And yesterday my husband took a holiday for our trip to Apache Junction and the run up the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat for lunch. We were packed into the rental car--five of us and a car seat--but managed to have a wonderful time. Here is a lovely vista with different coloured mountains. The overhead clouds cause the black mountains down below so that the scene is continually changing as the clouds scud across the blue. Canyon Lake beckons in the foreground.
At Goldfield we stopped and enjoyed the western town, complete with train ride, saloon and lots of vintage buildings. The engineer sported a grey foot-long beard and a ponytail of the same length. He had lots of information but his droning voice meant my attention drifted away and I played with Chelsea, took pictures and made up my own story of the view. I like this finger-pointing saguaro dominating the street here.
With the sun behind me the saguaros look completely different. It takes about 70 years for a second branch to start to form on one of these giants. Some of those which have many arms are about 350 years old.
My husband posed for me pointing up to the 'lady in red' beckoning from the second floor window. Now what was she meaning exactly????
This is the same picture, backed up a bit, and grandpa has Chelsea with him.
On the way to Sedona we stopped and toured the lovely but cold site of Montezuma's Castle. Here Ron and Chelsea are caught in front of a huge tree. I'll bet this site is especially pretty when it's not so cold and there is greenery all around.
On the way to Goldfield I snapped this:
A couple of nights ago we took Chelsea to the Rainforest Cafe which was a real treat for all of us. Entering the restaurant we met trees and branches overhead which were covered with birds and fishes. As we waited to be shown to our table we stood underneath a fish tank which formed an arch. The fish were of all colours and quite large. It was exciting. When we sat down at our table we were right beside these elephants which periodically would roar and move. The first time they did this, the lights went dim, flickered, rain sounds rose and the elephants roared. I quick laughed and encouraged Chelsea to laugh, telling her these were not real. She made the jump and by the time the same thing happened a few more times was hardly paying much attention. Quite a lot of fun, though.
This is Montezuma's Castle, mentioned above. Can you believe people lived here?
Arizona is famous for its sunrises and sunsets. Here is one I caught, looking out over our patio.
We went to a marvelous zoo with the family and here a zoo volunteer is helping Chelsea feed the giraffe.
I loved this majestic tiger on the move. Often you only see them lying in the sun but this boy was charging about his enclosure. Wonderful.
And here is an Arizona sunset.
We love this state for its arid beauty, its cool shade, its mountain grandness and its lack of humidity. And this time we had lots of company: sister, daughter's family, sister-in-law and her husband. The last week we're here we'll be connecting with other friends and I'll be checking out some bead stores. Yummy! Beadergirl rises again in Phoenix.
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