WANDERING WITH THE WRIGHTS

December 22, 2022

We weren't back in our winter home of Benson, AZ for very long before we were reminded of how beautiful sunsets can be here

For many years there has been a group of about 20 rigs that leave from our park and head south towards Nogales, AZ and spend Thanksgiving camping in the Coronado National Forest in an area called Calabasas.  We decided to join them this year since they always seem to have such a great time.  There was a pre-planning meeting before we all left for 5 days of living off the grid.  No electricity, no phone service, no internet!!

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A view from above of some of our group around the fire pit

we did not lack for food

much time spent around the fire getting to know each other better and when you were really cold - 

we put coals under our chairs - I had never heard of such a thing but it really works

We had some pretty hip dogs along with us

and who knew in the middle of the desert was such a beautiful lake

Upon returning it was time to decorate for Christmas

Jerry did a great job decorating the outside

Our little tree with some of my favorite ornaments

Santa's and nativity sets decorate our motorhome's dashboard

Mother nature also got into the holiday spirit and had a thin layer of snow on the mountain tops

One of the charitable things our park does for the city of Benson is purchasing and wrapping gifts for foster children and senior citizens in need.  Money is collected, people who like to shop purchase the items on each child's wish list and then we all gather in the clubhouse and wrap the gifts that the social workers from the city deliver.  The first time a child gets gifts from the park they receive a handmade quilt and many receive a handmade wooden car or truck - both made by very talented people here in the park.  This year I wrapped gifts for Tyler - age 3

In the upper left you can see his quilt :-)

All wrapped and ready for Santa to deliver 

As part of a fundraiser here at the park we bid on and won for Santa to come to the motorhome while we were zooming with our youngest grandson, Vincent, for a one on one with Santa.

Santa was armed with great information like Vincent's favorite color, foods, name of pets, etc.

It was so fun to watch

Last week was our park Christmas Concert and it was fabulous

There were many solo's - so much talent

Note the lady in the first row to the left of the music stand - she turned 100 in October!!

Rudolph showed up

As did Santa Elvis

Some of you know our friends Gary and Steph Vogel from Gurnee Community Church, our home church in Illinois.  Gary & Steph, also full-time rvers  now have a lot here in Benson.  We spent two nights last week checking out Christmas decorations in Benson and in Tucson together.

Even the outhouses were decorated

It was beautiful and we had a great time!!

Sunday will be our Christmas dinner and Monday is leftovers in the clubhouse.

Always a great time and lots of really good food - however this year Jerry will be celebrating without me as I fly out early Sunday morning to spend a few weeks at my sons.  He is going to have our youngest grandson for several weeks and since he is a working man Nana is going to spend some quality time with Vincent.  Not looking forward to the cold but definitely looking forward to seeing family and friends.

Wishing each of you a blessed Christmas (Remember The Reason for the Season) and the Happiest of New Years.

God Bless, Carol & Jerry

 

 WANDERING WITH THE WRIGHTS

November 2, 2022

We are in Edmond, Oklahoma for a few days as we travel from IL back to AZ for the winter.

We had a wonderful summer in IL visiting with family and friends.    

The only sad note was that our precious Teddy crossed over the rainbow bridge in August.  You will see pictures of him as we shared our last summer together.  After 13 years and 7 months of unconditional love from him and sharing our lives we sure miss the little guy.  He was such a good boy.

Like to think of him riding a cloud in heaven feeling the wind in his face as he loved to do in the car.

On to how we keep busy for 5 months in Illinois:

Youngest grandson Vincent graduated from pre-school 

Oldest grandson Calvin graduated from high school with honors

Spent 5 fun days at our nieces lodge in Wisconsin with Stephen & Vincent

Steve & Vince spent a lot of time in the lake

Vincent helping Nana wash dishes

Just a chillin

Never know what you will find on the bathroom counter with a 5 year old in the cabin

All that time in the lake can be very exhausting

Beautiful sunsets

We were able to attend the Bonsai Show that Jerry's son Rob and daughter-in-law Amy help organize.

We were there with Rob's mom Liz and step-dad Ralph - 

as you will see below Rob & Amy won several awards for their entries.

Nana and Grandpa's can have fun at Chucky Cheese too!!

Before our oldest grandson was born Jerry purchased a large bear for him.

Calvin & bear when Cal was just a few weeks old

Cal and bear at his high school graduation

Celebrated Calvin's graduation with his dad Chris and grandparents Peter & Becky

Cal and his grandpa's

I worked for many many years with these 3 awesome women.  

Three of us traveled to Iowa to spend some time all together again - we had a wonderful visit!!

Remember just getting on your bike and taking off? 

Today it takes knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet!

Blessed to meet my 3rd cousin Huntley - lived next door to her mom and grandma for over 20 years

Technology no matter what your age

Cousin Lauri and I took our 86 year old cousin to Red Robin for the first time in her life.

Her eyes popped when she saw the onion ring tower and said it was the best milkshake she ever had

We left IL for 10 days in September for our annual trip to Red Bay, AL to get the motorhome serviced.  On the way we spent the night in the parking lot of a Corvette Museum

Jerry wanted to start towing this behind the motorhome :-)  Was only $79,900

They had an old Mobil station set up

Our home up up and away to get oil change

We do this every year and it always amazes me to see her up in the air

We took a day trip to Tupelo, MS and visited Elvis birth place

The church he attended with his parents and where he started singing

His family home when he was young - we had a chuckle as the docent kept saying how small it was and it is about the same size as our motorhome.

We stopped at Lambert's Cafe - the home of the throwed rolls

See the guy in the background raising his arm to throw a roll -

When you want one you raise your hand and he throws it - and they are delicious 

Also visited a sobering replica of the Vietnam War Memorial

So many names - so sad

It was a beautiful park

Also fit in a short visit with friends in Cullman, AL  Len and Phyllis East

And their dog Biscuit that we had never met

Back in IL we took Vincent to visit daddy during his lunch hour at a great little park 

Vincent pushing Grandpa

Spent an evening with Steve & Vincent at a wonderful pumpkin display

We volunteered at a Harvest Fest our church sponsors every year.

Jerry did all the photographs for the event and hung out at the snack table

On October 13th we drove out to DeKalb, IL where grandson Calvin is a freshman at 

Northern Illinois University

Got to spend his 19th birthday with him

Picture of Vincent a few days before we left IL

Incase you had any doubt we are crazy about our grandsons!!

We enjoyed dinners with many friends & I was able to enjoy lunches and coffee visits with others

We also both spent time volunteering at several organizations that are very dear to us.

So all in all we had a wonderful summer (except for saying goodbye to Teddy)

Our plans are to spend the winter in Benson, AZ so if you are in the area our door is open -

We have a place for you to spend the night and would love to have you.

Hugs and Blessings, Carol & Jerry

Happy Thanksgiving