tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17123618782566317762024-03-14T03:28:22.596-07:00Southwest AdventuresAnne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712361878256631776.post-31882351152465128932016-05-28T14:03:00.000-07:002016-06-05T12:11:07.785-07:00Chinle, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Canyon de Chelly</td></tr>
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Our stay in Page had come to an end, even tho there was lots
more to see and do there. We left early
and drove to the tiny town of Chinle (pronounced: <b>chin</b>-lee) on the Arizona/New Mexico border in east Arizona. The trip to Chinle was a ride thru no-man’s
land for most of the day, surrounded by desert land, prairies, and savannahs,
passing occasionally thru small villages with interesting Navajo names. Basically, the ride was long stretches of
road followed by long stretches of road.
When we reached Chinle, we had logged the better part of 300 miles on
our rented Toyota Camry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navajo Frybread</td></tr>
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Ever since we hit this part of the country, we’ve been
hearing the term “frybread” everywhere we went.
Tonight, it happened to be on the menu, so we got to try some of the
famous Navajo Frybread at dinner. Very
delicious, but probably very high in calories.
It tasted much like a soft fluffy version of funnel cake, but instead of
confectionary sugar, the Navajo top it off with honey. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne downs a hamburger <br />
wrapped in Frybread</td></tr>
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As we found out, they also use frybread as
the sandwich bread for hamburgers, hotdogs, and other deli sandwiches. It was very different eating a burger between
two pieces of frybread. We could probably
get used to it quickly if we lived in this part of the world! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon de Chelly from the South Rim</td></tr>
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<b>Canyon de Chelly</b></div>
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Our main focus here in Chinle was to see the famous Canyon
de Chelly. The canyon is located entirely within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. In fact, the Navajo people control all the
activities within the canyon, and in order to tour the canyon, you need Navajo
approval and a Navajo guide. Only
Navajos can own land in the canyon, and only Navajos can homestead there as
well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning view of Canyon de Chelly from the South Rim</td></tr>
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We first drove around the rim of the canyon on our own,
visiting the many beautiful overlooks that were along the rim road. There were many Indian artisans at each of
the pullovers, selling their handmade wares. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Buying horsehair pottery from a Navajo artisan</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(out of the back of his car)</span></td></tr>
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We bought a marvelous “horsehair” vase from one of them – they actually
throw horsehair on the pottery right before the final firing to create striking,
swirly lines.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to enter the Canyon with Irene in her jeep</td></tr>
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Later, we met up with our Navajo tour guide Irene, who would
be our escort into the floor of this great canyon. Irene was a frail 61-year old Navajo woman
who spoke fluent English and Navajo and was very knowledgeable about the canyon
and Navajo life. She had lived on the
reservation all her life and loved driving her 4-wheel jeep in and out of the
canyon. She owns land in the canyon and
hopes to live there someday even though there is no electricity and no drinking
water. We were her 3<sup>rd</sup>
tour-group thru the canyon on this day alone, but despite the lengthy day, and
the fact that her daughter had dinner on the table, she was more than happy to
take us in. We never got the feeling
that we were just a routine endeavor with Irene; perhaps that’s why she’s rated
an excellent guide!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon floor with Chinle Washbed</td></tr>
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Irene was a bit scary behind the wheel. She appeared to be a careful driver, as she
drove slowly over some very bumpy, wet, muddy spots down in the canyon, and across
the Chinle Washbed that flowed like a river between the 700 foot canyon walls.
Fortunately, the wash was shallow and Irene’s high clearance 4-wheel jeep
seemed to negotiate the washbed without problems. But it didn’t help when Irene told us that
she just got out of the hospital for rolling her last jeep down a mud bank in
the canyon! She also pointed out areas
of quicksand along the wash, but reassured us that she knew where all the
quicksand deposits were, and that she would try to avoid them! Just try?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Irene pointed out some of the common flora of the canyon,
showing us cottonwood, Russian Olive Trees, Tamarisk (Salt Cedar Trees), and
Coyote Willows. Most of the flora was
useless as timber, and amounted to not much more than scrub brush.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient petroglyphs on canyon wall</td></tr>
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Our first stop was by a canyon wall where Irene pointed out
some very old petroglyphs emblazoned in the rock wall. There were pictures of horses mostly but also
a snake and some symbolic Navajo designs.
She pointed out some contemporary graffiti too. Irene also warned Frank
away from a mound of fire ants that he was standing near as he was shooting
some of these photos.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roaming the canyon along Chinle Washbed</td></tr>
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Irene gave us much info about the Navajo, but one of the
things that caught our attention was that since the Navajo language is a tonal
language, it is thought that the ancestors of the Navajo came from Mongolia,
crossing over the Bearing Straits and then south to the mid United States. We
are certainly no language experts. But when Irene spoke some Navajo for us, it
sure sounded similar to some of the Chinese we had learned years ago! There are
many other commonalities to support this theory, and the language is just one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anasazi cliff dwelling as viewed from the canyon floor</td></tr>
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We visited some of the Anasazi cliff houses down in the
canyon, people that Irene called the “ancient ones.” These multi-room dwellings were built like
apartments houses into the sheltered alcoves of the high cliffs, often high
above ground level. The houses were so far above us, they looked like
miniatures, much like ancient dollhouses. We had to wonder how the people got up to their
dwellings. Irene told us they used
ladders and still-visible handholds chiseled into the rock. But the ground
level was also closer to the dwelling floor when the ancient ones lived here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheer 700-ft. cliffs loom over Chinle Washbed</td></tr>
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We continued to truck over washes, up and down sandy hills,
and over roadless terrain thru the canyon.
Frank hung on to the overhead passenger bar and feared getting stuck
somewhere in the main river. Spending the night in Irene’s Jeep in some remote
corner of Canyon de Chelly was definitely not something we wanted to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvJFIX8SiShc0tK3GDsAzWmQB6AM7AUV-R6HghVjNHcVleZaf7wtyu3r3W47p0i8RWjcxw4arH00h5eeBafOybDhckNDdKWlopQY8Bqgi-E-aWX5le6NSS0JqJN2Ncvoe2n2QzKFP1q4/s1600/IMG_5045.ed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvJFIX8SiShc0tK3GDsAzWmQB6AM7AUV-R6HghVjNHcVleZaf7wtyu3r3W47p0i8RWjcxw4arH00h5eeBafOybDhckNDdKWlopQY8Bqgi-E-aWX5le6NSS0JqJN2Ncvoe2n2QzKFP1q4/s320/IMG_5045.ed1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several Mule Deer cross the wash in front of our jeep</td></tr>
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As we exited the canyon, we saw 8 or 9 mule deer dashing
across the wash, seemingly bewildered by our presence. Even Irene was thrilled and said she does not
often see a sight like that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw_zsm3Xd4RhGPNF_mCibd4a61zZpp_-EHICGIQbFQ70jBxqGZqGjRwYTB9Hhn3iW3p-gcm3AsFadXltlqM-77gKEHLpyIW7zf1SjXvOprqH_T-cDbCVAWUIA8g6X0zXlwMvj9SGCigs/s1600/IMG_5111.ed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw_zsm3Xd4RhGPNF_mCibd4a61zZpp_-EHICGIQbFQ70jBxqGZqGjRwYTB9Hhn3iW3p-gcm3AsFadXltlqM-77gKEHLpyIW7zf1SjXvOprqH_T-cDbCVAWUIA8g6X0zXlwMvj9SGCigs/s320/IMG_5111.ed1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Fe, NM</td></tr>
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<b>Santa Fe<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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After a fun time exploring Chinle and Canyon de Chelly, we drove
300 miles and relocated for some down time in the quaint, easy-going shopping
mecca known as Santa Fe, New Mexico. We
stayed near the old town, so hoofing it into the center of town was an easy
task. Our friends Jim and Kathy joined
us in Santa Fe for a few days of R&R.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4dfhN4z3HeA2BOBCWqaFbS066RXpIr8rdNdmfx0Xk4AaIP92d7jgkt-TxZxmeckmApD-CskpBiX2u4nJFMi8TyqoNAQ4qhKfoma_hACWQrdOgQmU291EiBWGklPXhrTkTUPq9hzE1Zc/s1600/IMG_5373.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4dfhN4z3HeA2BOBCWqaFbS066RXpIr8rdNdmfx0Xk4AaIP92d7jgkt-TxZxmeckmApD-CskpBiX2u4nJFMi8TyqoNAQ4qhKfoma_hACWQrdOgQmU291EiBWGklPXhrTkTUPq9hzE1Zc/s320/IMG_5373.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia O'Keeffe painting of New Mexico<br />
desert and mountains </td></tr>
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Two cultural highlights were a visit to the Georgia O’Keefe
Museum and attending a Beethoven concert in Santa Fe’s Lensic Hall. Georgia, one of the most significant and
intriguing artists of the 20<sup>th</sup> c., lived in New Mexico for the last
37 years of her life, dying at the ripe old age of 98 here in Santa Fe. She was quite a feisty
character, and the museum did a good job of showcasing her painting and
describing her eventful life. She
traveled to many lands (Peru, India, Japan, etc.) painting as she went along.
She is also well-known for her unique colorful abstract paintings of flowers
such as calla lilies, which many critics have described with suggestive,
Freudian sexual interpretations (much to her denial and disgust). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJy1oNJR8Y7xnBxhsJ089Lik6jpL2oziYNiRIRQ52Z7GOVW_n44Igd_29rpt6of0K-w0209ftuZMyNw18PTNx9gyYUjIK8pEzxXPIdiav5kJIg2kG8GnsZGLUlhozGUSItpVI-VPtwHM/s1600/IMG_5299.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJy1oNJR8Y7xnBxhsJ089Lik6jpL2oziYNiRIRQ52Z7GOVW_n44Igd_29rpt6of0K-w0209ftuZMyNw18PTNx9gyYUjIK8pEzxXPIdiav5kJIg2kG8GnsZGLUlhozGUSItpVI-VPtwHM/s320/IMG_5299.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Mezzanine ready for the Beethoven performance</td></tr>
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The four of us thoroughly enjoyed the Beethoven concert
which featured 3 major works of Beethoven including the iconic “Choral
Fantasy.” Two young men stole the show: Ryan McAdams, the animated conductor and
a world class pianist named Sean Chen. We felt as if we were watching two rising
stars of classical music. What a lively performance!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhdrYAtdzHHAp3oFNw2chr3zWLsAi3VAQkQ_z4v_CPpmOpaTSB71LGM502m_EdzoFRL2VcYO9wem9tpcpruNAgcrdI9ZrSMPn1aw4BLCy7pkHsbU2aQqyBp6gvgOwurfNDEWcLcdHAkw/s1600/IMG_5190.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhdrYAtdzHHAp3oFNw2chr3zWLsAi3VAQkQ_z4v_CPpmOpaTSB71LGM502m_EdzoFRL2VcYO9wem9tpcpruNAgcrdI9ZrSMPn1aw4BLCy7pkHsbU2aQqyBp6gvgOwurfNDEWcLcdHAkw/s320/IMG_5190.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First look at Tent Rocks<br />
Note: boulder caps on top of "tents"</td></tr>
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But the call of the wild once again beckoned. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument was
close to us, and a perfect sight for the four of us to explore. Located
approximately 50 miles west of Santa Fe, the Tent Rocks slot canyon lies
between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Tent
Rocks are natural rock formations caused by a geological process thought to be the
product of volcanic eruptions 6 million years ago. The resulting pumice and ash
ended up in thickly heaped-up deposits that look like tents. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx-_4fKkJNbPPNq1-EGcYwkz8aAPI-SSYv2gV_-e3M79CU6EnRHp12s5vKuL1phzNMr1zByqrUNR3WE9-CnYQkQowTH9rIC1FadoByuqjWHje_qjGvwgmRwWNCo_gvdnsmykyof5QVhc/s1600/IMG_5207.ed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx-_4fKkJNbPPNq1-EGcYwkz8aAPI-SSYv2gV_-e3M79CU6EnRHp12s5vKuL1phzNMr1zByqrUNR3WE9-CnYQkQowTH9rIC1FadoByuqjWHje_qjGvwgmRwWNCo_gvdnsmykyof5QVhc/s320/IMG_5207.ed1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne and Kathy explore the tents</td></tr>
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These curious formations are quite peculiar to see. An interesting phenomenon with the “tents” (also
called hoodoos) is that a boulder seems to have rested atop each preserved tent. Geologists believe that these “capping
boulders” formed somehow after the volcanic events of long ago, protecting each
of these tents from erosion, and prolonging their tent-like appearance thru
time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The loop trail was a fairly easy 3-mile hike out and back through
the slot canyon Tent formations, and the scenery along the route was dotted
with all kinds of colorful desert flowers in bloom. There were many smaller Tent Rock “tents”
along the loop trail which we stopped to examine, but the larger, more evocative
Tents were at the end of the loop circuit, along with an ancient man-made cave
of unknown origin. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBs5F_sWtUJcOvyCLm5PBWgysPgQlkYYv1OeTeMy6qmu5ix9yWheuF31NqzkMe1ptaQtlWEk693k_toNG2Bkxsf9w5YNteBqWnn3pmyzHOXOMi530MQULl4_m4uqhxFtifKxFQMQWnH4/s1600/IMG_5223.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBs5F_sWtUJcOvyCLm5PBWgysPgQlkYYv1OeTeMy6qmu5ix9yWheuF31NqzkMe1ptaQtlWEk693k_toNG2Bkxsf9w5YNteBqWnn3pmyzHOXOMi530MQULl4_m4uqhxFtifKxFQMQWnH4/s320/IMG_5223.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic capped tents form <br />
slot canyon wall</td></tr>
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The loop trail winds
along the base of the giant Tents, giving great close-up views of the cones,
the hoodoos, and the gullies in the rocks.
Of course, there is always a threat of poisonous snakes, so we were
constantly on guard from these dangers while enjoying the wonder of this sight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr03PzPdiL9wZZeWt0fZHvxBcr5ZQCWt173KAb-KPo_2mAWUv9osLCxveDv7vKflz1IYo7OQxMEwUC4rACsD6H2u1nVXm_m3M7PXtm03WicH2zC5_uJOtVthCuZI5w8tghm4bUcbpb7fc/s1600/IMG_5495.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr03PzPdiL9wZZeWt0fZHvxBcr5ZQCWt173KAb-KPo_2mAWUv9osLCxveDv7vKflz1IYo7OQxMEwUC4rACsD6H2u1nVXm_m3M7PXtm03WicH2zC5_uJOtVthCuZI5w8tghm4bUcbpb7fc/s320/IMG_5495.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the High Noon Restaurant with travel friend David</td></tr>
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<b>Albuquerque</b></div>
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On our last evening of the trip, we had dinner with our good
friend and fellow world traveler David who lives in Albuquerque. We had met David in Dubrovnik, Croatia a
decade ago (circa May, 2006), and continued our friendship thru the years,
meeting at various places whenever our paths happen to intersect. Last year we met him for dinner in Paris --
this year it was at the Mexican Pueblo Restaurant called “High Noon” in old
town Albuquerque, NM. Always a pleasure
to spend time in his company.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More pics:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QmOXGXrsYHCArXA4iqlw0vsNXamMjfWZV1TyGxi10bZDxq1LiFex17-M38A8jWWLm1uQY84m0ZjKgWVzc0WBvfXVekPkXtBLRSus8w5nQa50GIapMBbhQSWyRGm3P8Yi1D7h-_nTB34/s1600/IMG_4848.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QmOXGXrsYHCArXA4iqlw0vsNXamMjfWZV1TyGxi10bZDxq1LiFex17-M38A8jWWLm1uQY84m0ZjKgWVzc0WBvfXVekPkXtBLRSus8w5nQa50GIapMBbhQSWyRGm3P8Yi1D7h-_nTB34/s320/IMG_4848.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Canyon de Chelly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLgCubo_Nq7He2ucsy70upC3_-FncGAy6giQoTBA2KDX7A3jKUd_dWIP4k7Jy7g693x8GIfXOYKAH1XDyE77M6b7zSSTGhyphenhyphen61ydsOzKa51y-RED2DcRX_ttT1AF9tJmpQahyphenhyphenIqkUsT3Q/s1600/IMG_4998.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLgCubo_Nq7He2ucsy70upC3_-FncGAy6giQoTBA2KDX7A3jKUd_dWIP4k7Jy7g693x8GIfXOYKAH1XDyE77M6b7zSSTGhyphenhyphen61ydsOzKa51y-RED2DcRX_ttT1AF9tJmpQahyphenhyphenIqkUsT3Q/s320/IMG_4998.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinle Washbed against canyon wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxNIIuY81VLluS4mY88ggTzJGw_Rq4cPr7yJMtPvfX4b2RKKXuofAYAi2pIIWvh7KCdQ8lqxOyA2Yv69AtPfujD3gMeLIE78hlbyjLMzHr92Abx5QhDGYyeYrNNAVQqlJH47aHCh7ANg/s1600/IMG_5005.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxNIIuY81VLluS4mY88ggTzJGw_Rq4cPr7yJMtPvfX4b2RKKXuofAYAi2pIIWvh7KCdQ8lqxOyA2Yv69AtPfujD3gMeLIE78hlbyjLMzHr92Abx5QhDGYyeYrNNAVQqlJH47aHCh7ANg/s320/IMG_5005.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anasazi ruins in alcove of canyon wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVhfiau9hUHQZORl2WBRx4yyHY7S3-rMm8a9_WE5wXelgcaV-O3gpemkbNFayXjRb-jhGx0aJ9rw0_ihjq6WARWeLqSyzRcx2ApP01zJSK7fRD5uCLxft07mTwx6ZkN3gD2ePTRUmYRo/s1600/IMG_4985.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVhfiau9hUHQZORl2WBRx4yyHY7S3-rMm8a9_WE5wXelgcaV-O3gpemkbNFayXjRb-jhGx0aJ9rw0_ihjq6WARWeLqSyzRcx2ApP01zJSK7fRD5uCLxft07mTwx6ZkN3gD2ePTRUmYRo/s320/IMG_4985.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antelope petroglyphs on canyon wall at Canyon de Chelly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZjrQUsrw9YGfFU28SxWEkSZ0l5hN0a60LS187M9r3VHYLqrlnZRcXLoHSwrLYCCuSdmwoOhzOadB6QfmC-ywhgDmu7UQU7bOXSRL_dArmIerQTFk3HSzAQfpQacK4akWZZHXslGRAFI/s1600/IMG_5012.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZjrQUsrw9YGfFU28SxWEkSZ0l5hN0a60LS187M9r3VHYLqrlnZRcXLoHSwrLYCCuSdmwoOhzOadB6QfmC-ywhgDmu7UQU7bOXSRL_dArmIerQTFk3HSzAQfpQacK4akWZZHXslGRAFI/s320/IMG_5012.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the floor of Canyon de Chelly<br />
Note: The Cottonwood trees on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUAU48qC_onnKot29HfRQH1v-mRUBiRhns7dC-7szAdui_UfjeGRA7kigYrLyhJGTPr4Gcaqj7Yo08K5EZrI9U-Otw6sZ7VQ0lQ7SfDuI5TjQ6RR26MXDx-IYsQUFSKtk6jv3hN0IKCw/s1600/IMG_5027.ed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUAU48qC_onnKot29HfRQH1v-mRUBiRhns7dC-7szAdui_UfjeGRA7kigYrLyhJGTPr4Gcaqj7Yo08K5EZrI9U-Otw6sZ7VQ0lQ7SfDuI5TjQ6RR26MXDx-IYsQUFSKtk6jv3hN0IKCw/s320/IMG_5027.ed1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anasazi ruins known as The White House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYcHsEIBnWjOkMYixx5UW78nFjNBfspeLJ7Y0T7be-wl3T6miFj-rdhIi5j5IPof3qj66O_3zHBASEnx8m7HjT-xp4IE9_5UUNt7NLbn8-cWLivZQdX74J1p0I15zhheWxST9ED0zkks/s1600/IMG_5217.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYcHsEIBnWjOkMYixx5UW78nFjNBfspeLJ7Y0T7be-wl3T6miFj-rdhIi5j5IPof3qj66O_3zHBASEnx8m7HjT-xp4IE9_5UUNt7NLbn8-cWLivZQdX74J1p0I15zhheWxST9ED0zkks/s320/IMG_5217.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four of us at Tent Rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_43rK44tpSQtzYgkkRSu7HYKYRUvxnchVKjrYzuQ4hq1Nt6QZtgcm5DbZzziuXlE9KwnZ13MZ5vtKh8IeXvak0EgBreuy55USiMJgKXNlL6jc2_3JRWqPNSRtQZPgnVxr-JUpIVNEMuY/s1600/IMG_5252.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_43rK44tpSQtzYgkkRSu7HYKYRUvxnchVKjrYzuQ4hq1Nt6QZtgcm5DbZzziuXlE9KwnZ13MZ5vtKh8IeXvak0EgBreuy55USiMJgKXNlL6jc2_3JRWqPNSRtQZPgnVxr-JUpIVNEMuY/s320/IMG_5252.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque Tent Rocks line canyon walls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn02t7Dd2PytHkXjI1OdH7_iSdBz0JP_eoFnyEHr4Z0PHsbkPB1hN2E-IRodPTYrr9Uhy1ap4jg8y4AqkDFnLSp7mb1I4qK1DLVOL9_NTuNIP3x56mN533nFC059nLl2sgY6jqLg4C3U/s1600/IMG_5262.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRn02t7Dd2PytHkXjI1OdH7_iSdBz0JP_eoFnyEHr4Z0PHsbkPB1hN2E-IRodPTYrr9Uhy1ap4jg8y4AqkDFnLSp7mb1I4qK1DLVOL9_NTuNIP3x56mN533nFC059nLl2sgY6jqLg4C3U/s320/IMG_5262.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greetings and salutations from Tent Rocks! </td></tr>
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OK folks, that’s all
she wrote for this trip. Thank you for
traveling with us, and hope you enjoyed our escapades as much as we enjoyed
sharing them. See ya in the fall for our
next getaway!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712361878256631776.post-14802501766443349732016-05-22T17:23:00.000-07:002016-05-22T17:52:43.611-07:00Around Page: Antelope Canyon, White Pocket and More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx7ehJ-rCZa_HY3WAy1aC92h7kM3AOa2NYEbhijY8hk0Y4aUx-l02qsIXIuIQ-PBs2oFr4CzXM1ojCVLb0R-CIcK6MN56NtnSxRIDHwx01CBcULxLjPZed2ArOF52z8D-DHNSudsoCqM/s1600/IMG_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfx7ehJ-rCZa_HY3WAy1aC92h7kM3AOa2NYEbhijY8hk0Y4aUx-l02qsIXIuIQ-PBs2oFr4CzXM1ojCVLb0R-CIcK6MN56NtnSxRIDHwx01CBcULxLjPZed2ArOF52z8D-DHNSudsoCqM/s320/IMG_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glen Canyon Dam</td></tr>
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The small town of Page is located in northern Arizona near
the Utah border. Page is a bit touristy with many opportunities to employ
outfitters that will take you to the many sights around the area, both natural and man- made.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lake Powell and Glen
Canyon Dam<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in the U.S.
– 186 miles long with depths of over 500 ft.
The Glen Canyon Dam was built in 1963, and it took 17 years to fill the
lake to the planned level of 3700 ft. above sea level!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMgcCFlQC8hr04sqtm19ahhb6swH-EfwY7JbCSHYAIpjxoLWynSOpon-fYszyV1MS4iPAXMW6BCSev4J57RgILV3Ub8b2G2WLtCQDmKilaWwPrJvc54ela2lB7B2VoXkElPgsl1dgsmQ/s1600/IMG_2458.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMgcCFlQC8hr04sqtm19ahhb6swH-EfwY7JbCSHYAIpjxoLWynSOpon-fYszyV1MS4iPAXMW6BCSev4J57RgILV3Ub8b2G2WLtCQDmKilaWwPrJvc54ela2lB7B2VoXkElPgsl1dgsmQ/s320/IMG_2458.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Powell from Wahweap Overlook</td></tr>
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We had visited Lake Powell years ago with our boys Keith and
Ben, so we did not feel the need to explore it again. We did however, visit the new Carl Hayden Visitor
Center and walk out onto the overlook alongside the Glen Canyon Dam. The water was very low behind the dam,
indicating a tremendous water shortage in this area. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We also took a drive to the top of the Wahweap Overlook
which allows the viewer to see the Wahweap Marina and Lake Powell from the west
side. Again, the lake was noticeably low
in water volume because of the recent lack of rain. The winds atop the viewpoint were so fierce,
we could scarcely hold a camera steady for any serious photography.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqtS-38EGaH7K2yNVF4vVX5J1NHtIcMBpemQ7TZ0SkDiEfevLiI3mBgNJ36PtUiKYWGwec7B2IQm0Tboq4kalYZmgVaYMlp0FnqZ3YNLMHrv6SbLDS_xaxuSAi7h7GpT8c1IjpG5_kd4/s1600/IMG_4113.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqtS-38EGaH7K2yNVF4vVX5J1NHtIcMBpemQ7TZ0SkDiEfevLiI3mBgNJ36PtUiKYWGwec7B2IQm0Tboq4kalYZmgVaYMlp0FnqZ3YNLMHrv6SbLDS_xaxuSAi7h7GpT8c1IjpG5_kd4/s320/IMG_4113.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Energetic young Navajo Hoop Dancer</td></tr>
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<b>Antelope Canyon<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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We have wanted to see Antelope Canyon ever since we first
saw photos of this spectacular sight, a vision of swirling rocks in various shades
of red. But all the photos in the world could not prepare us. This is simply
one of the most beautiful places on earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The canyon can only be visited by employing a certified Navajo
tour guide, and we had arranged ours with Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. We met at
their office where they kicked off the day with an energetic hoop dance by a
Native American. A hoop dance uses several hula-hoop rings, smaller in diameter
than the hula hoops of the late 50’s. The
young Navajo boy doing the dance expended more energy in his moves than we had
energy to watch. It may be just that we
are starting to feel our age, but wow, what a show – it was a fast-moving
expenditure of youthful stamina and flexibility!! He leaped and jumped wildly, spinning
multiple hoops while weaving them quickly in and around different parts of his
body.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xEzfMRtvMICSGPKD5508iNXwYvkwkJNz4fYE8sKAA6VGU_CA03hhVXecgmpjVTk7ZyKCTb1084TfwW13KFILO-FyxO0OVUxPfJh1ikwY_eDrVIB6Uk_UXp_c09R8y21kZo7wLZPniLE/s1600/IMG_4134.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xEzfMRtvMICSGPKD5508iNXwYvkwkJNz4fYE8sKAA6VGU_CA03hhVXecgmpjVTk7ZyKCTb1084TfwW13KFILO-FyxO0OVUxPfJh1ikwY_eDrVIB6Uk_UXp_c09R8y21kZo7wLZPniLE/s320/IMG_4134.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slot entrance to Antelope Canyon</td></tr>
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After the dancing hoopla, we climbed into the back of the
outfitter’s turquoise blue trucks for the bumpy, open-air 10-mile ride out to
the entrance of the canyon. It was a bit nippy this morning on this drive, and
we wished we had brought jackets!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Antelope Canyon looks pretty unassuming from the outside,
but once inside, it is like entering another dimension. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifndGYY7X_3qmAeJAQFAxAAKcgcswFvvfbQYBZskgYQsT395okH78I5sbf4R3DUWfTCPealhfsP81LIRO8pC_6zb_cdjtZTRcmTMvqqLjh8XdnhDWDJfr5CANWyw4clw3zPK6sItNNvKs/s1600/IMG_4151.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifndGYY7X_3qmAeJAQFAxAAKcgcswFvvfbQYBZskgYQsT395okH78I5sbf4R3DUWfTCPealhfsP81LIRO8pC_6zb_cdjtZTRcmTMvqqLjh8XdnhDWDJfr5CANWyw4clw3zPK6sItNNvKs/s320/IMG_4151.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many onlookers admire the canyon walls</td></tr>
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Despite the
shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and the frenzy of visitor photography, the most
impressive thing about the ¼ mile long Antelope Canyon was that, not even the hordes
of people could diminish the ambiance and spirituality that we felt as we
entered this place. The unique red, chiseled-rock beauty of the canyon walls
was unduplicated by any other sights we’d seen. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSbY2yLv3k6TpF7oHEdyDqEVrhnX4cODFEZF8Tg3ds5gYQveGMKVYqMdz6X9Cm_m7-tDFY7AGk31kMFt1LLaQVER9erUDodUn4Ix_xdxUVQnVlZPYrXsWpQj09Ms3LhmEZom4CChMOw4/s1600/IMG_4277.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSbY2yLv3k6TpF7oHEdyDqEVrhnX4cODFEZF8Tg3ds5gYQveGMKVYqMdz6X9Cm_m7-tDFY7AGk31kMFt1LLaQVER9erUDodUn4Ix_xdxUVQnVlZPYrXsWpQj09Ms3LhmEZom4CChMOw4/s320/IMG_4277.ed.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunlight from overhead opening illuminates<br />
canyon walls</td></tr>
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We were there at one of the best times of the day, when the
sun’s rays overhead would shine down thru the slotted ceiling and illuminate
the rock formations of the canyon to the fullest. Marissa, our Navajo guide, led us thru
winding passageways that were about 10 feet wide at the widest, and maybe 3
feet wide at the narrowest. Sometimes it was so narrow, we could not fit 2
people abreast and had to take turns passing oncoming people. The slot was completely cut thru, and so we were
able to hike to the other side of the mountain thru the slot and then back the
same way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is one site where the pictures really do not tell the
story. We had such a tough time choosing which of our many hundreds of photos
to use: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Wjjtr5nwv2wignmjHXcwYiBXyPGTKH4stgnfiQzdeeYOTmQXMxiEwO5ye_gQ7ESDXSBn3Lfsbs8_CkK9-oPy0Rh1HBR0de7AkXVbFTiBmpqVLnaRqbMxpjiF90XbdsdaPN0wrxEAvE/s1600/IMG_4198.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Wjjtr5nwv2wignmjHXcwYiBXyPGTKH4stgnfiQzdeeYOTmQXMxiEwO5ye_gQ7ESDXSBn3Lfsbs8_CkK9-oPy0Rh1HBR0de7AkXVbFTiBmpqVLnaRqbMxpjiF90XbdsdaPN0wrxEAvE/s320/IMG_4198.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting designs on canyon wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWLRLBtp1xvqzc5eigtqCjAwysaHfPrfE2w69kAHEzbRwFQ3Q2fojIIJDTunGcavxa3qk8hV99cIec22c2YqHyQixzIsLq6e_5P9xFkJnz73UU5_yYJzm_ZaUo3MNrx_5KKTtfZuUspA/s1600/IMG_4145.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWLRLBtp1xvqzc5eigtqCjAwysaHfPrfE2w69kAHEzbRwFQ3Q2fojIIJDTunGcavxa3qk8hV99cIec22c2YqHyQixzIsLq6e_5P9xFkJnz73UU5_yYJzm_ZaUo3MNrx_5KKTtfZuUspA/s320/IMG_4145.ed.JPG" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne studies the sandy canyon wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwQasgKMKT9c2RO4rY3crnmxnXU7-9G54Tw0Ob2l3ebaML8nliBEa3rqQ8MRtkB_wkBKQiv4yDzzAzWGnij9ljsNHxih2DKpJiaVQihOvosdf2xG0NHzi6maipHZj6oHZlmLDwYHozSs/s1600/IMG_4249.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwQasgKMKT9c2RO4rY3crnmxnXU7-9G54Tw0Ob2l3ebaML8nliBEa3rqQ8MRtkB_wkBKQiv4yDzzAzWGnij9ljsNHxih2DKpJiaVQihOvosdf2xG0NHzi6maipHZj6oHZlmLDwYHozSs/s400/IMG_4249.ed.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other-worldly effect as light penetrates the canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo_wkw9peRilmElqsMVV11KjVSltNriLECUsQP5HB4fgzQUn4ZRThqIymY280slbPHPCVKG4_tMfvYqVXUtrQxoHqvFOgy8b3Ldm4IeK6-SZfrm_sQs1y-UaHoqUeuYQEskXVz07ose8/s1600/IMG_4267.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo_wkw9peRilmElqsMVV11KjVSltNriLECUsQP5HB4fgzQUn4ZRThqIymY280slbPHPCVKG4_tMfvYqVXUtrQxoHqvFOgy8b3Ldm4IeK6-SZfrm_sQs1y-UaHoqUeuYQEskXVz07ose8/s320/IMG_4267.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ribbons of sandstone in the canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x_fduXl2nd7vRD26XCBo692rj8V9lR25fuWZQ2eo_-ZKkAA6Po4pA6p8Vjkt4QxRH41MOZDn2BToIf2QLs_RkWuopkuA4kiJJg-kUOH4I3pNu5lH_QhL-Ao3ITfdIhvJFEdMgitoV4s/s1600/IMG_4730.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x_fduXl2nd7vRD26XCBo692rj8V9lR25fuWZQ2eo_-ZKkAA6Po4pA6p8Vjkt4QxRH41MOZDn2BToIf2QLs_RkWuopkuA4kiJJg-kUOH4I3pNu5lH_QhL-Ao3ITfdIhvJFEdMgitoV4s/s320/IMG_4730.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking out to see the toadstools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Toadstools</b></div>
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We hiked a mile or so back off Utah Highway 89, where we made
a brief stop at the Toadstools, giant mushroom-like formations that are part of
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We followed a trail lined with many
desert wildflowers to get a view of these odd formations. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcpdXH7rsJvPnF6sVNXB-fWNX9Ekrt0I_sSfbja5A3qHzCtP7hWNjl1Hy_LdOwuBL8vZ6kRXtqdbFm5Et0ZwcZPtd65QEVs7RoajZIkGaZRK2eDBD1na31RoUZjWRWug7IYf1LbBAhpc/s1600/IMG_4744.ed2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcpdXH7rsJvPnF6sVNXB-fWNX9Ekrt0I_sSfbja5A3qHzCtP7hWNjl1Hy_LdOwuBL8vZ6kRXtqdbFm5Et0ZwcZPtd65QEVs7RoajZIkGaZRK2eDBD1na31RoUZjWRWug7IYf1LbBAhpc/s320/IMG_4744.ed2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimsical toadstools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The white columnar
supporting tower of the Toadstool is called a “hoodoo,” and the flat balanced
rock on the top makes it look similar to a toadstool. Amazing what time, erosion,
and the right colors can do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC0K9Kfyy5QtPEAuz__tK8-ZOOCxtKYbwplhSvjHaQ7762AE1oHfDegpwozzJQOuvrx9EBcaPFbg4wz8wjPlkBQPjOEmie5SccCqR0CWb4YPhPaInsQcXLHMg4SM0ktpwMvfeQ7M-jW4/s1600/IMG_4399.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC0K9Kfyy5QtPEAuz__tK8-ZOOCxtKYbwplhSvjHaQ7762AE1oHfDegpwozzJQOuvrx9EBcaPFbg4wz8wjPlkBQPjOEmie5SccCqR0CWb4YPhPaInsQcXLHMg4SM0ktpwMvfeQ7M-jW4/s320/IMG_4399.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first view of White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBo2zBabnhdxvqX8FE2WjbeL2yBuX3vRvmfmvfAxnpPVPsly6D0JAMypawDpPikFfXCEuh1nVK1H3ZSYAFOeKWfvDw_7kSBNAJNQBC4zZEw8IDKfsP0bIhragp2sTLOleO5Tk72Lf_Qg/s1600/IMG_4552.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBo2zBabnhdxvqX8FE2WjbeL2yBuX3vRvmfmvfAxnpPVPsly6D0JAMypawDpPikFfXCEuh1nVK1H3ZSYAFOeKWfvDw_7kSBNAJNQBC4zZEw8IDKfsP0bIhragp2sTLOleO5Tk72Lf_Qg/s320/IMG_4552.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wavy rock formations at White Pocket </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>White Pocket<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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One of the top experiences of our trip was our day at White
Pocket, a stunning, lesser known natural wonder tucked away in Arizona just
south of the Utah line. White Pocket is not easy to get to, and luckily our
private tour guide, Steve, was skilled at driving his 4WD into the desolate
high desert. The ride out was a thrill in itself as we wound our way in the
deep sand with Steve making some miraculous moves up and down both wet and dry gullies,
plowing our way through with his high-clearance vehicle. Getting stuck out here in this desolate
no-man’s land was always in the back of our minds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YqzTgMkt0Ush5FgvkiwG9C0HlKfc13s34G-7D3Co4Ac31L_ydg3V-HeqOs07YL-qNezxrU2Zz9vYQ8-OAQwXqmg3X-xv7tZbISkB-6RPCSfOZ8Cv0uKCXUHYavH5hOhfZeUZtAxDfMI/s1600/IMG_2552.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YqzTgMkt0Ush5FgvkiwG9C0HlKfc13s34G-7D3Co4Ac31L_ydg3V-HeqOs07YL-qNezxrU2Zz9vYQ8-OAQwXqmg3X-xv7tZbISkB-6RPCSfOZ8Cv0uKCXUHYavH5hOhfZeUZtAxDfMI/s320/IMG_2552.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank savors the solitude of White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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White Pocket has only recently gained attention, and Steve,
the owner of Paria Outpost and Outfitters, was one of the first to bring people
here. One of the best things about this adventure is that for the first few hours,
we had the place to ourselves! All told, we saw maybe a half dozen people all
day long on our hike. We also appreciated that Steve would give us a general
direction (head left to that outcropping) and then let us take the lead, blazing
our own trail, at our own speed. We felt like Lewis and Clark!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXQpgKOvs5oKKrWE6TkNYatg2YhfHK7_5jt0lo3DPMszqV_L36k8xw4iw0CduEYdcram9-5QSXXRW8-AiI9VozZFtQnUiCZ64u_NXWprUynw1nDz7IH1kiODKljEOkdlogFmDBkX-iq8/s1600/IMG_4537.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXQpgKOvs5oKKrWE6TkNYatg2YhfHK7_5jt0lo3DPMszqV_L36k8xw4iw0CduEYdcram9-5QSXXRW8-AiI9VozZFtQnUiCZ64u_NXWprUynw1nDz7IH1kiODKljEOkdlogFmDBkX-iq8/s320/IMG_4537.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nimble Annie" braves a difficult descent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Words cannot do this place justice, and even our photos
struggle to capture the eerie magic of that inhospitable, but beckoning land. White Pocket is a rock-covered expanse with both
hilly and flat areas that are challenging even to the nimble, but relatively safe
to climb for most. The slopes could be
steep and tricky to negotiate in parts, but with less daunting alternative
hiking routes as easier choices. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbfXjhPzqIN0HMO6r2w7DvH7bS7YQF05i2R2rKdOqlvC9SameS7Arazuyu9JR-CIrpIt10lSadR3s8cuWNOwKJyli4S8L0EBDupizpyENrS5YpiAEYtKzuGV0D5oDY_tpAHlT4Favw1Y/s1600/IMG_4611.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbfXjhPzqIN0HMO6r2w7DvH7bS7YQF05i2R2rKdOqlvC9SameS7Arazuyu9JR-CIrpIt10lSadR3s8cuWNOwKJyli4S8L0EBDupizpyENrS5YpiAEYtKzuGV0D5oDY_tpAHlT4Favw1Y/s320/IMG_4611.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eerie "rock pillows" of White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Frank was especially fascinated by the white rock “pillows.”
Yes, they looked a bit like fluffy, white quilted pillows. These remarkable rocks
were connected, yet broken into irregular polygon-shapes, which were etched
into the white rock. These rocks and their etchings reminded us of the cell
structure of human skin under a microscope. The more Frank studied this
phenomenon, the more convinced he became that this regular pattern of white
rock must be the work of aliens!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJg7AXIiqHmS4s3jELfYKSPTTvlDV7hnyAhVRYV9m2GX7FDQ_BaEfZGOISatwJB8juVGX0bG7ye__dLpzhgUzS6PeaNKqHzgrj9h6mkmfnzWvtEH2fnm4fgdLD44J0aOOOHUzYF_Khx0/s1600/IMG_4450.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJg7AXIiqHmS4s3jELfYKSPTTvlDV7hnyAhVRYV9m2GX7FDQ_BaEfZGOISatwJB8juVGX0bG7ye__dLpzhgUzS6PeaNKqHzgrj9h6mkmfnzWvtEH2fnm4fgdLD44J0aOOOHUzYF_Khx0/s320/IMG_4450.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undulating red sandstone creates a bizarre effect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Another unique feature of the rock formation was the squiggly
ripple effects of the sandstone that looked like frozen eddies cast upon a
sandy beach by the last big wave. Wave
after wave, swirl after swirl form the sides of some of the canyon walls in an
unusual undulating rendition of red rock. The scenery was truly quite artful,
displaying many geometric oddities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQZceOyR_j0Y5E_yIaelsc1RLXwhJDhutsRVUtAJh3UWQcUIA6xTzjofUf1jO7h4W5PzCOFrElHy5s_1Rk68liHVvOF2waZYhzM7xzRA1Volr9f6vLeTEQ9AVNTeXYM765z3QAX_QVo/s1600/IMG_4512.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQZceOyR_j0Y5E_yIaelsc1RLXwhJDhutsRVUtAJh3UWQcUIA6xTzjofUf1jO7h4W5PzCOFrElHy5s_1Rk68liHVvOF2waZYhzM7xzRA1Volr9f6vLeTEQ9AVNTeXYM765z3QAX_QVo/s320/IMG_4512.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne contemplates going swimming in mountain<br />
pool at White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We also saw animal trails, smooth paths worn in the rock by Big-Horned
Sheep, Mule Deer, and even Mountain Lions. We were especially lucky to see
pools of water in the rock which are uncommon at this time of the year. Steve
led us to a hidden area with three of these pools where we found “natural”
seating on the rocks and sat to eat the provided bag lunch. What a location --
one of our all-time favorite lunch spots! Of course, as good conservationists,
it was required that we collect all our trash and take it out of the park with
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjxKv0H2omxxXKFTagC1CRYuoJsBFZ01TaTc3y-rwb_11kJldNBg-47xXtjm5CQ_2aYMxplnTTHMXC-m5w5ie4RKM39uDFB9F1MJ65A4rkwDVzlDCs6l38cwrUjhWwdrrX-eKl0X4oP4/s1600/IMG_4696.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjxKv0H2omxxXKFTagC1CRYuoJsBFZ01TaTc3y-rwb_11kJldNBg-47xXtjm5CQ_2aYMxplnTTHMXC-m5w5ie4RKM39uDFB9F1MJ65A4rkwDVzlDCs6l38cwrUjhWwdrrX-eKl0X4oP4/s320/IMG_4696.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5-foot long snake bars our exit from White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
As we exited the natural wonder, we spotted a 5’ long snake
on the path in front of our jeep. Steve,
ever the naturalist & conservationist, waited until it slithered to safety.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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The fun and joy of this day will forever be with us. Once again, we had a hard time limiting our
photos, but here is just a sampling:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRVIh4b75jmxoXnSGoRU4guqgc5i8f_vaObY5OuDiEs5GGq2ys1PkfPvbLrntfGEMeVu5TLGaVmCyDgsv7glDyfczk4ARSLxmwvRyFJ2k_asZ45E5_qhuiNUfVNp5oydk0_g4wCKSKds/s1600/IMG_2506.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRVIh4b75jmxoXnSGoRU4guqgc5i8f_vaObY5OuDiEs5GGq2ys1PkfPvbLrntfGEMeVu5TLGaVmCyDgsv7glDyfczk4ARSLxmwvRyFJ2k_asZ45E5_qhuiNUfVNp5oydk0_g4wCKSKds/s320/IMG_2506.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange swirly White Pocket rock formations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWql41Jqg_NWukJEiqTmPjyeMYgVqOaNBqs3Wv8jANqdq_HFRrmIWDJgwiL91U4jJ_maCRV10rQWjtzkyrkn5oiB6J3b2zqNGBPyjitFnY7kI6otORYUALQLMR7ycgdw_yIZWva8kTEc/s1600/IMG_2531.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWql41Jqg_NWukJEiqTmPjyeMYgVqOaNBqs3Wv8jANqdq_HFRrmIWDJgwiL91U4jJ_maCRV10rQWjtzkyrkn5oiB6J3b2zqNGBPyjitFnY7kI6otORYUALQLMR7ycgdw_yIZWva8kTEc/s320/IMG_2531.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock "fan" at White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmqVR1IkLpttvOBO3S_D25b7V0Dxz9Vj3xsgz5tNxeca65ShAduPOQDTKMPB7gcYH4BGYZGxQ84hnSNqeRhAONt5vIfZmQKgx9zEjz0FsDcbkiILFv23aEXh_HNOFOeC6HkWT5-cKbGA/s1600/IMG_4584.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmqVR1IkLpttvOBO3S_D25b7V0Dxz9Vj3xsgz5tNxeca65ShAduPOQDTKMPB7gcYH4BGYZGxQ84hnSNqeRhAONt5vIfZmQKgx9zEjz0FsDcbkiILFv23aEXh_HNOFOeC6HkWT5-cKbGA/s320/IMG_4584.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne treks along exploring White Pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Q2fbpYbIjtDT-TEuSEsPH-6MFYoTXEn_UmbFQzBrfanzamzJwbpFWh0PPlVO1pMb3rW27OnnCOqHS-E-NMHzvnMMidWTRIpzVDc_PQYkPhXiu_2uSujMHS8XWrRA6xZAZRiMWGeKDQ/s1600/IMG_2588.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Q2fbpYbIjtDT-TEuSEsPH-6MFYoTXEn_UmbFQzBrfanzamzJwbpFWh0PPlVO1pMb3rW27OnnCOqHS-E-NMHzvnMMidWTRIpzVDc_PQYkPhXiu_2uSujMHS8XWrRA6xZAZRiMWGeKDQ/s320/IMG_2588.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank decides to take a snooze on the "pillow rock"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPYVNH5pH0b__ovqP-_jH79Mnu64XuumhXrIMUHliKWLu4tdNgPJLPtJaM_K4pZesg2CqvhMfHjMGAMJWBLdmahaFI86n4uQ5JswmxfG1s3DjdsoMQnr0FoNE0pTwuN-bgRlaF-1WEfE/s1600/IMG_4636.yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPYVNH5pH0b__ovqP-_jH79Mnu64XuumhXrIMUHliKWLu4tdNgPJLPtJaM_K4pZesg2CqvhMfHjMGAMJWBLdmahaFI86n4uQ5JswmxfG1s3DjdsoMQnr0FoNE0pTwuN-bgRlaF-1WEfE/s320/IMG_4636.yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balanced rock at White Pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0mRAjDr4slb2eiiDWkhIeDlXyZVDNKsSF8yF8XOFIvuy3bx9RZoqsuAfJEbkakapiqxpwEhhIBl8mRPTNV2Z7DgPBeFre89Up5NpFtNA2L01enmRXQIr0cc6MjzpkUG3Zs0eGL4XpYw/s1600/IMG_2523.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0mRAjDr4slb2eiiDWkhIeDlXyZVDNKsSF8yF8XOFIvuy3bx9RZoqsuAfJEbkakapiqxpwEhhIBl8mRPTNV2Z7DgPBeFre89Up5NpFtNA2L01enmRXQIr0cc6MjzpkUG3Zs0eGL4XpYw/s320/IMG_2523.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral colors of White Pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtX2PQHxL00Ov3vFfppmfhH03uOoy7iynOFu-FrUOrBJet3KwdMRuHwVVmCQSxsQSDtr55kl6lVnbhj6B1KDqFj3_KX5xHaNsNFNAgmqexJ6HCP62yAFuj4osNgz82L1xar6SCzCm_1Q/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtX2PQHxL00Ov3vFfppmfhH03uOoy7iynOFu-FrUOrBJet3KwdMRuHwVVmCQSxsQSDtr55kl6lVnbhj6B1KDqFj3_KX5xHaNsNFNAgmqexJ6HCP62yAFuj4osNgz82L1xar6SCzCm_1Q/s320/IMG_4649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wave" of rock at White Pocket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll-ksUjwg4JAg10DTJOIZzP76AVGt8liAMjaQQTQKrVzdeswXmzXUoJugcxB3rPzyHSKjwZtuTL3_vzx2lyytiUrJ1PJVXMRa7M9H3wxd323yv13vvmIZIUPUBm7odMP0pJbHigOwkRk/s1600/IMG_4635.ed_yes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll-ksUjwg4JAg10DTJOIZzP76AVGt8liAMjaQQTQKrVzdeswXmzXUoJugcxB3rPzyHSKjwZtuTL3_vzx2lyytiUrJ1PJVXMRa7M9H3wxd323yv13vvmIZIUPUBm7odMP0pJbHigOwkRk/s320/IMG_4635.ed_yes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dimpled white rock befits the name<br />
"White Pocket"</td></tr>
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Anne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712361878256631776.post-26172396010276545742016-05-15T19:44:00.000-07:002016-05-15T19:44:05.152-07:00On the Road to Page, AZ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDAoPy4pHorVqztzmqzolfjpFp__UdyGCLyEMORgR9O32je8y54j0denTp-J1_pTXzzWBJVxnxuSrsnB7mkkqGIhqI-VDcLATNK7c10J7OrgEgg_CIrcFf4BIxvDWRwBXKstauYAJr-s/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDAoPy4pHorVqztzmqzolfjpFp__UdyGCLyEMORgR9O32je8y54j0denTp-J1_pTXzzWBJVxnxuSrsnB7mkkqGIhqI-VDcLATNK7c10J7OrgEgg_CIrcFf4BIxvDWRwBXKstauYAJr-s/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road again!</td></tr>
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We said goodbye (for now) to our friends Jim and Kathy and
picked up a rental car near the Phoenix airport to take our adventure on the
road. Anne signed us up for Emerald Awards thru National Car Rental, and the
experience was pretty surprising. No paperwork, free water, and we got to pick
our own car from a selection of about 50 cars! How cool is that? Frank chose a
Toyota Camry (even though we paid for a smaller size). We have always loved
Toyotas for their reliability and this one had an AZ plate which may make us
less of an out-of-town target to Highway Patrol and for petty theft when we
sightsee along the way with all our gear in the car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Driving in this part of the country is such a pleasure. The
roads are wide and beautifully maintained, and designed for cruising at 75 mph
or faster. The wide, open, empty spaces, vast sky, and distant mountain ranges
could not be more inviting, and our itinerary offered plenty of interesting
sightseeing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9LA1Bc5-ARus0uIXvCtv58dBV1pYAfzB0wvZwwYX4iPC1NIaHv0Nd3ddVnQTclF3Yjn3vlt-ZYmbktRvo7WNLk1UiEr3a0PUHo-oGeAI7ig3DN9TaE_elz-LkhzM3vfNYObihderHrc/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9LA1Bc5-ARus0uIXvCtv58dBV1pYAfzB0wvZwwYX4iPC1NIaHv0Nd3ddVnQTclF3Yjn3vlt-ZYmbktRvo7WNLk1UiEr3a0PUHo-oGeAI7ig3DN9TaE_elz-LkhzM3vfNYObihderHrc/s320/IMG_3925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montezuma Castle hugging the side of the cliff,<br />100 feet above </td></tr>
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<b>Montezuma Castle<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Our first stop was Montezuma Castle, which despite the name,
was never home to Montezuma and is not really a castle either. The impressive structure was built by the Sinagua
people about 1100 A.D. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmE6IqiMwipQJgBUxepj1PB6omCWuMw3hULNE7VPUqfKp9dCr6RUzP-3dSAuuFC7S0Ip6-i1zrLVel4U1bkBB6uNmN9PI1vVlDmeSsFw91UXBoukbvRctv0gI9sHM0oiPsFRvzxLy1Xg/s1600/IMG_3933.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmE6IqiMwipQJgBUxepj1PB6omCWuMw3hULNE7VPUqfKp9dCr6RUzP-3dSAuuFC7S0Ip6-i1zrLVel4U1bkBB6uNmN9PI1vVlDmeSsFw91UXBoukbvRctv0gI9sHM0oiPsFRvzxLy1Xg/s320/IMG_3933.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Montezuma Castle</td></tr>
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The Sinaguans managed to build their home 100 ft. up in a large
alcove, using a series of ladders to access their cliffside home. About 50
people lived here with one room for each family and other rooms designated for
storage, workspace, and ceremonies. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Sinagua people lived here for about 400 years and then suddenly
disappeared. No one knows why they moved on, but these people were nomadic and
had a belief that staying in one place too long would result in dissension and
internal strife. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9gLwwW-uNQ_-0CCy24hGVTavoj7u0yvs8ASZ0zJRWqsfNjXh7slMCyJT1wuyj18s4Oqhh255R5daQXeAA9Mi3vpJZsMPgw0A41Lq_twOgm1pRCcPPNH5nVHi7WnAUBWw-KRrI1jjMQ4/s1600/IMG_3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9gLwwW-uNQ_-0CCy24hGVTavoj7u0yvs8ASZ0zJRWqsfNjXh7slMCyJT1wuyj18s4Oqhh255R5daQXeAA9Mi3vpJZsMPgw0A41Lq_twOgm1pRCcPPNH5nVHi7WnAUBWw-KRrI1jjMQ4/s320/IMG_3945.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Creek Canyon</td></tr>
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<b>Oak Creek Canyon</b></div>
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We drove through scenic Oak Creek Canyon, intrigued by the
dramatic changes in the landscape as we made our way north. The drive begins north of Sedona with fabulous
red rock formations lining the Route 89A drive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiKYm6RA-JUj58T9b-jpegsu0FB3YWle8LrYyt3HUaVdrdJe-ztAlup9Rww155TfqoyFvFtxiAHkfAaCEVOtMB5Wi_wZ9yXt4pY3kG7uAnJH3Vul6tVFDlLBZuCvv1MpQogIKnodTeYM/s1600/IMG_2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiKYm6RA-JUj58T9b-jpegsu0FB3YWle8LrYyt3HUaVdrdJe-ztAlup9Rww155TfqoyFvFtxiAHkfAaCEVOtMB5Wi_wZ9yXt4pY3kG7uAnJH3Vul6tVFDlLBZuCvv1MpQogIKnodTeYM/s320/IMG_2296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern part of Oak Creek Canyon where red rock desert<br />gives way to white rock and evergreens</td></tr>
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As we drove down into the Canyon, the landscape began to
change becoming greener and greener. In less than an hour, the scenery changed
from desert red rock to white rock and refreshing evergreen forest. This is a
land of constant variety! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gtEZCH47MD5CMpug4aoTCjrFNirhSPVJBAzaA4DC04OEOLikOnZ04mfxJ-NsmTIBtBjlMoKTEwk_9kNg72v62ujwcpRbf3Ng6EQjnSuqlq00KzXpf-baIXZE4hTgjGHYpkFfxWkmRbc/s1600/IMG_3966.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gtEZCH47MD5CMpug4aoTCjrFNirhSPVJBAzaA4DC04OEOLikOnZ04mfxJ-NsmTIBtBjlMoKTEwk_9kNg72v62ujwcpRbf3Ng6EQjnSuqlq00KzXpf-baIXZE4hTgjGHYpkFfxWkmRbc/s320/IMG_3966.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking through the lava fields</td></tr>
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<b>Sunset Crater</b></div>
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Speaking of variety, a short drive off the main highway led
us to massive, tumbled piles of lava at the foot of Sunset Crater. The crater looms above, looking like a pure
black sand mountain. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImjOrmR7DSjz6FiTgpuYWpM7KjRJ2ln8ur9AW6ai4n5Fz7aVht_sGGlYdSj3QxntyBr1bxLsFxkzkTlRn_IqlBfIbJwzAejkEB2VF4BZ5lmQ44LWvGxABeYalez3e3JC-Ric4wHoS0BY/s1600/IMG_3973.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImjOrmR7DSjz6FiTgpuYWpM7KjRJ2ln8ur9AW6ai4n5Fz7aVht_sGGlYdSj3QxntyBr1bxLsFxkzkTlRn_IqlBfIbJwzAejkEB2VF4BZ5lmQ44LWvGxABeYalez3e3JC-Ric4wHoS0BY/s320/IMG_3973.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava flows with volcano in the background</td></tr>
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The volcano erupted about 900 years ago scorching the area
with steaming lava flows. The park covers 3,000 acres of lava fields, and in
some areas, the lava looks like it just cooled last week rather than hundreds
of years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvuUXr4pP7JYvG5ScBuoL7oFL3Zu4-lXPBN-e0GUtEolaLyuoPpsfidHF7oc6KdrSwR3cqZ4i-HoolYthPwsEQI6yzHKHvu50qy6VK2H4iPJIbGpixNXJFCDLk_k4ShrKu4LaWVxvLM/s1600/IMG_4087.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvuUXr4pP7JYvG5ScBuoL7oFL3Zu4-lXPBN-e0GUtEolaLyuoPpsfidHF7oc6KdrSwR3cqZ4i-HoolYthPwsEQI6yzHKHvu50qy6VK2H4iPJIbGpixNXJFCDLk_k4ShrKu4LaWVxvLM/s320/IMG_4087.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Painted Desert scene</td></tr>
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<b>Painted Desert<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Further on, we had wonderful views of the Painted Desert
shimmering in the distance. Even though we never got a close-up look, the light
pastel colors of the desert were fabulous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ua_-Eyt1vbKBslUPYLMmXE5HiKSGiCp23sDZKLpiLhB1ZBRtd5HdV4KQYiA1Y93dxo_WKt-B_VIcdX4EvdNrTtvGbsfB4iicOeg9_siWOltvtfytPvziYj_F0C53fXqvoFix-WFYZXM/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ua_-Eyt1vbKBslUPYLMmXE5HiKSGiCp23sDZKLpiLhB1ZBRtd5HdV4KQYiA1Y93dxo_WKt-B_VIcdX4EvdNrTtvGbsfB4iicOeg9_siWOltvtfytPvziYj_F0C53fXqvoFix-WFYZXM/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frnak hikes out to see the Wupatki Ruins</td></tr>
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<b>Wupatki Ruins<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Our last stop was at Wupatki Ruins, a red rock pueblo built
800 years ago by the Anasazi and Sinagua people. The site was built using thin,
flat blocks of local sandstone giving it a more modern red brick appearance. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdlN_HMY9JW2W7fBUhx3v_CGv22Zwg-LVz9IUv1-KRzDi6HTLvxCiGKkhwSV_J5b8vxJiJouRbTL2Rj9xbxtExnNMewg7MRJCQWaVUyIGBXcSlAfxbhAN6ZX5jQnXBMTrA2CuXfYGPVU/s1600/IMG_4002.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdlN_HMY9JW2W7fBUhx3v_CGv22Zwg-LVz9IUv1-KRzDi6HTLvxCiGKkhwSV_J5b8vxJiJouRbTL2Rj9xbxtExnNMewg7MRJCQWaVUyIGBXcSlAfxbhAN6ZX5jQnXBMTrA2CuXfYGPVU/s320/IMG_4002.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive 3-story ruins at Wupatki</td></tr>
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The visual shock of seeing this well-defined ancient
structure out in the middle of nowhere invites the imagination to wander to an
age gone by and made a memorable first impression for both of us.</div>
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The ruin was a three-story structure (in places) earning the
name Wupatki which means “big house.” Three hundred people lived in over 100
rooms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJwPy9jXSfTOWGrGLcsz_Jzyi38ZQzDeFFC3KXgI5qLss9OKr6Hps9JSHMEgO_qxqm3JRy3yRpGAMcROQ7GOu_7n-r0JoEEStzrQNYQceBnoa1lVE1jlP-M3Ik7W4U6kRCN_RTjCiH0E/s1600/IMG_4017.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJwPy9jXSfTOWGrGLcsz_Jzyi38ZQzDeFFC3KXgI5qLss9OKr6Hps9JSHMEgO_qxqm3JRy3yRpGAMcROQ7GOu_7n-r0JoEEStzrQNYQceBnoa1lVE1jlP-M3Ik7W4U6kRCN_RTjCiH0E/s320/IMG_4017.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at the Wupatki Ruins</td></tr>
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The volcanic eruption of Sunset Crater destroyed the
formerly fertile land there, forcing people to move into this barren area of
Wupatki. Hard to believe anyone could live in this desolate, dry, unforgiving desert.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenprXZKblmuhIB10FeIswavwpSJXb0G4_sUC-uugSdMPxQj-otwzX2wRfKAv-bjHr4IYPylzMjOQqkez9b1n94_ISXy0tlV3aOV_7HmmRPfrNMQ4wAyLoEwxmYuH96jmPrSIdnx0gc9U/s1600/IMG_4023.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenprXZKblmuhIB10FeIswavwpSJXb0G4_sUC-uugSdMPxQj-otwzX2wRfKAv-bjHr4IYPylzMjOQqkez9b1n94_ISXy0tlV3aOV_7HmmRPfrNMQ4wAyLoEwxmYuH96jmPrSIdnx0gc9U/s320/IMG_4023.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circular "community room" where people of Wupatki <br />gathered for meetings and entertainment <br />(Note the surrounding barren desert)</td></tr>
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More pics:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4ecDQjw-wHF5l04feiMiLwD5VsKN0MFvEJO49TER2_LRQrnu466H6nbr7WeM9ErE3qNyi4f1GjW3UJulDNP4uBLeQhj0w6SdhhlhuMiPIkK9DX8IcqIawKF7vUrDofRjtp7AGjZ2x18/s1600/IMG_3932.ed2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4ecDQjw-wHF5l04feiMiLwD5VsKN0MFvEJO49TER2_LRQrnu466H6nbr7WeM9ErE3qNyi4f1GjW3UJulDNP4uBLeQhj0w6SdhhlhuMiPIkK9DX8IcqIawKF7vUrDofRjtp7AGjZ2x18/s320/IMG_3932.ed2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two turistas at Montezuma Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrvGZSM7almbAr3CawZx5chZY-Z3FMM_iL0qkpxfWcgWf1rzm3L6KR_Dw0MFUcz334IV05FhPs9JTl2zJsVJ8ELvRvTjL-9Lb3R9MEbzfZJZOn7zX5ygZs7BQ5aifXhz2ZsG3tKnK0_Y/s1600/IMG_3939.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrvGZSM7almbAr3CawZx5chZY-Z3FMM_iL0qkpxfWcgWf1rzm3L6KR_Dw0MFUcz334IV05FhPs9JTl2zJsVJ8ELvRvTjL-9Lb3R9MEbzfZJZOn7zX5ygZs7BQ5aifXhz2ZsG3tKnK0_Y/s320/IMG_3939.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imposing red rock of Arizona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXudIc121tbEmRAK5Hfn1nurzR1glTRbPQQ6-T72iodFgC2aBOR90BwVcJbRJOmxff-xO0VUlxad3zwqyYn0HWnYxO6BBcLBtKdX1hBfsccM8GiDG9VIvDKLNEfGio9BlndtLebOkTu6Y/s1600/IMG_3938.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXudIc121tbEmRAK5Hfn1nurzR1glTRbPQQ6-T72iodFgC2aBOR90BwVcJbRJOmxff-xO0VUlxad3zwqyYn0HWnYxO6BBcLBtKdX1hBfsccM8GiDG9VIvDKLNEfGio9BlndtLebOkTu6Y/s320/IMG_3938.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't get enough of this red rock!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQB2dwB3c_k9Se6fBZt-ifV9IukZRgDhZbZZe-Qy-oqW_6OdD7DXwwOHJ8ca7S_TvAYqMpsTQxVJBUcjS78V_Sgr021u91ZTQ95wx5d0oYBokvdOYjC5juos81R6k9CKVfqgVthavQss/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQB2dwB3c_k9Se6fBZt-ifV9IukZRgDhZbZZe-Qy-oqW_6OdD7DXwwOHJ8ca7S_TvAYqMpsTQxVJBUcjS78V_Sgr021u91ZTQ95wx5d0oYBokvdOYjC5juos81R6k9CKVfqgVthavQss/s320/IMG_3996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant pan of the Painted Desert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Ohoh5zeaNWrJIF2eKybbVUEDpS1Y-cm1YTml0jrbwFsCO2a3ycdq0K_PjLclmSMZDJXWS2vKLuvR_Q-HHOdeyJQgUCf7FIcRq5ihu9E6irKB3v_n0j2CWV1W7Y-qUfHs92mUYYpW9c/s1600/IMG_4080.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Ohoh5zeaNWrJIF2eKybbVUEDpS1Y-cm1YTml0jrbwFsCO2a3ycdq0K_PjLclmSMZDJXWS2vKLuvR_Q-HHOdeyJQgUCf7FIcRq5ihu9E6irKB3v_n0j2CWV1W7Y-qUfHs92mUYYpW9c/s320/IMG_4080.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stunning rock formation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSx6d1sCVcJoqDr6XAwMnfHK2G7jVJS0hLQZXCq0x58NwLljRkkHqvluNvPbcPn6iM6Zbm5kPbpOhyphenhyphenkllmN3zKC3PRNl1fsfbTFvfjXajRQbxr7eZLA3Yk51EqFeSuTMiExBpHW2X6mI/s1600/IMG_4013.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSx6d1sCVcJoqDr6XAwMnfHK2G7jVJS0hLQZXCq0x58NwLljRkkHqvluNvPbcPn6iM6Zbm5kPbpOhyphenhyphenkllmN3zKC3PRNl1fsfbTFvfjXajRQbxr7eZLA3Yk51EqFeSuTMiExBpHW2X6mI/s320/IMG_4013.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Wupatki Ruins<br />See in the next blog -- lots more to come!</td></tr>
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Anne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712361878256631776.post-2812435907559275142016-05-11T10:48:00.000-07:002016-05-11T10:48:36.643-07:00Starting our Southwest Sojourn (Phoenix and Surrounds)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f0vmrqacGVIdKivLGP1RTVSDdmK35U6PoQg4mcMPNF4W3snHnzZ9FqEoK9crXYa6CZiASaXaVS5PNG9xfGlXtUR9COZCG6F7G8NCo_aupssxlZPUikLCpHYecP4p72s5AVdGdA4bE64/s1600/IMG_2097.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f0vmrqacGVIdKivLGP1RTVSDdmK35U6PoQg4mcMPNF4W3snHnzZ9FqEoK9crXYa6CZiASaXaVS5PNG9xfGlXtUR9COZCG6F7G8NCo_aupssxlZPUikLCpHYecP4p72s5AVdGdA4bE64/s320/IMG_2097.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stately Saguaro Cactus</td></tr>
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We headed out to the Newark Airport for our 5PM flight to
Phoenix, Arizona, driving our rented KIA Soul along the rainy highways of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We have
never driven the KIA Soul before, and it was a new & pleasant experience
for sure. Nice handling, tight steering
radius, simple controls, good gas mileage, roominess galore, good pick-up when
needed, lots of visibility, good headroom, etc.
Frank was not blown away by the box-like styling, but, that aside, it
could be a next vehicle for consideration if other important consumer features
are mostly positive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, we are flying United Airlines, which has never
been our favorite, but this flight was not so bad. The real "piece de resistance" came when the gent in the window seat of our row vacated his seat for a better seat way
up front; we were ecstatic! We now had
the unusual luxury of sitting, just us two people, in a 3-seat row! Haaaa!
It doesn’t get any better than that when you are flying in a tiny little
Boeing 737 in economy class!! Yesssss!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKRRaQQjXDWGXLcrHv5NXsLAdF3paitw8TVQxE_fjnSPScpoPnUnmhsrIuzQ4smwz9nj-qzMmdYKpwlXGFH11-KVkix1l48TliJgRXaRX0GC6UMCu-z5-OoJicfrz_rAbWx-paw_s9V8/s1600/IMG_3531.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKRRaQQjXDWGXLcrHv5NXsLAdF3paitw8TVQxE_fjnSPScpoPnUnmhsrIuzQ4smwz9nj-qzMmdYKpwlXGFH11-KVkix1l48TliJgRXaRX0GC6UMCu-z5-OoJicfrz_rAbWx-paw_s9V8/s320/IMG_3531.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to long-time friendships!</td></tr>
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We enjoyed a very special stay with our good friends Kathy
and Jim outside of Phoenix. They picked us up at the Phoenix Airport, fed us,
and gave us a room that we would call “home” for the next four days in their lovely
home. They joked that they were running
a B&B for the Supsic’s and wondered how we would rate them. Well, 5 stars
are not nearly enough! Wonderful hospitality, plus fantastic touring all around
the area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYY_tBR0JZ4FPZfy_1kPeeT8GFPXZKnBmAjP11_K6nyMLxsX2gyr99hft_tD7PQiyrHhtyJ5RMaPEuc6mmiAkOVh2pP9ODe7ObBhcGUkbYfu8nGB3cP454cke49mcExHiU5EUyW2TSbY/s1600/IMG_2087.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYY_tBR0JZ4FPZfy_1kPeeT8GFPXZKnBmAjP11_K6nyMLxsX2gyr99hft_tD7PQiyrHhtyJ5RMaPEuc6mmiAkOVh2pP9ODe7ObBhcGUkbYfu8nGB3cP454cke49mcExHiU5EUyW2TSbY/s320/IMG_2087.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone Saguaro by the glistening blue-green lake</td></tr>
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<b>Lake Pleasant<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Lake Pleasant was one of the destinations where the Kathy
and Jim B&B van took us for a hike thru a desert environment. It definitely lived up to its name, with a large,
blue-green recreational lake surrounded by desert landscapes. We weren’t
expecting much greenery out here in the desert, much less a lake! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D4IaMY1gTb5_pMQBMbCq1vRpb4YWM51uZqMZeFMBnLgRqt4j6HuRtf1Kd35OxmKCgVvcv43b6f8iqiUqda3gCrmROf4Ft3OiI6uv5XvG11YqsLsJsJ0PGMv1jOLm3NDoONZf644Dwd0/s1600/IMG_2090.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D4IaMY1gTb5_pMQBMbCq1vRpb4YWM51uZqMZeFMBnLgRqt4j6HuRtf1Kd35OxmKCgVvcv43b6f8iqiUqda3gCrmROf4Ft3OiI6uv5XvG11YqsLsJsJ0PGMv1jOLm3NDoONZf644Dwd0/s320/IMG_2090.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More mighty Saguaros!!</td></tr>
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Surrounding the lake were lots of Saguaro cacti. These
stately, perfectly balanced “desert trees” were eye candy to us easterners who
had never seen one in real life before. Saguaro cacti only grow in the Sonoran
Desert in Arizona, California, and Mexico. These so-called cactus trees with
lots of branches are often 50 to 100 years old, and they can live for over 300
years! These desert survivors can store
1500 gallons of water allowing them to survive for months or even years with no
rain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplAiOBn0zMO5Au9UoVxhk4qMVcHwQJZrVU7_6seQFR-CbCGcwk2zSK47PLEf47tHOaVyrlFJU0ut4LwBEqvhs49dIAIqiL9-E3FB_kkeEKzffziMEeQ3hyphenhyphenYFJrPcAh0klbzn74FJfagw/s1600/IMG_2094.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplAiOBn0zMO5Au9UoVxhk4qMVcHwQJZrVU7_6seQFR-CbCGcwk2zSK47PLEf47tHOaVyrlFJU0ut4LwBEqvhs49dIAIqiL9-E3FB_kkeEKzffziMEeQ3hyphenhyphenYFJrPcAh0klbzn74FJfagw/s320/IMG_2094.ed.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saguaro Cactus in bloom</td></tr>
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We hiked one of the desert trails to take a closer look at
the Saguaros and even saw some of them blooming with plump cactus flowers. Many wrens nest (in a hole) in the upper part
of the trunk of the cactus. We wondered
if the many holes made in these cacti by birds tend to shorten the lives of
these behemoths, or is there some unknown (to us) symbiotic connection between
birds and cactus?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Bell Rock in Sedona</td></tr>
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<b>Sedona<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Prior to leaving, whenever we talked about this trip, people
would say, “You have to see Sedona!” Well, now we know what all the fuss is
about. Before this trip, the only “Sedona” we knew was a luxury KIA
vehicle! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Red Rock Country!</td></tr>
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Sedona has an imposing location in Arizona. Lots of red rock formations surrounding the
town are simply awe-inspiring. The ambiance
of the surroundings is simply beyond description. But we’ll give it a try. Perfectly
balanced boulders at the top of tall rock columns; eroded sandstone rock, forming
lines that make the rock look like artistically-painted canvases; and rocks
that stand erect almost human in shape, standing like centurions guarding the town
from above. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imposing Red Rock Bluffs in Sedona</td></tr>
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Alcoves carved in the sides of sheer cliffs seemed like
caves or living quarters of civilizations long past, and the striated white and
yellow rock strata added color and pizazz to everything. The sharply chiseled
features added drama and interest to the formations, providing a sense of mass
and bulk that made us feel humbled. We stood there pondering this beauty of
nature, awed by its presence, and feeling like just a very tiny part of the
cosmos. Our pictures cannot do these things justice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Holy Cross in Sedona</td></tr>
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Jim drove us to see even more Sedona rock highlights up on a
high plateau where a church (The Church of the Holy Cross) had been built right
into the sheer side of red rock. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent cactus blooms</td></tr>
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This spot gave us a closer look at the many
cliffs and bluffs of red rocks, and also lots of strange new desert plants
& cactus covered with colorful flowers. The views from here were some of the
best yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Sedona</td></tr>
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We ate a very special Mexican lunch at HP Café in Sedona, and
then strolled thru town checking out the shops & sights. The ambiance here
is touristy with shops built in modern Spanish pueblo-style of architecture. Lots of psychic readers and crystal sellers occupy
many of the shops. Of course, the psychic stuff was a bunch of voodoo to our ever-skeptic
Frank, so he opted to avoid these money-grubbing wackos as he called them. Overall,
the town has an exceptionally artsy flavor with sculptures decorating the
streets like one of Sacagawea and another depicting a javalina (pig-like desert
dwellers common to the area). For extra fun, the town provides public xylophones
where anyone can pick up a pair of xylophone bongers and play. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four of us explore the Desert Botanical<br />Gardens</td></tr>
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Gardens<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The flora of the southwest is so different from our state of
Pennsy, that we needed a day in the Desert Botanical Gardens for a look at the
indigenous plant life. Once again, our gracious B&B hosts, Jim and Kathy
offered to take us there and check out the stuff with us. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible variety of cacti!</td></tr>
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We never realized there were so many
varieties of cacti! Stunning Prickly Pears in many unique varieties were
common, lots of Organ Pipes, yucca in bloom, barrel cactus, and lots of aloe, just
to name a few. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rare Crested Saguaro (in bloom!)</td></tr>
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Best of all, was the Crested Saguaro with a shell-shaped “crown”
on top. Only one in 250,000 Saguaro grow
a crest like this, so seeing one was a real treat of a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prost!</td></tr>
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We spent our last night with our charming hosts celebrating the good
life at a German restaurant called “Murphy’s Haus.” Great food, and they even had live oompah-pah
music. We felt like we were back at
Oktoberfest! What a fantastic visit, and we are not done yet, since Kathy and
Jim will be joining us in Santa Fe for more good times!<br />
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More pics:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona Swanky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona Foursome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G_dwpe4UJVnSRJj-q0p9AJyBtohX8gcxvWiQYFPe8elhzSCvd9Xvfz-oZNdNUrzbNeE7kX1g8afVl3RqFymRTmMo3WSBuuCl3rAKP_EwWmZetF6cymq_i_i_dXcT2o407o7KRQXg7bU/s1600/IMG_3553.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G_dwpe4UJVnSRJj-q0p9AJyBtohX8gcxvWiQYFPe8elhzSCvd9Xvfz-oZNdNUrzbNeE7kX1g8afVl3RqFymRTmMo3WSBuuCl3rAKP_EwWmZetF6cymq_i_i_dXcT2o407o7KRQXg7bU/s320/IMG_3553.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's Sedona Sweetie!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2TBmwYYbKdf5XN3xrSKs4_sBhyInPfjXoo0exS6xsq6cGx0hdQruHIeO8PYeSp2FZKBLBADY-jrnR5mys_twRsMrYGbEFf7A08gca_d2lkcTHgr4iH6-1Va_-PyKF1NbhcuTKfhjHKw/s1600/IMG_3618.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2TBmwYYbKdf5XN3xrSKs4_sBhyInPfjXoo0exS6xsq6cGx0hdQruHIeO8PYeSp2FZKBLBADY-jrnR5mys_twRsMrYGbEFf7A08gca_d2lkcTHgr4iH6-1Va_-PyKF1NbhcuTKfhjHKw/s320/IMG_3618.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwest scenery</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfH8DGJQPoYfIJrc7IFANTjueNNkZ9LDqTWR9fdp5r3504mKJ0cy7qgElS9K1bdOAA61FmksAdCP8PX8Z_Wd1NzrLepviWXYKwPqY1BqwjnBU2FCdmjBqJOcBesfGqBm4X2pIOWstJIc/s1600/IMG_2192.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfH8DGJQPoYfIJrc7IFANTjueNNkZ9LDqTWR9fdp5r3504mKJ0cy7qgElS9K1bdOAA61FmksAdCP8PX8Z_Wd1NzrLepviWXYKwPqY1BqwjnBU2FCdmjBqJOcBesfGqBm4X2pIOWstJIc/s320/IMG_2192.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank sniffs the scenery at the Desert Botanical Gardens</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinECKc3eGba4LGhi2q24AgOWA_lD8mBmzEYgPJMqhpvzt8dAKAx6LTCvEiS6yrjIDslRUwrcy62_mGGNf91Znew6rJOqoI012kOLRP0qTSwir-rVlFO1le3HTiUuKXYKaWkcKr7by6icQ/s1600/IMG_2207.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinECKc3eGba4LGhi2q24AgOWA_lD8mBmzEYgPJMqhpvzt8dAKAx6LTCvEiS6yrjIDslRUwrcy62_mGGNf91Znew6rJOqoI012kOLRP0qTSwir-rVlFO1le3HTiUuKXYKaWkcKr7by6icQ/s320/IMG_2207.ed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowering Crested Saguaro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Nca8t5c4a6BDmuflviY4v1483F15BEGd1aWU2XnqDs-OC_p2iaApVLqj7M41eCxkiYrk9AvGgfLLplG6U6iwyjnhvBDC7b4apYDY56ZCziOTHM018RWLmMOpJ0gKIhk3orjFUJmOZqk/s1600/IMG_3590.ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Nca8t5c4a6BDmuflviY4v1483F15BEGd1aWU2XnqDs-OC_p2iaApVLqj7M41eCxkiYrk9AvGgfLLplG6U6iwyjnhvBDC7b4apYDY56ZCziOTHM018RWLmMOpJ0gKIhk3orjFUJmOZqk/s320/IMG_3590.ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roaming the Red Rocks of the Southwest</td></tr>
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Anne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1712361878256631776.post-84044150503967024892016-04-19T16:05:00.000-07:002016-04-20T18:26:06.626-07:00Trip Start-up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2AU762MMMFGYbSH6YuxIXuXDlD_e-S96T62Wm69u9ru3NNg_vLnsjyYlOjz2dyBzQ66d8ZzgXu6PSRgKLo3aiAkipHF2cq09fg46rqZMb9HQPG2rkUN7Yh2IvgVu8I1GkwiuFZk3GQs/s1600/Western0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2AU762MMMFGYbSH6YuxIXuXDlD_e-S96T62Wm69u9ru3NNg_vLnsjyYlOjz2dyBzQ66d8ZzgXu6PSRgKLo3aiAkipHF2cq09fg46rqZMb9HQPG2rkUN7Yh2IvgVu8I1GkwiuFZk3GQs/s320/Western0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Southwest scenery!</td></tr>
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Time for a USA road trip! We haven't traveled out to the Southwest in over 25 years, so we are way overdue to revisit some of the magnificent scenery in this part of the country.<br />
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We will also be reconnecting with some old friends, making this trip a social and scenic pleasure!<br />
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Here is an overview of the trip:<br />
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Phoenix -- visit our dear old friends Kathy & Jim, see Sedona and more<br />
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Rent a car for some road trippin' to:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Montezuma Castle, Sunset Crater and Wupatki</li>
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<li>Antelope Canyon</li>
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<li>Toadstools</li>
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<li>White Pocket</li>
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<li>Canyon de Chelly</li>
</ul>
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Santa Fe -- meet up with Kathy & Jim to visit Tent Rocks and enjoy a Beethoven Festival<br />
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Albuquerque -- dinner with our friend David<br />
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As always, we look forward to having you in our suitcase!<br />
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Hasta luego,<br />
<br />
Frank and Anne<br />
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P.S. How time flies:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhGN_NIhceikT0tFufLnj0cEMoBdxtpNUZ_uk0gyit9k0S6oicgFtrP8uuv4LX9toIfSlPlF9tf1RuRVPSarosTGO0ohJRbQ5O9vKYSqhuChsXgOEgG9YY3EGsmiGTcJWO22h3f9y-jk/s1600/Western0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhGN_NIhceikT0tFufLnj0cEMoBdxtpNUZ_uk0gyit9k0S6oicgFtrP8uuv4LX9toIfSlPlF9tf1RuRVPSarosTGO0ohJRbQ5O9vKYSqhuChsXgOEgG9YY3EGsmiGTcJWO22h3f9y-jk/s320/Western0008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the crew looked like on our last<br />
Southwest trip!</td></tr>
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Anne and Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809617541631362556noreply@blogger.com0