What's going on?

We're in Nampa, Idaho. It's 9:11 pm Mountain Daylight Time. It is still broad daylight. I can see the sun just disappearing in the west. 9 o'clock at NIGHT. I guess we've been in the south too long. I used to love being able to work in the yard til nearly 10 pm, but I guess I forgot. We should be back in Kitsap County at the end of the week. I'm looking forward to seeing Katie and Dave's folks and all of our friends.

Arches National Park

Today it was arches, hoodoos and a lizard. Perhaps because it was Saturday but many of the lookouts were crowded so in at least one case we missed a walk to a view point for a couple of significant arches. What we did see was stunning. I wonder though where are all the medium and small rocks. There are large/huge rocks and sand, little or no gravel/pebbles. Missed the picture of the lizard. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

17 mile Drive into the Valley

M-ahhh-nument Valley. Yet another spot you've seen on TV and in movies for years, but you have to see it in person.

We decided not to take the guided tour (starting at $40/person for 2 hours) and took the Jeep into the wild. Not really so wild, but certainly bumpy and dusty. We did see one lizard in middle of the road but he was not so impressed with us. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to make the 17 mile loop but it was truly amazing.

When we got back from this, Dave and I got back in the car and drove over to Four Corners. I have been wanting to see this, even tho' I know it's now believed to be in the wrong place. Scott stayed with the dogs and we drove an hour and a half, saw the 'monument' bought some fry bread and hopped back in car and returned to the coach.

Tomorrow we say good-bye (for a little while) to Scott. He is going a little farther east and we are moving north. We will see him again probably in July. He is good company and we wish him fun adventures.

Monument Valley part one

A short day today from Flagstaff to Goulding's RV Park (Resort?) in Monument Valley. It's possibly the most picturesque campground we've ever camped in. I will take some pictures later.... it's after cocktail time here and we seem to have missed lunch (hic). I did take some pictures on the way into the campground. The first one shows sheep who have had their summer haircuts. I want to know, Where's the wool? Tomorrow we will go for a drive in the jeep, more pictures!

The view from the RV park is as good as any RV park can offer.

US-89A Just Possible the Best Motorcycle Ride in AZ

Scott and I headed out this morning riding west on I-40 mostly to Ash Fork AZ and then south on US-89 to Prescott AZ where we turn east on US-89A. US-89A returns to I-17 just south of Flagstaff. In the process it winds up and down through the mountains, passing through Jerome, Cottonwood, and Sedona. Traffic was generally light and the weather was warm enough. Arizona has solved budget shortfalls for road maintenance, they have signs made that warn "Rough Road Next 10 miles". It seems that if you set these up at 10 mile intervals road maintenance is no longer a budget issue. Despite the rough roads the ride was excellent. I wish I had better pictures but I haven't mastered riding and pictures at the same time.

First Leg of the Season

Days end finds us in Flagstaff AZ with sunny weather lacking the heat of the desert. This leg was a shakedown for our new tow setup. Gone is the tow-dolly and in it's place the Jeep is towed flat and the bike rides on it's lift. We are still 60' long but the setup/breakdown is quicker and easier too.

The bad part about leaving this time of year is there's no one there to wave 'good-bye'! It will be fun in the fall when there are people coming in and you can run out and say 'Hi! How was your summer, Welcome back!'

The Time Has Come

Well the time has finally arrived to move on for the summer. We stayed longer than usual so I could take a class at Tempe Yarn and Fiber to learn a process called 'Nuno Felting'. The process is long and sometimes tedious but the result is beautiful. I went with the idea that I might make some Christmas gifts.... probably not. I was pleased with the scarf I made but not sure I have the wherewithal to do it again.

When that was over, we were able to slip away to San Diego for a couple of days to see Ethan. He is there overseeing some Mid-Shipmen from the Naval Academy for part of their summer school experience. We didn't get lots of time to visit as he was busy getting people organized but it was fun to watch him work. Mostly for me it's just being there with him and not what we 'do'.

We left the dogs with Grandma Scooter and Herbie in Sun City West. They are now sure they don't want a dog of their own! As for the dogs, they slept all the way back to our side of the valley (an hour at least) and mostly for the next two days!

Dave and Scott went for one last float in the pool. The park management has turned off the heat so it was only warmish. Of course, it's still about 101 degrees outside everyday now.....

So now, we have all of our stuff stuffed back into the motorhome and are mostly ready to take off in the morning. It won't be a long day but it will be good to go north a little where it's not so hot.