On our trip to Glendale Az to attend a couple Dodger Spring Training Games we elected to use Uber for all travel rather than rent a car. Having never experienced Uber before we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use and how relatively inexpensive it was. If we are ever allowed to travel again in the future I doubt we would ever rent a car again. Uber is the only way to go.

The most positive thing about each Uber ride experience was getting to chat with each driver. Each one is too much to comment on, however one in particular stands out to me. A middle aged Black Women, when asked her Country of Origin, proudly stated Africa. She went on to tell us how she came to end up in Glendale/Phoenix Az. She, her 4 kids, and her mother escaped during the uprising/war in her African Country to a neighboring Country, where they spent 10 yrs in a refugee camp. Finally they were approved to immigrate to America. They have been here many yrs now, all have become citizens. Her oldest just turned 21. She works driving Uber 12 hrs. a day, six days of the week. She had never driven a vehicle before coming to America, (she was an excellent driver) nor did she speak any English, (her English was perfect). She couldn’t say enough about her new country (America) and was so grateful for the Welcoming she has found here. I was touched as she spoke of her life.

A personal Note:

I freely admit that through the yrs I have had a bit of a racist view of ‘Black’ and their difference to my ‘White’ surrounding. Meeting this African Women and listening to her speak about her experience in trying to come to America, how hard she is working to provide for her family now that she is here, how proud she is not only still of her native country but also of her new home, America, all within the short span of a Uber ride, changed me and my views on Race. This woman does not know what kind of an impact she had on the fare she hauled, but I do, and I thank her for it.

On March 14th 2026 Kathleen and I flew to Phoenix Az so as to attend two Spring Training Games. The first one on March 15th at 1:05 p.m. at the Camelback Stadium between the Dodgers and Rangers. Dodgers Won. The second one on March 16th at 1:05 p.m in the same stadium between the Dodgers and Brewers. Dodgers Won.

Both days were extremely hot sitting in our seats in the Arizona Sun. We were prepared with the sun hats, the sun screen lotion, etc, but the heat was almost unbearable, and in fact was unbearable on the second day as we and all other 6,000 fans retreated for whatever shade we could find around the 5th inning.

As 81 yr old’s I think we handled the trip very well. We learned how to use Uber (more on that later), and milk the system as all 81 yr olds should be allowed to do. We had excellent meals out each night, we navigated a few unexpected hoops we had to jump through, and survived the whole experience. For that, I think we deserve a participation trophy.

More Than A Dream

In the Winters of 06-07 and 07-08 Kathleen and I headed off to La Penita/Lo de Marcos Mexico in our beautiful 40′ diesel pusher motor coach we called “tininthewind”. Newly retired and wanting to enjoy life. Research came first. Our use of the internet helped as we reached out through social media at the time. Question we put out was to see if anyone was familiar with doing what we wanted to do? We got an answer from a gentleman who said yes, for several years, he and his wife driving a pick-up and pulling a 5th wheel camper, would set off to spend the winter in La Penita, Mexico. I typed back to him and asked if it was safe and possible for us to do it. He said, yes, but typed back saying it was “the scariest trip he and his wife made”. That raised my eyebrows, and I immediately asked him to elaborate. He said, “well, we are Canadians, and we have to go through the lower 48 to get there”. Through him we eventually met up with about 20 Canadian couples in Tucson Arizona and then caravanned our way down 1,300 miles into Mexico and the town of La Penita and the Pacific Shore Beaches. The following year, 07-08 we did the same but opted for a little more opulent surroundings in Lo de Marcos about 10 miles from La Penita. The friends that we made, and the adventures we experienced during those winter months in the Tropics, would take a book of 1,000 pages and a zillion pictures to explain to you why those were some of the best years of our lives. There were challenges for sure back in the day but the rewards were an experience few would ever have.

Now, fast forward 18 yrs. On March 1st-6th 2026 to celebrate the month of my 81st birthday Kathleen and I are returning to the areas previously experienced. We are flying from Seattle, Wa. to Puerto Viarta Mexico, renting a car, and staying at a nice little resort in Rincon de Guayambitos, Mexico just a few miles south of La Penita. Our flights round trip for both will be $900.00, our lodging at the resort for 5 nights will be $304.00 total, and our car rental totals $293.85 with all the extra insurance coverage. We will eat out most meals and I would doubt that our total trip will excede $2,000.00

The following are just a few of the pictures from 18 yrs ago of those friends mentioned, some adventures from back then, other towns and beaches visited and memories. Sadly many of those friends are not on this side of the sod anymore, and those that are, we are not in touch with. We look forward to visiting the sites and towns that we became so familiar with those 18 yrs ago.

Note: We did cancel the above trip out of abundance of caution due to much unrest in that area of Mexico. Instead we elected to fly to Phoenix AZ., and attend a couple Dodger Spring Training games. A post reflecting on that trip may be accessed by finding it on this site.