Happy Thanksgiving

We all played Scotch Doubles Pool Wed morning, a lot of fun. Jan and I did some shopping, then pool time and steak for dinner.

It was 82 today. We had a great Thanksgiving Dinner with 24 friends and are they all good cooks.

After this amazing dinner, how do you handle 7 deserts? No one is moving very fast tonight.

Jan Arrives

Our friend from home arrived today and the crib board comes out. As I was organizing appies, Ron is muttering, don't ever invite her again. Guess who's not winning at the moment.

                                           But Jan was only ahead by 1point.

                                  Pool time, shopping and fun.

Pinnacle Peak Patio

Ron was watching a football game so I went up to north Scottsdale where this restaurant has been popular since 1957.

  The history is
When first opened in 1957, the Pinnacle Peak was a general store and rest stop for travelers heading to nearby lakes. To boost sales of his small business, the owner decided to serve dinner on the weekends. It was a great success - and the rest is restaurant history. What started as a weekend cookout has grown into the world's largest western steakhouse with seating for 1800 people inside and outside for 2000.
Pinnacle Peak Patio is renowned for its delicious mesquite broiled steaks, casual western atmosphere, and its "NO NECKTIE POLICY." This "no necktie" tradition was started one night when a Phoenix executive came in for dinner. The original owner, wanting to keep the atmosphere in his restaurant casual, told the executive, "Either you take that tie off, or I'll cut it off." The executive did not take heed and was appalled when the owner pulled out a butcher knife and promptly cut off the offending cravat.
Wanting to be recognized as a victim of this absurd policy, the executive demanded that his tie be prominently displayed for all to see. The necktie was stapled to the rafters along with a business card identifying its victim. Pinnacle Peak is very serious about its "no necktie" policy and has cut over a million ties from unsuspecting customers.

There are also collections of police badges and patches and many other things.

That's an old cannonball bottom left, found in the area, this really was the wild west in the 1800's.
There is always an extra detail so in the ladies washroom, the stall doors have the back ends of cows on them. 

A fun place to visit and the massive patio would be great on a warm evening.

Organ Stop Pizza

Andy and Sharon are here for a week although very busy with their old friends from Maui whom they haven't seen for 8 years.
We had an afternoon listening to music in the Courtyard and Andy had a hot tub.

Then we took them to this amazing pizza parlour where there are 600 pipes in the organ system. Google it and you'll be amazed.

Hundred Foot Journey and This is Where I Leave You

Tuesday's movie was down in Tempe today at the Pollack theater. I would definitely recommend this, very nice story.

The lobby was very busy with memorabilia.

Linda is trying to kiss Elvis.

Then Ron and I saw This is Where I Leave You, with Jane Fonda, Tina Fey and Justine Hoffman.
OK but wouldn't rush to see it.

Bass Pro Store or Experiece

Had an extra hour so we went through this sporting store - absolutely amazing. Welcome fishermen, hunters and all other liars.

Outside the fish is weighing the liar he caught while inside there must have been 5000 fishing poles.

                                             There were about 30 double racks like this. Stewart, eat your heart out.
                               The decor all the outdoors including waterfall and aquarium.

Tons of animals and horns, including on the Christmas tree.

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Mesa Market

5 of us went down to the Mesa Flea Market today. That's always such fun for newcomers. It goes on for 3 covered buildings and 

trust me, you can buy anything here. The guys got golf chippers and Jamie got a pool cue.

The guys got 'shopped out'.

Manager's Happy Hour

The Manager's threw a huge patio party today to thank everyone for their patience during all the road and building renovations.

The old gym, shower and BBQ area are gone and the courtyard goes from the main building right to the shuffleboard courts. Huge.

                     The gang gets together but everyone is always moving around. The dancers are busy.

                                 Another incredible sunset.

He and She Pool

Chief and Al have  started a Wed morning  game for all.

 Here's Bob, Brian, Ron and Gail. We had 6 women and Gail and Sue are joining our Val Vista Ladies League so that will be fun.

Ron and Becky down at the end. Fun time.

Chuck Wagon Days in Chandler AZ

I went to  this event and really enjoyed the history. We used to have a fall fair and rodeo in Haney growing up and this celebrated Chandlers roots which was really the 'wild west' back in the 1800's.

 This is the 'chuck box' about 3' square which is put into the wagon and then it's a 'chuck wagon'.
Here the chuck box is at the back of the wagon, the first example of 'tailgating' as I see it.

Families have this a hobby and contestants use historic cooking method, in authentic 1880's wagons found around the Southwest, cooking up the best meals for the trail.
This wagon is 103 years old and local kids signed up to cook the best peach cobbler on the fire coals.

This girl and boy are scraping their batter into the steel pot over the canned peaches before placing it on the coals.