So here we are, mid-January, with high temps in the high 60s and lows in the 40s. The Arizona sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, and the skies are mostly cloudless, i.e. clear, during the day, and the humidity is around 30 percent. Activities at Palm Creek are so plentiful that there is not enough time to do all that one wants, particularly when “one” spends six days a week on the pickleball courts, sometimes playing tow different sets of games. Indeed, it doesn’t get much better.

While I’m thinking about it, here are a few more photos from the visit to the Gilbert Water Ranch on January 12. Just click on an image to enlarge it.

Sunday was our Hot Springs Village couples’ 9-hole golf match. It is so much fun, particularly the 19th hole at someone’s place.

Immediately after happy hour, our street “Desert Spoon” had a street party, and it was great getting to converse with neighbors (typically, we’re so busy that time doesn’t allow for much visiting). Interestingly, a couple at the end of the short street—our neighbors for 3 years—just built a house in Hot Springs Village, spending 6 months there and 6 months here at Palm Creek; we had not met them before.

The rest of the week was all about pickleball. I played twice on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; this old body doesn’t handle that much physical activity well! Kay played four days and her knees suffered the consequences. On Tuesday, I bit the bullet and got a haircut—actually, it was more like a scalping—at about a half inch! Kay says I look younger, but I sure miss the curls.

On Wednesday, we played bridge with the Seitz’. We played duplicate style, and reviewed the plays after the game was played. Their knowledge of the game—both bidding and playing—is way beyond my level of competence; I felt so ignorant (I used to be a good duplicate bridge player 40 years ago, but that was then). At the least, perhaps we can learn something.

The HSV group at Palm Creek played pickleball Friday afternoon, and there were some very competitive matches. Norm and Barbara Bushee have really picked up their game since arriving; in fact, Norm is becoming a terror on the court! After pickleball, the group was joined by recent arrivals Don and Helen at Barro’s Pizza.

We danced to the sounds of DJ and the Midnight Sun Saturday night. They were good, if not a bit old (even by our standards), but after all the pickleball this week, I only lasted just short of 2 hours, much to Kay’s chagrin.