John ready for a swim.
The cold water didn't keep John out of the pool!
John, Gene and Linda.
Linda loves her tea.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A Vist to Phoenix
Gene's brother from Hawaii, John, and his sister Linda who lives in California spent a few days with us in Phoenix in early November. We had a great time and lots of laughs. Hope they will visit again soon!
Beached!
It was a dark and stormy night . . . literally! The wind was blowing hard, so hard that we couldn't stand outside of the RV because sand was stinging our faces. Ten or fifteen emergency vehicles were driving up and down the beach, shining their beacons into the water in search of something. Then we spotted it, the Fiesta Cruiser that takes tourists out for sunset dinner cruises was aground and slowly moving toward the beach. The high winds and heavy surf were a factor. So was the tidal current.
The boat, which at times carries 200 to 400 people, had attempted to enter the harbor at low tide and struck ground around 9 p.m. Losing its rudder, the storm easily pushed the boat toward the shore. Many of the 44 guests aboard were rescued by the Mexican Navy. A few jumped overboard and swam ashore. One woman had a heart attach and died during the incident. As the tide switched and started coming in, the boat was pushed higher and higher up on the beach. The next morning, the Fiesta Cruiser sat high and dry.
The boat, which at times carries 200 to 400 people, had attempted to enter the harbor at low tide and struck ground around 9 p.m. Losing its rudder, the storm easily pushed the boat toward the shore. Many of the 44 guests aboard were rescued by the Mexican Navy. A few jumped overboard and swam ashore. One woman had a heart attach and died during the incident. As the tide switched and started coming in, the boat was pushed higher and higher up on the beach. The next morning, the Fiesta Cruiser sat high and dry.
Rocky Point, Mexico
We spent the month of October in Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), Mexico. The highlight of the month was having Gene's daughter, Lori, and her family with us for a full week. They stayed in the highrise condo next to the RV park, The Sonoran Sky.
We chartered a fishing boat and headed out for a fun day. Caught about 80 fish!
Dale poured tequila in layers into shot glasses: carmel flavored tequila, then a layer of cafe, topped by reposada aged 6 months.
The boat crew baited our hooks, took the fish off the line and fileted all the fish on the way back to the harbor. We had baked fish one night for dinner and used some in our ciappino the next night.
Dale reeled in a trigger fish!
Jay's wife, Liz, caught the most fish and was queen for the day!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Paradise on Lake Powell
Our family had been planning this trip for a year . . . one week on Lake Powell in two 70' houseboats. My sister Kathy's client, Forever Houseboats, went out of their way to ensure the perfect accommodations. After a two-hour orientation, we were on our way . . . even though gusts of 55 mph winds were forecast. Luckily, only the first day was windy. Days 2 through 7 were ideal. Warm sun, calm waters, good fishing, refreshing water for swimming and time to party!
We even had a wedding to recreate. My cousin Jim and wife Lisa eloped to Napa Valley recently and we spent one evening recreating their vows and offering blessings for a beautiful life. We all felt blessed to be included in this houseboat ceremony.
Before getting on the houseboat we took a tour with a Navajo guide into Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon is cut through red sandstone and thousands visit each year. At night, mice climb the steep walls and owls swoop through to pick them off! If a thunderstorm threatens, tours into the canyon are cancelled in fear of flash floods.
View of Reflection Canyon from the top deck of the houseboat.
Our 70 foot houseboat was the ultimate in comfort, with full-sized kitchen, four staterooms with queen beds and TV in each room, hot tub, ice maker, bar and slide from the roof to the water.
We trailed three kayaks behind the Avon inflatable and had many enjoyable excursions into side canyon to view indian ruins and steep, red sandstone walls.
Red, blue and yellow! Very mellow!
Carol and Joan out kayaking.
One of our anchorages in Oak Canyon. There are Moki steps (made by indians) on the red sandstone formations above the camp site.
We trailed the Avon inflatable boat behind the houseboat and used it to take excursions into side canyons. This trip into Secret Canyon was narrow, ending in a box canyon.
The group: Cousins from the Browner family (10 on our boat) and the Himmes family (9 on their boat). George and Nancy, Margaret and Don, came all the way from Chicago for this trip.
We were blessed with a beautiful sunset following a brief storm at our final anchorage. The top flew off the hot tub and Phil and cousin Tom had to rescue it with the Avon.
We even had a wedding to recreate. My cousin Jim and wife Lisa eloped to Napa Valley recently and we spent one evening recreating their vows and offering blessings for a beautiful life. We all felt blessed to be included in this houseboat ceremony.
Before getting on the houseboat we took a tour with a Navajo guide into Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon is cut through red sandstone and thousands visit each year. At night, mice climb the steep walls and owls swoop through to pick them off! If a thunderstorm threatens, tours into the canyon are cancelled in fear of flash floods.
View of Reflection Canyon from the top deck of the houseboat.
Our 70 foot houseboat was the ultimate in comfort, with full-sized kitchen, four staterooms with queen beds and TV in each room, hot tub, ice maker, bar and slide from the roof to the water.
We trailed three kayaks behind the Avon inflatable and had many enjoyable excursions into side canyon to view indian ruins and steep, red sandstone walls.
Red, blue and yellow! Very mellow!
Carol and Joan out kayaking.
One of our anchorages in Oak Canyon. There are Moki steps (made by indians) on the red sandstone formations above the camp site.
We trailed the Avon inflatable boat behind the houseboat and used it to take excursions into side canyons. This trip into Secret Canyon was narrow, ending in a box canyon.
The group: Cousins from the Browner family (10 on our boat) and the Himmes family (9 on their boat). George and Nancy, Margaret and Don, came all the way from Chicago for this trip.
We were blessed with a beautiful sunset following a brief storm at our final anchorage. The top flew off the hot tub and Phil and cousin Tom had to rescue it with the Avon.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monica's Prom
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
First 100 Degree Day!
It's official. Our first 100 degree day was last Friday, April 1st. Oh if it were only an April Fool's joke. But, alas, it was not.
The african daisies have all faded and been pulled, a few irises remain but won't last long, and the smell of orange blossoms is all but gone. We'll get a reprieve, however. This coming weekend . . . when we have a highschool reunion party planned . . . it is going to be about 70 degrees. The bad news is: it might rain:( Let's hope not.
The african daisies have all faded and been pulled, a few irises remain but won't last long, and the smell of orange blossoms is all but gone. We'll get a reprieve, however. This coming weekend . . . when we have a highschool reunion party planned . . . it is going to be about 70 degrees. The bad news is: it might rain:( Let's hope not.
We've Been to Bagdad!
We were getting cabin fever a few weeks ago and decided to take a road trip to a place in Arizona we'd never visited before . . . Bagdad. It's about as far off the beaten path as you can get for a little town, tucked in the mountains about 20 miles north of US93, the road that leads from Wickenburg to Las Vegas.
This iris are in bloom, but fading fast in the recent heat!
California isn't the only state with Joshua Trees. The Joshua Tree Parkway is part of US 93 between Wickenburg and Kingman, Arizona.
We finally made it to Bagdad. Founded in 1882, it still employees a majority of the town at a working copper mine, plus about two restaurants, a post office, Bashas grocery store and a few churches and schools.
These two miners, sculpted of wire, greet newcomers to town.
On our way back to Phoenix, we stopped along the Santa Maria River to nap (Gene) and bird watch (Sue). Many of the otherwise dry washes in the mountains had water from snowmelt runoff and recent storms.
Our final stop was at the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains in Yarnell, Arizona. Built in the 1930's, it is the location of the remains of Fr. Bill Wasson who founded Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, the international organization supported by Friends of the Orphans from which Sue retired. A pilgrimage to this shrine will be held next August, the fifth anniversary of Fr. Bill's passing. Hundreds of supporters and pequenos raised at the orphanage are expected to attend. The Shrine, which was built on land purchased by Fr. Bill's parents, has a Way of the Cross that winds through boulders and sculptures of The Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane.
This iris are in bloom, but fading fast in the recent heat!
California isn't the only state with Joshua Trees. The Joshua Tree Parkway is part of US 93 between Wickenburg and Kingman, Arizona.
We finally made it to Bagdad. Founded in 1882, it still employees a majority of the town at a working copper mine, plus about two restaurants, a post office, Bashas grocery store and a few churches and schools.
These two miners, sculpted of wire, greet newcomers to town.
On our way back to Phoenix, we stopped along the Santa Maria River to nap (Gene) and bird watch (Sue). Many of the otherwise dry washes in the mountains had water from snowmelt runoff and recent storms.
Our final stop was at the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains in Yarnell, Arizona. Built in the 1930's, it is the location of the remains of Fr. Bill Wasson who founded Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, the international organization supported by Friends of the Orphans from which Sue retired. A pilgrimage to this shrine will be held next August, the fifth anniversary of Fr. Bill's passing. Hundreds of supporters and pequenos raised at the orphanage are expected to attend. The Shrine, which was built on land purchased by Fr. Bill's parents, has a Way of the Cross that winds through boulders and sculptures of The Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Belize
Our tropic getaway to Belize was quite eventful . . . from missed flight connections, bruised knees and no-see 'ems to snokeling in the rain. But we loved every minute!
We took a boat to Laughing Bird Caye to snorkel . . . just before a storm hit. As we watched beautiful fish below, we could feel rain begin to pelt our backs. We took shelter in this island palapa.
Belize has set aside about 40% of its land for protection. This island is one of many where tour operators take guests to snorkel, dive and observe nature.
Not many rocks on this island . . . but plenty of conch shells to line the paths.
We tried riding bikes into town, and "somebody" ended up with skinned knees.
Joan and Fritz Munzinger joined us on this trip, and our first excersion was to the Monkey River by open panga. We headed out across the lagoon, through mangroves and along the coast until we reached the small village at the mouth of the Monkey River. After ordering lunch (which we stopped for later), we motored up the river to view birds, crocodiles, iguanas and other wildlife. The highlight was a hike through the jungle to find howler monkeys, which we spotted high in the trees. Our guide let out a few loud "hoots" and the monkeys answered back!
A termite nest on the jungle hike.
This bare-throated tiger heron was one of our favorites. We also spotted toucans, green parrots, two species of woodpeckers, hawks, king fishers, woodstorks and other birds.
Proboscis bats lined up like bumps on a log in the middle of the Monkey River. When we got too close, they took off in formation. On our way back down the river, they were back in the exact same spot.
We spotted a few crocodiles along the shore.
Can you spot the howler monkeys high in the tree?
Gene found a walking stick to help with the jungle hike.
In the village of Monkey River, the locals make fish traps out of chicken wire, poles cut from jungle plants and twine. The snook we ate for lunch, one of the locally caught fish, was delicious.
We bought baskets from some of the Mayan women on our inland trek. Because Belize was a British Colony until 1981, everyone speaks perfect English.
This adorable little girl was shucking corn when we stopped to buy Cokes at her dad's roadside store.
The "facilities" at the store were not so adorable . . . just a "one holer".
Beautiful sunset over the lagoon. Placencia is a long, sand peninsula with the Caribbean on the east side and a lagoon to the west.
We took a boat to Laughing Bird Caye to snorkel . . . just before a storm hit. As we watched beautiful fish below, we could feel rain begin to pelt our backs. We took shelter in this island palapa.
Belize has set aside about 40% of its land for protection. This island is one of many where tour operators take guests to snorkel, dive and observe nature.
Not many rocks on this island . . . but plenty of conch shells to line the paths.
We tried riding bikes into town, and "somebody" ended up with skinned knees.
Joan and Fritz Munzinger joined us on this trip, and our first excersion was to the Monkey River by open panga. We headed out across the lagoon, through mangroves and along the coast until we reached the small village at the mouth of the Monkey River. After ordering lunch (which we stopped for later), we motored up the river to view birds, crocodiles, iguanas and other wildlife. The highlight was a hike through the jungle to find howler monkeys, which we spotted high in the trees. Our guide let out a few loud "hoots" and the monkeys answered back!
A termite nest on the jungle hike.
This bare-throated tiger heron was one of our favorites. We also spotted toucans, green parrots, two species of woodpeckers, hawks, king fishers, woodstorks and other birds.
Proboscis bats lined up like bumps on a log in the middle of the Monkey River. When we got too close, they took off in formation. On our way back down the river, they were back in the exact same spot.
We spotted a few crocodiles along the shore.
Can you spot the howler monkeys high in the tree?
Gene found a walking stick to help with the jungle hike.
In the village of Monkey River, the locals make fish traps out of chicken wire, poles cut from jungle plants and twine. The snook we ate for lunch, one of the locally caught fish, was delicious.
We bought baskets from some of the Mayan women on our inland trek. Because Belize was a British Colony until 1981, everyone speaks perfect English.
This adorable little girl was shucking corn when we stopped to buy Cokes at her dad's roadside store.
The "facilities" at the store were not so adorable . . . just a "one holer".
Beautiful sunset over the lagoon. Placencia is a long, sand peninsula with the Caribbean on the east side and a lagoon to the west.
Papa Bear Chair
Gene's lower back has been giving him problems, so we decided a more comfortable chair was in order. By adding a heating pad, a few exercises from the physical therapist and RX's from his family doctor, he is on the mend.
The old recliner now sits on the back patio and is looking for a new home. Any takers?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Lake Cahuilla Campout
On Christmas Day, we drove to Desert Hot Springs in California and arrived shortly after 1 pm. We put a prime rib in the electric roasting pan and waited for the kids to arrive. Sue's son Glen, as well as Terri, Nanaette, Courtney and Justin, Angela and Becky arrived just as the roast was done. After dinner, some of us got on our bathing suits and jumped in the natural hot spring fed pools at the RV resort. A grand way to spend Christmas!
A few days later, we joined Sam's Radio Hams RV group at Lake Cahuilla for a campout. We hiked, sat by the campfire, and listened to some of the members play their guitars and other instruments, while some sang.
Marcia Bruno, Roger and Carol Kepner, Alma DeSmith and Larry Holt entertain us on a sunny afternoon.
It's a dog's life . . . music and sunshine!
We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park where rock climbing is popular.
There was a little snow on the ground!
The beautiful rocks reflected in the lake at Barker Dam, built as a reservoir to water cattle.
Shadow dancing: . . . the shadow of a Joshua tree in late afternoon on one of the huge boulders.
A few days later, we joined Sam's Radio Hams RV group at Lake Cahuilla for a campout. We hiked, sat by the campfire, and listened to some of the members play their guitars and other instruments, while some sang.
Marcia Bruno, Roger and Carol Kepner, Alma DeSmith and Larry Holt entertain us on a sunny afternoon.
It's a dog's life . . . music and sunshine!
We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park where rock climbing is popular.
There was a little snow on the ground!
The beautiful rocks reflected in the lake at Barker Dam, built as a reservoir to water cattle.
Shadow dancing: . . . the shadow of a Joshua tree in late afternoon on one of the huge boulders.
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