Heading Home

As we head north on Hwy 5 I’m feeling grateful for our wonderful trip, Glenn’s amazing ability to drive, Bessie, the RoadTrek from Aunt Donna and Uncle Gordon, our home away from home, and our abode in Sonoma County.

A quick look at the last couple of days:

Our first stop on our way west was the Chimayo Santuario where the dirt has healing powers. I rubbed some on my lower back and it hasn’t ached me for the last few days!

Two nights in Bandelier National Monument climbing the ladders of the ruins cured Glenn of his fear of heights.

The sunsets have been spectacular and the last two nights we saw several shooting stars.

Apparently it was the Taurid showers and next week will be the Leonid showers according to the Death Valley Gazette. After three very cold nights ( thank goodness I bought a bedspread in Taos) the warm night in DV thrilled us!

At the Homolovi State Park outside of Winslow we enjoyed a “Star Party” at the visitors center with homemade chili, cake and an inspiring talk about the meteor crater nearby.

Oh and here’s another out-of-sequence photo from Glenn’s camera of the Spence Hot Springs outside of Jemez Springs.

Hope you enjoyed our little journey. Thanks for following along!

North to Taos

The ride along the Rio Grande Gorge is breathtaking this time of year. On our way to Michael and Kelly’s the Cottonwoods electrified the landscape.!Upon awakening the snowy landscape surprised and pleased us! Thank goodness Glenn and Michael had stacked the wood the day before!

We visited the Church of San Francisco de Asis, which Georgia O’Keefe had painted many times, with a colorful altar and lovely gift shop.

A heart puddle

One afternoon we walked the Gorge Bridge over the Rio Grande. Gorgeous!

Do you know the way to Santa Fe?

Our first stop on the way to Santa Fe……standing on the corner…

There’s a town called Window Rock which I’ve always wanted to visit. I first learned of Window Rock from a children’s book about a Navajo weaver and her goat, Geraldine. The town was only 30 miles off the freeway and we are so happy we made the detour. I teared up when I saw it.

Our friend, Danny, lives in Rowe near a wonderful Pueblo ruin in Pecos, which we visited the day we arrived.

Our friend Danny is the guy who drove Glenn to NM in 1972 and he never left!

Love on the Trails

It’s been beautiful this week in Sedona. As we leave Cave Spring Campground this morning we notice the fall colors are already beginning to fade.

They glowed yesterday as we walked the West Fork trail.

We came upon two hearts which reminded Glenn and I of something we’d do while hiking with Maggie and Zoe when they were young.

Two of us would go ahead on the trail And leave markers like this or an initial of rocks or pine cones, pine needles or acorns. A sweet memory….

I’m sure we will return to Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona again in the near future.

Sedona Trails and Red Rocks

It is so absolutely beautiful here and after our second day of hiking I have so much respect for those who maintain and build these amazing trails.

The stones are laid so expertly-many reminded me of the Roman Roads in Spain and Portugal.

Here are a few views:

This one below shows the pink Jeep that rides over these boulders-looks like the Cyclone Roller Coaster Ride!

And our hiking group today minus one.

It’s hard to see that there is a huge drop behind us.

Tonight we are off for a full moon hike!

Route 66

When I turned 66 in 2016 I wanted to drive across the country on Route 66. After checking the map I realized it was too far north to travel in February. But this week finally I had my chance to experience the historic route from Needles to Kingman, Arizona. What a treat!

The sunset from our KOA Campsite on Route 66 in Needles, CA

Heading off the next morning

More desert beauty

Quirky town of Oatman where the miners left their donkeys and now they have taken over the town!

Arriving in Kingman in time for a burger at Mr. DZ’s diner!

A Southwest Journey

Hello friends and family,

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post so I decided to chronicle our trip to Sedona, Arizona, a town I’ve never been to and have heard about for many years. Our journey includes a trip to Taos as well as other sights we haven’t seen.

We planned this trip with 4 other couples and unfortunately two couples had to cancel. We are meeting Scott and Sheila and Bob and Pam in Sedona tomorrow.

Glenn and I are traveling in Bessie. We drove to Tehachapi

yesterday arriving around 5.

We made several stops along the way for gas, tacos and of course, bathroom breaks. Eating Judy’s pimento cheese spread along the way added to

our enjoyment.

This morning we hiked up Mt. Tehachapi, a five mile, round trip, very steep adventure.

This sign set us straight so we headed back down.

Glenn and I made an agreement that we’d only drive 4 or 5 hours each day, stopping to see “another roadside attraction” as we encounter one.

So far today we came across a sweet little butcher shop where we purchased Beerwurst for dinner.

The desertscape is always so beautiful, lonely-looking and quiet.

Cornwall with the Sibs

What a surprise I enjoyed when my sister Bette wrote to say she was inviting all of her siblings on a trip to Cornwall England for her 70th Birthday!

We’ve been here for a week eating, laughing, sharing memories, doing a puzzle, cooking and walking around exploring the Cornish coastal towns.

Leaving SF with Rick and Gwyn

Hiking to Polzeath

St. Michael’s Mount

A 12th Century Church in Rock

Inspecting a slate wall

We all hung a wish on this tree by the Celtic Holy Well

Bette and Tom from New York

The Bag Brothers cooking breakfast

Kath and Michael from Maine

Hiking from Port Isaac to Polzeath

Rick and Gwyn on our deck looking over Port Gaverne

Tule, Tule Everywhere !

While in Tzintzuntzan we stayed near Lake Patzcuaro where the tule grows.
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Many of the crafts there used tule and another plant more like cattail.

I’ve been inspired to do more weaving with the Tule from the Laguna when we return.

This was hanging on the wall of our room. We used to make these little fish as part of our Learning Laguna program but now we make a bittern which is what the Pomo made for their children.

We passed these wings each day as we went into the town. Finally we stopped to see them up close. They are made of TULE! I couldn’t resist having my picture taken with them!
Tzintzuntzan means hummingbird so we purchased one made of tule.

Dia de los Muertos

I’ve always loved Halloween, Samhain and Dia de los Muertos, so when the opportunity arose to return to Mexico for Glenn’s dental appointments we chose to go to Tzintzuntzan for the festivities.

Each night from the 28th of October until November 2 the Cultural Stage in the Center of town offered a variety of music and dancing.

Glenn and I enjoy arriving early for a celebration because watching the preparations are almost as much fun as the actual event!

The pueblo, eventually covered in marigolds (cempazuchil), buzzed with activity.
One day I followed these preschoolers, with bread, flowers, fruits and veggies in their little baskets, to their school where they placed the offerings on the tombs in their play garden.

This little guy had bottles of tequila hanging from his arco!

One of the customs is to build an arco for the family member who died in the past year. With all family members and a band they join the procession to the church and eventually bring it into the cemetery.

Francisco, the caretaker at our airbnb, lost his Abuelita this past year so we were invited to march in the procession with his family. What an honor and a thrill!