Squalls out on the Gulfstream...

 

... big storm's comin' soon.

If you said, "Jimmy Buffett, 1974, Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season," you get 25 bonus points.  We are nowhere near the Gulfstream, but the rain squalls and wind blew through last night again here in the desert.  It adds to the already active flooding in much of Arizona. 

None of us slept well last night.  The rain continued until about 9:00 am today.  And then... sunshine.  Don't be fooled by the sunshine, though - it won't get out of the 60s again here today.

Our patio mats are staked down.  Joan had laid down the chairs last night.  All that was necessary this morning out on the patio was emptying water out of anything that would hold it.

Yesterday, we decided our "Arizona time" would happen in late November and all of December next winter.  Yes, later this year.  We will leave the bikes home and be content to wear warmer clothes for a month, and not be disappointed with the crap weather.

Since we plan to be here in December, we got tickets to the Billy Joel/Stevie Nicks that will be happening in Phoenix at that time.  Steph was able to get them a day ahead of them opening to the public (a Verizon perk), and we got 4 seats together.

 

Now all we have to do is find a place to stay... we assumed it would be easy to get an RV site in November and December (since the busy time in this area is January through March)... we assumed incorrectly.  The two RV parks that are closest to their house ('cause we aren't planning to stay in Buckeye again) don't even take reservations until June 15th and July 15th.  Yes, one of those is the park that has management that is of the asshole persuasion, but it has been a real pain having to drive the extra distance to get to Steph and Dan's house.  At both parks, their "regulars" get first shot at booking a site.

Coming back to Phoenix earlier than usual means we'll likely be shifting other travel plans... we're in negotiations (with each other) about how much time to schedule at Hart Ranch this summer.  It is my favorite place to be, due to the excellent motorcycle riding.  Thanks to Mother Nature, we didn't get near as much riding here in Arizona this trip.  Prices at all the RV parks we frequent have increased significantly.  I'm sensing changes in our future.