Zion National Park, Utah

Last week we camped in Kanab, Utah and visited Zion National Park, which excited one of our grandsons quite a bit.  He too is named Zion, and he and the park are rightly associated because they both are truly SPECTACULAR!

Zion is on the snowman's left.  This is his family; his mom and our daughter, Kayla, his dad. Daniel and his other Grandma, MoMo.  Zion's older brother, Gene, his sister, Jubilee and younger brother, Brave all helped make the snowman.

Jerry fished the Colorado River, while we were in Kanab.

We drove to Bryce Canyon and hiked the Queen's Garden Trail which was the most challenging for me (edgy drop-offs) but also the most rewarding views!

Yesterday our son, Kody, asked me, "How are you and Dad going to handle hiking the neighborhood when you get home?"  I don't know, but we are sure looking forward to finding out! 

Camp Verde

     

Just before we left Tucson I captured this picture at the zoo and I really like it.

Our last hike in Tucson; Seven Falls in Sabino Canyon, a grand Grand Finale!

We arrived in Camp Verde on March 11th, and on a tip from my brother, we visited Jerome the next day.  Jerome is built on the side of a mountain and an old ghost town teeters above it, where we watched a steam-powered sawmill preserved from the 1930's.

Oak Creek, like Jerome, is just a short drive from Camp Verde.  We hiked the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon...majestic!

During our week at Camp Verde we visited Sedona several times.  It is beautiful just to be there, but hiking the Bell Rock Pathway and Courthouse Butte trails was even more so!

Two parting shots. This is our church in Tucson; The Rincon Valley Cowboy Church.  I never got a picture of the actual service, but this is the ramada that held all the white folding chairs.  The pastor wore a cowboy hat and boots, and sang in the bluegrass gospel band that led the worship.  The service was held at 6pm on Saturday night and the setting sun turned the mountains pink, a stirring sight to see.

Another amazing picture from the zoo in Tucson; this nest was made by a beautiful little yellow bird appropriately named, Weaver,   I'm still amazed at the creativity of God when I look at it!

Answered Prayers

Before we left on this trip I hadn't blogged in a long time.  Since this journey jump-started my blogging, I've realized that our life journey has been blessed immeasurably also.  Whenever Jerry and I count our blessings, two beautiful young women always make the top of the list.  Kody got 'Carrie-d' away last August when the girl of his dreams promised to share his name and his life forever.  Yes, I know...she's a beauty!

               Kody and Carrie

Last week, Jack and Melissa sailed into forever-after on a wedding cruise with both kids in tow. 

      Jack, Melissa, Jack Jr., and Sharlet

Do we believe in answered prayers?  We feel like shouting from the red rock mountain tops here in Sedona, "YES!"

Too Fun Tucson?

We arrived in Tucson on February 11th, fully prepared to favorably compare it to Mesa, but now we're not so sure.  The Valley of the Sun keeps out-shining it in almost every way.  Just before we left we checked out Saguarro Lake.

We hiked the Butcher Jones Trail (without my camera)...beautiful overviews!

Ski day at the Snow Bowl in Flagstaff.  

Denny and Laura came to Tucson the first weekend we were here to visit their daughter, Jenna.  Jenna and her husband, Todd, have three adorable little kids and a giant white dog named, Waylon.  We had a great time and family-time has been scarce for us.  Seven-year-old, Ben, even gave me a big hug on his way to bed.  At first he was very hesitant, but when I explained that it had been a LONG time since I had been given a "kid-hug" he shyly obliged.  Kayla, the oldest, shared pictures with us of the father/daughter dance she and Todd had recently attended while Anna, the littlest one, curled up next to Waylon on the living room rug...it was family life at it's finest!  Thank you Todd and Jenna!  This is Anna, Waylon, Jenna, Kayla, and Ben.

The grill master, Todd.

Denny and Laura, proud parents and grandparents.

Saguarro National Forest is a beauty and we have spent many simply perfect days taking it all in along the hiking trails that wind through it.

A snack habit: find a pretty, peaceful place to sit and rest and peel an orange...they have never tasted so good!  This is Sabino Canyon.

Sometimes we have to share the trail.

Saint Fransico Xavier de Bac, a mission called the white dove of the desert, was constructed in 1783 by and for the Tohono O'odham tribe of native Americans.  Father Kino, the founder of the mission is one of Arizona's state heroes featured in the Hall of Heroes in Washington, D.C.

The Tucson Rodeo was fun!

The sunset over our campground. 

We have laughed about existing in this too-cozy white box for three months now, but every time we meet our next-door neighbors, no matter where we go, we don't feel so unique at all....this is FUN!

Roadrunners

We have heard that Phoenix, AZ is the snowbird capital of the U.S. and now we understand why.  Retired people from all over the northern states migrate here in the winter-time.  However, Jerry and I have decided our lives here resemble roadrunners rather than snowbirds. The warm weather and sunshine make us want to load up the car everyday, aim it toward the next chosen point of interest, and GO!  I saw a real-live roadrunner on a desert road the other day and I could totally relate to it's speed and excitement; there is so much to see and do here!

  We signed up for the sunset ride at the Ponderosa Riding Stables in the South Mountains.

Driving the Apache Trail was a bit scary but the views were worth all the nervousness.

The hiking trails took some getting used to, but now they are one of our favorite things to do.

Petroglyphs along the trail.

This is the church we have been attending for the past three weeks in Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction.

On our first visit I was greeted by an usher with a pistol on his hip, which I believed to be part of the costumed 'flare' of the town, until I noticed the pianist.

While making small talk with some folks in our pew, we were told that many members come to church on horseback and need to be armed against the rattlesnakes.  

The Case Grande National Monument, abandoned in 1450.

The Tonto National Forest Cave Dwellings.  

The locals say, "Forget fishing in Arizona."  I'm so happy he hasn't given up yet, even a roadrunner has to be still once in a while.