I stayed in Flagstaff then 1&1/2 hrs up to Tusayan which is a very small community about 1 mi.from the canyon. I got my park pass and saw the IMAX movie about the canyon done by National Geographic. I was excellent. I arrived at the canyon and got my accommodations which was about 15meters from the rim of the canyon, then....

OOOOH MY GOD!!! I was lost for words (where's that Toos when I need her?)

Then the weeping started but I wasn't the only one there were others around me with the same reaction. That afternoon and evening I walked the South Rim to the point of exhaustion. Following a good meal and an excelled sleep I was up and at it again this time it was the shuttle bus which was included with the price of the pass. The one tour took me 2&1/2 hrs. and all those emotions all over again at every stop. I had to watch my time cuz I book a helicopter ride of the canyon at 2.

I had booked the 90 min. but it was cancelled due to severe winds so I took the 30 and it was fantastic. Enjoy the pix.

Today I am doing the canyon again then it is back to Flagstaff for tonight.

Till next time...God Bless and stay well!

I visited Montezuma Castle which is just off hwy. 17 north. I was amazed to see how the Southern Sinagua built a five-story, 20 rooms dwelling early in the 12th century.
Early settlers marveled at the structure and assumed that it was Aztec in origin, hence the name Montezuma Castle. The walk around the area was about 30min. and what a beautiful way to spend a lovely Sunday morning. I was communing with Nature and all her beauty.

A half hour north off hwy.17 is the road to Sedona. Well, if you would have been in the car with me your reactions would have been the same lots of oohs ,aaah's. No it wasn't fireworks it was Mother Nature at her best. do enjoy the pix!

Sedona is an interesting town geared completely to the tourists. They have capitalized on Nature with the cafes situating the seating with views of the wonderful mountains. I find it hard to describe the fabulous colours in the rock and on the earth.
All of it was absolutely breath taking!

I found out that the canyon road to Flagstaff was closed due to the winter condition washing out parts of it so I headed back the way I came and onto hwy.17. Here again
another breath taking experience this time it was a snow capped mountain and the hwy. was at 6000ft. To go from nearly sea level to 6000ft in just a few days tires one out so I off to bed! Good night and God Bless!

Till next time...stay well!

OMG yesterday was the day to top all others. I left Benson and swished past Tucson on my way to Phoenix when I spotted a tourists info centre. They had a great stash of info which including a piece on Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin West.

As many of you know I love FLW and have seen some of the homes he designed . Well, I nearly fainted with surprise to learn that Taliesin is located in Scottsdale AZ which is on my way. I found Taliesin West and had the 90min tour which was terrific. I have some pix so enjoy.

Hey Ramps now you have and excuse to visit AZ and Taliesin West!

It was a really long day cuz of the tour so I didn't settle in till after 8:30pm. which would have been 10:30 your time so no phone calls to my darlings. I'll call tonight.

If any of you folks visit the state remember to bring LOTS, AND LOTS, of body oil and hand cream cuz it is so dry. I am flaking away and having a hard time breaking a sweat and you know what the means, I have to work harder at a workout to feel any results which is a good thing!

Till next time...stay well!

Here I am day 7 on the road and the day started out much cooler then yesterday however the sun was shinning and I was eager to venture on. The desert with it's beautiful shades of green, sage, rusty red and beige is still with me. I really love to see the mountains as I drive through the canyons. There was even tumbleweed blowing across the road.

I caught myself singing "Give me a home among the gum trees with lots of plum trees, a sheep or two and a kangaroo and a clothes line out the back, veranda round the front and an old rocking chair!" This little ditty was learned during a trip to OZ with Little Sis...great memories ah?

But the most appropriate piece to sing and you all can join me so now, on the count of 3.
1 - 2 - 3 ..."Happy trails to you until we meet again. Happy trails to you keep smiling until then." I can't remember the rest so you will have to carry on!

The terrain changed from a sandy desert with small cacti and scrub trees to a desert with larger cacti and scrub growth over the sand along with larger bushy trees even some vineyards. The altitude is up to 4000ft. in areas as I got closer to Tombstone.

Tombstone Az. what a quaint place. My good friend Doodles and husband were married there 36 years ago in Court house so I hope they and you enjoy the pix. Norm I hope you like the pic of the Fire House.

I ventured on up to Sierra Vista to visit friends unfortunately there were away on holidays. I had tried for several weeks before the trip started to reach them to no avail. I spoke to a neighbour and she is passing along a note from me.

So here I am settling in following a swim in a 88F water and 45F air temp very refreshing!

Till next time....stay well!

To day was a great drive! and did I ever drive for 7&1/2 hrs. until I got to Las Cruces New Mexico a university town. When I checked in I discovered a time change and got another hour.

Oh Toos, the desert reminded my so much of the outback except that the roads here are wonderful!

Wow were there ever a lot of oil wells. Ok, all you folks of a certain remember James Dean and Giant well, I think I saw him wandering in the desert.
As I was passing Monahans Tx. and the desert started to be come boring it was then I spotted the Pecos mountain chain and what a refreshing change. Along side the highway ran the railway caring nothing but large containers and there was very little road kill. I did notice they really clean messes up fast.

Then along came another chain the Guadalupe mountains. Dear husband and I visited the other side of the Guadalupe mountains when we visited NM.and ventured to Carlsbad and the caves. That was 13yrs ago and I did have a little visit with him and a good cry which helped the dry eye since it is so dry here.

Well I hope you all enjoy the pix...

Till next time...stay well!