March 8 - Sports Double Header

If you are from the west coast you will know that you are blessed with that unique ability to “double” in many sports at any time of year. For example, Ski in the morning; Golf in the afternoon. That’s an easy one and you can do that in many locations. Another one might be, Cycle in the morning; Surf in the afternoon. I like that one. So, I want to introduce a “Sport Double” in the Valley of the Sun: Baseball in the afternoon; Hockey in the evening.

On March 8, my brother Mike and I attended a Seattle Mariners vs SF Giants baseball game, the M’s won 2-1, then attended the Vancouver Canucks vs Phoenix Coyotes game in the evening, Canucks won 4-3 in overtime. If you are a sports fan from the great Pacific Northwest you will truly appreciate how fantastic this was.

The Seattle Mariners play their Cactus League games in a sweet little ballpark in Peoria. The ballpark has a capacity of around 6,000 fans. This day the park was mostly filled as the competition was the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Granted this is spring training and neither team fielded many of their starters from last season. However, under clear skies and temperatures hovering around 75F, both teams put on a spirited effort in a fast paced game. I have included a couple of pictures to try and get you in the game, so to speak.

After the ball game we made the short drive to Jobing.com arena in Glendale for the hockey game. For anyone, and I guess that is most of you reading this blog entry, who has not been to a hockey game in Phoenix (Glendale), you are in for a treat. Jobing.com arena and the surrounding entertainment district is fantastic. I wrote about this last year but it bears repeating. This entertainment district and area is unlike anything anywhere else. Nothing, not the Staple’s Centre in L.A., Roger’s Centre in Vancouver or the Bell Centre in Montreal, compares to this district and arena. Too bad hockey is not supported in Glendale/Phoenix. If the Canucks are playing, 50-60% of the fans are from the Canucks Nation, resplendent in Canucks jerseys some going back several editions. If the Detroit Red Wings are playing, same thing. This is somewhat unfortunate as the Phoenix Coyotes are a very good team. Also, even with all the Canuck fans in attendance the area was only filled to about 75% capacity. If Nashville is in town I would be surprised if they draw anymore than 5,000 fans to the game.

The long and the short of it all is that we enjoyed both games. The 2010-11 edition of the Vancouver Canucks could be one of the best teams to ever play for Vancouver. Of course, as Dana says every year about this time, “they will only break your heart”. Maybe, but I have a feeling that this is our year to go all the way! Okay, I’ve said that before. like almost every year. As for the Seattle Mariners, well, I think some of their players are hoping for “one more good year in the sun”, which is a quote from one of my favorite sports movies, Major League. Let’s hope no one tries to relocate this team to Florida. Ha!

Let's play ball........

Road trip, and other “fun” stuff...

I say other “fun” stuff because some, many, okay, most people think I’m crazy. Today I rod 100km on my bike. 3 hours, 20 minutes, 30kmph average. You be the judge. However, let me back up a couple of days and tell you about our road trip to Roosevelt dam.

Friday morning we headed out the door around 8:30. Destination: Roosevelt Lake, and Dam. From Mesa we headed out Main Street, which turns into Apache Trail then Hwy 88. The first point of interest is Tortilla Flats. This is nothing more than a wide spot on the road. Western style facade on the row of buildings beckons tourists to stop, eat, shop, leave. We didn’t stop and continued beyond Tortilla Flats to what is commonly called “end of pavement”. This is of course where the pavement ends. Duh!

26 miles of gravel road lay between us and Roosevelt Lake. We took a few photos of the road and scenery. Frankly, this area is stunning and well worth the pounding your vehicle and kidneys take to travel the road, beyond “end of pavement”. In places the road is barely 2 lanes wide. Hairpin corners, steep drop-offs, wash-board gravel, dust, dust and more dust.

Roosevelt dam is quite the sight. The dam was originally the tallest “masonry” dam in the world. The road to the dam site was build using Apache Indians, hence the name of the road, Apache Trail. Finished in 1909, the dam provided power to the Valley of Sun. Recently the dam was raised 77 feet and encased in concrete.

Did I mention cycling? Barry is well into training for the Giro in Sardinia. Dana is back on her bike. Thursday we rode in the morning. Interval training for Barry. Saturday was more of the same. Then today, well the 100k thing.... Dana went to church, I think to pray that Barry comes back safe.

Looking ahead to the week the weather continues to be fantastic. I see Victoria had “some” sun this weekend. This pleases us as we get no end of grief about our sunshine. Speaking of sunshine, yes, this week looks to be another stunner. 82F by Thursday. Enough said about that. On Tuesday Barry gets to see 2 of the Pacific Northwest’s best professional sports offerings. Seattle Mariners and Vancouver Canucks, on the same day. No they are not playing each other.....

Oh, we are staying connected with our Canadian roots. We are watching the Brier, curling for those who are not in the know. Oh Canada! What fun.


Dana and Barry cycling on the Bush Hwy Thursday morning, in the warm sun!



Lizards found on the side of the Roosevelt Lake Visitors (Welcome) Centre




Road? to Roosevelt Lake and Dam


Roosevelt Dam

Cactus League ball players, and other interesting creatures....

We attended our first Major league Baseball Cactus League game yesterday. Mike and Darlene, and their good friends Wayne and Lois also attended. Coincidently, it was the inaugural game at the new multi-million dollar baseball complex called Salt River Field at Talking Stick (First Nations land). This ballpark is the springtime home to both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. The game yesterday featured the D-Backs and our own Seattle Mariners.

The game was okay, I mean it is spring training, but Seattle fans might well be in for another long, long season. Regardless, it was fun to sit in the stands behind 3rd base and cheer on our Mariners. Interestingly there was no shortage of M fans on the park. Aside from the Mariner t-shirts and caps the Seattle fans were easy to spot. They were the people with untanned skin.....

A couple of days ago, Monday I think, we explored a park on the Salt River. It was mid-afternoon when we visited the park so there was not a lot of bird activity. Regardless, it was a nice location and we had a nice walk on one of the trails along the Salt River. We did spot an interesting lizard. I captured it on film. I cropped the picture using the Apple iPhoto program and have included it in the blog. We believe the little guy, or gal, is a Spiny Tree Lizard, very common around here.

Tuesday was "get back on the bike day" for Barry. We did the Usery Mountain Pass Loop. Well, Dana did it once and I did it twice. I logged 2:40 on the bike, around 70km. Most of the ride was into a stiff wind so I was pretty cooked by the time I got home. Also, the temperature reached 84 F at one point. Dana rode the furthest she has ridden in quite awhile. "Epic" was how she described the ride.

Today Dana and I went for another ride on Usery Pass. My training plan called for 2 sessions of 3 x 3 minute hard intervals. While I was doing my repeats on the Usery Pass hill Dana cycled up the hill to the Usery Mtn Park visitors centre. Once inside the building she was greeted by a park attendant. Dana initially thought the gal was wearing a large "clunky" necklace of some kind. Turned out to be a black and bright green King Snake. Apparently the snake was raised in the centre and was very used to the staff. Yikes!

This afternoon Dana, Mike, Darlene and I went for a birding hike at Usery Mtn Park, which is bar-none our favorite park. We saw lots of wildlife including birds, rabbits (including the large Black Tailed Jack Rabbit) coyote, Road Runner, Spiny Tree Lizard and our favorite Western Screech Owl. Pretty good for a short 2 hour hike in the desert. The hike was followed by beer and cocktails at Mike and Darlene's then we returned home for dinner and an early bedtime. What will tomorrow bring...??

Enjoy the photos.


Salt River Field - D-Backs vs Seattle Mariners


Spiny Tree Lizard (unless anyone has a better guess?)


Birding in Usery Mountain Park


Western Screech Owl - Can't get enough of this owl.


Desert Shadow Art

February coming to a close

I'm sitting at the kitchen table having my second cup of Starbucks Verona (french press) coffee. Dana is making muffins and Bob Dylan is on the radio "knocking on heaven's door" (he wrote all the really great songs of the 60's). We woke to clouds this morning. Very different from most mornings. This morning I will join Mike for a visit to Hohokam Park where the Chicago Cubs are holding an open practice day.

It's been another busy week here in the desert. Dana and I explored 2 new parks. Earlier this week we travelled 50 miles east to the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum. Yesterday we traveled south to the San Tan Mountain Regional Park. I won't try to compare the two as these parks were very different. Boyce-Thompson is a small State Park. It has designated garden areas displaying desert plants. Trails are groomed and well maintained for the many visitors. While not exactly "commercial", it is heavily used and thus lacks the feeling of wild, raw desert that we prefer. We did spot our first Cardinal this year and a Red Naped Sapsucker which made the visit memorable. We also came across a large group of mature adult humans decked out in nearly identical outdoor gear all carrying expensive cameras and/or binoculars. We slid past them as quietly as possible as to not to startle the herd. We later learned that is was a group from the Tucson Audubon Society on a bird watching hike.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park is a Maricopa County park. This is a very large mountainous park. While there we hiked parts of the Gold Mine and San Tan trails. At one point on the Gold Mine Trail we were up high enough to see much of the valley of the sun, from the towers of down town Phoenix to the city of Apache Junction at the base of the Superstition mountain range. It was hot and sunny this day and we were glad to have extra water with us for the hike.

On Thursday morning Dana and Darlene returned to Usery Park for a guided bird walk. They not only came home with many bird stories but with information about other flora and fauna of the desert. It sounds like the guide, Sandy, know her stuff and is happy to share her knowledge. Over the next few weeks we will put all this knowledge to good use.

As February comes to a close in the valley of the sun, the young at heart of all ages turn their attention to Major League Baseball Cactus League play. On Saturday Mike, Wayne and I headed to Hohokam Park, home of the Chicago Cubs. First of all, I am not a Cubs fan, but regardless I am a baseball fan and any opportunity to take in a free practice day was not something I could pass up. We spent about 2 hours watching pitchers practice coming off the mound to field a bunt, BP, double play and running drills. There was one player that I wanted to see and that was Ryan Dempster, the pride of Sechelt, B.C. Ryan was tagged to start the Spring League home opener against the Oakland A's.

Saturday night we attended the annual B.C. - Alberta night (dinner and entertainment) at Mesa Regal. Over 400 in attendance.

Sunday's discovery - While hiking in Usery Park we spotted a Western Screech Owl who had made a home in a hole high up in a tall Saguaro cactus. We feel very fortunate to have spotted this little bird.

March here we come. By the by, we have received a suggestion to tone down our enthusiasm of the desert and the warm sunny days. This while Victorians are freezing their little faces off. Forget it! Stay warm my friends.


Oooops. How did this photo get in here? Val Vista Drive, Mesa


Naomi - this one is for you. Ryan Dempster #46


What a hoot! A Western Screech Owl...not to be confused with Screetch(sp) from NFLD. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Jack Knox, eat your heart out!

I read Jack’s Victoria Times Colonist column this morning and, knowing Jack is an avid cyclist, I'm not making this up, I couldn’t help feeling a bit smug sitting here in the warm, sunny desert. Snow in Victoria this late is February is nearly a “pandemic”. I have been receiving emails from my cycling friends in Victoria telling me to “Stay where you are!” Friends are sending us pictures from Victoria, not of winter blossoms on trees or daffodils blooming in front yards but of backyards and decks covered in many inches of snow. Tales of heroic treks on snow covered roads to get to stores and Starbucks for essential supplies are being recorded to be re-told to younger generations who will no doubt shake their heads recalling other stories told to them by grandparents walking miles to 1 room schools in driving snow storms with only light moccasins on their frost bitten feet. Yes, Victorians are suffering today, not from the weather but not being able to call their friends in Ontario and New Brunswick to brag about having to mow the lawn in late February. And here we sit in Arizona. Today I rode my bike trainer for 90 minutes and then spent some quality time in the hot-tub and lying poolside to dry off in the warm afternoon sun working on my tan. My thoughts and prayers are with my friends in Victoria. Cowboy-up! Soon it will be warm temperatures and you can get back to whatever normal life is on Vancouver Island.

February 19 & 20 - Rain! Beautiful Rain!

Dana and I are settling into life in Arizona. I’ll address my “injury status” up front. All the swelling is gone. Although I am still wearing a sling to support my shoulder, I have no pain in my shoulder provided I do not lift anything other than a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. Life could be worse. I will wear the sling for 3 more days then toss it aside in favor of some light stretching. We’ll see how it goes.

Dana and I have been out hiking in the desert several days this week. On Thursday we explored a 5 km trail in the McDowell Mountain Park. The park is part of the Maricopa County park system, one of the largest county park systems in the U.S.A. McDowell Park covers about 21,000 acres, most of which was burned by wildfires in 1995. Fortunately the north loop trail was untouched and offers a good representation of the Sonoran Desert, although it appears to be under stress due to the lack of rain. We identified many desert plants, some birds and a few lizards. No snakes although we were told that Diamondback rattle snakes were present.

On Friday we visited the Saguaro Lake Park which is located off highway 202, the Bush Hwy. It is a large lake frequented mainly by boaters and fisherman. The lake was created by a damn on the Salt River. The Salt River provides an excellent habitat for birds. While we did not explore the riparian areas we did bookmark the area for future exploring. The same day we enjoyed a short hike in the Usery Mountain Park, another one of the Maricopa County parks. The Usery Park desert appears very healthy and has an abundance of birds and small animals. It was encouraging to see given the lack of rain in this part of Arizona.

Speaking of rain...... Given the scarlet sunrise this morning (see picture below) we knew we were in for a change in the weather. They have been predicting rain for a few days but none materialized. Today, Saturday, 1/2 inch of the stuff fell in the afternoon. Boy do they need the rainfall here! Dana and I are very excited to see what affect the rain will have on the desert, the flora and fauna. From what we hear, the effects can be glorious. We will start checking things out at first light tomorrow morning (Sunday) at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. Warm sunny days are due to return on Monday and we will do more exploring then.

Inspite of my temporary physical limitations we are staying active. Hiking of course, but we also regulars in the fitness facility here at Mesa Regal. Dana runs on the treadmill and works out with weight equipment while I spin (boring....) on one of the stationary bikes. Yesterday we worked out for about 1 hour. As it was pouring rain for most of the afternoon, it was a great way to pass the day and get a reasonably good workout. Does "hot-tubbing" count as activity?

Social wise we have been getting out and about. Yesterday we attended the big French Toast breakfast which is a fundraiser for the softball teams here at the park. Speaking of ball, Spring MLB Cactus League starts in less than 10 days. We are in a great location to take in several major league teams home parks. The closest park is Hohocum, home of the Chicago Cubs. More on that later. (PS: Roy, your suite at Mesa Regal is still not booked but don't wait too long.....)

As a footnote to the walk this morning in the Gilbert Water Park, we saw 2 new bird species that we had not seen before. They were the Inca Dove, just a little guy and a Ruddy Duck. The Ruddy Duck has a cobalt blue bill. They were stylin....

Here are a few pictures from this week. If your computer permits, click on he photo and it will enlarge it so you can get a better appreciation of the subject. Enjoy!

View of Superstition Mountains from Usery Mtn Park


Amazing "chain fruit" on Cholla cactus.


Nest in Cactus at McDowell Mountain Park


Water on street outside our Park Model in Mesa Regal RV


Red sky in morning, sailor take warning (view from our deck Sat. Feb 19)

Rest and Recovery

Thanks to all of you who have forwarded their best wishes for my speedy recovery, and to those wishing Dana the best dealing with a husband who risks all for "fun and adventure". We are both doing well and striving to move on.

Monday was a true "recovery day". Sleep, eat, rest, eat, rest, eat.....sleep. Oh, plus we attended the annual 13th street Valentine's Day block party in the evening. Everyone on our block turned out for a pot-luck and visit. It was great to meet all the neighbours and enjoy some social activity. The next block party is on St Patrick's Day.

Today was a stunningly beautiful day in the desert. Another sunny, warm day with temperatures reaching the mid to high 70's. We spent the morning at poolside, in the hot tub and pool. Dana got a tour of the workout room by a contract fitness coach. It was after noon when we made it home for a late lunch. This evening we attended the Resort "Manager's Happy Hour" at the big pool area. We went with Mike and Darlene. We enjoyed the free beer, sunshine and social in the sunshine. A live band kept the place hopping.

Interesting story. When we were at the happy hour a fellow came up to me and said, "You probably don't remember my name". I looked at him with an obvious blank look. He told me his name and said he worked for me when we were in Calgary. As soon as he said his name I did remember him. I was, and still am amazed that he would remember me after 30 years and pick me out of a crowd in Mesa, Arizona. Maybe there is more to this story.... I will investigate.

We have Canadian satellite TV in our trailer. It is nice to catch a little of the Canucks games on the tube. I am still hopeful that I will be able to get tickets to their last game in Phoenix on March 8. If not, Spring Training (Baseball) will be in full swing and I am sure I/we will get our sports fix that way.

I am feeling much better today. My AC joint seems to be healing and the swelling has mostly disappeared. For now it's one day at a time.....