Jan. 26-28
Following our visit with our former neighbors in Temecula, we returned to Joshua Tree National Park where Mike had secured the perfect camp site at White Tank. It was a large space with a fire pit nestled in between giant boulders. The great rocks provided some wind protection, however, the katabatic winds picked up every evening and lasted all night. The days were relatively warm around 50 degrees but the nights were very cold. the first night was particularly cold, around 35 with wild winds. We had packed in all of our supplies which included gallons of drinking water. We were off the grid for about 48 hours, without satellite connections or electricity.
Since Mike decided to stay there while we visited our friends, he managed to meet up with other campers, hikers and bikers. Two bikers from Berkeley were next to us. They were on a road trip together as they were both between jobs. One of them, Caleb, was soon to be off with his father to Nepal where they will be doing some charity work building a school for the locals. His buddy, Cooper, was on his last bike ride because his now serious girlfriend doesn’t approve of motor cycles. Cooper had Mike decorate his tent by spray painting a scene of Joshua Trees. Cooper was thrilled with the design. Both young men were fun be around. We had a lot of laughs around the fire. Since I was the only woman, they called me mom the Desert Queen!
One other nearby camper was fondly named desert Dave. He was Native American with wild stories to tell. He was a lonesome sort, likeable, spiritual but with a sordid past including time in prison. He knew all of the trails in the park and had a collection of found objects. He gave me a piece of jade he found and told me it was good fortune. He seemed to be fragile like the environment that he lives in, spikey, sharp with a tender heart.
On the second day, Caleb had a fall on his motorcycle. He suffered minor injuries to his ribs and hand. He was going too fast on the sandy dirt road and made a sharp turn too quickly. With a little help from tools and homemade bandages and Neosporine, all should be fine.
Although very cold and windy, the night sky was bright with a waxing moon and millions of bright stars. Mike climbed a large heart-shaped boulder and hung tiny white lights from the top outlining the heart shape, a beautiful expression of his love for this park.
In the morning, we packed up all of our gear and said good-by to Mike and desert Dave. We were filthy and smelled like the Smokey fire that had been burning all night. Mike was on his way to San Diego to meet up with a Jackson buddy.
Time spent in Joshua Tree was cold, with harsh winds and sharp cacti everywhere. Survival here is difficult with a daily struggle for water. In spite of the harshness that exists, there is beauty and a reminder that this delicate landscape needs to be preserved. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders. Do not let selfish men and greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
January 20-22: Adventures with Mike
January 20
Indio, California
Our son, Mike showed up from Jackson, Wyoming late in the afternoon at the Shadow Hills Resort RV park where we were staying. He drove about a 1000 miles and we are really glad to be able to spend some time with him. We spent the next day touring the town of Palm Springs. The downtown area was filled with shops and Mexican restaurants. I think I was expecting more of a Hollywood atmosphere but that was not the case. It was low key town with outside seating at most of the restaurants. It seemed to be a livable area with homes off the Main Street that were not austentatious. I am sure that there were homes up in the hills that were much more elegant but we stayed in town. Las Casuelas was an outdoor Mexican restaurant where we had lunch. They had a live band that played some Mexican music and some music from the 50’s; quite the variety.
After lunch we tried to drive up to the San Bernardino National Forest and check out Mt San Jacinto Park. The drive up the mountain proved to be a bit too windy with some icy spots so we did not make it all the way to the top. We had decided early on that our excursion would not include high mountain roads with ice or snow. We found a place to turn around and head back to the park for our last night there.
Mike wanted to return to Joshua Tree and camp there for a night. Even though the government is shut down the park was accessible but with no services. It was on a first come-first-serve basis to find a campsite. We found one at Cottonwood Springs located at the southern end of the park. Mike set up his tent which claimed our spot. We then drove to the more northern part of park where the giant boulders are located. Mike climbed “skull rock” which as its name implies is a giant boulder that from a bit of a distance looks like a giant skull. Mike, an experienced climber, skier and all around extreme character, saw no problem fitting into the small crevices up to the top of the skull. Neither Mark nor I attempted to make that climb, even after Mike offered his assistance.
As we were returning to our campsite, the early evening sun was casting shades of pinks, tourquois, blues and yellows. We were watching a water color in the making, soft tones that blended into one another creating a sense of quiet peacefulness. Once at the campsite we prepared a steak dinner for the three of us and shared good memories. The desert night sky, lacking any light pollution, was bright with a magnificent star-light show, the Milkyway, the Little Dipper, Orion’s Belt and many others that I can’t name were all distinct and seemed close enough to touch. Although cold and windy, it was a beautiful night.
Mike planned to spend one more night in the park up in the northern area where the giant boulders are. We had previous plans to meet our former Florida neighbors who recently moved to Temecula. Before leaving, Mark and Mike had fun trying to fly kites in the high winds. Mark was a bit more successful than Mike but they both had a frustratingly good time.
Temecula was about a two and half hour drive west from Joshua Tree. We arrived around 3:00 and were served a lovely lunch on their patio. Boog and Suzanne’s home is beautifully located on a high hill overlooking snow-capped mountains to the east and white picketed fence horse-farms to the west. The neighborhood is a quiet one with palm trees, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees. They have a lovely fenced in back yard with plenty of room for the dogs. Their home is much larger than their Florida one with 3 bedrooms on the second floor. They were able to update their kitchen and bathrooms prior to moving in with state of the art quartz counter tops, new appliances with a soft blue-grey toned cabinets. Their antique furniture is a perfect fit for all of the rooms. They are expecting their first grandchild in July so they are especially happy to be here near their sons.
In a day or so we will meet up with Mike again and camp at bit north of Los Angeles, hoping to stay warm for awhile then head to the wine country in Napa.
Indio, California
Our son, Mike showed up from Jackson, Wyoming late in the afternoon at the Shadow Hills Resort RV park where we were staying. He drove about a 1000 miles and we are really glad to be able to spend some time with him. We spent the next day touring the town of Palm Springs. The downtown area was filled with shops and Mexican restaurants. I think I was expecting more of a Hollywood atmosphere but that was not the case. It was low key town with outside seating at most of the restaurants. It seemed to be a livable area with homes off the Main Street that were not austentatious. I am sure that there were homes up in the hills that were much more elegant but we stayed in town. Las Casuelas was an outdoor Mexican restaurant where we had lunch. They had a live band that played some Mexican music and some music from the 50’s; quite the variety.
After lunch we tried to drive up to the San Bernardino National Forest and check out Mt San Jacinto Park. The drive up the mountain proved to be a bit too windy with some icy spots so we did not make it all the way to the top. We had decided early on that our excursion would not include high mountain roads with ice or snow. We found a place to turn around and head back to the park for our last night there.
Mike wanted to return to Joshua Tree and camp there for a night. Even though the government is shut down the park was accessible but with no services. It was on a first come-first-serve basis to find a campsite. We found one at Cottonwood Springs located at the southern end of the park. Mike set up his tent which claimed our spot. We then drove to the more northern part of park where the giant boulders are located. Mike climbed “skull rock” which as its name implies is a giant boulder that from a bit of a distance looks like a giant skull. Mike, an experienced climber, skier and all around extreme character, saw no problem fitting into the small crevices up to the top of the skull. Neither Mark nor I attempted to make that climb, even after Mike offered his assistance.
As we were returning to our campsite, the early evening sun was casting shades of pinks, tourquois, blues and yellows. We were watching a water color in the making, soft tones that blended into one another creating a sense of quiet peacefulness. Once at the campsite we prepared a steak dinner for the three of us and shared good memories. The desert night sky, lacking any light pollution, was bright with a magnificent star-light show, the Milkyway, the Little Dipper, Orion’s Belt and many others that I can’t name were all distinct and seemed close enough to touch. Although cold and windy, it was a beautiful night.
Mike planned to spend one more night in the park up in the northern area where the giant boulders are. We had previous plans to meet our former Florida neighbors who recently moved to Temecula. Before leaving, Mark and Mike had fun trying to fly kites in the high winds. Mark was a bit more successful than Mike but they both had a frustratingly good time.
Temecula was about a two and half hour drive west from Joshua Tree. We arrived around 3:00 and were served a lovely lunch on their patio. Boog and Suzanne’s home is beautifully located on a high hill overlooking snow-capped mountains to the east and white picketed fence horse-farms to the west. The neighborhood is a quiet one with palm trees, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees. They have a lovely fenced in back yard with plenty of room for the dogs. Their home is much larger than their Florida one with 3 bedrooms on the second floor. They were able to update their kitchen and bathrooms prior to moving in with state of the art quartz counter tops, new appliances with a soft blue-grey toned cabinets. Their antique furniture is a perfect fit for all of the rooms. They are expecting their first grandchild in July so they are especially happy to be here near their sons.
In a day or so we will meet up with Mike again and camp at bit north of Los Angeles, hoping to stay warm for awhile then head to the wine country in Napa.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Jan. 18-19 Indio, California
Indio, California
We made a change in our RV park because we felt very confined. Our new space at a different park is more spacious. It is hard sometimes to tell how nice an RV park might be by looking at the web site. The posted photos are usually beautiful with angles that make the spaces look huge. We are now at Shadow Hills Resort and so far so good. We are located close to Joshua Tree National Monument and Palm Springs.
After an early morning coffee and breakfast we planned a day trip to Joshua Tree National Monument. In the quiet of the early morning I noticed something that had been missing, the sound of song birds. We have been in winter desert areas for the past month or so and were impressed with all the visual beauty and silences of the canyons. However, this morning, I heard song birds singing. What a pleasant surprise to hear that familiar cheerful sound. The southern California desert area is a bit greener than southern Arizona so the birds have made their homes here.
Joshua Tree National Monument was designated a National Monument in 1936 by Franklin D Roosevelt. The park protects 792,510 acres with 80% of it managed as wilderness. It is located where the Mohave and Colorado desert converge. This large desert area is a diverse biological home to many species of plants and animals. The Joshua tree is evident everywhere. This tall spiny plant can grow up to 40 feet with clusters of cream colored flowers that occur in winter months. It is not actually a tree but a variety of the yucca plant. It’s name was given to the plant by a group of Mormons who settled in the area and thought that the many “arms” of the plant reminded them of Joshua raising his hands toward God.
Because this is a desert environment, the dry sandy soil gives life to spiny plants and slithery creatures who have adapted to little water, summer temperatures above 100 degrees and relentless sun. This seemingly harsh area is actually fragile. The threat to the survival of this delicate environment is due to human interference.
The first impression of the park is how different it is from a geological perspective. There are huge boulders and rock piles everywhere. It looked as if giant dump trucks emptied loads of rocks at a construction site, a very large construction site. The geology of this area is the result of millions of years of magma crystallizing below the earth’s surface. Earthquakes cracked the rock bringing it closer to the surface. Groundwater and wind have shaped the rocks and boulders into their unusual forms.
We hiked the Hidden Valley Trail. It is a loop trail that wound up and around huge boulders. Once we climbed over several boulders the trail opened up to a valley that was a cattle rustlers hideout. The valley was filled with scrubby prickly plants and surrounded by huge rock formations with rock climbers testing their skills. The hour long trail walk was a great adventure. We climbed over boulders, peeked through holes in the rocks and watched out for snakes.
Following our hike we drove to Keys View. At an elevation of 5,185 feet the views of the valley, mountains and desert we could got a peek of the San Andreas fault below. There was a heavy haze over the valley so the view was not as clear as expected.
The stark raw beauty of this desert area is a reminder that nature is a reflection of who we are as a human race, Will we continue to preserve this environment for future generations? What is the balance between conservation and development? What is worth saving; what is worth fighting for?
We made a change in our RV park because we felt very confined. Our new space at a different park is more spacious. It is hard sometimes to tell how nice an RV park might be by looking at the web site. The posted photos are usually beautiful with angles that make the spaces look huge. We are now at Shadow Hills Resort and so far so good. We are located close to Joshua Tree National Monument and Palm Springs.
After an early morning coffee and breakfast we planned a day trip to Joshua Tree National Monument. In the quiet of the early morning I noticed something that had been missing, the sound of song birds. We have been in winter desert areas for the past month or so and were impressed with all the visual beauty and silences of the canyons. However, this morning, I heard song birds singing. What a pleasant surprise to hear that familiar cheerful sound. The southern California desert area is a bit greener than southern Arizona so the birds have made their homes here.
Joshua Tree National Monument was designated a National Monument in 1936 by Franklin D Roosevelt. The park protects 792,510 acres with 80% of it managed as wilderness. It is located where the Mohave and Colorado desert converge. This large desert area is a diverse biological home to many species of plants and animals. The Joshua tree is evident everywhere. This tall spiny plant can grow up to 40 feet with clusters of cream colored flowers that occur in winter months. It is not actually a tree but a variety of the yucca plant. It’s name was given to the plant by a group of Mormons who settled in the area and thought that the many “arms” of the plant reminded them of Joshua raising his hands toward God.
Because this is a desert environment, the dry sandy soil gives life to spiny plants and slithery creatures who have adapted to little water, summer temperatures above 100 degrees and relentless sun. This seemingly harsh area is actually fragile. The threat to the survival of this delicate environment is due to human interference.
The first impression of the park is how different it is from a geological perspective. There are huge boulders and rock piles everywhere. It looked as if giant dump trucks emptied loads of rocks at a construction site, a very large construction site. The geology of this area is the result of millions of years of magma crystallizing below the earth’s surface. Earthquakes cracked the rock bringing it closer to the surface. Groundwater and wind have shaped the rocks and boulders into their unusual forms.
We hiked the Hidden Valley Trail. It is a loop trail that wound up and around huge boulders. Once we climbed over several boulders the trail opened up to a valley that was a cattle rustlers hideout. The valley was filled with scrubby prickly plants and surrounded by huge rock formations with rock climbers testing their skills. The hour long trail walk was a great adventure. We climbed over boulders, peeked through holes in the rocks and watched out for snakes.
Following our hike we drove to Keys View. At an elevation of 5,185 feet the views of the valley, mountains and desert we could got a peek of the San Andreas fault below. There was a heavy haze over the valley so the view was not as clear as expected.
The stark raw beauty of this desert area is a reminder that nature is a reflection of who we are as a human race, Will we continue to preserve this environment for future generations? What is the balance between conservation and development? What is worth saving; what is worth fighting for?
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Jan. 16-17. Tuscon to California
Jan. 16
Tombstone, AZ
We took a day trip to Tombstone, AZ an historic city in Cochise County. It is alive with 1880 stores, merchandise, and cowboys, real ones and actors.(It can be hard to tell the difference). There are stagecoach rides with bandit hold-ups and of course the re-enactment of the OK Corral shoot-out with Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp, the deputy Sheriff of Pima County and town marshal of Tombstone. The sidewalks are wooden just as they were back in the late 1800. The stores sold everything western from saddles, to cowboy hats, buckles and belts. The stagecoach ride through town was a fun way to see the homes of the notorious cowboys of the Wild West. When I about 7 my dad bought me a pair of red cowgirl boots and to this day they were one of the best gifts he got for me. I was Annie Oakley for a long time whenever I wore those boots. Later, when I was teaching, I was in a play and had the part of Annie Oakley’s sister in Annie Get Your Gun. Tombstone brought back so many good memories of childhood games.
The Pima Air and Space Museum is another Tuscon attraction that we visited. It is a private museum of hundreds of airplanes from around the world. It also houses many planes from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. There was a display of women in flight that was particular interesting. Many more women have made their mark in flying history than I had ever been aware of.
Jan. 17,
We left Tuscon, Arizona in a very cold windstorm heading toward California. The drive across south west Arizon and into California is desert land. As we drove toward the mountains, we could see an immense haze that appeared to be a fog. It was a windstorm blowing up sand. Thankfully, it was not a heavy sandstorm. We drove through the Imperial Desert, an area of huge sand dunes. We arrived in El Centro California, checked into a nice RV park with a heated pool. What a treat to swim in warm water after traveling in dust and sand for way too many days.
We plan to drive to Indio tomorrow and spend a few days at Joshua Tree National Park. On the 23rd we will visit our former neighbors in Florida who have moved to Temecula, CA. They have told us that Temecula is known for its wineries!
Tombstone, AZ
We took a day trip to Tombstone, AZ an historic city in Cochise County. It is alive with 1880 stores, merchandise, and cowboys, real ones and actors.(It can be hard to tell the difference). There are stagecoach rides with bandit hold-ups and of course the re-enactment of the OK Corral shoot-out with Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp, the deputy Sheriff of Pima County and town marshal of Tombstone. The sidewalks are wooden just as they were back in the late 1800. The stores sold everything western from saddles, to cowboy hats, buckles and belts. The stagecoach ride through town was a fun way to see the homes of the notorious cowboys of the Wild West. When I about 7 my dad bought me a pair of red cowgirl boots and to this day they were one of the best gifts he got for me. I was Annie Oakley for a long time whenever I wore those boots. Later, when I was teaching, I was in a play and had the part of Annie Oakley’s sister in Annie Get Your Gun. Tombstone brought back so many good memories of childhood games.
The Pima Air and Space Museum is another Tuscon attraction that we visited. It is a private museum of hundreds of airplanes from around the world. It also houses many planes from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. There was a display of women in flight that was particular interesting. Many more women have made their mark in flying history than I had ever been aware of.
Jan. 17,
We left Tuscon, Arizona in a very cold windstorm heading toward California. The drive across south west Arizon and into California is desert land. As we drove toward the mountains, we could see an immense haze that appeared to be a fog. It was a windstorm blowing up sand. Thankfully, it was not a heavy sandstorm. We drove through the Imperial Desert, an area of huge sand dunes. We arrived in El Centro California, checked into a nice RV park with a heated pool. What a treat to swim in warm water after traveling in dust and sand for way too many days.
We plan to drive to Indio tomorrow and spend a few days at Joshua Tree National Park. On the 23rd we will visit our former neighbors in Florida who have moved to Temecula, CA. They have told us that Temecula is known for its wineries!
Monday, January 15, 2018
Jan. 13-15 Tuscon, AZ
Jan. 13,
We checked out of our mini estate at the Arroyo Robles in Sedona, packed up the RV and drove to the kennel to pick up Jack. He was over the moon excited to see us. The owner insured us that he was a very good boy all week. He had a nice bath and was smelling good. We missed him too but we were able to do a lot of things in Sedona that we couldn’t have done with a dog. All is well and we are back in traveling mode.
Spending two weeks in Sedona was lovely. It truly is a beautiful area and we will mis it. We were not able to connect with our friends from Great Diamond, the Doyles, because they are in Florida now. Jim was kind enough to give us a great list of things to do and places to see in the area and we took full advantage of his list. Thank you Jim!
The drive to Tuscon from Sedona is a little over 3 hours which is about the maximum time we care to drive in one day. We did a grocery run and found our RV site. It is not as nice as the Sedona RV site but we are only here for a few days and we will be gone most of the day sight seeing so we can put up with a place not as beautiful. Basically, all I care about is that they have clean showers with hot water.
On Sunday morning we visited the Desert Museum. George Gordon had told us to be sure to see it. He was right on. It was an amazing place with two and half miles of desert walkways. It is a natural environment with cacti plants well marked with information about each variety. We listened to a lecture on two venomous creatures that inhabit the area, the Gila monster and the western rattlesnake.
Both animals were placed on display on a large table in close and clear view. The desert environment is a tough one for plants and animals so each has its own distinctive way of protecting itself. The Gila monster is actually quite a beautiful lizard. It has small beady eyes with bright pink or orange with black spots on their skin. It has the appearance of bumps all over its outer skin which are actually bones that are for protection. The venom of a Gila monster is not deadly to a healthy human but their bite is strong and should be professionally cared for. The rattlesnake is a pit viper with a venom that can kill a human if left untreated in about six to forty eight hours. There is an antidote for a rattlesnake bite but it is about $2,000 per vile and one could need up to 20 viles if bitten. Fortunately, there are few deaths from the rattlesnake.
The desert area around Tuscon is very different from the deserts we have been through so far. It has green vegetation and forests of Saguaro cacti. This area is closer to the Sea of Cortez which brings summer rains, giving the plant life much needed water supply. The desert landscape is a harsh one, even here. The soil is sandy and dry but the cacti grow to be very large with incredible long thorns. Hiking through the desert is not my choice; it is easy to get lost, it is hot, the plants are scary and dangerous to get near, and of course the presence of the ever threatening rattlesnakes and other poisonous animals. We were happy to be able to walk the 2 miles through the Desert Museum where we could learn about the flora and fauna of the area without worry of getting lost, touching something poisonous, or passing out from the heat. George was right this was a worthwhile day trip.
We took a drive through the heart of downtown Tuscon and the University. The University has a lovely campus landscaped with trees and green grass. It is centrally located with neighboring restaurants alive with music and laughter. Tuscon is a young person’s city with quiet streets and neighborhoods that are pleasant and walkable.
We checked out of our mini estate at the Arroyo Robles in Sedona, packed up the RV and drove to the kennel to pick up Jack. He was over the moon excited to see us. The owner insured us that he was a very good boy all week. He had a nice bath and was smelling good. We missed him too but we were able to do a lot of things in Sedona that we couldn’t have done with a dog. All is well and we are back in traveling mode.
Spending two weeks in Sedona was lovely. It truly is a beautiful area and we will mis it. We were not able to connect with our friends from Great Diamond, the Doyles, because they are in Florida now. Jim was kind enough to give us a great list of things to do and places to see in the area and we took full advantage of his list. Thank you Jim!
The drive to Tuscon from Sedona is a little over 3 hours which is about the maximum time we care to drive in one day. We did a grocery run and found our RV site. It is not as nice as the Sedona RV site but we are only here for a few days and we will be gone most of the day sight seeing so we can put up with a place not as beautiful. Basically, all I care about is that they have clean showers with hot water.
On Sunday morning we visited the Desert Museum. George Gordon had told us to be sure to see it. He was right on. It was an amazing place with two and half miles of desert walkways. It is a natural environment with cacti plants well marked with information about each variety. We listened to a lecture on two venomous creatures that inhabit the area, the Gila monster and the western rattlesnake.
Both animals were placed on display on a large table in close and clear view. The desert environment is a tough one for plants and animals so each has its own distinctive way of protecting itself. The Gila monster is actually quite a beautiful lizard. It has small beady eyes with bright pink or orange with black spots on their skin. It has the appearance of bumps all over its outer skin which are actually bones that are for protection. The venom of a Gila monster is not deadly to a healthy human but their bite is strong and should be professionally cared for. The rattlesnake is a pit viper with a venom that can kill a human if left untreated in about six to forty eight hours. There is an antidote for a rattlesnake bite but it is about $2,000 per vile and one could need up to 20 viles if bitten. Fortunately, there are few deaths from the rattlesnake.
The desert area around Tuscon is very different from the deserts we have been through so far. It has green vegetation and forests of Saguaro cacti. This area is closer to the Sea of Cortez which brings summer rains, giving the plant life much needed water supply. The desert landscape is a harsh one, even here. The soil is sandy and dry but the cacti grow to be very large with incredible long thorns. Hiking through the desert is not my choice; it is easy to get lost, it is hot, the plants are scary and dangerous to get near, and of course the presence of the ever threatening rattlesnakes and other poisonous animals. We were happy to be able to walk the 2 miles through the Desert Museum where we could learn about the flora and fauna of the area without worry of getting lost, touching something poisonous, or passing out from the heat. George was right this was a worthwhile day trip.
We took a drive through the heart of downtown Tuscon and the University. The University has a lovely campus landscaped with trees and green grass. It is centrally located with neighboring restaurants alive with music and laughter. Tuscon is a young person’s city with quiet streets and neighborhoods that are pleasant and walkable.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Sedona: Jan. 6-13 The Condo
Jan.6-13
This week has been spent at the Arroyo Robles Condos in the center of Sedona. We have taken a break from the RV and enjoyed a 2 bedroom condo with adobe like fireplaces in the living room and bedroom. It feels incredibly spacious with canyon views from every window.
We have had lovely private moments including special dinners, swimming in the heated pool and a 90 minute Ayurvedic massage. The specially formulated hot oils soaked immediately into our dry cracked skin.
We hiked the trails at the West Fork, the Airport and Fay Canyon. Each trail is different but all have exceeded our expectations in beauty and adventure. At the beginning of the week the trails were powdery dry since it hadn’t rained in months here. Our shoes and clothing were covered with a layer of red clay dust by the end of each walk. The giant boulders were covered with the dust particles and the creeks and washes were empty leaving only bedrock. The green foliage of the riparian forests along Oak Creek were stressed and shriveled due to the lack of rain.
Finally, late Tuesday night a magnificent thunderstorm brought torrential rains into the city and surrounding canyons. Intense lightening lit up the night sky followed by thunder that echoed through the canyon walls. The rain continued throughout the day on Wednesday and washed the city clean. It also washed away the dust and grime from our van. The RV had been covered with bird droppings for the past two months. The birds had been eating red berries so there was an amazing display of red poop all over our van.
On Thursday, we hiked the Fay Canyon Trail. The rain had transformed the beginning of the trail from a dry dusty path to a thick red muddy one. It is a wonder how just a little bit of rain will wake up nature. The green foliage is now plump and vibrant. The air is clear and refreshing. The washes, although not flowing, had remaining pools of water left from the day before. As we ascended up the trail toward the canyon wall, the red thick mud had hardened making the trek easier. The tall pines and firs gave off their signature scents, thankful for the drink water.
The Navajo’s say “Water is Life” and this rainfall has reminded me of the precious resource water truly is. All of nature responds positively to water. It flows like the life blood through the veins of plants and animals.
This week has been spent at the Arroyo Robles Condos in the center of Sedona. We have taken a break from the RV and enjoyed a 2 bedroom condo with adobe like fireplaces in the living room and bedroom. It feels incredibly spacious with canyon views from every window.
We have had lovely private moments including special dinners, swimming in the heated pool and a 90 minute Ayurvedic massage. The specially formulated hot oils soaked immediately into our dry cracked skin.
We hiked the trails at the West Fork, the Airport and Fay Canyon. Each trail is different but all have exceeded our expectations in beauty and adventure. At the beginning of the week the trails were powdery dry since it hadn’t rained in months here. Our shoes and clothing were covered with a layer of red clay dust by the end of each walk. The giant boulders were covered with the dust particles and the creeks and washes were empty leaving only bedrock. The green foliage of the riparian forests along Oak Creek were stressed and shriveled due to the lack of rain.
Finally, late Tuesday night a magnificent thunderstorm brought torrential rains into the city and surrounding canyons. Intense lightening lit up the night sky followed by thunder that echoed through the canyon walls. The rain continued throughout the day on Wednesday and washed the city clean. It also washed away the dust and grime from our van. The RV had been covered with bird droppings for the past two months. The birds had been eating red berries so there was an amazing display of red poop all over our van.
On Thursday, we hiked the Fay Canyon Trail. The rain had transformed the beginning of the trail from a dry dusty path to a thick red muddy one. It is a wonder how just a little bit of rain will wake up nature. The green foliage is now plump and vibrant. The air is clear and refreshing. The washes, although not flowing, had remaining pools of water left from the day before. As we ascended up the trail toward the canyon wall, the red thick mud had hardened making the trek easier. The tall pines and firs gave off their signature scents, thankful for the drink water.
The Navajo’s say “Water is Life” and this rainfall has reminded me of the precious resource water truly is. All of nature responds positively to water. It flows like the life blood through the veins of plants and animals.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Jan. 5-6. Hiking
Jan. 5
Mark, Jack and I hiked Soldiers Pass Trail today. It wasn’t too difficult so we were able to climb all around the boulders once again. The trails here are amazing. Some are more difficult than others in that they ascend upwards of 400 feet with narrow paths and serious drop offs. We have chosen the less difficult trails to climb but the views are still spectacular. The high cliffs of the Red Rocks surround the city giving magnificent views no matter where you look. Hiking the trails up into the National Park area gave us a birds eye view of Sedona below. The architecture of Sedona is simple and structured to fit into the landscape. There are no tall buildings to visually compete with the cliffs; homes and businesses are a maximum of two stories and usually built into the rock. The architectural styles are adobe or modern with a lot of glass. The weather here is relatively mild so the use of glass and stone makes for outstanding structures. The colors of the homes also fit into the colors of the rocks surrounding the city, reds, oranges, and greys. The blending of the man made architecture with the natural rock formations creates an atmosphere of peace and calm.
We hiked on to the airport trail which is where a major vortex is located. The energy fields evidently spin around in this area. Not sure if I felt the energy but the view was great!
I have to admit that I gave in and bought three crystals. I chose ones that should aid meditation and open up all chakras. The salesman at the store assured me that there is a positive energy in crystals and that they enhance a feeling of positivity and peacefulness. I have nothing to lose!
Jan. 6
This morning we cleaned out the RV, packed up and moved out of Rancho Sedona RV park. Admittedly, it has been one of the prettiest parks we have been to date, the views, the privacy, the sound of running water from the creek behind our van all added up to a very pleasant stay. For the next week we will be at a resort condo in Sedona. I am looking forward to a massage and a long soaking bath. We plan to continue to hike in the area and enjoy the rest of what Sedona has to offer, perhaps a night out at Elote restaurant. Since this is Mark’s idea of “marriage insurance”, I am not going to blog about this week. The past two months have been wonderful and the “marriage insurance” idea is not really needed, just the spa part!!!
Mark, Jack and I hiked Soldiers Pass Trail today. It wasn’t too difficult so we were able to climb all around the boulders once again. The trails here are amazing. Some are more difficult than others in that they ascend upwards of 400 feet with narrow paths and serious drop offs. We have chosen the less difficult trails to climb but the views are still spectacular. The high cliffs of the Red Rocks surround the city giving magnificent views no matter where you look. Hiking the trails up into the National Park area gave us a birds eye view of Sedona below. The architecture of Sedona is simple and structured to fit into the landscape. There are no tall buildings to visually compete with the cliffs; homes and businesses are a maximum of two stories and usually built into the rock. The architectural styles are adobe or modern with a lot of glass. The weather here is relatively mild so the use of glass and stone makes for outstanding structures. The colors of the homes also fit into the colors of the rocks surrounding the city, reds, oranges, and greys. The blending of the man made architecture with the natural rock formations creates an atmosphere of peace and calm.
We hiked on to the airport trail which is where a major vortex is located. The energy fields evidently spin around in this area. Not sure if I felt the energy but the view was great!
I have to admit that I gave in and bought three crystals. I chose ones that should aid meditation and open up all chakras. The salesman at the store assured me that there is a positive energy in crystals and that they enhance a feeling of positivity and peacefulness. I have nothing to lose!
Jan. 6
This morning we cleaned out the RV, packed up and moved out of Rancho Sedona RV park. Admittedly, it has been one of the prettiest parks we have been to date, the views, the privacy, the sound of running water from the creek behind our van all added up to a very pleasant stay. For the next week we will be at a resort condo in Sedona. I am looking forward to a massage and a long soaking bath. We plan to continue to hike in the area and enjoy the rest of what Sedona has to offer, perhaps a night out at Elote restaurant. Since this is Mark’s idea of “marriage insurance”, I am not going to blog about this week. The past two months have been wonderful and the “marriage insurance” idea is not really needed, just the spa part!!!
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Jan. 3 2018. Pink Jeep and Boulder Climbing
Jan. 3, 2018
Yesterday we scheduled a two hour Pink Jeep ride up into the mountains of the Coconino National Forest and the Red Rock area of Sedona. The Pink Jeeps are a local tourist adventure taking people into the rugged hills that surround the city. We chose the Broken Arrow tour which took us off road and into the back country. The drive ascended to about 4,000 feet up terrain that was rocky and dusty. Our guide drove over boulders and rock faces that bounced us around in the open air Jeep. We slid from side to side and came close to cliff sides that dropped thousands of feet. The stop that allowed us to boulder climb was exhilarating. It was like standing at the edge of the earth looking at the beginning of time. These rocks have been around for thousands of years with layers of colors indicating the formation of various periods in geologic time. Our guide pointed out the variety in vegetation along the way, pinion trees, agave cactus, and brush juniper. I noticed several large and beautiful juniper trees growing between two rocks with seemingly no soil or water to nourish them. The difficult surroundings do not prevent them from becoming strong hardy trees. They are surviving with little help from nature; a metaphor for the power of determination, resilence and inner strength.
Since, we arrived back at our RV Park too late to cook dinner, Mark and I walked to town for a quick meal at the Secret Garden. We forgot our flashlights so the walk home was a bit sketchy in the dark.
The RV needed to be cleaned out and reorganized so we decided to once again go through all of our cabinets and get rid of the things that we weren’t using or would not need. It turned out there was quite a lot so we packed it all up and sent it back to Kate. She should receive it in about a week. It has been two months on the road and we are getting by with very little clothing. It is quite freeing actually, not be needing so much stuff. Just to be clear, we do laundry every other day so our clothes are relatively clean.
Today was a day off from touring and just getting the RV in order and taking care of personal things like cleaning the RV, food shopping, banking and laundry. The RV park is a comfortable and private location for us and we are truly enjoying our stay here.
Yesterday we scheduled a two hour Pink Jeep ride up into the mountains of the Coconino National Forest and the Red Rock area of Sedona. The Pink Jeeps are a local tourist adventure taking people into the rugged hills that surround the city. We chose the Broken Arrow tour which took us off road and into the back country. The drive ascended to about 4,000 feet up terrain that was rocky and dusty. Our guide drove over boulders and rock faces that bounced us around in the open air Jeep. We slid from side to side and came close to cliff sides that dropped thousands of feet. The stop that allowed us to boulder climb was exhilarating. It was like standing at the edge of the earth looking at the beginning of time. These rocks have been around for thousands of years with layers of colors indicating the formation of various periods in geologic time. Our guide pointed out the variety in vegetation along the way, pinion trees, agave cactus, and brush juniper. I noticed several large and beautiful juniper trees growing between two rocks with seemingly no soil or water to nourish them. The difficult surroundings do not prevent them from becoming strong hardy trees. They are surviving with little help from nature; a metaphor for the power of determination, resilence and inner strength.
Since, we arrived back at our RV Park too late to cook dinner, Mark and I walked to town for a quick meal at the Secret Garden. We forgot our flashlights so the walk home was a bit sketchy in the dark.
The RV needed to be cleaned out and reorganized so we decided to once again go through all of our cabinets and get rid of the things that we weren’t using or would not need. It turned out there was quite a lot so we packed it all up and sent it back to Kate. She should receive it in about a week. It has been two months on the road and we are getting by with very little clothing. It is quite freeing actually, not be needing so much stuff. Just to be clear, we do laundry every other day so our clothes are relatively clean.
Today was a day off from touring and just getting the RV in order and taking care of personal things like cleaning the RV, food shopping, banking and laundry. The RV park is a comfortable and private location for us and we are truly enjoying our stay here.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
JANUARY 2: Sedona, AZ: Shopping and Chapel of the Holy Cross
Jan. 2, 2018
Sedona is located just south of Flagstaff, Arizona. The city is nestled in between red rock canyons that provide spectacular views from every angle. Oak Creek winds its way through the valley providing green vegetation to flourish. The greenery is a welcome site for us. We have been in desert lands where the brown, dusty landscape where foreground and background blend into continuous open spaces.
Rancho Sedona RV park is a short 10 minute walk to the shops in the western section of Sedona. The first night we were here we walked to town for dinner at Creekside Cafe. We had been told that this is a very dog friendly city and to be sure to take Jack with us everywhere. The restaurant was able to seat us outside on the balcony overlooking Oak Creek and the red canyons. When the menus arrived there was a special menu for Jack! We were served water as well as Jack in a special silver dog bowl. We ordered Steak Tartare for Jack. It arrived in another silver bowl with a raw egg on top. This was a first for us. Jack certainly was a happy guy. With such great service, he even left a tip!
After dinner we walked around Tllaquepaque, an open air arts and crafts village. It was a warm night and the white Christmas lights were still on. The shops featured art works reflecting the colors and scenery of the area. Kuivato Glass Gallery had glass sculptures that twisted and turned with yellows, reds and oranges giving movement to the blown glass. In the Rowe Fine Art gallery, local artists captured the scenery in oils and water-colors. Some were realistic attempts at capturing the landscape in a two dimensional format while others were impressionistic or modern. They were all extraordinary and very high priced. Other interesting shops were particular to the area, Echo of the Dreamer Gallery, The Turquoise Tortoise Gallery and the Honshin Fine Art, Gallery of the Ascending Spirit, and Gallery of Wholeness, Harmony and Radiance.
We ended our evening walk to a Navaho jewelry gallery where Mark bought me a beautiful silver and torquioise bracelet. (He also bought Sophie and Kate Birthday gifts, and two more bracelets for me the next day!!!)
Evidently there are vorticies here. There is one at Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock and the Airport Vortex. There may be more but these seem to be the most popular. They are believed to be energy fields. Whether or not this is a scientific fact or not, there is certainly a peaceful feeling here. Perhaps, it is from the altitude, or the climate, or the water that flows through the canyon, or the voticies, a great marketing plan or all of the above. Whatever, Sedona is a warm, welcoming, peaceful city.
Chapel of the Holy Cross is located just east of the city. It is a Roman Catholic chapel that was built high on a hill and built into the red rocks with views of the canyons form inside the chapel through glass windows on either side of the chapel. Marguerite Brunswig Staude, was a sculptor who captured the attention of Frank Lloyd Wright back in the 30’s. Together with architects Richard Hein August Strotz the projet was completed in l956. The use of glass captures the light from the entrance way and continues through the chapel passing over and through the red votives located at the front of the altar. The glass from behind the altar faces outward to the canyons and is framed around a massive stone cross that seemingly is built into the side of the canyon. The walk up to the chapel is a winding circular one that provides a meditative walk through simple modern sculpultures and water-scapes. Typical of the Wright style the chapel is timeless in its design, modern yet classic.
Sedona is located just south of Flagstaff, Arizona. The city is nestled in between red rock canyons that provide spectacular views from every angle. Oak Creek winds its way through the valley providing green vegetation to flourish. The greenery is a welcome site for us. We have been in desert lands where the brown, dusty landscape where foreground and background blend into continuous open spaces.
Rancho Sedona RV park is a short 10 minute walk to the shops in the western section of Sedona. The first night we were here we walked to town for dinner at Creekside Cafe. We had been told that this is a very dog friendly city and to be sure to take Jack with us everywhere. The restaurant was able to seat us outside on the balcony overlooking Oak Creek and the red canyons. When the menus arrived there was a special menu for Jack! We were served water as well as Jack in a special silver dog bowl. We ordered Steak Tartare for Jack. It arrived in another silver bowl with a raw egg on top. This was a first for us. Jack certainly was a happy guy. With such great service, he even left a tip!
After dinner we walked around Tllaquepaque, an open air arts and crafts village. It was a warm night and the white Christmas lights were still on. The shops featured art works reflecting the colors and scenery of the area. Kuivato Glass Gallery had glass sculptures that twisted and turned with yellows, reds and oranges giving movement to the blown glass. In the Rowe Fine Art gallery, local artists captured the scenery in oils and water-colors. Some were realistic attempts at capturing the landscape in a two dimensional format while others were impressionistic or modern. They were all extraordinary and very high priced. Other interesting shops were particular to the area, Echo of the Dreamer Gallery, The Turquoise Tortoise Gallery and the Honshin Fine Art, Gallery of the Ascending Spirit, and Gallery of Wholeness, Harmony and Radiance.
We ended our evening walk to a Navaho jewelry gallery where Mark bought me a beautiful silver and torquioise bracelet. (He also bought Sophie and Kate Birthday gifts, and two more bracelets for me the next day!!!)
Evidently there are vorticies here. There is one at Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock and the Airport Vortex. There may be more but these seem to be the most popular. They are believed to be energy fields. Whether or not this is a scientific fact or not, there is certainly a peaceful feeling here. Perhaps, it is from the altitude, or the climate, or the water that flows through the canyon, or the voticies, a great marketing plan or all of the above. Whatever, Sedona is a warm, welcoming, peaceful city.
Chapel of the Holy Cross is located just east of the city. It is a Roman Catholic chapel that was built high on a hill and built into the red rocks with views of the canyons form inside the chapel through glass windows on either side of the chapel. Marguerite Brunswig Staude, was a sculptor who captured the attention of Frank Lloyd Wright back in the 30’s. Together with architects Richard Hein August Strotz the projet was completed in l956. The use of glass captures the light from the entrance way and continues through the chapel passing over and through the red votives located at the front of the altar. The glass from behind the altar faces outward to the canyons and is framed around a massive stone cross that seemingly is built into the side of the canyon. The walk up to the chapel is a winding circular one that provides a meditative walk through simple modern sculpultures and water-scapes. Typical of the Wright style the chapel is timeless in its design, modern yet classic.
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