Here are a few shots from our December vacation to Wickenburg, Arizona and a dude ranch which turned into a chilly vacation filled with food, golf, and horseback riding.

We made the most of our trip to Arizona. Disappointing was the initial weather; nights got down to below freezing. To add to the coolness, winds blew the needles off the cactus. We arrived in a desert wind storm, and I refused to play golf on the first day.

On day 2, the wind blew away, but it was still chilly. I did some golfing and the golf cart crunched ice neath its tires in shady areas of the course. Gretchen rode her favorite nag, Powder, three times. I rode once, high in the saddle of Custard, a gentle one. So most of the time that Gretchen took a Powder, I headed for the links.

Being at Ranch do los Caballeros is much like being on a cruise—without the ports of call and no water beneath us—and no damned sea sickness. The food is comparable, breakfast and lunch being grand buffets, dinner being a sit-down affair with a choice of five entrees. Deserts were too fabulous, so we both gained a few pounds.

Instead of dress-up evenings, as on a cruise, we had to go western, and guys were to have a dinner jacket or western vest. I forgot my cord coat, so had to borrow one of their loaners. It was a bit long in the sleeves so I looked much like a vagabond.
We went to the town of Wickenburg a couple of times. It is a real western place and is known as “The Dude Ranch Capital of the World.”

We overpacked for the trip. I had six pairs of shorts and only put on one pair, and that was when we got to San Diego. When we heard it might be cold, before we left home, we packed some extra garments to handle the cold. We should have had ski caps and gloves.

I only played 54 holes for the ten days I was gone, so I have golf withdrawal symptoms. I was placed with three women when I went to play 9 holes today. I parred the 3rd hole and had to quit. The course ranger came by to tell me Gretchen had locked the keys in her trunk when she left Costco. So I still have golf withdrawal, and a major rainstorm is starting as I type.

This is my first attempt at video on the Mac.

Cheers,

J Tom

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