Today provided some stark contrasts in colour - the deep vibrant red of the rocks surrounding Sedona against the bright clean white of the foot of snow just up the road at Oak Creek. First stop was Fay Canyon, a short walk through the forest, punctuated by small patches of snow and ice crystals on surrounding rocks, while being overshadowed by enormous sheer cliffs of red and cream on either side. A short scramble up some rocks (five wheel drive required on descent) into the guts of the canyon to overlook the valley below. Next stop Boynton Canyon - we’d been warned that the canyon walk itself was impassable due to snow and ice (and possibly our laziness) so we opted for the shorter steeper overlook trail. And we were not disappointed! A beautiful climb to ... read more

Today saw a departure...from the horses and goats (cue tears and long faces from children) and a mountain of food (cue tears and long faces from parents) as we left Stagecoach Trails and headed to Sedona. Quite a significant change of countryside, as stony, sandy desert gave way to more vegetation and hills. This also meant that we were greeted with an unexpected coating of snow - very pretty and atmospheric as we drove through Williams to Bearizona, home to bears (hence the name) and jaguars (as yet undiscovered by the resident biologist in the back seat, for the sake of sanity of all participants). Alas, the map rapidly divulged this not-so-hidden gem, and the drive-through area, containing wolves, bears, bison and many deer things with sticks, was virtually ignored in the desperation to reach the ... read more

Complete change of temperature and scenery now...we’ve moved from the wet, hilly, green, snowy vistas of the north east to the brown, sparse desert expanse of Arizona. Arrived here via an early morning start from Boston (to just catch the last of the hard-core New Year’s revellers) to Vegas, where we made a hasty exit (well, at least we tried). We have acquired a new tank-like vehicle to navigate our way around the south. First stop was Oatman to check out the resident burros. Next, after a long drive through some very empty space, we arrived at Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch, our home for the next few days. Introductions all round (goats, horses, wranglers) before a hearty meal and a much-needed sleep. The following few days have been filled with eating and relaxation, punctuated by the ... read more

And we saw a few! Wet dogs that is...only precious few souls braving this truly ridiculous weather. When we were on the interstate, there were signs up warning a ‘winter weather advisory’ - storms, wind, ice...’a wintry mix’ so my weather app told me. Apparently a wintry mix in Boston is rain mixed with sleet, mixed with horizontal rain and sleet mixed with wind whipping your legs so it feels like -9 (so says my app) until you can’t actually feel your legs at all! But bugger that, we’ve a city to explore! I will admit to a slightly slower start than normal and a sternly issued warning that it was raining yes, and it was cold, yes, but I was NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO WHINGING. So, a quick fire visit to Boston Common (wet ... read more

Sadly our time in Vermont is ending tomorrow as we head to Boston. We have absolutely loved it here - the people are friendly and accommodating, the food is great and it’s a beautiful place. The last few days have been filled with relaxing, eating and playing in the snow. For many people, when your seven year old is lying flat on her back in the snow, after careening down an icy hill on a sled, having head-butted the slope, crying and claiming that she “can’t move my legs”, it would be cause for some concern. Luckily Genevieve has given us much experience of her self injury assessment process, and in reality, it was nothing a bit of lunch and a lie on the couch didn’t fix (oh, and surgery to reconnect her spinal cord). Despite ... read more