A senior settlement among many on the outskirts of Phoenix: Paradise RV Park. We left Sunday for San Diego after visiting there with Russ and Sandi, and having lunch with Regina. A small representation of all the Colrain people who live part- or full-time in this area.

As we rode with them through several towns and communities, it was hard to realize that all the housing (gated and open) as far as we could see, was for people 55 and older. Even now I am in awe.

Sandi and Russ are so happy here, and with their home in Paradise, where well-kept streets are lined with dwellings like RVs, with pitched roofs and carports and storage sheds, with RVs and fifth wheels interspersed on most blocks. Travel by golf cart is popular, and in the evening cocktails are in the drink receptacles on the dashboard. (Outside on city streets, golf carts are legal and cruise off to the side.) In Paradise, folks ride by on bicycles and tricycles, or walk alone or with their dogs (to the bright grassy spots at the end of the blocks in the Pet Area). Everyone waves or nods to passersby. Everyone is smiling.

The center has a heated pool, whirlpools, shops for silver-crafting, wood-working, watercolor painting, ceramics, exercise rooms, exercise equipment, library, post office, small cafe, dancing, huge pool room, poker, bridge, cribbage. As Sandi says, "There's so much to do." All this with mostly clear skies and sunshine. Small shopping centers are close-by where one can bank, get hair cuts, manicures and pet grooming, as well as medications and pizza. Larger malls offer more in every direction. In 5 years, Russ and Sandi have seen 4-way stops become confusing stop-lighted intersections as construction of more housing burgeons. The cactus and palm trees are everywhere, and beyond are mountains. There are interesting car trips in every direction.

On Sunday after our $2.99 breakfast (2 eggs, 2 bacon, homefries, 2 toast) they took us to a strip lined with car dealerships on both sides. Every kind of dealership except Hummer, Rolls Royce, MG and Bentley. All with huge lots full of cars. Incredible.

Sandi said that to move a saguaro or have one in your yard, you must have a permit and a landscaper to plant them. They have to be transplanted facing the same direction from which they came. That makes me smile, deep inside.