A few pictures from Santa Fe.  We had a set back right after my last post we had to get Jim to the ER.  He is doing better now, but it sure gave us a scare.  We are a day behind and anxious to get home.

Add caption

We are now in Oklahoma City and a mere 12 hours from home.  Can't wait to get back to my favorite sight on the planet.......The faces of our loved ones!!!!!  We miss everyone!

a little music in the park

  

It's day 22 of our excellent adventure.  We have arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Yesterday and the day before at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon were amazing.  There really are no words to describe the vastness of that place.  We arrived there on Monday afternoon and our room was just steps away from a viewing area.  We were so pleased we asked to reserve a second night.  Yesterday we enjoyed a very informative bus tour.  The bus took us to the beautiful look out points where we took pictures and took in the incredible views.  Our last stop was at Hopi point in time to relax and watch the sun set over the Canyon.

Finally made it to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Went to the Griffith Observatory near Lon and Chris yesterday afternoon and then for a really wonderful dinner at "Duke's" in Malibu right on the ocean.  Finally rested up we drove today from LA to the Grand Canyon this time the South Rim.  Once again I called this morning hoping for a room and we got one just steps away from another breathtaking view.  We are crashing early tonight and plan to take a bus tour tomorrow.

Will post pictures from the Canyon tomorrow.  We got our first look tonight.  AMAZING!!!!!!!



Taking a break during our long drive to the Canyon today.

That famous HOLLYWOOD sign is right behind us, but you can't see it because our heads are in the way!

Had planned on seeing Yosemite yesterday,  however the elevation heading up there proved to be too much for Jim and so we turned around and headed for Los Angeles instead (....surprise Lon and Chris...here we are again a day early!)  Their home here is beautiful and I have spent most of the morning taking pictures in the garden while Jim has been resting.  We are very content just to simply take in the view here, enjoy the company and rest up.  You can see why.......

The view from the house

Kinda says "Welcome" doesn't it?  "Come and rest awhile."

Just a little corner of the garden

Another beautiful day in the Mountains.  Spent it with new friends Paul and Marty who showed us around their stomping grounds.  Must be nice to have a back yard that looks like this!  Such wonderful hospitality, in addition to showing us some amazingly beautiful spots, they also treated us to one of their favorite burger places.  Another beautiful, wonderful day.  Thanks Paul and Marty!

After leaving the Grand Canyon on Friday we made our way to Las Vegas which was about the half way point to Bishop, California.  We called on our way and got a room and tickets to see a show.  Any of you remember the band from the 70's called "Air Supply?"  It was an entertaining show and funny to see how many people still know all the words to those old songs.

We left the next morning to continue on up to Bishop to stay with Jim's cousin Lon and Chris.  We also met their friend Allen as well and the five us enjoyed a wonderful weekend together.  Their home in Bishop is surrounded by mountains and the back yard has a beautiful stream running through it.  We enjoyed two lovely dinners out on the patio, and one at a wonderful restaurant on Mono Lake.  We listened to a couple who sang and played bluegrass music there.  Chris bought two paintings from a local artist who had work hanging at the restaurant and the artist happened to be there.  It was such a lovely evening.  Then they toured us around the mountains and told us stories of the area.  Yesterday Jim, Lon, Chris and Allen played nine holes at SnowCreek Resort in the mountains.  Thanks so much Lon, Chris and Allen for a wonderful time.

Beautiful Places

Touring the Mountains...do you think it's cold?

The Back Yard by Lon and Chris

I had an entire second day of beautiful scenery photographed and realized this morning I had left my memory chip in the computer!  I took a couple of dozen shots of nothin! :(

From Zion on Thursday, we started heading down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We hoped to arrive in time to see the sun setting over the canyon, but ended up arriving after dark.  As we were leaving Zion National Park, I got the number for the lodge at the North Rim, and called.  I guess there is about a one in one thousand chance of getting a cabin along the rim when calling the same day you are arriving, so we were shocked and elated when they told us they had a cabin we could have for that night!  What a gift!  Thanking God for another blessing along our journey.
It was about a three hour drive to the canyon and we had gotten the address from the Lodge and had put it in the GPS.  As we were nearing the park, and watching the signs, we missed a turn and the GPS instructed us to turn right about a third of a mile up ahead.  So we followed directions onto a gravel road and continued following the GPS cues for about thirty minutes or more.  I had heard that the North Rim was much more primitive than the much visited South Rim and thought it was quite exciting continuing down this rustic road.  Soon however our gravel road turned into two gravel tire paths with big rocks and crevasses.  We tried calling the Lodge but of course there was no cell phone service.  Needless to say we turned around and made our was back as best as we could remember.  We ended up coming out at a different area on the black top road we had been separated from and a police officer just happened to be coming by so we waved him down.  I said, "we are so lost!"  He just smiled and said, "yes you are."  He instructed us to turn right off the gravel road and go about an hour to the Park.  Our GPS was telling us to turn left!  So thankful he showed up when he did, especially considering you might only see one or two cars every 30 minutes or so.


Sunrise over the canyon

We got the park after dark and settled in to our cabin.  We got up before sunrise on Friday and made coffee and walked outside.  Our door faced a part of the canyon but was a small view so we crossed the parking lot and headed to the other side.  What can I say?  I'll just post the pictures.

Jim's first look over the ledge