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23
rd Arrived in Mesa and met Andy at his work, quickly got the house keys for him, dropped off our stuff and then went to the airport to drop off the hire car. Kelly, collected us from the airport and drove us back to the house. Then came back and collected us and took us out to dinner…to a Mexican restaurant…delicious, fresh food…and enough to take home for tomorrow. Gotta love that.
Now I should explain who Andy and Kelly are. They’re married and Kelly is the daughter of Bonnie and Coleman (who’s house we’re staying in). We met Bonnie and Coleman at the Willy T in the Caribbean in 2013 and chatted for about an hour or so. They had hired a boat and were sailing round the BVIs. Then on their last night of charter we just happened to be anchored in the same bay. They recognised our boat, and brought over all their left over food. HMMM…we just love that as its usually fancy food that we don’t often get ourselves..and sure enough..chocolate, soda, jam etc etc. When we were chatting they invited us to stay if we were ever in the
US. So…we took them up on their offer. However, we’ve just missed them..both in Virginia and here in Arizona. BUT…they opened up their house for us, so we’re staying at their place, with Kelly and Andy just round the corner. A lovely place it is too, so very peaceful and in an excellent location. Gotta be happy with meeting people in the Caribbean!!
Fri 26
th Hired a car today for the weekend as we’re On the way to visit some friends up in the mountains, but first we have other places to visit. On advise from other friends, we called into a little ‘ghost town’ called Jerome. We didn’t do any of the ghost activities or anything, but it is a stunning little village – an old mining town, and just had a little walk around. Didn’t take long in the main centre of town. Lots of quaint little shops and a good feel to the place. Then we drove on to Sedona. Everyone has said to visit here and mentioned how pretty it was. Driving through the town, we’re pleased that out hotel is back out the way as we were
expecting another little town like Jerome…however Sedona is so much bigger, and very touristy. But it’s so clear to see why everyone loves it….it is stunning with big red mountains, rock formations all round. So beautiful, especially late afternoon when the sun is hitting the red rock faces. The hotel we stayed at was ‘undergoing renovations’ as clearly stated on the website when we booked. However…that was an understatement….it was being completely refurbished, remodelled and all other ‘re’ words that describe total mess and chaos!! We couldn’t believe it was still allowed to be open. However, our room was clean and nice, and breakfast the next day was great. However, before breakfast, we went just next door to a Moroccan restaurant and that was fantastic. We shared Elk sliders (mini burgers) and Bison and Jerk Chicken Tacos. Great to try Elk and Bison, and both really nice…not gamey at all!
Sat 27
th Relaxed start this morning, nice breakfast provided by the hotel, then on the way to the Grand Canyon. We took the scenic route up and glad we did, just stunning views. Once at the Grand Canyon though it
was a ‘pinch me is this real’ moment. The place is just breathtaking, inspiring, majestic…..words cannot describe it and pictures do not do it justice!! We thought we knew what to expect…we’ve both seen pictures, videos etc on the Grand Canyon, but nothing prepared us for what we felt, saw and experienced there. A most definite bucket list place to visit for everyone!!
As we were loving it so much, we decided to take the long way back to Payson…the scenic route once again. However, this turned out to be about an hour longer than we expected, due to the windy roads and slower speed limits. It did mean turning up at our friend’s place much later than we planned, but it did also make for a stunning drive.
Becky and Mark had the outside fire burning when we arrived and had organised a stunning sunset to boot (that we had the pleasure of watching for the last 1/2hr of our drive)
We met Beck and Mark at Cane Garden Bay Baptist church in Tortola (BVI’s) in 2013 and then had coffee with them for about an hour afterwards. It was
during coffee that the said “well if you’re ever in Arizona..make sure you look us up”. Big mistake (when will these people learn?) Sure enough…2 years later, we’re there knocking on their door. It was so great getting to know them better over a couple of days.
Sun 28
th Off to Church with Becky and Mark this morning and had a great service. Excellent music and a sermon that was exactly the right length to keep everyone interested and punchy to boot!! After church we went for a drive to see the town and B & M’s ‘projects’. They’re building up their own log house (cabin suggests a small building) The outside is all done – as it was when they bought it – but now they have to complete the inside. Just stunning..but a big job!!! B&M had a party to go to and after that they took us to see ‘Tonto Natural Bridge’. An amazing formation where you first drive way down into a valley and then walk even further to find it. Only thing with that….is you gotta walk back up! Not too bad though, lucky we’ve
done a bit of mountain hiking recently!! (if you can call it that). I realise I’m using words like stunning, amazing , beautiful, wonderful, etc so much recently, but really what else can I say????
Mon 29
th So wonderful catching up properly with Mark and Becky had a great time and cemented a firm friendship, we will certainly be back to visit. But we had to move on and so this morning we headed off back to Mesa, returned the car to the hire place and then in the afternoon went for another long walk down the main street. Got us some bike gloves and steak for dinner. What a great weekend!
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