Packing up

Shawn defers to me when it comes to packing our suitcases.

I will note with some pride that Miss America 1961, Nancy Fleming (Miss Michigan, no less!) made it all the way down the Atlantic City runway on the strength of her talent competition. Did she twirl fire batons or do the jitterbug or sing an aria? Heck no! She demonstrated the proper way to pack a suitcase!

It's not a skill, it's a talent!

Sedona Sunrise

We got up early to catch the sunrise on our last day in Arizona.

Sadly, it was too overcast -- it started snowing shortly after dawn -- to get a beautiful picture. Next time...

I snuck down and caught Shawn and Brent lounging on the red rocks, waiting for Mother Nature to do her thing. A long exposure and Photoshop do wonders for low light pictures!

On the road home

We decided on the ride home that we picked the perfect time to visit the Grand Canyon. Late January meant that there were few tourists, lots of parking, and plenty of access to all the sites, restaurants, and gift shops. The weather even cooperated -- mid-50s and sunny was perfect for everyone.

A couple of shots from the return journey -- First we stopped to gas up the minivan when Shawn met up with a fellow Native American.

The other shot is taken from our seat in the back of the van, with one of the great natural wonders of the world in our rear view mirror!

More Grand Canyon

The viewing platform near the visitors center. This is where I took the panoramic photos.

Shawn and Brent in front of the canyon.

Shawn only stood this close to the edge because there was a ledge 2 feet below him to catch him, should he slip and fall.


With Shawn, 300 feet above the Colorado river.


Shawn didn't want to take the picture, but I kept inching closer to the edge until he complied!


One more scenic pose with my afraid-of-heights husband.


Dennis at the Grand Canyon.


Shawn snapped this picture from the main road, while I was standing on the viewing platform outside one of the gift shops scattered along the route.


At Hermit's Rest, the turn-around point for the auto route.


The group poses for a photo near Hermit's rest.

Grand Canyon

Indulge me as I post 8 photos I shot while standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, near the visitors center entrance. These photos, if pasted together, would represent a 260 degree view. Breathtaking!

Oak Creek Canyon

We stopped at a scenic overlook on a road winding through the Cocochino National Forest on the way to the Grand Canyon. This is what we saw.

Cathedral Rock at Sunset

We drove out to Cathedral Rock to watch the sunset. The sky clouded over from this afternoon, but the views were still pretty dramatic!


Shawn climbs a tree growing along the river bed.


With my sweetie at Cathedral Rock.


Judy goes to great lengths to get the perfect shot.


Late afternoon reflections.


Shawn hides out in an unexpected bamboo grove.


Brent poses at Cathedral Rock.


Up a tree, almost.


Shawn builds an alter to let people know that he was here.

Uptown Sedona

Even the shopping has a view!

Palatki Ruins

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Shawn on the road to ruin!

Shawn wanted to look at rocks,
Judy wanted to take pictures,
I wanted to take it all in.

Brent suggested that we visit the Palatki ruins in the Coconino National Forest, for a place where we could have it all -- soaring red cliffs, impressive vistas, easy hiking trails, Indian ruins, cave paintings...

It did not disappoint!

After checking in at the visitors center, we hiked about a half mile to the cliff dwellings. Our guide explained that the people who built the homes -- hanging on to the side of the mountain -- moved there in response to changing climate. When they ran out of water, they left the area for good.

Amazingly, their dwellings and artwork survive to this day.

Sedona Red Rocks

Walking around Sedona, it's easy to understand why Brent & Dennis fell in love with this place at first sight. Soaring red rocks, infinite blue sky... It's hard to take a bad picture here - the landscape is breath-taking.

The town itself is sort of new-agey -- which is fine with me -- and geared toward tourists -- which is also fine, since I'm a tourist this week! People are friendly; many of the locals came here from some place else, drawn by the landscape, the climate, or the hospitality.

Sedona has a thriving arts community, that makes it seem like a bigger town than it is. Lots to do here!

I'm including a few of my favorite panoramas of the landscape.

Sunset on the Road to Sedona