Our winter home.......

After a beautiful sunrise, we left Tucson and headed out to Phoenix...I just can't get over those Arizona sunrises and sunsets! On our trip to Phoenix, we noticed the cotton fields had been harvested! Apparently, a special tractor (cotton gin?) picks and bundles the cotton. Not sure how the plastic cover gets on the batch of cotton, or how it is picked up, but it was certainly interesting to us.

Tucson sunrise

"packages" of cotton right on the fields

the top of the bundled cotton is covered in plastic

We were a few minutes from the campground we will be calling home for the winter, when we passed the stadium where the superbowl will be held. Not far from us. Just sayin'. (Rob, Robbie, anyone else?)

home of Superbowl 2015

almost at the campground we will call home for the winter

we have arrived.....

The campground is a 55+ community and it is like summer camp (including a golf course) for old people...hahahah. There are so many things to do, as in the Tucson campground we stayed in. There are also lots of "park models", besides RV's. We are a little early....so the campsites are not all taken yet, but they are expecting a full house here right after Christmas, straight through March...spring training draws quite a few tourists as well. The holiday festivities are in full force here. The day after we arrived, there was a holiday parade, with golf carts and bikes all decorated with lights, lots of christmas carols and music, and a chili dinner at the banquet hall. Fun!

the festive parade

here they come now

yes, I'm having fun too...hahahah

here comes the musical float (they really go all out here!)

the festivities are in full force....they throw out candy too!!!

 Yes, that's right. There is a banquet hall!  (There is also a rec hall, many "classrooms" for all the craft activities (yippee), the gym, two pools and a hot tub, a great library, etc). We had a great time at the chili dinner, with lots of laughs. Even though there is a lot to do right here in the campground, we are planning to explore the surrounding area! I know...we are retired, and not on vacation, but.....we will be exploring, but probably at a slower pace than previously. I'm working on that!

our campsite (which will be surrounded by lots of other campers any day now!)

going on a little tour..there are 5 buildings of fun here....like a campus

the "small" pool

the larger pool (for lap swimming and water exercises)

you can just walk in to the pool-kinda like the ocean or a wave pool with no waves :(

oh Vanna....stand in front there so we get the big picture...hahhaha

the hot tub, with adjacent fireplace (we may sit around the fireplace, but we aren't into hot tubs)

some of the "campus"

Okay...let me just share one more sunrise....it was so pretty, and the vapor coming off the heated pools....wow! I think I'll go for a swim one morning early, at sunrise, just for the magic! The whole sky lights up too, as you can see from my walk back to the camper. So pretty!

the pool area at sunrise

I know...but I was taking a walk and it was stunning, so I went back for my camera

They are removing the heat cover right now from the pool...as the sun rises...nice!

oh and they have cabanas for those that don't like the sun (hhhmmmm....that would be me!)

you can't make this up! Its really that beautiful!

another view

walking back to the camper...the whole sky colors from the sunrise going on behind me!

Lots of people have decorated their RV's or park models for the season, so Tom thought we could have a little holiday spirit outside too. He was experimenting with a lit-up tree outside, using things we had, like the lights and the tripods. (We really need to travel light.....no room for extraneous stuff!). I thought it was pretty clever, but he wasn't really happy with it. We enjoyed another gorgeous sunset...okay...I'll stop!

hey Susie....got an idea for Christmas lights outside

we aren't looking at their lights....just the gorgeous sunset behind their house

really nice!

does this look like a Christmas tree...sort of???

So, there is a golf course right here, and our camper is pretty close to the green. Yesterday, we were sitting outside reading when a golf ball winged out of nowhere, hit and dented our car (ugh!), and bounced right near me. OOhhh. We aren't golfers, so we did not realize that could happen if the golfer is overzealous! So...we talked with our friend the security guard that happened to come around for a visit, and, well, long story short...we are moving our campsite later today. Note to other campers.....try not to get a site near the greens!! Who knew? We are lucky it didn't take out our RV windshield. Or us.

We have a lot going on right now....but I wanted to be sure to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) and a happy and healthy New Year!!!! May it be peaceful and bright!!

Merry Christmas!