After arriving yesterday afternoon, we spent most of Sunday rearranging and organizing the outside storage compartments. We’ve done this so many times that it’s not much of an effort. I have to really work hard to keep the area surrounding the motorhome looking like a junk yard—part of a heritage of growing up with Depression era parents who never threw anything away. We did visit the pickleball courts to renew acquaintances and watch a few games. The first entertainment program featured Voyager on Sunday night. According to their website, VOYAGER is a spectacular tribute to the legendary rock band Journey. VOYAGER has continuously provided audiences with high energy performances of Journey’s timeless hits. VOYAGER captures the intricate musical details along with the distinctive vocal styling of Steve Perry. Featuring extraordinary musicians and vocalists who have toured nationally and internationally, VOYAGER provides today’s most entertaining and accurate Journey experience. They were quite good, and the music suited most of the crowd which is younger.

Early Monday the RV wash and wax guys showed up, and made quick time of washing and waxing the motor home.

Afterward, we both played pickleball in our respective round robins. My group, the 3.75 guys, were much faster and hit the ball harder than I remember. It’s going to take a few days to acclimate! Kay did well in her group of mostly younger players; her group’s play was a bit below her level of play so it’s a bit less challenging for her.NOTE: A “round robin” is a structured form of play organized by skill levels. In the time allocated to each round robin session (120 minutes) you will play six games, each with a different partner and against a different pair of opponents. It is designed so that all players are playing against people of roughly equal ability, which makes play the most fun and competitive for most players. When you check in you will be assigned a number. Your number remains yours throughout the session and dictates which court you play on, with whom you are playing as a partner, and against which opponents. By the end of six games you will have played with six different partners and against 12 different opponents! You may have a “bye” (where you sit out for one game) if there is an uneven number of players signed up. A seventh game consisting of the “bye” players enables everybody to play six games.

Kay volunteered at the pickleball check-in desk on Tuesday morning, and I played in the 3.75 mixed group round robin. My play is getting a bit more in line with others in this skill level group, though I’m still too slow.

We drove to the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert, Arizona, Wednesday morning fairly early to photograph birds. Despite the cool temperatures, hummingbirds were nectaring and provided a few birds-in-flight photo opportunities. It was a quick trip, allowing Kay to play in her round robin in the late afternoon. 

Jake, the RV repairman came Thursday to repair the hot water heater check valve. Rather than replace it, he just reamed it out. We now have hot water! Kay again volunteered at the check-checking in desk in the afternoon. Friday was HSV Group pickleball followed by pizza at Barro’s, our favorite pizza joint in the area. And, we both played in our respective round robins Saturday.