It’s been a busy couple of weeks, filled with family and fun. Lisa and Brad, Bob’s younger sister and husband, arrived on the 4th, Travis on the 5th, and Sara and the boys on the 6th…..Sissy’s Bday. Our days were filled with journeys to some of our favorite spots around Cottonwood and Sedona. Did a 10 mile hike into West Fork of Oak Creek in Sedona, had a wonderful docent at the petroglyphs at VBarV, toured around historic Jerome, the boys had target practice down by the river, did a long drive tour of the Red Rock country and still managed to have plenty of relaxing moments at the campsite.

This was the fourth year that we have had the boys with us in Verde Valley for Spring break, and they enjoyed the freedom that familiarity with the campground gave them. Added to that, we were able to have Caleb - our friends Bree & Chad’s son that the boys met last year, join us for a few nights. Cash and Caleb spent the nights out in a tent behind the motor-home, and while I couldn’t tell what they were talking about from my side window by the bed, the sounds of giggles and long conversations went well into the night. I have hopes that they will continue their friendship for years to come.

Now I am enjoying the beautiful coastline of Pt. Mugu for a couple months. What was originally scheduled for mid-May as “help Sara and the boys pack out for their move to New Orleans”, has turned into “Help Sara maneuver around on crutches for the next two months while she prepares for her pack out to New Orleans”. On the last day before everyone was scheduled to start departing, she fought with a gopher hole - and lost. Spiral fracture in the lower leg will keep her in a cast for the next month or so. Not the way anyone wanted to see her end her trip, but thankful it looks like no surgery will be required. Flexibility is something that I write about quite often on this blog, but never has it come in as handy as now. Bob will stay on in Cottonwood for another week or so, and then start the push towards Fallon.

Looking forward to these next weeks with my little girl, and the boys. Not the way I would have chosen this extended stay, but am so very thankful that I can be here with her as Travis makes the journey towards New Orleans this week to pick out a house and get checked into his new position on base.

Sorry Bob, no homemade cookies for awhile, you are on your own for a bit.

V Bar V Heritage Site

This is our fifth trip to this historic heritage site and once again we had an excellent docent that took time to explain what he thought the symbols meant. The vast majority of images were created by the Sinagua from about 900 AD until about 1350 AD and the wall tells the story of the seasons, with planting and harvesting represented as well as Father Sun and Mother Earth. A large rock fell from the wall this last winter. Unfortunately it was one that they had proven through daily/weekly study that it made a distinct shadow line pointing to a symbol that represented the spring equinox, close to the date of the actual equinox. A couple of years ago we were able to see it in person as the shadow traveled down the wall. Sad to see that others won’t have that experience in the future.

Chicken Point

Sara and Travis took off for a day to themselves and test out the Bronco on the red rocks of Sedona. Glad they got to experience the thrill of Chicken Point.

yep, that’s a Jeep towing a Ford! (fuel line went out, fortunately just a mile from camp)

West Fork of Oak Creek