...where the deer and the antelope play! My friend Launie had to drive back home to Montana and asked if I'd like to come with. So, of course I said yes. Unfortunately, Jeff didn't get to go but it was just a short trip anyways. We left Launie's house in Phoenix and started the journey north. We took a short detour from the path we were on and stopped at Navajo Bridge. Navajo Bridge is at the far east end of the Grand Canyon and is a point where you can actually drive over the canyon! The bridge that you can walk across was originally built in 1923! Even though this is not the deepest part of the canyon, you can still feel the grandioseness of it! Back on the highway, it starts to climb up ... read more

With a couple friends we went to Puerto Penasco, Mexico, dubbed "Rocky Point" by the gajillion Americans that frequent. It's a short jaunt from Tucson--only about 215 miles southwest. The road there leads through miles and miles of scenic desert until, like a mirage, you reach the once sleepy, ocean side town. I guess it's not really a town anymore though parts of it have the feel as though it still is. We rented a house in Las Conchas. It's the area of the city that is packed with condos and beach side homes. We opted for a house instead of the Resort/Hotel filled Sandy Beach because A: it's a whole house! Fully furnished. And more privacy. Plus it was right on the beach. And B: because we wanted to stay away from the crowded beaches. ... read more

Okay, maybe you don't need to walk on fire to live here, but if you're my crazy family you do it for fun. When the weather is cold. Over a bonfire. We drove north to stay with family in Paulden, a place a couple hours north of the Phoenix area, that is pretty much in the middle of nowhere but allows for a bonfire & a large group of people without fear of neighbors complaining of noise. Jeff joined all of my mom's cousins as they took their turn at tempting the flames as they hastily walked across the fire numerous times. Crazy if you ask me. I'd rather sit on the sidelines, letting the hot heat lapping at my cold toes and enjoy the calming sounds of the crackling logs. There were quite a few ... read more

Venice, Crystal River & Orlando. That's what this trip entailed. When we signed up for our phone service a year prior, they had a one day special. That special was that if you signed up for service, faithfully paid your bills, then in a year you would get a free plane ticket. We may not always be frugal, but we love free stuff! Who doesn't? With the free ticket you could choose from a number of destinations. We opted for Florida because Jeff's grandparents live there plus we wanted to act like children for a day in Orlando. After landing in Orlando we hopped in the rental car and drove to visit Jeff's grandma Margaret in Venice. She showed us a great time! We went to the beach, ate Thanksgiving dinner with her neighborhood, took walks ... read more

As soon as I (amy) got out of the military, I booked flights to go visit a few of my girls. First I went to Seattle, WA to stay with Claudia & Co. It snowed. A lot! I was told that it was odd, that usually it's rainy & gloomy but not snowy. Lucky for me! I grew up in the snow and though I don't miss living in it, I do love the occasional frolick in the white powder. The snow was fleeting though and the next morning there wasn't a sign of it's existence in sight. The sun beamed down through clear blue skies and it turned out to be a great day for exploring the city. We even did an underground tour where we got to see the shadier part of old times ... read more