Week 135 - Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande AZ - 03-15-2009

Hi from Sunny Arizona,

After spending our second week at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, all we can say is "Wow, what a nice place to be". From the moment you drive in, you are treated to a blend of beauty created by God and organized by man. This park has hundreds (thousands?) of palm trees with a great many lighted up at night. The golf course and architecture of the buildings adds to the beauty of this park.

The American flag is flown at park headquarters. The American and Canadian flags are flown at the entrance letting you know that all are welcome here. Below is hole number six of their gorgeous par three 18 hole course. Further in the distance is the putting green and the clubhouse complex.

All of the common areas of the park are landscaped to the max. Multi-colored flowers, streams and pools adorn the golf course.

The multiple buildings of this complex house of the myriad of indoor activities. The ballroom below is used for all sorts of gatherings including, as shown, the non-denominational Palm Creek Community Chapel, lead by Pastor Ken Stuckey.

The Glass Shop is available for the creation of beautiful projects. Other activities include ceramics, pottery, sewing, quilting, oil and watercolor painting, wood shop, carving, lapidary, silversmith, computer, all kinds of dancing from cabaret, western, couples, line and square dancing. Our Atascadero neighbors, Ben and Sid, were here. They quickly learned and enjoyed pickleball and played golf. Ben competed in Texas Hold'em and was invited to judge a chili cook off in Casa Grande and a second in the Phoenix area.

Venture outside and there is not lack of things to do. A huge pool is available for cooling off, swimming laps and water volleyball.

The main clubhouse spa holds a lot of friends. There is also a center at the North end of the the park with a pool, spa and laundry.

The fitness center is fully equipped and the billiard room has six quality tables.

Sports not available at most parks are here, including a very professional software field and lawn bowling.

Our personal favorite, Pickleball, is well represented with eight permanent courts (24 as of 11-2012). Countless men and women use courts from 7:30 am until 9:00 pm each evening. This well-organized club blocks out two-hour time slots for men, women and mixed round robin and "shoot outs" for the top players. Everyone here is so nice, encouraging and willing to take time to teach you how to elevate your play. We met and played with more than 80 enthusiasts and all were a joy to be with.

1) This is Darrell teeing off at hole #10. 2) The "Full Moon Lane" girls paused for this photo at #9. They were so sweet to take the time with us and invited us to their block party on Full Moon Lane. We accepted and had a wonderful sharing time with them.

Accommodations at Palm Creek range from park models, to fifth wheels and motorhomes of all classes, A, B and C. The winter time frame for those coming from the colder climates is from around October to the end of March.

1) Sites are large, averaging around 40 x 50 feet, level with colored gravel and concrete patios. 2) Visitors staying only a night or two have parking lot pull thrus with full hookups including cable TV. While not landscaped, the pull thrus are right next to the clubhouse, pool and all the activities.

1) You cannot possibly be involved in all this park has to offer on a daily basis. Additionally they have special events such as the car show this last weekend. The show included all the cars and owners, live music, food, beverage and car classic clothes and memorabilia. 2) Bob is sitting in and exhibiting his 1955 Buick Super from Wisconsin. Originally, Bob thought it might take $30,000 to restore this Buick. But Bob said, "$30,000 passed me like a road sign on the freeway". Every detail of this car has been restored. It started with stripping everything off the sheet metal, allowing the car to be painted 100% as it was in the factory. Then, every part of it restored and reattached. Final investment? $130,000.00 and this car really is Super!

What a great week meeting dozens and dozens of new friends that we will see again next season when we return for sunshine and pickleball. But for now, we are off to see Pete's sister, Donnalee, in Green Valley, Arizona.

With love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Mar 2009