Hey Mike and Mary

Welcome to the Kirkwoods' blog site. You will probably learn more about us than you ever wanted to know.

We like it here! This is a very nice little RV park, and I could see us returning for a longer stay next winter. Unlike so many that we have encountered, this one is not overrun with rules, golfers and their wild golf carts, and "can't or won't dos". The staff is VERY FRIENDLY, and there are no hours for the pool or spa - open for business 24 hours per day. BTW the name is Foothills West and it is located at the very northern edge of Casa Grande off Val Vista.

Yesterday we met Rod and Karen for lunch as they were making their way from Dollbeer Park in Mesa to Beaudry RV in Tucson to attend an Alpenlite rally. They had made one last visit to the Mesa Market and Rod drove a hard bargain to purchase a crimson and gray Cougars blanket for Ken. Now Ken thinks it should be a permanent drape over the back of the sofa - NOT!

Colleen and her new love, Girlie, drove down to visit and have dinner with us yesterday. Girlie is very sweet, smart, alert, and seemingly a bit headstrong. She would bark when other dogs were walked by, but more out of saying, I want to play."


She looks like a small long-haired German Shepherd with very erect high-set pointed ears (think German Shepherd), and the backs of them are as soft and fuzzy as a Koala bear. As is typical of the breed (Belgian Tervuren)her feet are small and look like cat paws. We discovered that the Belgian Malinois has a short coat, so hence the thinking that she is a Tervuren. Since she was originally rescued as a stray near Douglas, AZ, we are wondering if she had an encounter with a bobcat. Our site here at the park as a metal sculptor of one, and Girle barked and growled at it. On the other hand, with her intense yellow eyes and long bushy tail, she sometimes look a bit of a wolf. We quite like her.

Ken put the new screens on the front windows yesterday, and we are delighted with them. They very effectively cut the sunshine and glare, but allow us to clearly see out. It is interesting to see the sunshine on the dash, but still have it cool to the touch.

We plan to go into Phoenix a time or two this week. We want to see Martha one more time before we leave as well as Colleen. Rod and Karen will join us here next Friday night, and then we will make our way toward Laughlin and Las Vegas. We don't have a complete route planned, but have a general idea. However, if it stays cold and wintery up north, I'm stayin' down here!

Ciao