Day 25, 26 More freeways, some golf, baseball and stucco housing.

Roseate Spoonbill In Flight Hey, we are sorry that there was not any Blog yesterday for those of you that looked for it, but it really was pretty much “City Stuff” and a lot of that was driving on the freeway. Again the freeways here are an amazing sight to behold. I have been in Chicago, Boston, Detroit, L.A. and Seattle, and never seen the volume of traffic last for so long and go so far as here in Phoenix. Although it is only 515 square miles in size, it still is 50 miles from the SE corner of town to the Northeast side,and you are still in the city. Now that is a ‘fur’ piece of driving. Generally the housing is stucco and usually painted sand color. They go on for miles and miles with no trees to break the view, except an occasional palm tree
Green Winged Teal
But, back to activities. The baby Rabeka is still the center most of the time, as we move back and forth from the trailer to the Bellgraph’s home, and then out on some errands both with and without the baby. Grandma took the baby to Karrie’s work (the Mom) and was able to allow her fellow workers view the baby and “ooh and aah” over this work of wonder. Grandma has been baby sitting the child this week while she is here. Generally we have been visiting at the Bellgraph’s during the day.

Yesterday (Mon) both grandfathers and I did get out for a round of golf at the Cave Creek Golf Course. http://phoenix.gov/SPORTS/cavecree.html This course is built right along a large canyon (arroyo) and is on the level parts above the canyon bottom. Two of the holes cross the canyon and present a challenge to the golfers. We did not see any roadrunners, but we did see two Harris’ Hawks. They are beautiful and you can see them at this site if you wish. http://www.greglasley.net/Images/Harris The burnt orange on the wings is obvious when it flies. Tugboat off the Texas City ship canal
The golfing was fun and even at 74 degrees there was cause for safety in the sun to prevent sunburn and heatstroke. Drink lots of liquids and seek the shade when possible. The sun is higher here. Jim shot a 52 on the first nine but faded to a 58 when that canyon was met on the last hole. It overcame him giving him an ”hourglass” on that hole.

Today the two brother’s in law went to watch one of the Spring Training games at the Peoria Complex in west Phoenix. The Los Angeles Anaheim Angels played the San Diego Padres and beat them 5-4. This is a stadium that seats 11,000 plus and was about 2/3 filled. It was a good chance to see some prospects and a couple of former Tigers were there on the Padres teams. There was Tony Clark and first base, who was followed by Robert Fick at first base. The Angels have a very speedy team and stole three bases. Not Robert Fick!

The ladies took that trip to Karrie’s office in the morning and in the evening another cousin (Marcie and Shannon) took Ruth and Jim out to eat at the cousin’s favorite place, the Red Robin. We understand there is one in Grand Rapids now. Great hamburgers, although Jim opted for a shrimp dinner. Ruth enjoyed the hamburger.

Tomorrow we venture to the ruins at Casa Grande where the Hohokam Indians had a large settlement. It is an active Historical site and I will place more on the blog later in the week, as tomorrow evening we will be sorting things out to get ready to move east on Thursday morning. This site will let you see it briefly. http://www.nps.gov/cagr/historyculture/index.htm

The days have been the same. It is usually 55 F in the morning, and 75 F in the afternoon, with sun all day. Think about it! It is “no change in the weather” , weather. There were some high cirrus clouds this afternoon, however, which gave some shadow at times.