Today, we experience our first slot canyon. After driving to a Navajo booth near Upper Antelope Canyon to buy our permit, we drive back to Page and several miles South on Highway 89. The entrance is a non-descript parking area in front of a locked gate. After walking about a quarter of a mile over slick rock, Jim picks the best path into the canyon, a walk down a slanting canyon wall. Since I’m shaky when it comes to heights, Alan’s steady hand is a big help. At first, the canyon is fairly wide. The photographers practice with their cameras as [View Full Entry]

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We’re on the road again, this time to Page and Monument Valley in Arizona. Alan is attending a photography workshop while I tag along in search of writing material. The drive takes us through most of Arizona’s climactic zones. Leaving Tucson, we travel through desert until reaching the outskirts of Phoenix. Then, its big city driving on jammed-packed highways at morning rush hour. After we negotiate our way through Phoenix, the road starts to climb; and, for a few more miles, saguaros still dot the landscape. Soon, the highway becomes a rollercoaster of downhills and uphills [View Full Entry]

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Last night, we arranged with Ranch Manager, Susan, to eat a late breakfast. Our plan was to sleep-in since we are leaving today. Ranch dog, Dharma, had other ideas as she barked our wake-up call around 7am. This morning’s sky is solid blue, not even the hint of a cloud can be seen. Alan and I sit in the gazebo with our coffee and watch geese glide on the lake. A light breeze sways the beige cloth panels that hang on the corners of the gazebo. Birds twitter as they fly by. Relaxation doesn’t get any better than this! Breakfast is [View Full Entry]

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A squirrel is today’s breakfast entertainment. He climbs into the birdseed tray that sits beside one of Sunglow Cafe’s windows. After filling up on birdseed, his cheeks bulge and his neck appears to have a goiter. The squirrel scampers off to unload the seed stash at his secret hideaway then comes back to the feeder with cheeks empty and ready to re-load. The Acorn Woodpeckers have seen enough, they dive and peck at the squirrel, driving him away. Sunglow Ranch provides another hearty breakfast. Eggs, cheese and bacon stuffed into a large croissant, fried potatoes, toast with or [View Full Entry]

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We’re hiking in the Chiricahuas today. The Sunglow’s hearty breakfast of fried eggs over potatoes, sausage, toast with orange marmalade plus coffee and juice should keep us going until dinnertime. As we drive Turkey Creek Rd. towards the highway, another rattlesnake is crossing the road. This one coils slightly as the Jeep approaches. Alan gets out to look but I’m content to observe the snake from inside the Jeep. On Highway 181/186, it is still necessary to ford several streams that rush across the road. We also find a box turtle in the middle of the highway. Alan back [View Full Entry]

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Our feet are itching and there’s no cruise on our horizon. What are two travel-crazed baby boomers to do? Why, go on a road trip, of course. Our blue Rubicon Jeep hums along I-10 as we travel from Tucson to Southeastern Arizona. We’re off to explore Chiricahua National Monument and Sunglow Ranch. At Wilcox, we exit the interstate, taking Highway 186 through a broad valley rimmed with mountains. Monsoons have turned the brown hillsides to green. Grasses are knee-high. Yellow wildflowers blow in the wind. There’s not a car in sight. Alan and I decide to check out the m [View Full Entry]

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Tonight is the Captain’s Farewell Party before dinner and our favorite shipboard entertainment, Krew Kapers. After a day of packing suitcases as Mariner sails towards Los Angeles and home, we’re ready for some fun. Roy, our favorite waiter, will be singing the final solo. “We’ll be sitting near the front on the left-hand side,” Alan tells him at breakfast. When Roy enters the stage at the beginning of the show, he spots us immediately and the waving begins. The crew does a fantastic job of dancing, lip-synching and actual singing. There’s not an empty [View Full Entry]

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Yesterday, we watched from the Observation Lounge as dolphins played near the ship. From our vantage point, it looked like they were diving directly underneath the bow and we worried for their safety. Soon, they popped out on the other side of the ship, shiny bodies arching up in the air and back into the water in a glittering show of aquatic athleticism. They were safe after all. This morning, we can hear the seals bark as the sun glints on El Arco, the rock formation at the tip of Baja California. Alan and I sip coffee on the balcony as [View Full Entry]

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Mariner anchors in Acapulco Bay this morning and the city of one million inhabitants surrounds us. Buildings, in various stages of construction, are scattered down the hillside. Some of these buildings have probably had the same construction going on for many years, a Mexican tax strategy to avoid paying taxes. Two large Celebrity ships are docked in the harbor. Soon, thousands of cruise passengers join the Good Friday crowd. Considering that this is Easter week and there are many locals enjoying the area too, Alan and I opt to stay onboard. Since bodyguard duty precludes us from taking exc [View Full Entry]

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Last night, when Alan and I returned from dinner and the show, a formal invitation was in the message holder on our cabin door. It read: “As a valued Gold Member of the Regent Seven Seas family, you are cordially invited to an exclusive dinner experience with Captain Jean-Marie Guillou, Master of the Seven Seas Mariner. Please join Captain Guillou for a special Connoisseur Wine Dinner complete with pre-dinner cocktails on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 7:00p.m. in the Connoisseur Club We are pleased to use this evening as the perfect occasion for your complimentary photo with [View Full Entry]

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