Valley of Fire Nevada State Park, Las Vegas, NV & Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave Desert, CA; Feb 25 - Feb 28

Tom and Linda Kimbrell insisted that we visit Valley of Fire Nevada State Park.  Again, not to overstate, it was spectacular.

I know these pics pretty much look like all the others we took, but from our side of the lens, there was a huge difference.

The proof that these pics were special was that Vanessa had a tear in her headlight as we drove away.

Our next stop was Las Vegas, "Sin City," and we saw some sights that documented that nickname. Marie would not let me photograph any of that.

Paris, Las Vegas Style

Fremont Street (now all enclosed)

Elvis is alive and well.  Thank you.  Thank you very much!

Thanks to Matt Babineau and Genevieve Murdock, soon to be married and happily related to us, we were lucky enough to get a last minute reservation at Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert, CA for Saturday night where we met Lauri & Jeff Fletcher from Ontario, Canada.  They were great fun and hopefully we will meet up with them on Vancouver Island, Canada in April.

This is a Joshua Tree; not a tree at all, but a form of the Yucca Cactus which can grow to 40 feet tall, and they are everywhere.

The Cholla Jumping Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park

A Cholla Cactus, up close and personal.  They can attack from this distance.  This one didn't!

Marie, after an exhilarating hike up to the top of a steep hill.

A baby Joshua Tree just getting started

Vanessa at rest

We stayed at Jumbo Rocks Campground.  These are jumbo rocks.

More jumbo rocks!

On to The Springs at Borrego in the California Desert where we will spend two leisurely weeks before departing for San Diego and working our way north up the coast.

Tom & Linda Kimbrell, Ivins, UT and Entrada Golf Club

Tom and Linda Kimbrell live in Ivins, UT, an absolutely beautiful spot on the southwest slope of the Red Mountains.  Tom and Linda spend the summers on Deer Isle, Maine where we met them several years ago.  They were good friends then but much better friends now.  Their home is gorgeous and they are the most gracious hosts.  Our thanks to them for a wonderful visit.  We played golf and had dinner at Entrada Golf Club.  Again, I'll spare you the unnecessary flowery description.

Marie with Tom and Linda

The Kimbrells home

Entrada Golf Club Clubhouse

Entrada Golf Club

Entrada Golf Club

Dinner with the Kimbrells

On to Las Vegas today, Thursday, Feb 25.

Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and Zion National Park, Monday & Tuesday, Feb 22 & 23

Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Reservation near Page AZ contains a series of 'slot' canyons;  open topped canyons carved into the Navajo Sandstone over time by water.  We walked through this one over 1/4 mile long.  The light from above creates these incredible images.  These slots are a great spot for nesting Great Horned Owls as well.  We saw two of them on this walk.  I promise that these photos have not been touched up in the least. This was the most spectacular site to date.  Presley, a native Navajo, was our tour guide and a wonderful addition to the experience.

Heart shaped opening in the sandstone.  Happy Valentine's Day

Room of Fire

A Navajo Knife

Our camp site at Wahweap Resort on Lake Powell, just above Glen Canyon Dam

Zion National Park in western Utah.  Although I could, I won't bore you with more flowery descriptions

On to a visit with Tom and Linda Kimbrell in Ivins, UT; friends who spend the summers on Deer Isle, Maine.

Grand Canyon, 5135 miles, Feb 20 - 22

2 1/2 days at the Grand Canyon and I'm sorry to say that the camera lost control again.  We had great weather although a bit cool; mornings in the mid 20s but afternoons in the mid 60s.  The scenery was beyond stunning.  I had been here in the 60s but Marie never had, and, as with most things, I had forgotten most of it.  Many, many elk and mule deer nuzzling right up to Vanessa.

The elk were as thick as black flies in Maine

Sunset in the Canyon AND a full moon

Pretty amazing

On to Antelope Canyon, Page AZ and Glen Canyon Dam on Monday, Feb 22

Sedona, Arizona; Feb 17 thru Feb 20

As we arrived in Sedona, we thought we were on a movie set; some MGM back lot where nothing is real, only make believe.  The views are like paintings inspired by some one's perception of another world. I know, blah, blah blah.  I apologize for the number of pics to follow which may all seem similar, but the camera just wouldn't stop.  And, oh, by the way, each time the natural light changes, the view changes. What's more, as you may or may not know, Sedona is a designated International Dark Sky Community, one of only 9 in the world. That means, by ordinance, all artificial outside light must be off by dark so there is no light pollution and the sky is brilliant. 

Up Town Sedona

Elevated view of Sedona

Courthouse Butte 

Threatening sky behind, sun on the rock face

Bell Rock

From Chicken Point

From Chicken Point

Marie in the distance

You thought we hiked this?

This is golf as it should be; Played today, Friday. at Oak Creek Country Club in Sedona.  Played with Bob from Tucson and Lee and Dee from Minnesota  Marie went shopping.  I finally played well.  The Fed Up Cup is mine!!

The Chapel of the Holy Cross:  Built into the mountainside in 1955

Off to the Grand Canyon tomorrow, Sat., Feb 20