Welcome Back to VDO

Reminder to Cam: next time bring your camera.

VDO's Welcome Back Party was yesterday, and it was totally over the top. Attendance was just short of 1,700 people.

Valle del Oro is a sizable community. There are more than 1,800 sites, the outside perimeter is over two miles. With probably 3,000 residents, it is a small town on its own.

The Welcome Back Party involves dinner, dancing, drinking, and meeting old friends. There was a Western Theme, complete with props that amaze. Some people dress the part. There were three live bands. Activities started at 4 pm, we were home tired and danced-out by 8:30. The difference between young and old - seniors start earlier and end earlier.

The Welcome Back Party is a management sponsored event - NO CHARGE for anything, food drink, dancing, you name it. Imagine inviting 1,500 people to your place for dinner and dancing!

Two things I learned yesterday: learning to line dance is no longer an option; and, the crowd at VDO is definitely looking younger. As anticipated, The Boomers are arriving in earnest. The park is full each winter, and this is not likely to change anytime soon. If you're coming, reserve early.

Country Market - Valle del Oro

There's a side to RVing that Judy enjoys, and that's shopping. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities, including the VDO Country Market, which happens every Thursday morning. It's quite an event, and people come from all over the area to attend.

There are many small merchants displaying their wares, and just as many local artisans and crafts people. This past market day Judy scored a new apron. It's made from men's shirts, which the lady who does them picks up from various second hand stores. Not bad for $15, and it's reversible. A click on the photo will give you an enlarged view.

Earlier this year I did produce a short video on Country Market, you can see it here. If you're in the area on Thursday morning, you're welcome here at VDO, and there's a lunch available.

Halloween Dance at VDO

Cam, Judy, Dan, Sandy, Rosa and David

You pick an RV park for a number of reasons, including social and entertainment. Last night's VDO Halloween Dance was a great way to kickoff the winter season.

Like all the dances at VDO (Valle del Oro), there were live musicians. Last night's group kept the dance floor jammed, and that's exactly what we did. Dance until we dropped. It was great fun.

VDO sponsors a number of events each winter, and this was one of them. Tickets were free, and so was everything else (including beer and wine).

We're a touch slow getting started this morning, although Judy did marshal enough energy to head for the gym.

It's warm, so I'll be opting out for a walk around the park early. The distance around VDO is 2.2 miles.

Fall Weather in Mesa

Desert Landscape Along Hwy 60

Now that we are in Mesa, blog posts will slowdown eventually, but there are still some photos to share, and there are other updates worth posting - besides, we don't want you thinking all we do here is party.

Speaking of parties, today there is a Halloween Dance. Life at VDO is never dull.

A common question is how's the weather? So, we should have something on the blog about weather.

Fall weather (meaning anytime before the end of November), is normally like summer weather at home in Ontario. Days are normally hot, evenings warm, and nights cool - but not cold. The temperature at 6 am today is 60 degrees. This will be a day in the 80s. Just like yesterday, and the day before that. Skies are clear, no rain is forecast. Arizona is in a drought, and has been for a number of years. Rain is a good thing, but it is rare.

What's different about fall weather - you can sit out comfortably in the evenings.

Late in the year, and early winter, days are warm, nights are cool, and sometimes cold. You can sit out after dinner if you have a heater. We have a gas fire pit, and we wouldn't be outside after dark in the winter if we didn't. Daytime heat evaporates quickly after the sun goes down during the winter months.

Setting up Camp For Real

We're here, safe and sound. Our friends were here to say hello, it is great to be back in AZ.

Along Hwy 60 towards Show Low

I'll have plenty to say later, probably in the morning. Tonight is about getting unpacked and setup in the real camp. No more Camp Hampton for now.

It does feel good to be here. There is a little desert dust to get cleaned up, and it is hot. Very hot. Wonderfully hot. Note: I originally wrote warm, this isn't warm, this is hot.

Total mileage in six days, 2,800 miles. 

Reality check: a long-haul trucker probably does more than 4,000 miles in the same time, and he/she doesn't have someone to help out. Judy and I pretty much split the driving.

Truckers don't stay at Camp Hampton (Hampton Inns). They live in their truck.

Frankly, we have no idea how they do it, week-in and week-out..  

American/ Canadian Truckers keep the system flowing. We really do recognize the contribution these road warriors make to the lifestyle we all currently enjoy. There are a lot of them, and they are a pleasure to share the road with.