May 21 - Three Days in the Desert
We arrived at Mesa Friday May 17 and headed over to our friend's home Saturday. Garry and June Cooney have a wonderful home in Scotsdale. Some of you will know that Garry, Bill and I go back over 40 years at Dearborn. Garry and I were sales reps in Ottawa and Bill was our Area Manager. Today Garry is a VP at GE Water &
Energy with global responsibilities for Corporate Accounts. We could have stayed a week and not run out of old Dearborn stories but we might have overstayed our welcome. At the very least this old gang getting together after all these years has been a highlight of my trip so far.
Of course you don't go to Phoenix without playing golf. Garry arranged a foursome with two of his regular group. Bill had his own cart, kept score and gave advise as required. Turns out not much advise was required and for only the second time in my golf history, I
witnessed a hole in one. Garry's friend Sal Imparato had the hole in one, which was his second. Sal being the gentleman that he is, understood his responsibilities back at the club house. Sal is second from the right and Garry's other friend in the group is Joe Mancuso. Good guys, fun day!
So when you go to the Valley Of the Sun
expect it to be warm. Each day was around 95-97F which apparently was a little cool. This week temps will go over 100. I picked up an annoying cold and decided to head out a day early to give June & Garry a little break. I am now over in Laughlin, Nevada and will hole up here for a day or two and try to get healthy. Bill departed for LA on Monday morning and I am beginning to organize for Trek 2 with Warren. BTW the Tioga trail into Yosemite opened last week, so we will get to experience this great drive. That's all for today folks and probably won't have too much news until the weekend once Warren arrives.
Look out California - " I'm Picking Up Good Vibrations "
Oh Bob... sounds like you have had such a wonderful visit with great friends in Scotsdale. I remember well my Dad sharing stories of the three of you, your wonderful work ethic, then your ability to play just as hard!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the visit triggered as many memories for you three of your Dearborn days (nearly said, Dicom, which is where I have worked for almost 33 years), as it did for my Dad of his years spent wintering with Mom in Mesa. They very much loved the area...
So sorry you managed to catch that annoying cold and I hope it leaves you quickly and allows you the energy required for the next leg of your trip.
I am certain it must have been just a little bittersweet for Dad to have to say 'au revoir' to you and your grand adventure, but I am also certain that he has had the time of his life.
You take care of yourself, Bob. I look forward to reading of your adventurous tales with your nephew, Warren.
Love + Hugs
Brenda Anne ♥
Your visit with Garry and June sounds lovely. I'm sure you had a lot of great work "war" stories to reminisce about. But sorry to hear you picked up a bug which is especially not fun while traveling. A good remedy is plenty of warm sunshine (perhaps pool side), fluids (of the water variety) and rest! Bev
ReplyDeleteBob - looks like you and your friends are enjoying the trip exactly the way you planned - although I know you wanted that hole in one yourself! Your photos and comments makes us all feel like we are travelling with you. Enjoy the next part of the trip with Warren.
ReplyDeleteHans
Hi Bob...it's Kev;
ReplyDeleteI've been following with interest your daily activities in the great land of the desert. I'm especially pleased to see the '3 amigos' (Bob, Bill and Garry) together once again after so many decades yes my friend decades from the old Ottawa days back in the 70's.
If I recall (and I certainly do) the time I spent with the '3 amigos' after work which was often was a time of such fun, decadence in food and drink and truly belly aching roars of laughter. The breathe of knowledge in so much subject matter from sports to politics to events of the day made my life more interesting when I think back to those times. Of course Bill's favourite album of all time 'The Wall' by Pink Floyd is an easy one to remember as flare ups in the social group happened so infrequently. The intersection of these personalities at this time was a good thing; loved every moment of it.
And Garry; I haven't seen you in 25 years but you're looking great and the pipes really good...you'll have to tell me if its a Gold's Gym that's keeping that arm definition look so cut or what your secret routine is.
Good times and wonderful memories. Good job on spearheading this whole adventure Bob.
Kev...Ottawa