Monday, February 23, 2009

Peoria, AZ - My home away from home


On the plane! Watched the sun set forEVER!


And this I did feel. :)


Happy Wine :) Katie's last night was my first...


Our Arizona pet, Maya


My Arizona-Adoptive family - Steve & Donna (Shannon's uncle and aunt)


Their back yard, complete with fresh grapefruit.


And bones!


Their front yard - a rock garden! Me likey.


A yard containing both a pine and a palm tree. Love that.


I just can't get enough of these. There's something about them hanging out along side the road.


Cute horse stable on our way to this amazing overlook...






Yes, that is Shannon driving a TRUCK!


View from South Mountain at night!


















Gorgeous!

Sedona








































Just a moment while I park my horse...


Chapel
















photo by Shannon








photo by Shannon




Make a wish!


















photo by Shannon


There are people hiking on that - We would have if we'd had more time... So we'll have to do that next time!







On the Road to the Grand Canyon!!


Cross-process cacti! Sweeeeet.


Check out this purple hay-haulin' semi! I took this shot for Jes!




I loved the cacti-forests


In some states, they have to warn people that there could be ice present on the roads. HUH!




This fog is crazy! Beautiful drive... but will we get to see into the Canyon??




We made a pit-stop here for some food and a little souvenir shopping.


Look how high up we are!




This is starting to look like the Gunflint Trail, MN!
(But less snow at this time.)





The (Truly) GRAND Canyon

On the way to the Canyon, we couldn't believe how cloudy, rainy, and foggy it was becoming. We wondered if we'd even see anything, and we had about an hour and a half until sunset. It's $25 to get into the park. We felt our way through the fog and asked the park ranger at the gate if it was worth it. She said "They tell me the view comes and goes, but I don't think you'd be disappointed." We said we're here, let's do it. I thought perhaps the clouds might enhance things some for the sunset. It took us a while to navigate our way around the park. We found a place for the car, and walked to find the Canyon's edge. When we got beyond the trees and foliage that were blocking our view from the pathway, we were stunned by what we found. This is a rare opportunity - and I can't believe we considered skipping out on it. It literally took my breath away, there were no words anyway - and we just stood there in amazed silence for a few moments (trying to breathe!) All we could do was cry. We cried, and laughed, and cried, and laughed... and took LOTS of pictures. I'd have paid a hundred and twenty five to see and photograph this! ;)


On the path leading to the edge...




The "OMG" moment!






Us, laughing and crying -


Fog did roll back in for about 3 minutes, and it was a little bit cool.














Another visitor took a pic for us.








Not that this scene needs ANY enhancing, but cross-process added depth to this pic.






At one point, the sun shone through on just one peak of the Canyon, and it looked just like copper reflecting in the distance!


















Happy Dance - inspired by Myla. This didn't just make my day. It made my LIFE!
photo by Shannon






Yes, please, don't fall in. Please.
















We couldn't tear ourselves away until there was absolutely no light remaining!

Williams, AZ

Super cute little town, where we stayed after our
Grand Canyon visit.



Wave to the headless cowboy!


The Typhoon Saloon. We ate here that night. It was the craziest thing! We moseyed in through the squeaky, genuine saloon doors. Everything stopped, and everyone in the place paused to look up at us. We stopped dead in our tracks thinking, "Are we supposed to be in here?" Personally, I was waiting for someone to pull out their revolver and question us as to who these outsiders were. It's like the guy who owned the place read our minds. "Ya lookin' for a table ladies? Sit anywhere you like." WHEW. Okay, cool - 'Cause we thought we just walked into a Western movie for a minute there.



The western town surrounding our famed saloon


I agree with that menu; "Everyone should have a little pie in the pines." (If they had anything gluten-free, we would have.)




This fog was amazing!

We Got Our Kicks...


on Route 66!








That's me and my "Route 66 Beer Soda"
photo by Shannon














Loved the cute little old western towns we saw!






































Didn't see any of these guys, but the scenery itself was completely worthwhile!

Hoover Dam & Lake Mead








The new bridge they are building to bypass the dam...










photo by Shannon