need a break from all the action on The Strip so we headed to one of our favourite places in Las Vegas....Red Rock Canyon National Park. We selected an 8 km moderate hike but towards the end the trail became very rocky and difficult to maneuver. We made it into the canyon but gave up on the trail when we realized we had to climb over huge boulders. We hiked for 2 hours so we weren't disappointed that we didn't go the whole distance. We made a stop at Red Rock Casino before returning to our condo a few dollars poorer.

It was an action packed week with beautiful weather. It was sunny with above normal temperatures of 28 C every day except for the day we went hiking, which was perfect.Read more
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Day 76
Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.452018, -111.69427233°27’7” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa, Arizona
March 15, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
We left Las Vegas this morning at 11:30, anticipating a 5 hour drive according to Googlemaps. Sadly, we encountered two motor vehicle accidents. The first one occurred just past the Hoover Dam. A semi trailer truck had driven through a guard rail, down a hill, and landed on it's side facing oncoming traffic. I can only imagine how those drivers felt when they saw this huge vehicle hurtling towards them! It took us over 2 hours to go about 8 km. It was 30 degrees and we didn't want to put the air conditioner on because of overheating the engine or running down the hybrid battery. The second accident happened minutes before we encountered it. Not sure exactly what happened but there was camping stuff strewn along the highway, a badly smashed pickup truck, two dazed people sitting on the roadside, and an ambulance on its way to the scene.

Other than these unfortunate events, the drive was quite interesting as we drove past Lake Mead and through a forest of Joshua trees. We saw specially built wildlife overpasses as this area has the largest herd of desert big horn sheep in the country.

We were relieved to arrive safely at our condo in Mesa 3 l/2 hours later than anticipated.Read more
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Day 76
Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.452359, -111.694133°27’8” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa
March 15, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Our home for this week is a one bedroom condo at the Westgate Painted Mountain Country Club in Mesa, a community east of Phoenix. It's an older property on a main road with no views but it will meet our needs.Read more
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Day 80
Thursday, March 19, 2015
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.45261, -111.69418633°27’9” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa
March 19, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We started our week with a relaxing day at the pool. I explored the neighbourhood one day and found the desert style of gardening much different than at home. The temperature soared to 32 with sunny skies so it was a challenge to walk any great distance.

Yesterday we invited Dwight and Wendy Evans for a BBQ. Dwight was the best man at our wedding. They spend 6 months in Mesa before returning to their Killarney home in April. It was a fun evening with lots of story telling.Read more
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Day 81
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.452413, -111.69407933°27’9” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa
March 20, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
The temperature was only 27 today so I thought it would be a good opportunity for a bike ride. My destination was the Usery Mountain Recreation Area, a 15 km return trip. Initially I was able to bike along the winding sidewalk that is rarely used by pedestrians but which I found safer than the bike lane on a busy major street. As I reached the edge of town and the desert, I had to use the bike lane. Just as I had climbed my last hill and reached the Recreation Area, my front brakes failed. I tried to repair it but couldn't so I decided it was wisest to return home. Of course it was downhill all the way but fortunately my rear brakes worked fine. I was also happy to come across a bike shop that reluctantly fixed my brake on the spot in less than 5 minutes and didn't charge me.

I really enjoyed the ride and scenery. The whole trip took me 3 hours.Read more
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Day 81
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.452431, -111.69412233°27’9” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa
March 20, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
On my bike ride I was excited to see the desert in bloom. Beautiful!
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Day 81
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 449 m
United States Palmas del Sol 33.45261, -111.69405733°27’9” N 111°41’39” W
Mesa
March 20, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Also on my bike ride I thought I had photographed a roadrunner but my research proved me wrong. It was a Gambel's quail that also runs along the ground but not as fast as a roadrunner.

John chose to sit by the pool to read. It was a tough job as I caught him snoozing!! I zoomed in so that he couldn't deny it!Read more
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Day 82
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 478 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.65207, -111.90716933°39’7” N 111°54’26” W
Scottsdale
March 21, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
After our 10 am check-out in Mesa, we drove 20 minutes east to see the Goldfield Ghost Town. There was no admission fee but there were a number of touristy attractions you could pay for. A few minutes down the road was an old movie set where many old western movies were filmed.

We stopped to visit Dwight and Wendy Evans at their luxury trailer park and got a guided tour of the place. As nice as it was, I'm too much of a gypsy to settle down in one place.Read more
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Day 82
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 480 m
United States Windsong 33.656214, -111.92416433°39’22” N 111°55’27” W
Scottsdale
March 21, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Our new home for the week is the Sheraton Desert Oasis in North Scottsdale. This is the same resort where I started my adventure with Linda way back on January 3rd! It's a very nice condo so I'm happy I was able to reserve it again as a last-minute deal.Read more
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Day 84
Monday, March 23, 2015 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 851 m
United States Reata Pass 33.770019, -111.83198133°46’12” N 111°49’55” W
Scottsdale
March 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Yesterday John relaxed by the pool while I explored the community by foot. I think I have an inherent GPS for shopping malls because after nearly an hour of walking with no destination in mind I discovered an outdoor mall! I only went into one shop, Nordstrom Rack, and surprisingly found a very nice dress for G&V's wedding :)

Today John finally agreed to go on a hike. We went to a popular, fairly easy hiking spot called Pinnacle Peak. Linda & I hiked here in January but now the park is much more vibrant with shrubs and cactus in bloom. It was also much hotter.....30 degrees with only 16% humidity.Read more
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Day 84
Monday, March 23, 2015 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 851 m
United States Reata Pass 33.765167, -111.82992233°45’55” N 111°49’48” W
Scottsdale
March 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Pinnacle Peak had flowers of yellow, purple, orange and magenta; Common Chuckwalla (iguana); and rattlesnakes (which we fortunately did not see).
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Day 84
Monday, March 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 849 m
United States Reata Pass 33.76688, -111.83404133°46’1” N 111°50’3” W
Scottsdale
March 23, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We convinced ourselves that we had burned enough calories on our hike so we could now splurge on lunch at In-n-Out Burger :-) At this Southwestern burger chain everything is freshly made.
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Day 85
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 475 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.64764, -111.90734133°38’52” N 111°54’26” W
Scottsdale
March 24, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We were up early this morning as we had reserved an 8:30 am tour to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. They rescue and rehabilitate wildlife that has been injured, displaced and orphaned. There were about 200 animals at the Center but we were only allowed to see the ones that could not be returned to the wild as they didn't want the others to socialize with humans. We saw bobcats, a jaguar, cougars, bears, foxes, Mexican grey wolves, deer, coatis, and various birds. Each animal had a story relating how it ended up in this setting. The bobcat wanted to play just as Calla would. The silver fox was bred for it's beautiful coat. It was very interesting and worth the loss of a few zzzzzs.

In the afternoon John stayed indoors reading, watching TV and napping. I went for a 2 hour bike ride as I want to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as I can.Read more
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Day 86
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 474 m
United States Windsong 33.654035, -111.92497933°39’15” N 111°55’30” W
Scottsdale
March 25, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Another early morning as we had set up an appointment to attend a timeshare presentation. The only reason we did it was to earn the $100 they offer.

In the afternoon what better activity to do in 93 F (34 C) weather than to go on a desert hike. We wandered through the Desert Botanical Garden for 3 hours. There are several trails and exhibits and we saw it all. Fortunately there were water fountains every few feet as our water supply quickly ran dry. The Gardens were very impressive but would be more so in 2-3 weeks when all the cactus are in bloom.Read more
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Day 86
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 5:00 PM
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 473 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.64714, -111.90742733°38’50” N 111°54’27” W
Scottsdale
March 25, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
The desert trek made John desire an icy margarita on the rocks. So we used the GPS to track down a Mexican restaurant for dinner. We were lucky to find one that had delicious food, as there is a Mexican eatery on every block. We both enjoyed our enchiladas.....John had the chipotle chicken and I had the hibiscus, which tasted like a cranberry relish.Read more
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Day 87
Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 474 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.647493, -111.90755433°38’51” N 111°54’27” W
Scottsdale
March 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
It was another scorcher today, 93 F and sunny. John opted for a pool day; whereas I went for a l l/2 hour bike ride and joined him at the pool afterwards. Because there is so little humidity, the heat wasn't unbearable when I was biking. This area is very good for cycling. Wherever there is a gated community, the developer has provided paved trails for walking and biking. At times I would have to go along the main roadway but there was always a dedicated bike lane.Read more
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Day 87
Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 474 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.647426, -111.90742733°38’51” N 111°54’27” W
Scottsdale
March 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
In Phoenix, housing developers are required by law to protect all native flora. So when new housing developments are built they must use the existing plants in their landscaping. That means there are wildflowers, cactus and shrubs everywhere. These photos and others were taken along my bike route today. The city is surprisingly green and beautiful for a harsh desert environment.Read more
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Day 88
Friday, March 27, 2015
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 474 m
United States Old Verde Canal 33.647604, -111.90755533°38’51” N 111°54’27” W
Scottsdale
March 27, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
It was our last day in Scottsdale. Our plan had been to go on a hike but when the temperature quickly reached a near record high of 95 F (35 C) and the TV news reporters were issuing warnings about a record number of rattlesnake bites, we abandoned that idea. Instead I did laundry, cleaned the car, did some last minute but unsuccessful shoe shopping, and got organized for the upcoming drive home. JS lounged at the pool.

We went for a nice dinner at the Twisted Rose Winery & Eatery. JS was like a kid in a candy shoppe with his flight of wines, which was reminiscent of one of his scotch tastings in Scotland.Read more
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Day 89
Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 1,756 m
United States Kushs Mountain 34.314634, -111.09038734°18’53” N 111°5’25” W
Santa Fe, New Mexico
March 28, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Although neither of us felt ready to return home, it was time to begin the long journey north. It was a very scenic drive as we ventured off the interstates.
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Day 89
Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 6:00 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 2,005 m
United States RG-64295 Water Well 35.643347, -106.00497835°38’36” N 106°0’18” W
Santa Fe
March 28, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
750 km and 8 hours later we arrived in Santa Fe. We were both looking forward to a delicious meal of New Mexican cooking and weren't disappointed with the food at the Blue Corn Cafe. JS enjoyed a spicy chili lime margarita.Read more
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Day 90
Sunday, March 29, 2015
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: 1,800 m
United States Dry Creek 41.136879, -104.70454641°8’13” N 104°42’16” W
Cheyenne, Wyoming
March 29, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
We varied our route by driving through Denver and then north to Cheyenne. Fortunately it was a Sunday afternoon so we didn't encounter heavy traffic in downtown Denver. Wyoming had a speed limit of 80 mph (130 kph). We had never seen such a speed limit before. It took us 8 hours for the 492 mile (792 km) trip.Read more
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Day 91
Monday, March 30, 2015
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 443 m
United States Skyline Heights 43.60628, -96.75444943°36’23” N 96°45’16” W
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
March 30, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Now the scenery became somewhat monotonous, as prairies can be. There were a lot of trains hauling coal and oil. We stopped at one scenic rest area along the Missouri River. It seems that rattlesnakes aren't limited to Arizona, so I walked no further. The temperature has ranged from 34 C in Scottsdale to 18 C in Sioux Falls, with a forecast high of 18 C in Fargo! Perfect driving conditions. This was our longest day of driving.....643 miles (1035 km), 10 hours. JS finally allowed me to drive for a couple of hours until he got bored being a passenger. 460 miles (740 km) to go! Total distance travelled since December 30th.....12,868 km.Read more
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Day 92
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
☀️ 8 °C
Altitude: 221 m
Canada Southdale 49.847449, -97.06816649°50’51” N 97°4’5” W
Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 31, 2015 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C
This was a very sad, tearful day. Last evening we spoke with Alyssa who informed us that our 17 l/2 year old Kobi had just suffered what appeared to be a stroke. He had no strength in his hind legs and repeatedly wanted to turn his body to the right side only. He wouldn't eat or drink. It was decided that AS1 and JC would care for Kobi overnight and call his vet in the morning. We said our final goodbye to him by FaceTime. Kobi's spirit was set free 3 hours before we arrived home. Run freely Kobi-dog!Read more
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Trip end
April 1, 2015