We rented this very nice home for the months of July and August - the plan was to escape the heat of Phoenix and in that, we were very successful.
We are in a development called Hidden Valley Ranch. There is an HOA and the monthly fees apparently cover the streets, a pool and tennis courts. Unfortunately, short term renters are not allowed to use the pool and tennis courts. All of the homes are on the sides of the hills and this development is surrounded by other developments for several miles in all directions.
There is different fauna here, as we are at 5,500 feet above sea level and are out of the Sonoran Desert.
As with Munds Park, I continued to make weekly trips into Phoenix for medical apartments, and to get the mail and water the plants at our condo. On July 17, it was raining and about 67 degrees when I left Prescott around 8:00. By the time I got to Phoenix, it was 107 degrees at 10:09 a.m.
When I got back to Prescott, there were more storms and interesting sunsets.
Mr. Shadow enjoys being on the cool wood floor.
On another day trip into Phoenix on the 28th, it was 116 degrees. With the exception of one night, every day here in Prescott we would only have the air conditioning on from at most midday to early evening, maybe 7 - 8 hours.
We also went to the Peavine Trail. This is a former railroad line which has been converted into a gravel trail and is six miles long. It also has hiking trails off it that go much closer to Watson Lake.
When we got home that evening, more great views from our deck.
Another night, more storm clouds.
Another trip into Phoenix, with triple digit temps.
Ann and Terry, Martha's mom and stepdad came on Aug. 11 and my sister Helen came on the 12th. We spent a long afternoon at El Gato Azul, enjoying drinks and great food.
Another storm with clouds turning red and a rainbow.
Lots of wildlife here in Hidden Valley Ranch. Besides the deer, we also have seen javelinas, both alone and as part of a herd.
We also went to the Peavine Trail, this time with Ann, Terry and Helen.
After Helen's encounter with the javelinas, when she went shopping she bought me this small book from which I learned much about the wildlife here.
Ann and Terry left on the 18th and Helen left on the 19th. Since then, we have relaxed and we have continued to have more torrential thunderstorms.
One of the best things here was the local YMCA - it is the busiest and nicest YMCA I have ever seen. We exercised there 4 - 6 times per week, with several different teachers. The best was Janice who taught the Silver Sneakers Cardio class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
And now I am preparing to head off to Armenia, leaving Prescott on Tuesday Aug. 24. Patty and Shadow will stay here until the 31st. One adventure ends and another begins.
We are in a development called Hidden Valley Ranch. There is an HOA and the monthly fees apparently cover the streets, a pool and tennis courts. Unfortunately, short term renters are not allowed to use the pool and tennis courts. All of the homes are on the sides of the hills and this development is surrounded by other developments for several miles in all directions.
There is different fauna here, as we are at 5,500 feet above sea level and are out of the Sonoran Desert.
As with Munds Park, I continued to make weekly trips into Phoenix for medical apartments, and to get the mail and water the plants at our condo. On July 17, it was raining and about 67 degrees when I left Prescott around 8:00. By the time I got to Phoenix, it was 107 degrees at 10:09 a.m.
When I got back to Prescott, there were more storms and interesting sunsets.
Mr. Shadow enjoys being on the cool wood floor.
On another day trip into Phoenix on the 28th, it was 116 degrees. With the exception of one night, every day here in Prescott we would only have the air conditioning on from at most midday to early evening, maybe 7 - 8 hours.
From our back deck, we always had nice sunsets and cloud formations.
We had multiple visitors here. Anne and Shawn came up for a short visit, Jane came twice and Meg was scheduled to come twice, but cancelled both times - once due to illness and once when her air conditioning system died. On Jane's second visit, we celebrated her retirement. And we continued to enjoy the nice weather here and great views from our deck.
We also went to the Peavine Trail. This is a former railroad line which has been converted into a gravel trail and is six miles long. It also has hiking trails off it that go much closer to Watson Lake.
When we got home that evening, more great views from our deck.
One of the evening storms caused the clouds to turn reddish orange.
Another night, more storm clouds.
Another trip into Phoenix, with triple digit temps.
Ann and Terry, Martha's mom and stepdad came on Aug. 11 and my sister Helen came on the 12th. We spent a long afternoon at El Gato Azul, enjoying drinks and great food.
Another storm with clouds turning red and a rainbow.
Lots of wildlife here in Hidden Valley Ranch. Besides the deer, we also have seen javelinas, both alone and as part of a herd.
We also went to the Peavine Trail, this time with Ann, Terry and Helen.
After Helen's encounter with the javelinas, when she went shopping she bought me this small book from which I learned much about the wildlife here.
Ann and Terry left on the 18th and Helen left on the 19th. Since then, we have relaxed and we have continued to have more torrential thunderstorms.
One of the best things here was the local YMCA - it is the busiest and nicest YMCA I have ever seen. We exercised there 4 - 6 times per week, with several different teachers. The best was Janice who taught the Silver Sneakers Cardio class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
And now I am preparing to head off to Armenia, leaving Prescott on Tuesday Aug. 24. Patty and Shadow will stay here until the 31st. One adventure ends and another begins.
