Visitng Friends in Phoenix and Vegas

Sitting at our friend's, Tom and Maryann, kitchen table in Tucson one night we all decided it was time for a road trip.  Since we had already decided before we left Colorado, in September, that we were going to stop in Phoenix to see George's high school classmates, Sue and George Summerfield, we planned the trip to include a stop in Phoenix.  We also wanted to drive up to Las Vegas to see a couple more friends.  Kris and Amy wanted us to stop by and play golf at Karsten Golf course located on the Arizona State University campus (did they name it for the future golf wonder -  Karsten Cannode????).   We had not seen Bob and Elaine Boudreau, our friends in Vegas, since the time we all spent together in Germany back in 1979.  Our other friends living in Vegas, Steve and Margie Breslow,  camp hosted with us in Colorado in 2009.  It was decided that we would leave our motorhome in Tucson and to pile into their car and stay at Luke AFB in Phoenix and Nellis AFB in Vegas. Things could not have worked out better.  We drove to Phoenix, played golf at Karsten, met Sue and George for a nice dinner, plus we also attended the Arizona State Fair.  After a few days in Phoenix, it  was off to Las Vegas where we met up with Bob and Elaine.  It took all of a few minutes to travel down memory lane back to our time in Germany and the trips we took to France together.  Our military friends never seem to forget the time we spent together and always treat us like family members, no matter the time or miles that have separated us.  We also introduced Tom and Maryann to our camp host friends.  We met Steve and Margie at a great crab restaurant and proceed to crack a few crabs while catching up with their adventures and travels to Alaska and China.   

We stayed at the Air Force bases in Phoenix and Las Vegas and the accommodations were in a word...fantastic!  Since there was four of us we opted to stay in TLF  (temporary living facilities), which are former base housing quarters that the Air Force has set aside for traveling military members.  Retirees can stay in them if they are not being occupied by active duty members.  Check out the pictures below of our accommodations!  Not a bad perk for serving 20 +  years in our military. 

Traveling with Tom and Maryann was like four teenagers in a car, on a week long road trip;  we had a general plan of what we wanted to do and see but for the most part we winged it!  What an adventure!  It has been a very long time since we went somewhere without plans,  flying by the seat of our pants, and traveling with friends who make you smile and laugh at every turn.  It was also the first time we visited Las Vegas and did not gamble...no time for that stuff, too much friendship time, taking in a comedy show, and just enjoying ourselves and our friends.

 

 

Red at night, sailors delight! 

The sun setting over the Arizona mountains was a sight to behold.

 

 

Full moon over Phoenix after a spectacular sunset 

 

 

Tom and George sitting on the back patio of our house at Luke AFB.  Not a bad start to our little side trip.

Karsten golf course! Karsten did you know they named a golf course for you ???

Coming in off the 18th -- a beautiful but tough course...just like our grandson!

 

 

 

 

Pat, George, Sue and George Summerfield - it is always nice to see old friends

 

Arizona State Fair

 

Overlooking Lake Mead



 

This was the base commander's house on Nellis AFB...now it is....

 Casa Cannode and Graue's villa at least for a few days!!!!

 

 

 

Our friends ...Elaine, Maryann, Bob and Tom

George is trying to crack open a crab,

 lucky for him the beer was a little more filling

Pat with Margie and Steve... George is hiding in the background!

 

The drive back from Phoenix through Flagstaff and Sedona was breath taking with all the fall colors

Beautiful Sedona, Arizona surrounded by mountains and a must see if you are in northern Arizona.

 

Please enjoy your time with family and  friends, we never know when that time will come when that may not be possible.  We thank God for all of our friends and family, you all mean so much to us and we hope and pray that you are in good health and are enjoying life to the fullest.