THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

There is no reason not to find the fountain of youth  if exercise has anything to do with it-and, in my opinion, it does. The so called “snowbird” resorts of warm winter climates like Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida  and Southern, California attract thousands of Northerners from the U.S and Canada of retirement age.  Drive the streets of Apache Junction, Yuma, Mesa, Maricopa or any number of other places and row upon row of  gated communities  are filled to the gills with retirees.  Activities vary but most have swimming pools, a club house, spa,  scheduled and special events. What’s not to like? The sounds of friendly gatherings, music, barbeques, people chatting with their neighbors, catching up with “the news” or having visiting grandchildren or friends in for a day is testimony to the homey, feeling of snowbird resorts like Country Side, (where we stayed last year), and Golden Sun where we are now.

Yesterday morning, I passed by the pool exercise group and attended a stretch exercise group for an hour.

I snapped this picture just as everyone was getting ready to leave. Provided is a wooden bar and weights of differing size. The stretches cover every muscle group from your toes to eyes. Invigorating.

I returned to the motor home for 45 minutes and then attended a yoga  class.  The instructor was humorous and had all of us laughing and sending bad vibes away. The one hour session ran over by 15 minutes and was so much fun, I would like it if  I had access to a class like this every day.  She teaches a  morning and afternoon class.
The schedule here is Tai Chi, Lap swimming, Floor exercises, Stretch exercises, Water exercises, Sweating to the oldies and Yoga, everyday or set days of the week.
The rest of the activity schedule varies. For instance, Monday: Women’s Pool (billiards), Shuffle Board, Round Dancing, Men’s B Leage Pool, Line Dancing, Craft Class, Potluck Social & Dinner, Texas Hold’Em, Ceramics.
Tuesday: Smell The Roses Hiking, Charity Quilters, Bridge, WWarII Vets Meet.
Wednesday:  Shuffleboard, Quilting, Golf, Mens Senior Pool League, Ceramics, Games.
Thursday: Women’s Pool, Women’s Pool League Bridge, Line Dancing, Cribbage, Texas Hold’em.
Friday: Hiking With Rex, Shuffle Board, Men’s A Legue Pool, WWII, Dance.
Saturday:  Nickel Bingo, Games
Sunday:  Couples Pool.
Those are regular activites with special events added in. The Dance on Friday nights is always live music.
A constant round of activities from which you can partake or ignore.  The resort at Country Side, as I remember, had more golf aficionados with there own, home-made golf course on vacant land across from the resort. Snake Hole Golf Course was blogged here January 13, 2011, if you wish to see it.
In 2008, we rented a less fancy place for $250 a month in Yuma to have my dental work done.  For us, we move in for a week or two, partake and leave. But, for those who like a permanent address for six months of the year for good weather and fun?  The choices are endless, and golden agers have found the fountain of youth. Exercise, friends, social contacts, sunshine, economy and bring your pet if you have one.