The Jeepin' Jakes

2011-04-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

Alyssa's Graduation Party

2009-05-27T06:25:00.005-07:00

Chris went all out to have a nice party to celebrate Alyssa's graduation. We were glad she had it before we left for the summer!

Serena's Birthday

2009-05-27T06:03:00.005-07:00

We went with Rod and Serena to Macayo's for her birthday. Knowing that the singers were coming, Serena decided to go to the restroom. When she returned she had a birthday sopapilla.

Old Friend Introduces Us To New Friend

2009-05-14T11:12:00.005-07:00

Good friend, Bill Keehn from Charlevoix, Michigan, met us for dinner at Macayo's. He brought along his new lady friend, Johnette, who he's been dating for 7 weeks. Her son graduated from ASU Wednesday so they came to Phoenix to meet and visit friends as well as attend the graduation. In the course of the conversation we found out that he has asked her to marry him! Bill still has 3 kids at home; Johnette's 4 children are grown and on their own. She has lots of things to consider before she gives him an answer! She seems very nice, but 7 weeks isn't much time to get to know someone - works both ways!

Jeeping to the Coke Ovens

2009-05-14T10:45:00.008-07:00

After several attempts over a period of a few months, we finally made it to the Coke Ovens. It was very rough almost all the way with several challenging obstacles. The picture below is of a side trip we took up and down a series of steep hills. It gave us an opportunity to relax and just have fun.

Family Fun Day "Out of Africa Wildlife Park"

2009-03-24T08:01:00.015-07:00

Our monthly Family Fun Day was a trek to Camp Verde to visit the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. The giraffe was eager to get the carrot being offered by Kyle.

There are many exotic animals in the park, and these were two favorites.

Snakes are not Nancy's favorite creatures, but she did get a picture of this Burmese python - notice there is a fence between her and the snake! Kyle (orange shirt) and Tiffany (pink hat, kneeling) were the only ones brave enough to get near the big one!

Tiger Splash was probably the most popular show. Two tigers, along with their four trainers, cavorted in this large pool for about 45 minutes. A little later, they brought in two young grizzly bears to have their turn.

Jeeping to Four Peaks

2009-03-24T08:00:00.014-07:00

We recently took the road over Four Peaks to Roosevelt Lake, and came back on the Apache Trail. Captured (by camera) this hawk waiting to pounce on breakfast. Three deer ran across the road in front of us - this buck almost disappeared into the brush before I could get my camera ready.

Bridge at Roosevelt Lake - lake filled to capacity for the first time in many years. Met Joe bumper to bumper as he came the wrong way around coffee pot hill. It's a good thing his jeep limo can go in reverse!

Nancy's Garden

2009-03-24T08:00:00.012-07:00

Well, it's not exactly a garden...but it is one of those Topsy Turvy tomato gizmos you see advertized on TV. I planted the vine and about 3 weeks later this little guy popped out. Those yellow flowers should produce more fruit. It seems to grow every day and we are waiting patiently to taste the fruits of our labor!! Just call me "octo-tomato mom"!

North Carolina comes to Arizona

2009-03-24T07:58:00.006-07:00

Nancy, Lila Jean & Katherine Ann - I've known these ladies since I was 4 years old! Katherine, her sister and their husbands make a trip from North Carolina to Phoenix once a year and we try to get together to talk about the good ol' days. Here we are at Olive Garden - talking, laughing, eating and absolutely ignoring the caloric intake!

Jeeping to Bulldog Canyon

2009-02-18T17:10:00.013-07:00

We took a jeep trip last Monday to Bulldog Canyon near the Superstition Mountains. That particular area requires a special pass that has to be obtained from the ranger station in Mesa; entrance and exit is through a locked gate.

Our usual jeeping crew - Smiths/Jakes/McLeroys plus another couple from Palmcroft - Mike and Carolyn McMahon. Carolyn is a school teacher and had the day off; Mike lost his job a few months ago. I think they really enjoyed spending the day with us and marveling at the beautiful scenery. The desert floor is extremely green right now and in a few weeks the flowers will be in full bloom.

We did have one scary hill to maneuver. Joe and Eddie gave directions while Mike documented the trek on camera.

Whew! Safely at the bottom of the hill. The McMahons rode with Joe & Frances in the McLeroy "jeep limo", while Ed & Libby went with us in a "real" jeep! (Dad's version)

It was a good day. Actually, every day is a good day when you return from the trail with no mishaps!

Really Big Owieeee

2009-02-09T18:58:00.003-07:00

We were having a perfectly wonderful afternoon visit with our friends, Ed and Libby Smith, when we realized one of our breakers had snapped off and we had no electricity in either bathroom. Russ went out to check the electric box, and sometime later I hear, "Hon, could you come help me...I fell and I'm bleeding." Long story short, because he was wearing his reading glasses he miscalculated his step over our back fence (2 ft. high!) and fell, his head hitting a bucket sitting at the back of the house. Nurse Libby did a fine job of cleaning up the wound. Knees were a little scraped up as well. We'll see how he feels tomorrow!

Over the river and through the woods...

2009-02-07T09:33:00.010-07:00

On Thursday, the Smiths, McLeroys and Allisons joined us for a great day of jeeping to Crown King and then on to Prescott via the Old Senator Highway. We stopped to stretch, but of course, some just had to shop! Wonder what caught Libby and Ellen's attention?

It was an unexpected treat when we found snow...lots of snow! Informal dining took place at The Palace restaurant on Whiskey Row in Prescott. Yummy!

Super Bowl Sunday

2009-02-07T09:26:00.018-07:00

Everybody gathered at our house to watch the big game. When Rod discovered that good things happened soon after he started eating jalapeno-flavored pistachios, he continued to devour many, many nuts! Mimi sat through her first football game and seemed to enjoy everything -- not sure if she was watching the game or all of us acting crazy!

Everyone donned their designer 3-D glasses for the half-time commercial.

We were hoping for a better 2nd half of the game.

Things were looking up when the Cardinals took the lead. The Fitzgerald TD near the end of the 4th quarter brought everyone to their feet. Well, not everyone...Rod and Chris got really excited!

The game proved to be too much for Tiff and Alyssa. Alas, they both fell asleep!

Summer of '08

2008-05-18T16:34:00.001-07:00

We have created a new blog specifically for our summer activities. You can view it at www.RNJakes.blogspot.com

Pig-Out at Tanque Verde Ranch

2008-04-22T18:29:00.008-07:00

The annual pig-out event for the senior adults from Green Valley was today at the Tanque Verde Ranch in east Tucson. We feel very fortunate that they invited us to this luncheon again this year. Flowers and cacti were blooming abundantly! We ate at the same table as our good friends Ken and Miriam Roberts who we will meet in Moab to do some serious jeeping. Russ and Ken discussed plans for the trip.

Jeeping Over Four Peaks

2008-04-22T18:15:00.005-07:00

Roosevelt Lake from the

top of Four Peaks.

Jenni, Chris and Alyssa seem
to be having a good time.

Okay, which one of these guys went the wrong way on a one-way road?

Abby at the Bark Park in Green Valley

2008-04-07T16:09:00.004-07:00

Shopping & Eating at Tubac

2008-04-07T15:43:00.009-07:00

Jeeping to Gunsight Pass

2008-04-07T14:46:00.016-07:00

Jeeping friends, Ken and Miriam Roberts of Green Valley, checked out what we thought was a Jeep trail. It wasn't, and they had to back all the way down the mountain!

Let's take a look at the trail book and see where we're trying to go!

Lookout from Gunsight Pass - altitude 6,000 ft.

Checking out the GPS to see if we are where we think we are!

Camping in Casa Grande

2008-04-07T14:35:00.008-07:00

We attended the 20th Annual Meeting of the Arizona Baptist Historical Society held on April 5th at Trinity Baptist Church in Casa Grande. We parked our coach at the Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort.

Abby and Russ spent a lot of time at the bark park.

Activities

2008-03-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite activities is JEEPING. Although our kids have gone on a few jeeping trips, they get basically terrified. But these friends continue to call us and ask for more!

Left: Ed & Libby Smith, Frances & Joe McLeroy at Wisdom's Restaurant near Tubac. Joe needs only 10 minutes notice to be ready to go. Right: Bob & Dixie Goodin last summer near Creede, Colorado. Bob will likely need a kidney donor if we do much more!

Although it's probably not a "favorite" activity, Nancy continues to go to the gym 3 days a week for KNEE REHAB. She and the therapists at Select Physical Therapy are on a first-name basis now!

We will be leaving Phoenix soon for the summer. This is our home away from home. We look forward to RVING in beautiful Colorado. The kids will join us at Fun Valley Family Resort for the 4th of July week for our annual family vacation. We will then go to Ponderosa Church camp near Colorado Springs to volunteer for the months of July, August and September. Watch our blog site for periodic updates.

Family

2008-03-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

It all began on July 28, 1961. As you can see, that was before color. We have had several body makeovers during our 47 years. Upper right is the current version.

We had our 4 children early on. Actually, we all kind of grew up together!

They, in turn, have blessed us with 5 wonderful grandchildren. Due to their busy schedules it is hard to get everyone together, but we try to have a family fun day at least once a quarter and a family vacation once a year.

Upper left is the Matthews family. From left to right is Bill, Chris, Alyssa and Stephanie. Below the Matthews is the Brannon family - Kyle, Bobby, Tiffany and Amy. On the far right is Jenni.

To the left is Rodney, Serena and Zoe. On the right is our latest in a long line of pets, Abby. She joined our family last November.