This year's trip to Arizona allowed us time to see some of its grandeur! Roger taught at the Arizona School of Health Sciences again for the fourth time. His class of very sharp physician assistant students was a joy to teach as usual. Time spent with friends there, including Bob and Amy McMullen, is always refreshing. We were invited to their home for Christmas dinner, along with our daughter Sabrina, who had flown in from California to spend the holidays with us. Good times!
Kaitlyn showing Sabrina the back yard
Bob and Amy putting finishing touches on a wonderful meal!
Kira, their daughter, visiting from San Francisco, was an added surprise, along with John, Bob's Father. They were all a joy to be with!
When class was over we spent a week at a timeshare in Flagstaff which put us close to some of the prettiest scenery in the state. We spent one day exploring Walnut Canyon, the site of well-preserved cliff dwellings. 
Of course, there were geocaches there, as well.
Of course, there were geocaches there, as well.
I placed three arrows on this picture to show you how well tucked-away these dwellings are in the shadow of the cliffs above them.
Leaving Flagstaff northward we came first to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
This is the cone of the volcano.
A view of the Painted Desert from the highway.
Farther driving north brought us to the Wupatki National Monument, a series of pueblo ruins.
This is a sports arena, similar to some found in Mexico.
The following day we spent traveling the rim of the "Mother of all canyons," the Grand! And is it ever! Pictures don't do it justice, only the eye can really take it in.
As you approach the Grand Canyon from the east, you come first to the Little Colorado Canyon, and, had it not had the misfortune to be so close to the other, it might have been the "Grand." It is quite spectacular in its own right.
Our drive brought us at last to the sight we had anticipated, but could not really fully imagine.Words failed us more than once as drove along the South Rim, disembarking at each viewpoint in an attempt to take it all in.
This observation tower has been recently restored and allows even better viewing of some areas of the canyon.
Every viewpoint has its representative of the common American raven, who begs for handouts from visitors.
Interesting warning sign! 
But we didn't see any!
As we hiked along the rim trail the sun began to set, casting an "Alpenglow" on the upper canyon walls.
Why must the children always play near the edge?
Finally, the colors deepen as the sun sinks below the horizon and we say "goodbye" the Grandest of Canyons, a must-see for any bucket-lists out there and one we were happy to check off, but sorry to leave. Wish you could have been here with us! 
No comments:
Post a Comment