Florence, Arizona

This has been our destination for several months now. Once we committed to work at the Desert Garden RV Park just outside of Florence there was no looking back.

After finishing our travels in the south this summer, we came back to California to spend a couple months in Plumas Lake. Sticking with our plans to work camp for six months was not an easy decision to go forward with for many reasons. Not the least of which was being away from everyone and everything familiar for that length of time! It has also become more and more difficult to be away from our grandchildren. From the oldest to the youngest, being apart is really heart wrenching at times. But, we did it and now we are here!

We spent a few days in Oceanside visiting Darren and his precious family before heading out. We had such an enjoyable time with all of them, though as usual, not enough time!

We needed to be at Desert Gardens by the 15th of October so we left Oceanside on the morning of the 14th. It was a good trip...a little longer than we prefer doing in one day but the 400 miles went by quickly! We had to stop in Dateland, AZ and get ourselves a date milkshake! We didn't take many breaks on the drive but this one was much needed. I personally do not care for ice cream but these shakes are to die for!

After our stop we hammered down and got into Desert Gardens about four o'clock in the afternoon. We were met by some very friendly co-workers and were thrilled with this wonderful place. We have been to a few RV parks and this is truly one of the finest we have ever had the privilege to stay in let alone live in for six months! We are one of three couples that will be working in the office on rotating schedules. Each of us will work three days and then have six days off. We got set up in one of the largest spaces we have ever stayed in. There is a cluster of all of us that are working, from the grounds keepers to office staff to housekeeping. We are looking forward to making some new friends!

On Tuesday we set out on the walking path and the grounds just to get to know the place a bit better. The facilities are first class and the 2 1/2 mile walking path around the perimeter is a wonderful place to get out and get some exercise and enjoy the peace and quiet.  Here are few photos that I snapped on our first trip around the park. Please click on them to see them full sized.  The area is beautiful!

 I have no idea what some of these cactus' are named but definitely plan on finding out!

 Of course the beautiful saguaro's are everywhere! Most of them are very, very old.

 Mike just pausing to enjoy our beautiful surroundings....

 I happened to catch this little cactus wren as it flew into this cactus. 

 Mike loved the colorful cactus....

 So stately....

Mike and I were talking just this morning, and we are so thankful and so grateful that we have the opportunity to work here over the winter. Yes, it's going to be different from what we are used to but such a great opportunity in a wonderful place!

We finished our first three days of work and realize this is something we can do! It was a bit harrowing at times but we made it. The three days on and six days off is very doable. We are meeting some of the other couples, signing up for some of the activities, and of course enjoying the occasional meal together is always an option in a place like this. We had dinner last night with two of the other working couples and found out they also enjoy playing Mexican Train dominoes!  That's something we love to do when we are in Plumas Lake! Jan & John, Jeannie & Warren, you will be missed!

Well I plan on being here more often now that we are settled and just hope I don't bore you with my photo's! This place is just screaming to be photographed! It isn't the Rockies, or the Great Smokey Mountains, but His hand is everywhere you look!