Christmas Holidays

Christmas Festivities 2013

Marshall lives in Tempe, Arizona about 45 minutes from our abode. Being new at his job translates into an accrual of few vacation hours, and we wanted to be a reasonable distance so he could join us for the holidays. Kelcy's vacation hours were more lenient and she spent five days with us before returning to Denver. Steve's brother Gib made the trip from Seattle for only a few days and Sister Ellen joined us for 10 days.

Instead of purchasing a tree, we chose to create one out of the materials at hand. Actually, Steve did the ceasing and I offered suggestions:) Steve's artistry was a favorite of everyone and we hope the owners of the home have a chance to display it in 2014.

 

Christmas Eve

The Children

Exquisite Fruit Beverage

Alaskan King Crab on 24k gold

Waiting for the others to join us

Marshall… being Marshall

Sharing a laugh with my daughter

Dancing lessons with Marshall

Santa brought Yummy Chummies

Hiking in Arizona

December 14, 2013 to January 23, 2014

Hiking in Arizona is at it's best during the winter. The mornings are cool but the daytime temperatures rise from the mid-60's to the mid-70's. Tucker is slowing down so we focused on hikes no more than four miles and moderate terrain; fortunately that criteria was easily met. 

White Tank Regional Park

Waterfall Trail

Waterfall Trail

Friends from Montana happened to be in Wickenburg, Arizona. We spent New Year's Eve together and did several hikes between Surprise  and Wickenburg. Vulture Peak afforded incredible views 

Wickenburg

Kathy Knudsen, her dog, Gunnar, and I climbed most of the way up Vulture Peak. Due to time constraints and a great view from where we stood, we chose not to scramble to the top.

Vulture Peak (https://www.blogger.com)

Lake Pleasant Regional Park

This park offers easy walks through desert terrain. The sound of wild burros braying were heard throughout our hike. Although hikers are not supposed to remove anything from the park, Tucker managed to bring back numerous cholla.

A twenty mile drive on dirt roads to the west of Lake Pleasant brought us to the trailhead for the Spring Valley. There is a foundation of an old cabin once used by miners near the start of the trail. Sister Ellen joined us for this hike.

Sprinting to Arizona

December 12-13, 2013

Fueling our trip south was dinner at a pizza place in south Denver with friends and family. Steve reconnected with one of his previous roommates from Colorado College and he joined our friend Phil (one of the brothers who owns the house in Arizona where we will be staying) and Kelcy. 

 There is so much sky...

We stayed in a campground just outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  We were the only campers in the area and the full-moon walk with the light reflecting off the lake was spectacular. This Las Vegas does not boast Casinos but does have a great breakfast place called Charlie's Spic & Span Bakery, a restaurant that specializes in authentic Mexican food. When we were walking in, a woman ran up out of breathe and asked if she and her husband could tour the Alto; they had just put a down payment on one similar to ours except with a fixed roof, and she wanted her husband to see the model with the retractable roof.

Another long albeit scenic drive delivered us to our temporary Phoenix home and a much needed break from long days of travel.

Surprise Arizona

Denver to Alaska and Back

Before leaving for Alaska I enjoyed a dinner and walk with the family. Due to Kelcy's housing situation  Steve, Tucker and I booked an airbnb and our host graciously allowed us to park our truck and trailer in her driveway while we were gone. 

It was snowing when we left Denver and the temperature had plummeted 40 degrees from the day we arrived. Alaska greeted us with black ice and rain.  We received a warmer welcome from friends and family and enjoyed catching up and some leisurely evenings.  

We had two days in Denver and on a recommendation from our airbnb we visited the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art. Walking through the exhibits we met the director of the museum, Hugh A. Grant, preparing for an upcoming lecture. He graciously took the time to share some history about Vance Kirkland, the artist who had purchased the original museum building and later established an art school. It is one of the most unusual museums I had been to and well-worth a return visit.

Camp Bow Wow

December  2013.

When traveling with a pet, especially the size of Tucker, one of the primary concerns is a place to stay when he cannot accompany us. Fortunately, Kelcy volunteered to care for him while we were in Alaska  but he had to go to daycare during her work week. We took a day to check out facilities in Boulder where she works and selected Camp Bow Wow. It was a great place and Tucker even brought home a glowing report card.

Oklahoma to Denver

November 29-30, 2013

Well-fed and Thanksgiving leftovers in the refrigerator, we left Oklahoma under blue clear skies and cool temperatures. Tucker had given the resident cat some tense moments and retook her territory as soon as we got into the car.

There were no storms predicted so we headed almost directly north and into Kansas, another state I had never visited.

Although other travelers talk about the desolation of the prairie, I thought the colors and contrasts were mesmerizing. I imagine it helps to drive through it on a beautiful day.

At a rest stop, I was impressed with the modification of the trash can security. As one would surmise, there are frequent and strong winds and instead of the cans being tipped over, they swing in the wind.

We camped at High Plains Camping in Oakley, Kansas and enjoyed the pub and cafe located on the premises. In the morning we breakfasted on leftover pizza with steak from Oklahoma and sautéed  vegetables. There was frost on the windshield so a warm breakfast is a great way to start the morning.

 It was good to see mountains again- albeit a backdrop for a drilling rig. Denver greeted us with warm smile; both from our daughter and the weather god.

Oklahoma

My cousins graciously accepted our invitation to share Thanksgiving at their home near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The last time we visited in 1991, our son Marshall was crawling like a crab on the cement next to the pool. No matter the time lapse, their hospitality was just as warm and inviting. The tour of Tulsa and visits to several of their favorite eating establishments far exceeded anything we expected. 

Michael and Carol gave us an amazing box of chocolates from a company in Tulsa called Glacier Confections. The photo does not come close to doing them justice in appearance or taste. When we left Oklahoma, we still had a half a dozen left in the box; these chocolates are meant to be savored not eaten in one sitting.











In an unmonitored moment in Phoenix, Tucker decided  differently.