Friday, May 29, 2009

Getting Ready

I am so excited!  Tomorrow I will be going to Bryce Canyon for the first time in about 20 years.  We will leave Page early in the morning and follow Utah State Highway 12 through Red Canyon to the Bryce Canyon turn-off.  After we spend some time at the canyon, we will travel on Hwy 12 past Escalante and over Boulder Mountain eventually winding up in Richfield, Utah where we will spend the night.  On Sunday we will visit one of our kids and a few of our grandkids and great grandkids before returning home.  I would prefer to have more time to spend but I will take this opportunity and enjoy it!  My next post should contain pictures.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Sunny Days in Northern Arizona

Today and yesterday were nice, warm days. I would have preferred to spend my late mornings and afternoons outside basking in the sun, but it wasn't too bad having to stay inside because I love what I do. I spent most of both days doing some statistical research for work. I often get the opportunity to do some research for my team which is just one of the things I enjoy. I also get to educate people about the Grand Canyon area. Every day I talk to different people about their vacations. Most of them are spending at least one night in the Grand Canyon National Park. Some are fortunate enough to have time to spend at the other Nation Parks and Monuments in the area. More on this later.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Flight of the Phoenix

That's probably not the best title for this post but I have spent so many days of the past month in Phoenix that I'm beginning to think I live there. My daughter, Julie, has three young children; in fact, her youngest is my youngest granchild who was born last October and named after me. Much as I would like to claim that I was there to visit the grandkids, the real reason was different. Julie moved from one house in Avondale to another a couple of miles away. Obviously (at least to me) she needed some help in getting things packed, cleaned, etc. We were there the second weekend in January for just a couple of days. Then I went back the next week to tend my daughter Kami's toddler so Kami could work, because her husband/baby sitter was out of town. After her working hours I went to Julie's to help with packing. The next week I returned to Julie's and spent days finishing the packing, helping to clean the "old" house and carrying things upstairs in the "new" house. I'm not excited about going back to Phoenix anytime soon! Sometimes "Granny duties" are extremely exhausting. It has taken me over a week to sort of recover.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Time Flies!

I can't believe a month has gone by since my last post. Today the groundhog saw his shadow so that means... absolutely nothing when it comes to the weather! But it is kind of fun to have something to blame for the delay of Spring. I always said the darn groundhog should stay in his den and then Spring would come early. Of course, if Spring really does come in six weeks, that will still be early compared to last year. Last year we had cool and cold temperatures here until well into May.

I look forward to Spring because then I can plant my garden. Last year was the first year for a garden at my house. We finally decided to buy a house last year. After living in Page for about 20 years we finally came to the conclusion that we like it here and want to stay! (Slow decision makers.) Anyway, the garden left much to be desired so I am hoping for better this year. I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year

It isn't quite midnight yet in Page, Arizona but I probably won't stay up to greet the New Year and I wanted to wish you all a great New Year! I definitely plan to have a great year. 2008 wasn't bad for me, personally but 2009 will be even better.
I have plans to travel some byways that I haven't been on in years and to see some sights I haven't seen for years as well as some new ones. My plans include a visit to Arches National Monument, Toroweap, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park as well as some of the local "back roads."
Here's to you and your 2009 plans. Let's get together in a year and compare notes.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Holiday Traffic in Phoenix

Holy Cow! I can't believe the traffic jam we got in as we headed out of Phoenix yesterday afternoon. I wish I had taken a picture, but unfortunately I didn't think of it at the time. The traffic was backed up at the 101 and I-17 junction so bad it took us a half hour just to get from the exit on the 101 to the entrance on the I-17. Then the traffic was stop and go and really slow from there to Anthem. From there on home it wasn't too bad but there were the occasional areas where we had to slow down due to traffic. I'm just very glad I don't have to deal with that every day! I'm glad I live here in Page where the worst the traffic gets is in the summer when the greatest numbers of tourists arrive to share our glorious scenery.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Bit of Winter


Here in the Canyons of the Colorado River, we are experiencing a bit of winter. Our unseasonably warm season has changed overnight to a winter wonderland with white frosting covering the plateaus. It adds a layer of interest to the scenery at the same time dulling it. Never fear. This is something that is always short-lived. The sun will come out and the white stuff will remain only as a memory (or perhaps a photographed memory.)