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<\/a><\/p>\nWhile we were there we learned to play Pickleball<\/a>, a game similar to tennis but on a smaller court using a “whiffle-ball” type ball.\u00a0 We’re not very good, but we have fun and get some exercise playing it.\u00a0 Judith put up a note on the bulletin board looking for people who wanted to learn to play Mah Jongg — 10 people signed up.\u00a0 No one in the group knew how to play, so we worked through a “how to play Mah Jongg” book together and had a great time.\u00a0 Even after we left, we understand the group continued to get together to play … a real Success!<\/p>\n I participated in a Genealogy group and got some good ideas for extending my research.\u00a0 Family tradition said that one of my GGG Grandfathers had served as a Corporal in the Revolutionary war and had been at Valley Forge.\u00a0 It was suggested that I check the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) web site to see if I could find\u00a0 him there.\u00a0 No luck on that, but I did find SEVEN other multi-great Grandfathers who DID serve in the Revolution!\u00a0 Who knew?!?<\/p>\n Judith (and our friend Rachel) took several classes in Gourding — carving, decorating, and painting of dried gourds.\u00a0 From time-to-time it appears that now gourds have taken over our home!\u00a0 But she is having lots of fun doing it and she is getting pretty good — if I do say so myself!<\/p>\n We planted some Cactus plants on our lot, hopefully they will make it through the summer.\u00a0 Here is “before” the plantings:<\/p>\n We had planned to volunteer at Casa Grande Ruins N.M. throughout our stay.\u00a0 However, my medical issues and the government shutdown largely disrupted those plans.\u00a0 We were able to spend four Sundays helping out.\u00a0 Before we left we had dinner with the Volunteers.<\/p>\n And here is a random picture from the Desert Gardens Christmas Party:<\/p>\n The night before we started our trip East, there was a freak snow storm south of us and around Tucson.\u00a0 We didn’t stop to take a picture, but there was about 3″ of snow under the saguaro cactus!<\/p>\n We stopped in Las Cruces, NM, to see our traveling friends Bud & Barbara – we had a great time, as always, but sorry, no pictures.<\/p>\n We had made arrangements to detour to near Corpus Christi, TX, to visit a friend from my school days.\u00a0 Janelle and I attended all 12 years of elementary and high school together!\u00a0 We had not been in contact for nearly 40 years before we found each other on Facebook!\u00a0 It was a wonderful visit, she is as delightful as ever.\u00a0 And her husband Abel is a gem!<\/p>\n Our next stop was Houston to help celebrate Judith’s brother, Don’s 70th Birthday!\u00a0 (Boy does that sound OLD!)\u00a0 All three siblings, all five of his children and their partners, and his niece were able to attend!\u00a0 A wonderful time was had by all!\u00a0 Special thanks to Zac and Kara for coordinating and hosting this wonderful and crazy event!\u00a0 Laughs are always a great part of a Sniderman gathering, but the Sniderman version of “Cards Against Humanity” takes things to a whole new level!<\/p>\n As we continued East, we spent a couple days with our friend Fran in Destin, FL.\u00a0 It was good to see her, and beautiful there, as always!<\/p>\n On to Winter Haven for some time with Barbara, Clint, and Allison — including the celebration of Barb & Clint’s Anniversary!<\/p>\n We spent a delightful afternoon at the Forrey Grill in LaBelle, FL, with Judith’s long time friends Carol and JoAnn.\u00a0 Unfortunately, we were unable to link up with Vickie & John.<\/p>\n We had discussed getting a kitten, and had decided that Winter Haven would be a good place to find one at a shelter.\u00a0 When we visited they had only two young cats, one of which had the name Sage on it’s collar.\u00a0 Now that is the name of my daughter’s cat (now a fat and happy 10 year old cat).\u00a0 This kitten was both playful and affectionate.\u00a0 It was written in the stars that this would be our cat.\u00a0 So she is “Sage Too”, or “Tooie” for short!<\/p>\n We have now arrived at Pocosin Lakes NWR.\u00a0 We are less than an hour from the Outer Banks!\u00a0 Our schedule is unusual — we work 6 of 7 days, then are off for 7 days — but it will allow us ample time to explore this area!<\/p>\n Next Blog Post:\u00a0\u00a0N Carolina Adventures \u2013 Part 1<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Previous Blog Post:\u00a0\u00a0Volunteering at Petrified Forest National Park<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We wrapped up our time for this season in Arizona and prepared to leave Desert Gardens RV Park (and our lot there) to head toward Pocosin Lakes NWR.\u00a0 Desert Gardens is a lovely park with spacious lots, plenty of activities, and beautiful saguaro cactus &\u00a0 sunsets! While we were there we learned to play Pickleball, … Continue reading Traveling to Pocosin Lakes NWR – Family & Friends<\/span> <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n