This last month was like a roller coaster with the variance of temperatures. A week would start off in the low 70s and work up to a low 90, then drop back to the 70s before it once again would end up in the high 80/90s. Our lowest daytime temp in April was 67, with the highest daytime temp at 95. Because of all the sudden temperature drops, we haven’t had a chance to acclimate to the higher temperatures, so when it does get hot, we feel it! As usual, we had lots of wind and dust, some rain and thunder, and many beautiful sunny days. No matter what, we loved every minute of it!!!
Since it’s getting warmer, the snakes are out and several have been spotted in and around the park. Park maintenance doesn’t like to kill them unless they become a nuisance. Not all are Rattlesnakes, we have seen many bigger Bull Snakes. They are wonderful to have around because they kill and eat the Rattlesnakes. A couple of Gila Monsters have been spotted and our close neighbors even saw a coyote chasing a bunny on the morning they were packing to leave. Yes, we too have spotted some critters while out driving the back roads (mostly snakes).
There were many wildflowers blooming in April turning our green hills yellow. The sides of the roads were quite colorful, and yes, the pollen was nasty (I’m still sneezing)….but that will all come to an end once the days get hotter.
Many of the cactus are now blooming, but there aren’t as many blooms as there normally are. It’s probably because the weather has been much cooler than normal. The magnificent Saguaro also is blooming, and its white blossom is gorgeous! I’ve always been amazed at how these plants can have such a beautiful flower.
Over Easter, we had a scare with Ken’s son Dean. Dean was hospitalized due to some chest pain and found out he had Pneumonia. He was released from the hospital, but was told there also may be some problem with his heart and needed to schedule a stress test. The stress test showed Dean was having some restriction problems, so he had to undergo an angiogram, which thankfully showed no blockages. The doctors think Dean’s problems were side effects of a high blood pressure medicine he was on. Dean is now on a different medicine to reduce the high blood pressure. He is back to work and gaining strength every day! Thank God!!!
The rock shop is now closed for the season, but Ken spent his usual days working during April. Happily, Sylvia is now the Rock Club’s new president and Ken will have more free time next season. He will continue to monitor and work in the rock shop when we return, but the paper work and spending personal time working on club stuff will be over. For the rest of this year, Ken will continue beading and making jewelry.
Before the huge exodus of park residents, there were many going away (clean out the fridge) parties with lots of food being served. We also were involved in the usual geocaching events and going out to various restaurants with friends…. So much eating!!!! Since most of that is over, we are back to our sensible eating habits and hopefully will start to downsize our waist lines (grin).
We’ve still been taking the Wrangler out on some 4WD trips, and hope to do more before we park it for the summer. No, we don’t plan on going anywhere dangerous, but do plan on going after some elusive geocaches. Yes, we will continue to “pack” and carry an emergency locater!
I am still not sure when we will leave, but we do plan on doing some intensive geocaching in and around Laughin and South Las Vegas before heading back to Oregon.
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