The Life and Times of SIT

Friday, April 12, 2013

The Magnificent Grand Canyon and Sedona’s not too shabby either!

SIT managed to find their way from Kingman to Williams Arizona and made it our home for the week beginning April 4^th.

Friday was a day spent visiting close friends that just so happened to want to come see us. Imagine that! Janette and I worked together for many years and she and Jon live in Phoenix. They came to Williams to hang out with us and check out our home. While they were still here Bob and Nancy Behrner stopped by on their way home to Minnesota. Bob and I worked together for nine years and he recently retired too. He and Nancy came to my retirement party and bought a travel trailer while there. Now they are enjoying the road!

Jon Tucker and Janette Archibeque

Hanging out with SIT

Bob and Nancy Behrner

Stopped by

We ventured to the Grand Canyon Saturday and hung out at the South Rim. Steve was pretty much in awe and speechless when he saw the canyon. Izzy of course was just happy to be in a place with a zillion things to smell, including deer and elk.

We got our bikes out and did a bit of riding from one section to another so we could see the Hopi House, El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge and the Lookout studio. The history you learned while visiting the park was wonderful. The pictures we took truly don’t relay the visual you see but here are a few to give you a flavor of what it looks like.

The Hopi House

When we were getting ready to get back on our bikes we ran into some interesting characters. Now having been to the Grand Canyon before, I expected to see folks from other countries, a lot of kids, and of course some dogs with their owners. I never expected to see a star trooper, a sand person, and a really bad dude from Star Wars. Well, we did and here’s the proof!!

Star Wars invaded the Grand Canyon!

Do you suppose he's the new park ranger?

Sunday we loaded up in the truck with our cameras and headed for Sedona Arizona. Steve said he wanted to sit and contemplate his bellybutton or something like that since it is home to several vortexes. Along the way we came across some cool looking rocks. Go Figure! The State and Forest Service have established a park a few miles before you get into Sedona called Slide Rock, so we adventured in for some gawking and hiking. It was home to a large apple orchard and there are still some trees there that produce fruit. The name Slide Rock comes from the rock formations at the creek that you can actually ride down like you would a slide in a water park. I felt the water – burr and we noticed the only people in the water were all under the age of 18!

The town of Sedona was pretty busy since it was a Sunday but that didn’t block the views of the amazing rock formations and colors. We toured around a bit and found a few interesting things. The pictures below will give you an idea of what’s close to town.

A room with a view

We thought about making an offer to buy this place!

The view of Sedona from the airport

Near the Catholic Church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Junior

Eagle carved in the rock

On our way out of town we drove to one last location we were told about by a local resident. By the way his name is John Wayne. No kidding! We took a nice hike down to the water and were able to get some great shots. Izzy had a blast as she didn’t have to be on her leash and could explore new territory. She has become quite the tracker! Oh yeah, Steve decided he didn’t really need to contemplate his bellybutton after all!

Izzy and Steve

A river with an awesome view

Tory and Izzy

Izzy's not too happy since we didn't let her swim!

Monday was a day spent hanging close to home as the wind was blowing up to 50 miles per hour, along with rain, snow, and hail. Tuesday morning Izzy told me she needed out before 0600. Much to our surprise when I opened the door there was snow on the ground. Izzy of course was in heaven and immediately acted like a little kid and started to play in the snow. I on the other hand zipped up my coat all the way!! Steve did get Izzy out for some exploring in the afternoon once the weather became a little nicer.

We ended at the very west end of the canyon which is so different than the south rim. We were trying to take a helicopter ride down to Supai village and hike to Havasupai Falls but it didn’t happen, so instead we did a little rock combing and then went to the Grand Canyon Cavern. We didn’t know there was such a critter but there is. Steve shot some video of it but it is the largest and deepest dry cavern in the United States. You go down 210 feet to start the tour. Lucky for us gimps they have an elevator!

Leave it to Tory to find a cache 210' below ground!

West end of the Grand Canyon

There were people down there!

Part of the Grand Canyon Cavern discovered in 1929

Snow at Williams..........no shorts today.

We had planned to see the north and east rim of the Grand Canyon but decided for our last day here we would go west. Part of our journey took us on Route 66 and as you can see you find interesting things when you travel Route 66!

Next stop Moab!!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Looking for Gold

Kingman Arizona April 2-3, 2013

Well SIT’s adventure took us to Kingman where we were able to spend two days. It’s funny how Izzy tries to make friends wherever she goes. We took a trip to Oatman which is an old mining town and does still have active mining. While there some of the locals were wandering the streets engaging with the tourists. Well one of them decided to come say hi to Izzy – as you can see by this picture apparently all animals say hi the same way!

Izzy decided she didn't want to play with this big dog!

We were able to get a few shots on the drive from Oatman to Kingman and I think you will enjoy them.

Kingman was established in the 1880’s which brought miners and the railroad. They have a few great museums if you ever get there and the town is actually pretty good sized. We toured a couple of the museums and thought these pictures might give you an idea of what life was like once upon a time.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

The London Bridge

We left Parker on April 2^nd on our way to Kingman Arizona and who knew we would travel through England??!!

The London Bridge happens to be in Lake Havasu City Arizona so we decided to stop and take a look. The history is interesting and it just so happens it really is part of the London Bridge, so they say. We took a few pictures just to prove we aren’t crazy people. Well some people might think we are!!

The London Bridge at Lake Havasu City

The London Bridge has both the US and British Flags

The Guardian of the Bridge

SIT at the London Bridge

Old Moe Wins The Battle on the Colorado River

March 29 through April 1, 2013

Parker Arizona and the Colorado River

SIT left Twentynine Palms Friday (March 29^th) and headed to Parker Arizona so we could enjoy the river for a couple of days. We ended up staying an extra day – I’ll explain a little farther into our story.

The weather was about 20 degrees warmer than Joshua Tree so the shorts came out and stayed out. We met some folks immediately at the RV park who gave us the low down on things to go see and where to eat some great fish and chips. Being the kind of people that listen and respect what others say we took their advice.

One of the places they told us about was called the Desert Bar. It’s a bar out in the middle of the desert and it is a rough road to get there – dirt all the way, and quite exhilarating – that is if you like to get bounced around a lot! Well, apparently one of the front tires on the pick-up didn’t appreciate that and the belt started to separate internally. Guess what? They don’t carry that size of tires at the tire store so they were ordered. Therefore the extra day, but the trucks’ wheels are all better now!

Steve had an opportunity to ride the motorcycle a bit around the area and it is one spot where 4 wheeling is the norm. There is a lot of country to see and great rock formations along the trails.

While we were exploring we cruised by the golf course and decided to get a tee time. We played Sunday and managed to play 18 holes. The course was great and technically challenging so it tested our abilities. Good thing we don’t have to make a living that way!!

The last thing we decided to do was go fishing the last night we were there for catfish. SIT went to the river (the RV park was right by the river) and set up the fishing poles. Now Steve being the long-term fisher dude has all the cool stuff, right. Rod holders so you can sit back and relax and therefore you put bells on the pole so if you get a nibble or bite they jingle.

We got the lines cast, placed the poles in the rod holders, and then opened a special bottle of wine Leslie gave me for retirement. The sun was setting (pictures below) and life was good……………then I had a bite. I was working the fish and getting it close to the bank and it decided it had somewhere more important to go. Oh well…………….the surroundings are great and we have nice wine.

We put bait on my pole again and I did an amazing cast job!! Steve also had a nibble and apparently the fish was pretty crafty since it managed to eat the bait without putting the little hooky thingy in its mouth. Steve baited his hook again and did a cast to end all casts!!

We sit back down and enjoy the wine……………..it is dark now so the fish should be really, really hungry right? Izzy has already been swimming and is now laying down wondering why we aren’t letting her chase the cast into the water.

Just a few minutes go by and all of the sudden the bells on my pole start jingling, and the pole is bent over. Oh forgot to tell you that you put a rock at the bottom of the pole handle to hold it in place. So I leapt out of my chair and reached for my pole and just as I got close it launched into the air and flew out into the river. Oh no! Standing there not believing what I had just witnessed, I couldn’t let that fish get the better of me. So being the smart, intelligent, fully clothed person I went in after it! Needless to say, it was cold, it was dark out, and I needed light quickly. My partner in crime shone the light on the water, but the water was already murky. I was not going to quit though so I reached it (so I thought) and put my foot down thinking I was standing on it. Did I mention it was cold and the water murky? Well at that point I had to decide if it was really under my foot or not as I was going to have to get completely wet to reach it, although I was already wet up to my armpits. In the end, I didn’t get the pole, or the fish. All I got was wet clothes and the ability to tell you the story!! Old Moe was now swimming around with my pole, reel, and line……………maybe someone else will hook him and have an early Christmas present!! Think I go back to holding my pole when I fish and not use a pole holder!

We headed back to the trailer so I could get dry clothes on and continue to pout…………..you see it wasn’t really the pole and reel going away, the fact of the matter was that I really wanted to catch that super big fish!!

The View from the RV Park

The Colorado River

The Parker Dam

Just One of the locals

Our Temporary Hangout in Parker

One of Izzy's Favorite Things To Do

Do I have to get out now?

Do you need a fire engine?

Desert Bar

Wonder when they passed this law?

Parking is at a premium at the Desert Bar!

Our truck can't do this.

Steve asked if we could use this truck to pull the trailer.

Flatbed Truck as old as me!

One of the beautiful holes on the course.

The desert fairway.

Peaceful time at sunset.

All wet because of Old Moe!

The end of the day!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Adventure Begins for SIT - Joshua Tree National Park

March 25-28, 2013

Twentynine Palms California - Joshua Tree National Park

Wow! What an amazing place and to have this opportunity to see it. The other amazing thing is that Steve and I actually could hike. Now some of you are probably thinking what’s the big deal! This was the first time both of us have actually done a pretty intense hike (3 miles to boot) since our limbs were adjusted! We took it slow but that provided us with the opportunity to get some video, pictures, and even see a small desert tortoise.

I was waiting for Steve as he was taking some pictures of barrel cactus, and I heard a noise and looked and there was this little guy moving across a hill. He got high centered for a bit, and I was getting ready to be the hero when he was able to free himself. It kind of reminded me of when I worked in the forest and got the Forest Service truck high centered…………….we won’t go into how I got it free. But I digress. The hike was to the 49 Palms Oasis which just pops up in the rugged rocks in the middle of the desert. Pretty awesome sight to see.

The day before that we adventured to a different part of the park and walked around the Hall of Horrors rocks. It was another wonderful rock formation and we did find one horror. Oh make that two as we took our Go Pro camera so we could video what we were seeing and show all of you – the horror was we didn’t record a darn thing. So, you will just have to close your eyes and pretend. The other pictures you see will give you a slight clue of what the rocks look like.

One day we spent going to the Keys View and the Bill Keys Ranch. It is amazing how it is preserved, but also the other wonderful thing is the tour you can take with one of the Park Rangers or volunteers and learn the history. As you walk around you can pretend you lived in the early 1900’s and figure out which chores you would make your little brother or sister do!!

I haven’t had a chance to work with the video we shot so when I get that taken care of will get it posted.

Friday we left Twentynine Palms California and headed to Parker Arizona to hang out along the Colorado. If you want to know what happened there, read the next post!

Here are some pictures - we hope you enjoy them! SIT