Visiting Friends in Surprise, Arizona

We hadn't been through Arizona in two years and so we came this way to see friends. Its got to be the best thing about our life style in that it allows us to remake old friendships and meet friends and family where ever we go.
Of course we had to call Paul and Mary in Surprise and we were lucky enough to catch them when they had some time free. We were able to meet them for dinner and we got to attend the Octoberfest at Sun City Grand.
I had taught with Paul for 30 years and so we traded old and new stories but mostly new as we talked of kids and fishing and hiking adventures. Mary, it turns out had hiked down into the Grand Canyon and back up, staying the night at Paradise Ranch! They had just made reservations to float the Grand Canyon next year, a trip I have always wanted to do.

The Octoberfest was interesting as all the Sun City Grand crafters displayed and sold their work. We saw numerous crafters and one who did beautiful wire wraps. However they don't have a lapidary shop so no one was making and wrapping stones as good as ours.
The stained glass shop was filled with beautiful work and the prices were so cheap for handcrafted art. One of the artist advised me as to the technique of making stones in a mosaic, something I have thought of doing.  In many cases they were just too cheap and we told the artists they were under priced but they all complained of the market, what can you do?

Its always a nice time, visiting with old friends and so we left with some new memories and some advice for our upcoming Alaska trip. Oh and Paul told me to get some egg sucking leech flies for fishing for salmon! Clear skies!