We have been here almost a month now and we have reconnected with old friends and met many new ones.
As I think you know, we are being Workampers this year instead of guests. This means we donate 12 hours a week for our site and utilities. My work assignment is in the Events/ticket office where it is air conditioned, laid back and fun. I have a set schedule of Monday mornings and all day on Thursday to put in my needed 12 hours.
Deane on the other hand, is assigned to 'tables and chairs' and his schedule is Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. He is suppose to put in 12 hours, but the work so far has been minimal. Worst part of his schedule is Saturday. He is suppose to show up three different times during the day, the last one at 10pm that night to tear down the tables and chairs from the Saturday dance and set up for Church the next day.
Because of our odd schedules, we don't have the luxury to take off and go play whenever we want. We have learned if we want to do this again next year, we will ask for assignments where we can work together. One assignment we think we would like is the Tiki Bar! It is an assignment everyone wants, and those who are already there are not going to give it up unless they have to.
Another benefit of workamping is being able to see all of the shows at VDO for free. This years big shows are, Charo, Rich Little and Marie Osmond (different times). There is also live entertainment each week starting in January of lesser known groups.
We're leaning how to play Pickle Ball and Boccie Ball. Pickle Ball is what Deane describes as tennis light or Ping Pong heavy. Smaller court than tennis, hard paddles like ping pong and played with a large (baseball size) wiffle ball. Great exercise, but can be dangerous for a non-contact sport. Deane has taken a couple of spills already and his knee looked like something that had been chewed on. His elbow has healed and we are now watching his neck. He is stiff, but still swinging.
Boccie Ball is a little more sedate and seems to be a cross between shuffleboard and horseshoes. Throw a little white ball down the court, then everyone tries to roll their balls as close to the white one as a possible. So far neither of us has found a way to hurt ourselves playing this.
Happy hour, dances, clubs, etc. all started in earnest this month, and occasionally we find ourselves looking for some time NOT to be doing anything.
One of the things we enjoy doing outside of the park is the live theaters here in the area. Every town has a theater group, Mesa having a couple and Phoenix has some wonderful ones. We did manage to see one play so far, The Spitfire Grill which was extremely well done. We are looking forward to seeing more.
It was hot when we first got here, up in the high 90's, but the weather has finally cooled off. We still chuckle when we watch the weather news here. We experienced a fairly good size wind storm last week, and the reporters were as excited about the winds and dust as the northwest is when snow is predicted. Along with the high winds, they predicted thunderstorms and rain. Interesting when the reporters say certain areas may get as much as .10" - .25". Arizonians long for the occasional gray, cloudy and wet days. You can tell an Arizonian from a snowbird by the smile on their face when it's cool, gray and a bit damp. Everyone else is gumpy!