Banking has been a bit of an issue. This park only accepts cash and checks/drafts. I thought my investment advisor would be able to send me a draft to give them, but then I was told they can no longer make drafts out to third parties, due to recent frauds. That changed since I was at Loyola 2 years ago. I don't have a US$ checking account so I had to get cash. Before leaving Canada I was told if I changed my primary account for the ATM to my US$ account I could withdraw the funds with no issues. That turned out not to be the case. I am only able to withdraw money from my usual Canadian $ savings account and have to pay the going exchange rate. : - ( That account doesn't usually have a very high balance, so I had to arrange a transfer. I am also limited to withdrawals of $500 Canadian per day, so needed 3 days to get all the funds I needed. I don't like to carry a lot of cash so this whole thing was concerning. Before leaving Tucson, I made the first withdrawal of $300 US from the bank machine. It gave me all $20 bills. I didn't want to carry that big a wad around with me so immediately went into the branch to get it changed to larger bills. The teller gave me a hard time about doing it without having an account with them, sheesh. I said I just got the money from their machine out front. She said the rules had to do with money laundering. I asked if I looked like the type that would be doing that and she said no. Eventually she gave me 3, $100 bills. On my way to the park on Tuesday I got another $300 and didn't mind the $20's because they weren't in my possession very long. On Wednesday I got the balance, but I also wanted to exchange some rolls of nickels and dimes I had picked up in Tucson thinking I would play poker there but didn't and I needed quarters for laundry. The first bank I went to wouldn't do it without having an account with them, though they were fine charging me a $3 fee for using their ATM. I said, fine I'll open one. They said I would have to wait 30 minutes to speak with a banker to do so, and that I shouldn't open it just to get the change. We're talking about a $20 transaction here folks. I gave them a piece of my mind and then went to another type of bank. They said they would do it happily so long as the amount was under $100. I left there happier.
Wednesday evening I tried playing poker. They have a $2.00 buy in and play Hi/Low. A 7 card stud type game, I am not that familiar with. I tried to learn with little success and left my contribution. The gang plays petty much every night from 5:00 to 9:00, so if there isn't anything else going on I might try again some other night.
Thursday I played golf at Trilogy at Power Ranch. I got a good deal on Golf Now. I was paired with a guy named Dan from the northern US, who happens to be staying at Monte Vista the place I had stayed my first two times in Mesa. He also has a 5th wheel and a truck very similar to mine. We were also playing with a couple who were celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary. I wouldn't have been able to stand being with the guy for a week. He never touched the flag, smoked cigars, spat and had a few other quirks that put me off. She was very nice. The course was enjoyable to play and in good condition.
Thursday evening in the park is movie night, but the one showing held little interest for me.
Friday I played Painted Mountain. I vaguely remember playing it on a previous trip. I was paired with an older lady, who is a USGA rules official, and course rater from Washington State. We took a few extra putts of most greens in order to stay comfortably behind the foursome ahead of us. We discussed various aspects of golf and had a nice round.
Friday evening in the park is Euchre night, one of my favorite card games. I was looking forward to playing, but because of conflicting information about the starting time I arrived a few minutes after they started and couldn't be fit in. I stayed to watch for a while in order to figure out any nuances that were different than I was used to. They deal the cards 2 and 3 at a time vs one at a time like I prefer. They play 8 hands and then switch tables. If the decision about trump gets back to the dealer, they must make it, rather than folding in the hand. I hope to arrive at the right time and get to play next week.
Saturday I played at Superstition Springs with Dan, who I met at Trilogy. He had purchased one of the ARCIS cards I had decided I didn't want to get. He used his one 20% bonus discount card for me to play there. I had taken lessons there on my second trip to Mesa. I had forgotten that I didn't really like the course because too many of the holes are contrived and there are a lot of bird droppings on the course. We played with a couple from Edmonton, who had the fancier card than his, which gives them free breakfast and lunch with their round. They skipped the 18th hole in order to get in for a late lunch before the offer expired that day. In the evening there was a live band playing in the club house. I bought a ticket, mostly to listen to the music and watch the others dance. I sat with some two couples, who were avid dancers but did take some breaks to speak with me. A fellow invited me to dance to the last song of the night, which I accepted.
Sunday I took a ride on the bicycle path next to the canal nearby. I goes for some distance and I feel safer riding along off the streets. I went about 7km north and then back.
On Monday I played Desert Sands, an executive length course that I walked. I played with one fairly young guy and two older ones. The course is quite flat with small elevated greens like turtle backs, which made keeping the ball on the green challenging on approach shots and putting was a challenge as well. I got a great deal, $10.00 on golf now, including the cart which I declined.
Monday evening in the park is Mexican Domino night. They play for fun and a few rules that are a bit different than at Tucson Meadows. I prefer Tucson's way partly because in Mesa they only count rounds as wins or losses, no counting dominos or marks on them, so it can be mathematically impossible to win but you feel obligated to play out the game. I suppose it is more fun than sitting at home alone in the evening, but not much.
The park is well located close to Hwy 60, and all the necessary stores are fairly close by.
That summarizes a week in Mesa.
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