SEDONA - Incredible....Part I

Wow, it's a one word definition to describe what we've seen the past three days while in Sedona, Arizona! For those of you who have been here, you know what we are talking about...and those who haven't...imagine we've taken a few photos to show you the natural beauty of the area. There is so much to see, MANY hikes and drives to see the various sights that are so plentiful here. Of course, we are enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures...oh, and maybe the lack of rain (and snow...for those who had it today in the Pacific Northwest...sorry!). The first two days were slightly cooler, but today (Saturday) was about 75 and felt SOOO nice...ahh, the sun and natural Vitamin D...nothing like that to boost your energy! We are staying with Rick's parents, Howard and Jeanette, in a really nice two bedroom condo for a week...and it's going by much too quickly!

We've been on hikes each day and started with easy the first day, then a bit more on Friday...it turned out a bit longer than we thought and didn't have water or snacks (yes, I can hear some of you now...saying what were you thinking!!)...but we trekked on through and what a feeling of accomplishment when we finished! Today was a bit shorter, but still some elevation changes and lots of sunshine...and yes, we were more prepared today! After our hike this morning and lunch back at the condo, we headed to Jerome, Arizona. It is an old town, about a mile high and built on an old copper mine. It's crazy as the town is literally built on a hill side and the streets are hairpin turns through the town...some of the buildings look like they could just fall off the hillside at any minute...of course, coming from the Seattle area, where it's not uncommon to see homes slide off hillsides...I am amazed a whole town is built on a hillside!! We wandered the streets and were entertained by all the people and MANY bikers that were there...and enjoyed an ice cream cone after walking the streets on such a nice day. We have three more days and are thinking on Monday we'll venture to the Grand Canyon...so there will be more to share...for now, here are some photos from the sights we've seen during our first few days!

Enjoy the pics...we'll try and get some labels on them later on, but for now, we'll just load them for you to see. It's time to head to bed...so we can get rested for another great day in a beautiful area...on vacation!!














While on our hike on Chapel Trail...day two's hike (the unprepared one!)



View of the valley from Jerome

V A C A T I O N -whoohooooooo!!

Okay, as promised, here's a bit of what we're doing on vacation. Thursday evening we flew down to San Diego and spent the first few nights with Terri's mom at her rental in Oceanside (north of San Diego). Our first night, Friday, we had a party to thank all of Sis' friends who had been so helpful to her this winter and last winter during her time in California. We enjoyed seeing those again we'd met before...and meeting others for the first time...there was plenty to eat and drink that evening and it was a fun evening...for everyone, we think! On Saturday, Sis played in a golf tournament, so we headed out for a couple of errands, and then to Oceanside's beach to soak up some sun, walk and (imagine this...)take some photos! Although a bit windy, we loved the sun and enjoyed our time walking on the beach. It was amazing to see many in shorts and t-shirts, and even swimsuits...and some in the water (just plain crazy!!!). We were just enjoying the sunshine and LACK of rain!! Sunday we had a nice brunch and it did rain (fairly hard), but cleared by noon and turned out to be a mostly clear afternoon. The locals were complaining about the weather, but being from the Northwest, we thought it was pretty nice...and even the little bit of rain, it was nothing compared to what we had at home!















Monday we drove to Temecula, about an hour north and east from Oceanside. We spent that afternoon at a couple of wineries, sampling some wonderful wines and enjoying more sunshine!!!! A bit of a disappointment...we had hoped there would be "something" on the grape vines, but sadly, they will start getting growth in the next month or so...the bare vines were not what we had hoped for...Terri said she was going to cry when she saw them!! Oh well, plenty of other things to photograph and more is ahead!





That day we visited two wineries (Baily Winery and Wilson Creek Winery - both highly recommended!!) and without lunch that day, it was plenty...and time to think about some dinner.
Wilson Creek Winery had a wonderful port that was served in a chocolate cup and then topped off with an Almond Champagne ...ooooooohhhhh!!!


Tuesday morning we woke up at 5:30 and headed out early...to take a hot air balloon ride. Terri has been on one before, but Rick hasn't, so this was his first time. The basket for this ride help 8 people plus the pilot and when Terri went...there was the pilot and one other person...so quite a bit smaller. It was a perfect morning, clear skies, a bit cool, but it warmed up and quite comfortable before long. We "soared" to a height of about 2700 feet and saw three other balloons up that morning and of course, the view from the air of Temecula. We saw one of the wineries we'd been to the day before, so it was fun to take some photos from a different perspective!!! After the balloon ride, we enjoyed some champagne, a little breakfast and coffee with the pilot, and his crew. It was fun to visit with them as well as the other passengers and learn some of the history of the area...a great start to our day.









This was our pilot, Dave, who was awesome!!

We headed back to our hotel room, changed...and back to a few more wineries that day. Three wineries (South Coast, Leonesse and Robert Renzoni Wineries) that day and some more great wine and LOTS of sunshine...it was wonderful. Hmm, now we have some wine to bring home...and even some that is being shipped home...good thing we don't live too close to this area! Oh, but wait, the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla aren't that far and they have some wonderful wines as well...we need to get back over there!

Today...Wednesday...we are driving to Sedona to spend the week with Rick's parents and lots of exploring and yes...photographing! Neither of us has been there before, so we're really excited about what is ahead of us. We are thinking about driving to the Grand Canyon one day since it's not that far away and we'd love to see that while so close! Yes, there is lots to see, and we'll see how much we really get to see...whatever it is, it'll be great and it's in the sunshine (forecast is nice for the week!) and away from home. Now, we must say, that although we are very excited about vacation...we're sure missing Jayden...and will look forward to seeing her when we get home. She has called us a time or two and one day last weekend went roller skating with Mandy and some of her friends...it sounds like she had a good time!

More later...for now, here are some photos from our first few days...we'll try to update more later...if we can get an Internet connection. Right now this is being added as we travel along Interstate 10 in Arizona (started in California)...isn't technology wonderful!!

YEAH...spring is here...sort of!

Well, I can't believe it's been over a month since last posting...where has the time gone?! I'm actually going to do two, maybe three posts in the next couple of days to catch you all up...yet again! Somehow, we've got to get on track and stay more current!

The weather in February and March has been miserable...that is for those of us who are anxious for spring, sunshine and warmer temperatures! We had more snow than usual (usually, we don't have any!) and plenty of rain, and wind...and a few hail storms and even a thunder storm or two...and throw in a day or two of sunshine (that keep me hanging on for spring!!)...quite a mix of everything! The nice days were great...to get outside and on the days that I had Jayden and it was nice, we'd go to the park or take Aussie for a walk...anything to soak up a bit of the natural Vitamin D!! Jayden loves going to the park...but then again, what three year old doesn't! And, the swings are her absolute favorite...she could swing ALL day long, I think! :~) Our neighborhood has added a couple of swings in the little tot lot down the street and that's been really nice...and have gone down there with some neighbors who have some younger children and the kids have enjoyed the outing.

Jayden is now 3 1/2 years old...hard to believe that it's been that long since we became "mimi and papa!" What wonderful roles these are and on the days we have had her, she's a blast...she says the cutest and smartest things (ohhh, we're not biased at all, are we!!!) and we can't help but smile when she's around! When she's in the car with us, she usually sings songs she has learned at school or reads books to us...what a great rider she is! We are thinking that next month, we would like to take her back to Terri's brother's place in Oregon (we took her last year) to visit Scott, Betsy and Sydney (Sam's at college) and of course the goats and horse...she still talks about our trip there last year and I think this year she'd have even more fun (if that's possible). Our neighbors have a boy, Luke, who is a year younger than Jayden and a girl, Amelia, who is almost 8 months old...and Jayden loves spending time with them. She and Luke are pretty darn cute together...and have lots of fun playing together...chasing each other around the house is one of their favorite games. And, Amelia - well, Jayden is your typical little girl and really loves Amelia...and wants to take care of her...and help with her...it's quite cute.

So, spring has arrived...at least on the calendar...but not so sure about the weather being really spring like! Here is a picture of the snow we awoke to a few weeks ago, and there has been more snow since then...and plenty of rain. Although there are signs of spring...the crocus are popping up, it's not quite up to what we'd really like to have! Now, with all this being said, we are actually in California (almost Arizona!) now, on vacation...and enjoying lots of sunshine and warmer weather...it's wonderful and we know that when we return, it won't be anything like this, so we are just appreciating it for now. The next posting we will fill you in on what we're doing on vacation...and of course, some photos. For now, enjoy the photos of Jayden, Aussie and the snow (ohh, sorry, that might be a four letter word after this past winter!)


Jayden has some fun "craft" time with papa...they practiced their cutting with scissors!