It is a small world

 While we travel we meet people and visit, sometimes we just admire other coaches and make note of them.

 While in Cottonwood our neighbor had a nice coach we studied. We left them there at Deadhorse as we moved on. Well they showed up at Trailer Village in Grand Canyon not far from us.

 Because we spent a week at the canyon we saw many come and go. Many there for less than 24 hours. I bet they think they have "seen" the grand canyon and all it has to offer. At any rate a nice Allegro bus pulling a Hummer H2 pulled in on row in front of us and stayed a few days. Well that same bus is now parked across the street from us. Need to meet them and ask their travel schedule, or just wait and see. There is no correct way to travel, you see all types. In our current park we have a $10,000 travel trailer parked next to a million dollar Prevost.

 To add to it, our friends Ron and Maureen are about 400 miles behind us in Arizona. Hoping our paths will cross for some conversation and wine.



 Mary has come down with a cold or something so will have to deal with that.



gathering rosebuds in the desert...

mather to yavapai

First off I apologize for my blog updates. They have not been meeting even my low standards. Partly I did not think anyone much cared about rural Texas then we had very limited phone/data access at the grand canyon. I promise to try harder but sometimes you just get caught up in the moment. I am however proud of the post honoring Bob.

Ok so let us continue our walk down the rim trail from Mather point to the Yavapai geology museum







 Now some random photos

our nightly dinner guest

shameless selfie, poorly done

Mary taking picture of me while I am doing video

Yes, I am holding on to that tree tightly. Long first step

what is she thinking?

I vow to never quit honoring these young men's work

western end of south rim of park

Summer 2018 map

 If you clicked on map link you know where we are now. Here for three days then we head for the the big guys!



carpe diem

mather point grand canyon

Woke up at 5am because the sun rises at 5:30am and we never made it to 9:30 last night. Big party poopers are we. At any rate took an hour but uploaded this first video. Not the best, but not terrible either. Disappointed in one I did of us driving out to desert view. More to come hopefully.


"...gather ye rosebuds while ye may..."

No late nights

 From Desert view which is a 25 mile drive east, (still in park!) to Hermits rest which is about 12 to the west, we have covered some ground. A lot of hikes at nearly 7000 feet will get to you. Pretty crowded with tourist, mostly non American it seems, and the big crowds are yet to come. Oh my

I would be remiss to not acknowledge those great young men

 Today may be a day of rest for these tired, young bodies


gathering rosebuds...

Happy Mothers Day

 Our sons have contacted their mother so all is good. Cool temps and high winds last few days but winds subsiding down from near gale force.

 I hope I do not offend anyone but I must make a statement. We have watched people come and go in the campground. Some spend a couple of nights at most, many just one night. These folks have not "seen" the Grand Canyon. Coming out for the day, walking out to Mather point then going home is not "seeing" this awesome place. We are midway thru our second full week and have not seen a lot of things. If you come here allow plenty of time.

 A couple things we have seen here and not other parks.

 Hungry elk and rental RV's. A lot of rental units found in the west, not so much in the east. Not as many elk walking thru this year as compared to 2016



carpe diem

Grand Canyon

 We are enjoying nice temps but very high winds. Today makes 10 days we have been in this park counting previous visits. Having said that we have seen things, and learned things new to us.

 Very limited data access so probably no videos or many photos till this time next week.


Gathering Roseburg


Mary is trying to decide what she wants to do for her 50th anniversary....

Cottonwood/Sedona

  Seems like for some time we followed the mounds peoples. Visited historical mound builder sites in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky. Now we are on a series of cliff dwellers. They are all part of the ancient Pueblo people but each different names. We are talking of Mesa Verde, Bandelier, Montezuma, Chaca Canyon. Fascinating one and all.

 Then it was on to chic, classy, CROWDED, OVERPRICED, but pretty Sedona. Beautiful city and area but way too crowded and over priced. Alternative suggestion to follow...

 Nice chapel with a fantastic view of the red rocks of Sedona.

Travel tip: if in the area skip pretentious Sedona except for driving thru. Instead of the crowd and high prices there follow 89 to old town Cottonwood. Wonderful street with nice shops, restaurants and most importantly charm


 Think you have the world by the tail? Got a few coins clinking in you pocket? Pretty happy with your savings? Suck it up buttercup. The big dogs are way ahead of you. Check out this weekender house in Sedona.

 Tomorrow we move to the Grand canyon where we will be for a week. Yes, we spent a week here in 2016, yes we had day visited before that. Having said that, we feel we have not yet seen and experienced a lot of what the Canyon has to offer.



seize the day...