Hello from Cottonwood, AZ

We are now back in familiar AZ territory and only about two hours from the RV park in Sun City where we will spend the winter.  Our reservations start at that park on 11/1 so we are just kinda 'hanging out' until that time.

Last Sunday morning I went to the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas and took some pictures of the Conservatory and Botanical Garden.  This is always something I want to see when we are in Vegas because it is always beautifully decorated depending upon the season and it did not disappoint me again.  Several years ago we talked to a gentleman who was replacing some plants that particular day while we were there and he told us that plants are replaced as soon as there is a little brown spot or any sign of wilting.  I then asked what happens to those plants because for most of us, they are still perfectly good and he said they are taken to the basement of the hotel and trimmed up, and they try to revive them for use again.  I don't know is this is still true but we were amazed.  I did see some workers' trimming plants last Sunday so maybe they are not replaced as quickly as years past.
The Fall Harvest theme is on display until Thanksgiving and then, of course, it will change to the Christmas theme which used to be my favorite as it was done in all pointsettas.

Loved the old wagon and that was some huge pumpkin

This was a talking tree and special lighting made this even more beautiful

Loved the ears of corn (reminded me of my days on the farm)

We left Vegas on Tuesday and spent that night in Williams, AZ.  We had been looking forward to leaving Vegas and crossing the new bridge over Hoover Dam, however, due to our weight the signs said we had to take the long way through Searchlight, which was about 75 miles longer than we hoped.  After we made the turn and talked about not seeing the new bridge, we remembered that the sign said Monday - Saturday, 8 - 5 p.m., over 13 tons were prohibited.  So we're not sure why that is if you can go over it in the evenings and on Sunday, but we were too far along to turn around and chance being turned away.

Vegas weather had been perfect while we were there, warm days and cool nights, and the same was true in Williams.  Just one night in Williams and on into Cottonwood on Wednesday.  While checking in here at Verde Valley RV Park in Cottonwood we realized we were here a day early but fortunately they had openings and we will just stay here an extra day.  Weather so far has been very warm days (in the high 90's) but cooling off nicely at night.  This is a nice little community, close to several sightseeing venues such as Jerome, Sedona,  Verde Canyon Railroad, and others so we may just do some 'touristy' things in our home state that we haven't done for several years or not at all.

We also just want to regroup after a wonderful summer.  Neither Dick or I can specifically pick out a favorite place we saw or stayed.  This great country has a lot of beautiful places and we have just begun to see all that is out there.  We have a couple across the road from us that are about 18 months into their fulltiming adventure with a beautiful motorhome, and now he has some health issues that will take them to Tucson for five months for more tests and depending on those results, they will have to determine what's next.  It just reaffirms our decision to do this while we can.

We must say 'thank you' to our dear friends, Bob and Betty, for selling us their Thousand Trails membership so we can enjoy this lovely setting here in the Verde Valley.

Thought for the day:
Another of Murphy's Laws - Everyone has a photographic memory.....some just don't have film.