Run Away!

 DH and I snuck away for a week in the desert. This is a big change from the rain forest. I love flowers that bloom in the desert!

 We needed some rest. His work and my "not at work" have been really busy and stressful. Plus we are in a choir and pipe band. We desire to live in community, but sometimes it is overwhelming. Just go off by ourselves. Sedona is a tonic. So warm and welcoming and relaxing.

We were blessed to go to a Taize service at this chapel built into the red rocks.

 Sunsets and picnics and taking photographs. Truly delightful.

Two days at the Grand Canyon knocked our socks off. Sunset and sunrise as well as exploring National Park Ranger stations. It was everything as advertised.

Right next to the foot path, we were close to young elk several times.

 Along the easter route of the south rim there were lovely areas to park and take photos.

 Loved this homage to Hopi architecture. You could walk three stories up to the roof top for views. Inside is painted in sacred images.

 Loved seeing this in the gift shops. I read it in grade 4 or 5 along with all her other horse books.

 On the way home we stopped at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff for lectures and tours. Such a great community of scientists who want to share their work. This is where Pluto was discovered! Poor Pluto.

 There were also opportunities to view the ruins of the First Nations who migrated through the Sedona region. Tuzigoot National Monument was nicely displayed and you could walk around the ruins.

 We stopped at the Verde River for a picnic. We had a picnic every day!!!!! And then I made D go back to the pool to rest. His cough is getting better, but it has hung on a long time and I was clear that this was a resting trip.

 There was knitting. I finished the Messalina shawl. My back up project was the Frost Flowers crochet scarf which I worked on in the plane on the way home. I also took time to do cross stitch on D's Christmas Stocking. Hopefully I have found my stride. There are actual jingle bells now, and a recorder.

 Jerome is a ghost town of a mining town way up on the side of a mountain. It was a nice drive and there was a nice park for picnic. Didn't buy any art. Didn't see anything better that our own local artists.

 Rex joined us for tea time. Auto correct called it Yea time. I'm OK with that. We were lucky to be staying within walking distance of great restaurants and shops. Our accommodations were wonderful. Very much like our Intrawest Resort in Whistler, we were able to exchange for a Hyatt Residence. Now I'm looking at the ones on Maui and in Carmel.

But we will probably return to Sedona and the Red Rocks some day. Love to run away. But we love being home as well. Especially when the trip was actually restful!