West Fork Trail

We are moving slower this morning after our 8+ mile hike yesterday.  We headed back up 89A, past Sedona and on to the West Fork Trail head. 

We crossed over the creek on stones and limbs 13 times... one way. This was one of the easier crossings.

 We all thought this looked like an Egyptian.

 One of the easier crossings.

This was the end of the trail, although they say this does meet up with the main Oak Creek branch that forms the Slide Rock area.

It was cool enough to wear sweat shirts and it made the hike a little easier than if it had been 90 degrees.

A couple with a dog that had the right idea during this long walk.
We had lunch and rested a bit, but generally kept walking.

This nice spot was the half way point of the trip back.

There was a land owner on this property at one time and this was his chicken coop.

We drove back down the canyon to Sedona and we all went to the hot tub.  That was much needed!!  We then made pizza's and I had baked a Birthday cake for Craig.  He turns 67 on the 8th. THEN, we all packed up and went to see the Captain American 2 movie.  Everyone enjoyed it and I think we all stayed awake.  Barry and Tana and family will pack up this morning and head back to Colorado.  We will be up there next weekend, so it made saying good-bye a bit easier.

Today, we will recover.  We need to do laundry, shop and begin to pack up for our trip out tomorrow after being in this RV Park for the past month.  We'll go down the road a ways to NM and then spend a few days in Albuquerque before heading up 25 to Cherry Creek National Park for 2 weeks.

It so hard to believe that it was one year ago on April 21st when we moved into the Whale.  We certainly didn't know that we would still be traveling at this point.  Life continues to be interesting and we continue to seek the Lord's direction.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths".

Psalms 3:6

What is your direction for today?

Blessings,

Kathy

Windy Wednesday

We went back to a few places we had already visited so Tana's family could see them.  It was windy and a bit cool.  We had a problem with our Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve that was leaking a bit on the outside.  We picked up a new one at a local RV Parts store and Craig took care of it yesterday morning.

While we were doing that, Barry and Tana and their four kids climbed up Cathedral Rock.

Barry

Barry and Carter

Cathedral Rock to climb

Cooper

Kyra

Then we drove out to Montezuma's Well.

Under the Juniper at Montezuma's Well

Outlet for the well.  1.5 Million gallons a day go through here.

Storm Clouds rolling in as we decided to drive up to see the city of Jerome.  It's built right on the side of the Mingus Mountains.  We got up there just in time for some snow flakes to fall on us.

This is Tana's car ahead of us and we drove through Jerome's winding steep roads.  A few snow showers, too.

Today we woke up to frost on the car.  It's the first time we have seen that all winter since we have been in NV and AZ since last Sept.  

The kids wanted to climb up Bell Rock and then we went to Slide Rock.  The temp was around 55 and the water couldn't have been much above 45, but all four of the grand kids took the challenge of going down the slide.

Hope your day was great.

Kathy

Jeep Tour

Yesterday was windy, but just a bit cool for our Jeep Tour.  He took us on a loop out and around Loy Butte.  It wasn't quite what we thought it would be, but we had some great views and a very bumpy ride, at times. Cooper and Collin rode in the buck board seat.

Tana never really gets away from work.  Not sure if she was working or posting to FB here.

Barry took the kids to the pool while Tana worked and Craig and I rested.  We all went out for a bite to eat and ice cream afterwards.

The kids were ready for a movie, so we all found a comfy place and just chilled.

The stars were bright and plentiful as we drove back to the Whale. 

We have to replace a T & P valve that is leaking outside on the hot water heater sometime today.  There is some rain forecast, but I don't think it will be enough to keep us from more sight seeing today.

Blessings,

Kathy

The Canyon is Grand

When eight people go together to the Grand Canyon, you have to drive two cars.  Or least, we needed to for the 2 1/2 hour ride one way to the Visitor Center.  It's a very awesome sight and as Tana said on her first look out, "It almost doesn't seem real".  It's a lot to take in.  From the Visitor's Center on the South Rim, you are not allowed to drive your car on the western leg, you have to get on the tour buses. So, we headed on the self drive part of the Canyon to the east.  It was sunny, but the wind kept picking up.  They said there were gusts up to 60 miles an hour yesterday.  It was much better than that today, but it did put a bit of a haze across the canyon.

As it has often been said, "A picture is worth a thousand words".

We are so enjoying the time with family and still have several days to finish exploring the area.  Tomorrow is a jeep ride!

All Glory goes to the LORD for this beautiful land we live in!

Blessings,

Kathy