Thursday, March 12, 2020

A Really Big Surprise!!

If you really want to enjoy the view, take a seat under this sun cover and look out across the valley from the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.  You must be able to see for fifty miles!!  You can also hear all the birds singing their morning songs.
You can tell Spring is here since early morning in my back yard sounds like a symphony.  I'm getting to know the birds at the Museum by their calls, which is pretty unusual since I'm not really a bird person.  Shhhhh don't tell Jonathan that!!  Or maybe it's BECAUSE of Jonathan that I love to watch them.
I even bought a book so I could identify each one.  It didn't help me one bit with the kid above.  They must be very sure-footed when they land ... ouch!!

This one I know ... a cactus wren.  They must have feet of steel.
Why you ask?  Because here's our favorite cholla ... the jumping cactus that will get you if you wander too close.  Notice anything different?
There's a nest built at the top ... an amazing piece of architecture to be sure.  The only reason I noticed it is because I was standing with camera ready when a wren flew down to it and disappeared. Unfortunately, I couldn't off-road to a suitable camera position without getting caught, but she's in there!!
As I was walking along keeping an ear open, I heard a baby squawking for breakfast.  It took me awhile to find him at the very top of a 30 foot saguaro.  I waited, but Mom never showed.  He was still begging when I left.
Then I heard it.  A very distinct call followed by a flash of red.  This is a terrible picture taken right into the sun, but I wasn't going to miss a cardinal picture.  I've probably only seen them once in my life.  They just don't get any more magnificent than this guy!!
There's SO much more to see.  Seriously, even their gift shops are magnificent.  Too bad for me it was so early the restaurant was still closed.  I opted for the coffee shop's finest stale bear claw and screaming hot hot chocolate.  My plan was to await the restaurant opening at 11:00.  I sat down on the veranda.
Who should appear but this beauty.  Here I stalked a bird for over an hour trying to capture a cardinal image and all I had to do was sit on the veranda.  
The female was quickly followed by the male!  
Still not the best pictures.  They were about 30 feet away and not interested in company nor would they sit still for even one second.  I inched forward and sadly they flew away.  
So that's it for the birds.  The big aviary was locked up tight, I suspect for cleaning, and we were not allowed in.  There is a hummingbird aviary and the biggest surprise ... a pet-the-stingray exhibit.  For a few dollars more (I'm surprised they charge extra) you can get up close and personal with what I'm guessing is a fresh water ray.  I did not take them up on the experience ... maybe next time.

Believe it or not, I've got two more days of images.  As I said, the place is huge and they do give you your money's worth.  

Here's a picture of the hot water heater.  Yup .... those are all water lines coming up through the floor. There is lots of room in the back, so it would appear a pan is doable, but not by the current plumber.
The really big surprise of the day came when I answered a phone call from an unknown Arizona number.  It was the boss of Riteway Plumbing (even though I called Vail Plumbing for the work).  He wanted to know what he could do to make me get rid of that one star rating on Google.  

Well nothing really, since the pan can't be installed, but I was gracious enough saying I appreciated him at least calling and getting my side of the story.

Last night I got ANOTHER call.  Seriously, I rarely answer a number I don't know.  It was the Plumbing Company Supervisor who asked what he could do to make me change the Google review.  Well .... refund me the $179 I spent on the faucet install I said ... laughing because I knew they had no intention of doing that.  

Guess what!  A check will be mailed to me next week for $179.00.  That was a shocker!!  When I get the check, I'll change my review.  I have to respect a company that actually reads and responds to every review.  Now I can buy those two plants I spotted at the Desert Museum that will look amazing in my back yard!!!









16 comments:

  1. A refund is almost like newfound money if he sends it cool cash it quick
    Water heater black iron gas line PVC lines coming up
    On the right side is the relief valve drain
    Now go to the top of the tank where the Lions come in on the top of the water heater
    But here's the question looking at the picture will you have enough room and diameter to put the drain pan
    But do keep in mind the relief valve drain could be repositioned it to another spot
    The relief valve positioning is really kind of foolish because you don't know if the relief valve leaks so therefore it could drip/leak underneath and you not know it
    Also the gas line going into the meter doesn't look too kosher but it's been there for 15 years so you probably be all right

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    1. Thanks Ed ..... I'm just not up to another project now. When the water heater goes south, I'll have them fix it all.

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  2. Definitely can't put a pan under that tank. Not sure what the two light colored pipes are coming out of the floor, but would assume they were there before the water tank. If the tank had to be replaced, would it slip through the two pipes. Replacing the tank or moving the existing tank may be your solution to getting a pan underneath.
    I am again assuming that when you go back to California, you shut off the water supply to the house, so that if anything did leak or pipe broke, you would not have water damage. You can also drain the Hot water tank.
    A one or two inch high pan, I think would overflow if that tank leaked and you were not there to find.
    Nice that you are getting a refund for the faucet install.

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    1. Thank you Bill .... I'm sure all those pipes will have to be replaced if I replace the tank. Turning the main water valve off is a very good idea!!

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  3. What an awesome surprise!! I would have said exactly the same thing! Nice that someone reads the reviews. ;)

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    1. I was certainly shocked. Didn't really want to rip them off by not paying for the work the did, but I finally said okay.

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  4. Nice that you are getting the refund but seeing is believing.
    If the floor where the Water Heater sits is wood and you still want to install the pan then it will get costly to relocate the lines. As of now there's not much chance of that happening.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your money.

    It's about time.

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    1. Exactly Rick. I'm not going to like paying for those water line replacements.

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  5. Beautiful birds. Good to see you relaxing and enjoying yourself. I can't believe the plumber actually refunded the entire cost of your faucet. Good for you girl, for sticking to your guns!

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    1. Thank you Doug. It is GOOD to relax!!! You do the same, you hear? Happy your solar is working.

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  6. I know nothing about plumbing. But I agree it's nice when companies respond to a negative review. The red cardinal..... beautiful.

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    1. Me either Elva ... that's why I called a plumber! LOL

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  7. What a lovely place to visit. Another thing to add to the list...😎 of places to see.
    Wow, you are getting a refund from a plumber...good job.

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    1. It's a beautiful place to see, and there is so much more than what I've shown thus far.

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  8. Wow! I'm impressed with them refunding your $$. Awesome! What a beautiful place and pictures! The cardinal is beautiful. Hope that mommy got home to feed that cute little one

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    1. I'm smiling over that refund .... it's a first!!

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