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.

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.

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.)