Monday, November 12, 2012

Life is Good in Arizona

Benson site

We have been here at the Escapee co-op for about a week and have really settled in. This is a picture of our site. Somehow in one week we have put out so much stuff it will take us a month to repack.

Our temps had been low 80s during the day and low 50s at night. After our very cold summer at Cape Blanco, we are relishing the warmth. We have sat out on the patio more in the first week that we did all summer. However the weather change to wind and then cold with over night lows at 32 degrees.

Since the weather has been so nice and this is such a good place to walk; we have been walking everyday and trying to get back to 10,000 steps a day. We have also become social butterflies. Kathy has been going to the Beading Group meetings and I have had my first Boccee Ball lesson. We have also been to the Ice Cream Social, a few Happy Hours and have tickets to a community dinner.

I started volunteering at Kartchner Caverns again and it was great getting back into the cavern.

You are probably wondering why I said "I start volunteering" and not "We start volunteering". We have been grieving over the loss Raider now for over a year and just can't get past it. Whenever we see another Golden Retriever we have to run to it to give it a hug and then walk away with tears in our eyes. We have had several friends who have lost a dog tell us, "the only way to get through the loss of your dog is to get another to fill the hole." So far we haven't been able to do that, but have now decided to get another Golden Retriever. We tried the Golden Rescue in the SF Bay Area that we got Raider from. However, they aren't comfortable with the whole fulltime RVing thing and no yard. We have been in contact with two Golden Rescue places here in Arizona (one in Phoenix and one in Tucson), they both said that they adopt out to Snow Birds all of the time so the fulltime RVing isn't a problem. So, we have been approved for an adoption and are just waiting for a dog to become available. We don't want to leave a new dog alone in a new environment, so Kathy is postponing volunteering until we think the dog as settled in.

15 comments:

  1. Good luck with your new member of the family. I'm sure you will enjoy him.

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  2. I do not think I have ever seen a foot path like that at a campsite:)

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  3. AWESOME! This is so exciting! I know this is what Raider would have wanted.... I can't wait to meet him/her! Don't forget -- LOTS of pics! Big Newfie hugs to you! (I'll leave the drool off this time....ha ha)

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  4. Good for you - here's hoping you get the new member of your family soon! We traded the cool and wet Oregon coast for the.....cool and wet Washington coast. But with the money we saved not driving south this year we can afford a tanning booth!

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  5. I see a new four legged member of your family in your future..just have to be patient for the right one to come along. It is hard to lose a pet and the grieving process is different for everyone. It took us three years to be ready for a new 'golden' to love. Your turn will come..
    enjoy the sunshine and the warmth..rainy and wet here on the west coast!

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  6. OMD's! I am soooooo happy for you two! I sure hope this new baby finds you soon!

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  7. Congratulations on soon becoming new parents. So many dogs are without homes. It's too bad the rescue that turned you down because you were full-timers didn't stop to think that you would offer the dog more companionship than any others. There's no alone time for a dog that's lucky enough to travel with a couple of full-timers!

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  8. Our best to you on finding a new companion. Glad to hear you are in the warmer weather. We are where you were last year, at least for a couple of weeks. Take care!

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  9. Well giive me the # I will call the rescues to let them know just how big your heats are and how much love you have to give!
    Hugs
    Cecilia

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  10. We hope you find a new furry companion soon and fully understand what you have been experiencing. As you have seen, Abbey came into our home just in time. It will be the same for you. We are looking forward to reaching the Arizona sunshine later this week and hope to see you soon.

    All the best,

    Gordon and Juanita

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  11. Can't wait to see pics of your new addition!!!

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  12. Oh HOW EXCITING!!!! A new doggie!!! We'll be crossing all paws and fingers for you to get your perfect match.
    Very impressed w/ the outdoor set-up you have going there. Is that some kind of special matting?
    Nina

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  13. WOW, WOW, WOW what fantastic news!!! I am so happy to hear that you are looking for a puppy. It will certainly be hard to fill Raider's paws but I know another dog in your lives will be a wonderful thing :-) Good luck with the search, I can hardly wait to see the baby pictures!!!!

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  14. Friends of ours live at the Escapee Park in Benson. Jerry & Suzy. Nice folks & Jerry is on the Park's committee. They are on our sidebar...Our Life On Wheels http://jerrysuzylifeonwheels.blogspot.com/
    Waiting to see some photos of your new Pal & what name you have picked...:))

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  15. LUCKY Ms. Molly has fallen into theeeee BEST home she could have ever imagined! Obviously, SHE reeeeeally needed you and Grant in her life! Goldens and Labs are such wonderful companions... BLESS YOUR HEARTS for sharing your home with another rescued Golden Retriever! BIG HUGS from Corpus Christi, Texas! :) mel

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