March was ‘ruled’ by cataract surgery for G. While the results are awesome – the getting there was nerve racking, to say the least. A new implant lens (introduced last June) was the chosen product (for both eyes), which entailed procedures much different from the ‘up ’til now’ norms. This included 2 weeks of limited activity (walking but NO golf) and an additional 2 weeks of ultraviolet adjustments to the implants – all of which required the wearing of industrial looking safety glasses;-( During most of this time we continued our normal neighborhood walks, Vi hikes and dinners – all interspersed with MANY eye doctor visits. The good news after all of this (as said before) – G is really happy with the results!! (He would be happy to discuss all the details with anyone interested!)

Thank goodness for the Malones – as they came for a visit just as E was about to go crazy with all of the above. By this time, G was cleared to play golf, so we had 2 days back on the course along with a great hike around Granite Mountain and several nice dinners;-)

Just that quick, it was April and G’s birthday. He was whisked away for a week of fun and visits. First stop was Rancho De Los Caballeros in Wickenburg – a real oasis in the middle of the desert. It provided a nice round of golf on a beautiful course, superb massages at their spa, good meals AND a hayride to a chuckwagon dinner;-) What more could a 70+ year old kid ask for??

After a fun, relaxing three days Mini Magic took us to St. George, UT where we met up with lots of ‘old’ friends. Our route took us through the colorful Valley of Fire just west of Las Vegas (much better than driving through LV on I15), where we stopped for an afternoon snack;-)

Once in St. George our hosts were Rheta and Tom at a spacious Marriott condo at The Ledges. First up was a round of golf with them at The Ledges course right out our front door. While they played in a golf tournament the next two days, we hiked with the Budd’s in the red cliffs of Ivins, which are right out their back door. It is awesome to have such wonderful friends that share so much with us – a BIG thank you to all!!

Not to let any grass grow, MM was moving again. This time back to Las Vegas to friends – the Raney’s – to visit with them in their new home. Another new sight was waiting for us here – the Historic Railroad Trail overlooking Lake Mead leading to Hoover Dam. This was originally the railroad bed, built in the early 1930’s, utilized to haul the materials and equipment used in the construction of the dam and includes 5 tunnels. At the height of construction, trains ran 24-hours a day. The last trip was in 1961. Never knew this trail existed – so another new adventure added to our list of all new adventures on this trip;-)

It was a great week and much needed diversion after the month of ‘eye care’. Hard to believe so much was packed into it! A BIG thank you, again, to all our friends who shared their homes and time so freely with us;-)

AND – thank goodness for all our Vi friends, who kept us busy through the month with hikes in the beautiful, ‘blooming’ desert, neighborhood walks and dinners.

It was time for March to march on. While a quiet month – there was activity and good friends saw us through.

OH – forgot to mention that we became fully vaccinated during this time!! YEAH!! As this gave us a great sense of relief and freedom. Why wouldn’t anyone get these shots?!?!?!?

Happy to be free – E & G