“On The Road with Joe and Glenda Underwood”
Well, most of you will recall that during High School I spent
a great deal of time running in circles, or up and down hills
in short pants. I married Glenda in 1956 We have called
central Illinois home for almost 50 years. During my tenure
as a School District Superintendent, I developed a dislike for
snow and extreme cold. The cold winter weather was always
a threat for the children and the school day. Upon retirement
snow and cold continued to be a negative for me, (and the
short pants). I didn't like shoveling snow or running a snow
blower to clear my drive when I wasn’t going anywhere.
Glenda and I first traveled to Tucson Arizona about 5 years ago.
We found the climate warm and dry. So for the past 5 years we
have spent a winter month here in Tucson. The first year we were
here, a classmate Rod Sheldon, who lived in Phoenix, made contact and we were able to recall those great track
memories. I hope that our web site will assist us in knowing more about where classmates travel and/or are located.
Personal reunions are so enjoyable.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Tucson, it has just about all the old west could offer. It is rich in the culture of
the southwest. Located in the Sonora desert, little green grass and surrounded by mountains. Day trips can include,
historic Tombstone, a visit to ghost town, a visit to Bisbee the famous Copper mining town, horse riding stables, a visit
to cave that Jessie James didn’t sleep in, or you can drive to Mexico for a visit over the border. Tucson proper has
marvelous malls and many quaint specialty shops. Food has the southwestern flavor, but Tucson has the full range of
places to eat. We have enjoyed several small quaint local restaurants where food is delicious and prepared with heart.
Glenda and I enjoy WALKING not running. The Saguaro National Parks East and West of Tucson, both include drives
as well as many marked trails for walking. Just South of Saguaro West is the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum with a
collection of over 200 live desert animals and 300 kinds of plants in their natural setting. Saguaro Cactus (they only
grow in this area) are just unbelievable. You will experience natural wild life in the open. Today we had to slow down in
the community where we live to avoid a couple of road runners, (birds, not cross country runners) and then a coyote
crossed our path in our driveway. On another occasion we have experienced, while walking, Javelinas (a wild pig),
large Jack rabbits, and observed a mother quail and her little ones trailing along. it’s quite a site.
Travel in unfamiliar areas sometimes is difficult. We use a portable Garmin StreetPilot 320c (a low end GPS device).
This has made both our “On the road and our time in a new area an enjoyable experience. The GPS finds all types of
places for us, provides us with an on screen map (3x3), with voice instructions, estimated time of arrival and the
distance to the destination. We use it to find rest stops, fuel, restaurants , and as my wife says the best part is we put
the address in for garage sales, in places when we don’t have a clue where they are located. If you looking for a fun
place to be a mature citizen we recommend Tucson. We look forward to others sharing their “On the Road experience”.
Well, most of you will recall that during High School I spent
a great deal of time running in circles, or up and down hills
in short pants. I married Glenda in 1956 We have called
central Illinois home for almost 50 years. During my tenure
as a School District Superintendent, I developed a dislike for
snow and extreme cold. The cold winter weather was always
a threat for the children and the school day. Upon retirement
snow and cold continued to be a negative for me, (and the
short pants). I didn't like shoveling snow or running a snow
blower to clear my drive when I wasn’t going anywhere.
Glenda and I first traveled to Tucson Arizona about 5 years ago.
We found the climate warm and dry. So for the past 5 years we
have spent a winter month here in Tucson. The first year we were
here, a classmate Rod Sheldon, who lived in Phoenix, made contact and we were able to recall those great track
memories. I hope that our web site will assist us in knowing more about where classmates travel and/or are located.
Personal reunions are so enjoyable.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Tucson, it has just about all the old west could offer. It is rich in the culture of
the southwest. Located in the Sonora desert, little green grass and surrounded by mountains. Day trips can include,
historic Tombstone, a visit to ghost town, a visit to Bisbee the famous Copper mining town, horse riding stables, a visit
to cave that Jessie James didn’t sleep in, or you can drive to Mexico for a visit over the border. Tucson proper has
marvelous malls and many quaint specialty shops. Food has the southwestern flavor, but Tucson has the full range of
places to eat. We have enjoyed several small quaint local restaurants where food is delicious and prepared with heart.
Glenda and I enjoy WALKING not running. The Saguaro National Parks East and West of Tucson, both include drives
as well as many marked trails for walking. Just South of Saguaro West is the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum with a
collection of over 200 live desert animals and 300 kinds of plants in their natural setting. Saguaro Cactus (they only
grow in this area) are just unbelievable. You will experience natural wild life in the open. Today we had to slow down in
the community where we live to avoid a couple of road runners, (birds, not cross country runners) and then a coyote
crossed our path in our driveway. On another occasion we have experienced, while walking, Javelinas (a wild pig),
large Jack rabbits, and observed a mother quail and her little ones trailing along. it’s quite a site.
Travel in unfamiliar areas sometimes is difficult. We use a portable Garmin StreetPilot 320c (a low end GPS device).
This has made both our “On the road and our time in a new area an enjoyable experience. The GPS finds all types of
places for us, provides us with an on screen map (3x3), with voice instructions, estimated time of arrival and the
distance to the destination. We use it to find rest stops, fuel, restaurants , and as my wife says the best part is we put
the address in for garage sales, in places when we don’t have a clue where they are located. If you looking for a fun
place to be a mature citizen we recommend Tucson. We look forward to others sharing their “On the Road experience”.
| "On The Road" |
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