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Saturday, October 27, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Monday, October 8, 2018
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Arizona Sept 30 - October 5 2018
Arizona Sept 30 - October 5 2018
Sunday: Once a year Matt usually allows me to go with him to Europe on one of his business trips. Unfortunately this year didn't pan out. Instead I decided to bring Greta and Grandma to Las Vegas, Sedona, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. We got ourselves cheap direct flights to Las Vegas. We did the Vegas adventure unlike most. Flying out of O'Hare we were delayed. Once finally into Vegas rather than walking the strip in the evening, when all of Vegas is alive, we crashed in our hotel room. We did however see the Bellagio light show driving by to get to our Paris hotel.
Monday: The next morning I ran 5 miles along the Vegas strip contemplating what to do with a 79 year old and 6 year old while here. Good thing they are easily entertained. We started with breakfast in the hotel cafe. Next we walked along the Vegas strip taking photos in front of all the major hotels, statues, and fountains. We wanted to take photos of grandma and Greta pretend gambling but quickly got yelled at. It was a beautiful morning, 80 degrees and sunny. Once noon hit we checked out of our hotel and hit the road for Sedona. Along the way we stopped at the Hoover dam. Our drive to Sedona was nearly 5 hours. Once to our VBRO we were ready to flop down and sleep. Mom however had to go to the local grocery store to stock up for the week. This evening Greta and I were in one room and Grandma had the other.
Tuesday: This morning's run unfortunately had to be in the rain. The forecast showed rain all day. It didn't stop us. We packed up for the day and went to Red Rock State Park. Here is where Greta noticed animal footprints in the "Story Sidewalk". We took some pictures of the beautiful landscape between the pouring rain showers. Next we headed into Sedona and did some window shopping until it was time for lunch. Greta enjoyed the gem and rock store. I enjoyed reading the different meaning behind each rock....ie, energy, balance, calmness. Sedona is definitely a yogi, granola, organic, naturalist town...my kinda place. For lunch we ate hot dogs and turkey sandwiches while watching the rain pour down on the red rock views outside us. Next we drove down Oak Creek Canyon. We pulled over at various scenic stops to get selfies. Mid afternoon the rain was starting to let up so we drove to Bell Rock, one of Sedona's famous vortexes, or pointed rock formations. The Bell Rock supposedly gives men energy and women calmness?? Greta and I hiked nearly to the top. We got great views of Sedona down below and action shots of our adventure. Once down we did one final scenic stop, Cathedral Rock, for grandma's sake. Once back to our VBRO we dined in and chilled the remainder of the evening.
Wednesday: This morning's run wasn't in the rain! I went into a neighborhood south of our VBRO with gorgeous upscale homes all with amazing Red Rock views. After my run we packed up and headed to the Grand Canyon. Dr. Rongstad was right, you look at it, and then it is like, okay, now what? If only we had enough time, water, and energy maybe hike down?? We stayed just an hour, had our picnic lunches and walked along a trail on the South rim. Afterwards we headed north to Lake Powell. Our drive was so picturesque! So many changing landscapes. At times all we saw were red rocks, later it was flat land, then hippopotamus shaped rocks, then symmetric trees evenly spaced almost looking like olive trees. I believe we saw the north rim of the Grand Canyon off in the distance. The roads would wind through the mountains twisting and turning and a mile later it would be flat land. The natural beauty brought tears to my eyes more than once...especially while in the presence of my mom and daughter laughing having a good time in the backseat. We made it to our destination, the Lake Powell Resort and Marina just in time for grandma's 1.5 hr boat cruise of antelope canyon. Greta and I hit the resort pool while she was on her boat. Carol was pretty excited to meet people...she had some stories to share of those she chatted with. While Greta and I waited for her to return we met a nice couple & their dog "Bella" who were driving across the country, moving from Santa Barbara to Eastern FL. She recently retired from dental hygiene to join a teeth whitening business with her fiancé. I believe that couple and myself were the youngest at the resort. The resort is pretty popular for seniors and tours. We had ourselves dinner in our hotel room and then decided to check out the resorts Firepit pool side. The evening was calm, warm, and zero clouds, allowing Greta the ability to point out the planets. Greta and I meandered down the resorts' paved lighted pathway, nearly to the water, hand in hand. It was a memorable moment. By 9pm we were all spent so we crashed. Greta got a rollaway bed and grandma and I shared the king bed. This evening was a memorable night that changed the next several days for us. There was a major thunderstorm that caused a major pothole in the main highway back to Flagstaff and Sedona...unfortunately with one fatality. This added a 2 hour detour back to our VBRO on Thursday. It also changed Greta and my secret adventure...the 3 hour surprise guided kayak trip didn't get to do the land hiking into the canyon as described...too much mud from the storm the night prior. I guess things happen for a reason.
Thursday: After my morning run along Lake Powell, Greta and I packed up to meet Miles, our Native American kayak guide in Page, AZ. Our group consisted of a young couple from Seattle, both in business management...this was her first kayak experience ever...he had done some kayaking before. The other couple was from Stevens Point, WI! 5 minutes into the adventure they had a major argument in their random kayak and the wife told Miles, "let's leave him on the beach....his hip replacement is bothering him." It did cost us 20 minutes of our trip...I guess it could have been worse had he tried 1/2 the trip and then decided he couldn't go on. Miles, our tour guide reminded me of a Native American Jake Metzger. His mannerisms, age, politeness, and his agerness to live life. I enjoyed chatting with him...I did my usual love....discover who they are. I found out his dreams and then did what I do best...gave advise on his goals of starting a outdoor kayak business. He doesn't have the experience his brother does in that area...but looks up to his brother. I suggested the two of them do it together...he looked at me and said, that is a brilliant idea!! Our trip through the canyon was gorgeous...meandering through large sand, brown, red colored rock formations. The beauty of the sunbeams hitting the water and rocks cannot be described in words.
Greta entertained us all the whole way back singing church and titanic songs...bringing a little of Stoughton to AZ. Once back to our resort we pack up and headed back to Sedona. Our most memorable stop was at horseshoe bend. The Colorado River curves around a beautiful rock formation in a horseshoe configuration. We took photos viewing from top and then drove the rest of the way to Sedona. Once back to our VBRO we needed some activity so Greta and I dressed up and the 3 of us went to Hilton Sedona. It was a spur of the moment decision...a good one! The outdoor portion of their restaurant was nothing like I've seen before....fire pits, fountains, beam bag toss, connect 4....it really was a great way to end the evening. We didn't end up ordering anything...instead we bought ice cream sandwiches at the nearby gas station and ate on the ride home. We all crashed soon thereafter.
Friday: This morning's run I went north into the nearby neighborhoods gauking at the Red Rock surrounding me. After my 5 miles we all cleaned & packed up and said good-bye to our VBRO. We hit Bell Rock trail one more time...this time from the South Side. We hiked until the last possible moment and then hit Route 66 for Las Vegas. Grandma kept asking if I must be getting tired. I guess driving for me is chill, meditation time...especially when I have the beautiful scenery and Greta and Grandma are entertaining themselves writing postcards to her teachers and family back home. Once back to Vegas we said goodbye to 80 degree weather and got Greta's souvenirs (two key chains for her school bag). Thank goodness for airport gift shops! Oh...and of course we bought poker shaped chocolate for the family.
Our flight home is 3 hrs...the plan is to stay in the Rosemont hotel by the airport tonight as we didn't get in until nearly midnight.
Funny story...the most difficult navigating of my trip...was figuring out how to get from the Hilton's parking lot to the hotel lobby at 1:30AM with a 6 year old, 79 year old, luggage, and wheelchair. We were all so tired...nearly in tears just wanting to reach our beds. The free chocolate chip cookies handed out by our hotel were much needed after that hour jaunt.
I think they enjoyed the trip...I certainly did!! Can't wait for the next...Hawaii big island in January!!
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday: Once a year Matt usually allows me to go with him to Europe on one of his business trips. Unfortunately this year didn't pan out. Instead I decided to bring Greta and Grandma to Las Vegas, Sedona, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. We got ourselves cheap direct flights to Las Vegas. We did the Vegas adventure unlike most. Flying out of O'Hare we were delayed. Once finally into Vegas rather than walking the strip in the evening, when all of Vegas is alive, we crashed in our hotel room. We did however see the Bellagio light show driving by to get to our Paris hotel.
Monday: The next morning I ran 5 miles along the Vegas strip contemplating what to do with a 79 year old and 6 year old while here. Good thing they are easily entertained. We started with breakfast in the hotel cafe. Next we walked along the Vegas strip taking photos in front of all the major hotels, statues, and fountains. We wanted to take photos of grandma and Greta pretend gambling but quickly got yelled at. It was a beautiful morning, 80 degrees and sunny. Once noon hit we checked out of our hotel and hit the road for Sedona. Along the way we stopped at the Hoover dam. Our drive to Sedona was nearly 5 hours. Once to our VBRO we were ready to flop down and sleep. Mom however had to go to the local grocery store to stock up for the week. This evening Greta and I were in one room and Grandma had the other.
Tuesday: This morning's run unfortunately had to be in the rain. The forecast showed rain all day. It didn't stop us. We packed up for the day and went to Red Rock State Park. Here is where Greta noticed animal footprints in the "Story Sidewalk". We took some pictures of the beautiful landscape between the pouring rain showers. Next we headed into Sedona and did some window shopping until it was time for lunch. Greta enjoyed the gem and rock store. I enjoyed reading the different meaning behind each rock....ie, energy, balance, calmness. Sedona is definitely a yogi, granola, organic, naturalist town...my kinda place. For lunch we ate hot dogs and turkey sandwiches while watching the rain pour down on the red rock views outside us. Next we drove down Oak Creek Canyon. We pulled over at various scenic stops to get selfies. Mid afternoon the rain was starting to let up so we drove to Bell Rock, one of Sedona's famous vortexes, or pointed rock formations. The Bell Rock supposedly gives men energy and women calmness?? Greta and I hiked nearly to the top. We got great views of Sedona down below and action shots of our adventure. Once down we did one final scenic stop, Cathedral Rock, for grandma's sake. Once back to our VBRO we dined in and chilled the remainder of the evening.
Wednesday: This morning's run wasn't in the rain! I went into a neighborhood south of our VBRO with gorgeous upscale homes all with amazing Red Rock views. After my run we packed up and headed to the Grand Canyon. Dr. Rongstad was right, you look at it, and then it is like, okay, now what? If only we had enough time, water, and energy maybe hike down?? We stayed just an hour, had our picnic lunches and walked along a trail on the South rim. Afterwards we headed north to Lake Powell. Our drive was so picturesque! So many changing landscapes. At times all we saw were red rocks, later it was flat land, then hippopotamus shaped rocks, then symmetric trees evenly spaced almost looking like olive trees. I believe we saw the north rim of the Grand Canyon off in the distance. The roads would wind through the mountains twisting and turning and a mile later it would be flat land. The natural beauty brought tears to my eyes more than once...especially while in the presence of my mom and daughter laughing having a good time in the backseat. We made it to our destination, the Lake Powell Resort and Marina just in time for grandma's 1.5 hr boat cruise of antelope canyon. Greta and I hit the resort pool while she was on her boat. Carol was pretty excited to meet people...she had some stories to share of those she chatted with. While Greta and I waited for her to return we met a nice couple & their dog "Bella" who were driving across the country, moving from Santa Barbara to Eastern FL. She recently retired from dental hygiene to join a teeth whitening business with her fiancé. I believe that couple and myself were the youngest at the resort. The resort is pretty popular for seniors and tours. We had ourselves dinner in our hotel room and then decided to check out the resorts Firepit pool side. The evening was calm, warm, and zero clouds, allowing Greta the ability to point out the planets. Greta and I meandered down the resorts' paved lighted pathway, nearly to the water, hand in hand. It was a memorable moment. By 9pm we were all spent so we crashed. Greta got a rollaway bed and grandma and I shared the king bed. This evening was a memorable night that changed the next several days for us. There was a major thunderstorm that caused a major pothole in the main highway back to Flagstaff and Sedona...unfortunately with one fatality. This added a 2 hour detour back to our VBRO on Thursday. It also changed Greta and my secret adventure...the 3 hour surprise guided kayak trip didn't get to do the land hiking into the canyon as described...too much mud from the storm the night prior. I guess things happen for a reason.
Thursday: After my morning run along Lake Powell, Greta and I packed up to meet Miles, our Native American kayak guide in Page, AZ. Our group consisted of a young couple from Seattle, both in business management...this was her first kayak experience ever...he had done some kayaking before. The other couple was from Stevens Point, WI! 5 minutes into the adventure they had a major argument in their random kayak and the wife told Miles, "let's leave him on the beach....his hip replacement is bothering him." It did cost us 20 minutes of our trip...I guess it could have been worse had he tried 1/2 the trip and then decided he couldn't go on. Miles, our tour guide reminded me of a Native American Jake Metzger. His mannerisms, age, politeness, and his agerness to live life. I enjoyed chatting with him...I did my usual love....discover who they are. I found out his dreams and then did what I do best...gave advise on his goals of starting a outdoor kayak business. He doesn't have the experience his brother does in that area...but looks up to his brother. I suggested the two of them do it together...he looked at me and said, that is a brilliant idea!! Our trip through the canyon was gorgeous...meandering through large sand, brown, red colored rock formations. The beauty of the sunbeams hitting the water and rocks cannot be described in words.
Greta entertained us all the whole way back singing church and titanic songs...bringing a little of Stoughton to AZ. Once back to our resort we pack up and headed back to Sedona. Our most memorable stop was at horseshoe bend. The Colorado River curves around a beautiful rock formation in a horseshoe configuration. We took photos viewing from top and then drove the rest of the way to Sedona. Once back to our VBRO we needed some activity so Greta and I dressed up and the 3 of us went to Hilton Sedona. It was a spur of the moment decision...a good one! The outdoor portion of their restaurant was nothing like I've seen before....fire pits, fountains, beam bag toss, connect 4....it really was a great way to end the evening. We didn't end up ordering anything...instead we bought ice cream sandwiches at the nearby gas station and ate on the ride home. We all crashed soon thereafter.
Friday: This morning's run I went north into the nearby neighborhoods gauking at the Red Rock surrounding me. After my 5 miles we all cleaned & packed up and said good-bye to our VBRO. We hit Bell Rock trail one more time...this time from the South Side. We hiked until the last possible moment and then hit Route 66 for Las Vegas. Grandma kept asking if I must be getting tired. I guess driving for me is chill, meditation time...especially when I have the beautiful scenery and Greta and Grandma are entertaining themselves writing postcards to her teachers and family back home. Once back to Vegas we said goodbye to 80 degree weather and got Greta's souvenirs (two key chains for her school bag). Thank goodness for airport gift shops! Oh...and of course we bought poker shaped chocolate for the family.
Our flight home is 3 hrs...the plan is to stay in the Rosemont hotel by the airport tonight as we didn't get in until nearly midnight.
Funny story...the most difficult navigating of my trip...was figuring out how to get from the Hilton's parking lot to the hotel lobby at 1:30AM with a 6 year old, 79 year old, luggage, and wheelchair. We were all so tired...nearly in tears just wanting to reach our beds. The free chocolate chip cookies handed out by our hotel were much needed after that hour jaunt.
I think they enjoyed the trip...I certainly did!! Can't wait for the next...Hawaii big island in January!!
Sent from my iPhone
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