Sunday, September 25, 2016

Feel the Love Tour 2016

A revisiting of some of our favorite Southwestern haunts, including a few of the places that have been significant in our 20-plus years together. Starting out with a star-filled night on the banks of the Virgin River, about 40 minutes south of St. George, Utah, in the northwestern corner of Arizona:


We spent the next day hiking Zion National Park, which never disappoints. These pix are from our hike up to the Emerald Pools.




Our drive out of Zion yielded a special treat as we yielded to these locals:



Next stop: Demotte Campground on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, where we set up camp with our friends, Randy and Patrick. At 8,000 feet, it was cold and stormy, but we shared great dinners, lively conversation and, of course, a campfire to keep warm.




Here's our constant travel companion, who minds the "tuna can" when we're away.




Despite the inclement weather, we got in two days of hiking, sightseeing and fun times with good friends. These pix were taken near Grand Canyon Lodge, right before the clouds rolled in and drenched everyone with raindrops that were fittingly grand. We had no choice but to shelter in the saloon, 'natch.





When a really big storm hit late that night, it battered our tiny teardrop with heavy rain and wind and knocked over the big green tent that we used for shelter. By morning, we all agreed it was time to head south to warmer and sunnier locales (and a hotel in Flagstaff). Here's a javelina we encountered at a rest stop just south of the city:


The sun returned in Sedona, where we spent a glorious morning hiking Brin's Mesa.








In the afternoon, we visited the vortex at Bell's Rock, where the sun set on yet another magnificent road trip.







We're so blessed to have such wonderful adventures in the teardrop, with friends, and mostly, with each other after all these years together. Feel the love, indeed.

Thankful for my Midwest family

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