Pictures

Much to our delight we realized we had our sd card in the camera and were able to copy the pictures onto the computer. Here are a few of them.

Day 3

After breakfast, we drove about 25 miles to a little town imbedded high, high up in the hills called Jerome. It was established in the 1800s as a copper and ore mining town and at one point was quite thriving. When the mining rush subsided it was pretty much a ghost town. Now, its part Gunsmoke part Brady Bunch and part high-end chic. Nevertheless it was way cool and I'm so glad we went. It has VERY steep streets lined with neat shops. The views were absolutely amazing.
After lunch we spent another 2 1/2 hours hiking. This time we went to Sugar Loaf Summit and Coffee Pot Rock. We made it to the top of Sugar Loaf for the most incredible panoramic view. We descended that summit and started heading for the Zane Grey cave. Bob said, "If you were a guy we wouldn't go on the trails but would just cut straight across, through the brush. But since we don't have the right shoes and clothes (i.e. pants and long sleeves) we'll just follow the trails."
Shortly after that, I found myself off the trail, walking through the thicket. It was hard to move because every time I took a step my shirt, coat, skin, was caught by a group of thorns. Clearly, I was not happy. We had no idea where we were or how far off the trail we were. I was P.O.d. All I could think of was being lunch for a group of hungry mountain lions or coyotes.
FINALLY, we made our way back to the trail and continued hiking. I chickened out as we got higher and higher onto the cliffs. I really held my husband back. He could have gone on and on.
We got back to our car and headed back to the ice cream shop and got the chocolate chocolate stuff I had been yearning for.
For dinner we went to a gourmet pizza place called Picazzos and enjoyed an appetizer of artichoke/spinach dip followed by a pizza, half shrimp scampi and half with bacon, artichokes, black olives, spinach and alredo sauce. YUMMY! (In fact, I had a piece of that for breakfast this morning.)
Today, I think we will do some more hiking at Slide Rock Park. This will be our last full day in Sedona. Until tomorrow....

Day 2

We had a great day yesterday! After breakfast we drove around for a bit, trying to plan out our visit. I've always felt I should have been a realtor and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to look at houses, especially ones that are different than what I am used to. I'm sure people that actually live there hate it when people like me just drive around in their neighborhoods for no reason other than to look at their homes. I'm a voyeur.
After that, we drove down to the main strip, parked, and visited the many shops lining the street. We had a yummy flank steak pannini for lunch. (Yes, we are the cheap people who split meals at restaurants. After 4 kids and lots of expenses you learn to cut corners where you can AND it cuts back on the calories.)
We came back to the hotel where I took an hour long nap and hubby researched nearby hiking trails.
We drove to a BEAUTIFUL area and headed out towards Cathedral Rock. I cannot explain to you how absolutely gorgeous the world is out here. We hiked a total of 2 1/2 hours and stopped just short of Cathedral Rock. It was just too steep for me. My husband could have made it but he didn't want to leave me waiting for him. Personally, I wouldn't have minded sitting there on the edge of a rock and staring at that vista for a while longer. I thought of Cheesecake Maven, who often blogs about her hikes in NE Iowa, and wondered if she had ever been in this part of the world.
We took a ton of pictures but forgot to bring the cord that we need to transfer the photos onto the computer.
We returned to the hotel and freshened up a bit and headed for dinner. We ate at Wildflower Bread Company and had some great sandwiches. (We didn't split this time!!)
As if we hadn't had enough food, we went out for ice cream. I had butter pecan and white chocolate coffee. Bob had butter pecan and vanilla bean. I think I will have chocolate something tomorrow.
I do have to say and I know no one will feel sorry for me but it was cold here yesterday. It was in the low 60s and was quite windy. I think today will be cool too.
Today we plan to find a biking trail and possibly do some more hiking.
Until tomorrow...

Day 1

Well, we made it safely to Sedona. Interestingly enough, as we were boarding the plane in Cedar Rapids, we realized we were flying with two sons of some dear friends of ours. We were close enough to see each other and wave but far enough away that we couldn't talk. When we got off the plane in Phoenix, our friends were there to greet their sons. Our friends had rented a house and had been there 2 weeks vacationing. Funny! We ate dinner at our oldest son's favorite restaurant, Chipotle, (sorry Lucas) and headed to our destination.
Our rental car is a Prius which is a hybrid. It, so far, has gotten nearly 48 miles per gallon. It doesn't even sound like its running most of the time. Way cool!
It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona which landed us here after dark. There is a 2 hour time difference and even that little bit messed me up. I couldn't understand why my eyes were so itchy and tired at 6:30, which, in realty, is when I'm wanting to go to bed. So, of course, it was to be expected that I rolled over this morning at 3 something, ready to get up and go. I "forced" :) myself to go back to sleep. We just came back from breakfast and will drive into town to decide what this day will hold for us. Until tomorrow.....

Here we sit

at the Eastern Iowa Airport waiting for our flight to Phoenix. I'm starting to relax and look forward to this adventure finally. Its always hard to leave the kids but I know they are in good hands. I told Emmy that when she sees the moon to know that I'm seeing the same one and she can call me and we will talk about it. I have left notes in strategic places for each of them. I miss 'em already.
Two years ago today I had an interesting experience. I was walking back to my office from a meeting at another building when I was hit by a school bus, a big, yellow school bus. It hit me in the back of my right leg and ran over my toes. Thankfully, a few of my co-workers witnessed it and it happened to occur right next to the police department so one of them immediatly got my husband.
As it turned out, I didn't break any bones but I have been having trouble with my knee ever since. I am no longer able to run which is a great disappointment. At the time of this injury I had hoped to start training to run 5Ks, as this was on my bucket list. So I vacilate between being so thankful that my injuries weren't any worse but being hugely frustrated with the limitations I now have.
At least now I have something to offer when I am at a get-together and we go around the room and say something that is unique about each of us!! Can anyone beat that????

Why is going on vacation so much work?

Bob and I are leaving on Saturday morning and catching a flight to Phoenix. From there we will drive to Sedona to enjoy a few days of rest and fun. Can't say I'm looking forward to it at this point cuz there is too much to do to get ready for the trip.
There is a wonderful woman from our church who has "adopted" our family as her own and vice versa. She is 78 years old and is best friends with my 6 year old. She has agreed to take on our kids while we are gone.
These last few days before we leave are full of laundry, making/freezing meals, grocery shopping, and writing out a schedule of who needs to be where when. I am happy to report I am able to fit into most of my summer things. I hope the glare from my white, Norwegian skin doesn't blind any one. I better whip out the sunless tanning lotion.
I will try to post a day by day, play by play of our trip to, first of all, give Brenda something to do while she's having her coffee, and to let the kids know what we are up to.

I'm Psyched!!

I am waiting patiently for a visit from my friend, Brenda, of "This Too Shall Pass" fame. She had posted that she was coming to Waterloo today so I emailed her to see if she could fit me into her visit. I have successfully intercepted her and she should be ringing my doorbell at any moment. I'm so excited. It has literally been YEARS since we have had a good sit down talk.
On another, completely unrelated note, my mother died nearly 9 years ago. My sisters and I now have joint custody of her wedding ring. We each will have it for 6 months and then pass it on to the next sister. My sister, Lois, and her family are visiting Disney this week so she gave me mom's ring for safe keeping. It is beautiful and fits perfectly. I never really noticed how beautiful it was until now and it means SO much to have it here.
It seems there is a cute story behind this ring and I encourge my little brother to make any necessary corrections. My dad told my mom he wasn't going to buy her an engagement ring until he sold a certain tractor (or some other type of farm machinery). One day my mom was walking down the street and dad drove by slowly and said coyly, "I sold the tractor." and then drove off.
When my dad did go to the jewelery he looked around at the different rings. When he showed the jeweler the $ he wanted to spend, it seems the jeweler closed up his shop and took dad downstairs to where he kept his good stuff. Dad chose this ring and he did a lovely job.
I will try to post a picture of it soon although I'm challeneged that way you know.