Tucson January & February

Along with the usual weekly activities the following are some highlights of my stay in Tucson.

I signed up again for the Senior Olympics conducted by Tucson Parks and Recreation. Before signing up for Golf and Horseshoes I checked to see if there were any other competitors registered, which there weren't in my age group so I didn't do those, but did go for Euchre and Cribbage. I attended the opening ceremonies on January 11th, which included very good Hispanic entertainment:

Mariachi Band

Folk Dancers

A trade show of senior related services and some door prizes. For the effort that goes into staging it, it would be nice if more competitors attended. I didn't place in the medals in my events, but it was still fun to take part. 

Tuesday the 11th I had a meeting with the Rabbi at his request. He had suggested we get together so we could get to know each other a bit better. We had a nice conversation about our pasts for about an hour in his office. At the conclusion he suggested we get together again in the not to distant future. That evening I treated myself to a nice dinner at a restaurant that was new to me. It is called Kingfisher and they specialize in fish and seafood, items John has little interest in. I thoroughly enjoyed my three course dinner comprised of char grilled oysters, sea bass and creme brulee. 

Saturday January 26th was a busy day as the gang in the park were organizing a surprise afternoon birthday party for Bernie who was turning 75. Some of his family members and his girlfriend from up north were coming in for it. They floored him. 

 

A good time was had by all! 

In the early evening I was meeting up with 19 RVers who are members of a web based club called RVillage. They were planning meet ups in a good number of locations all on the same day. The Tucson on was held at Black Bear Diner, a restaurant I had passed by many times but never eaten at. It was nice to meet all the folks and to try a new restaurant, which specializes in home style cooking. 

At the beginning of February I went up to Scottsdale to volunteer at the Waste Management tournament for the third time. I got to see the eventual winner, Rickey Fowler up close on the 5th hole on Friday. 

It was also an opportunity to see my friend Johnny Andrew, a PGA Tour scoring official who will be retiring at the end of the year. 

He got me access into the scoring room, which at this tournament was in the club house and provided me with some food and beverages. We had a nice visit. 

Tuesday February 5th I played Rolling Hills Golf Course for the first time. It is an executive course that is quite close to Tucson Meadows. Some of the folks from the park play there on a weekly basis. It was in pretty good shape, with some tricky holes and interesting rules: 

Nice View at Rolling HIlls

Friday February 8th I was invited to join three of John's sisters and two of his nieces for lunch at Mi Nidito Restaurant, a place Bill Clinton eat at once. I enjoyed the company, but the food and service wasn't very good in my opinion. 

Chris, Georgia, Evelyn

Melissa, Gina, Sarah-Anne
Daughters are sitting below their respective mothers.

Saturday February 9th my friend Judy Miller and I played in the Arizona State Ladies Four Ball Season Opener. I was surprised no one else had asked Judy to be their partner. I was expecting her to carry the team, which isn't quite what happened, but somehow we ended up winning the Gross portion of the event! 

The tournament was held nearby at Omni Tucson National, which hosts the Cologuard Classic tournament on the PGA's Champions Tour. We had a great day on a nice course. 

Friday night February 15th I decided to try another restaurant I had driven by many times but never gone into called Little Anthony's Diner. I was happy to learn that they had gluten free pizza crust available and they offer unlimited toppings on their pizza's!  They also have some impersonators there to entertain the diners: 

Elvis

Marilyn

Sunday the 17th I played a Mah Jongg tournament at the apply named Skyline Country Club. 

View from the terrace at Skyline

After the Mah Jongg was done, I was able to play a twilight round at the private club. It is an example of housing and golf done wrong. The houses are too close to the course and all the dog legs (of which there are several) have signs reminding you that you are responsible for any damage your golf ball does to the residences. There were also people walking their dogs on the course before the prescribed allowed time. 

Friday the 22nd we go some significant snow in Tucson:

Trees across from John's apartment.

Cacti with little white hats.

The mountains still white the following day!

The snow didn't stop me from attending my weekly Mah Jongg game after which we attended a live concert at El Rio Golf Club featuring the George Howard Band, the leader of which John played golf with regularly several years ago. They had a nice reunion. 

John, George and Sarah-Anne

Sunday the 24th John and I hosted his kids and grand-kids at my place for the first time. It was the most people I have ever had in the trailer at once. John prepared a wonderful breakfast, which everyone enjoyed. 

Miguel, Ariela, Anthony, John, Brianna, Angelica & Tiggy.