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March - Kristin & Aaron (for pictures click here)

Kristin & Aaron (Bill's niece and her husband) have been married for since 5/05 but they are currently living 400+ miles apart much of the year while Aaron finishes his degree. So, a week away together is a really big deal for them. We were so pleased that they decided to spend part of the week with us. They flew into Vegas for a weekend with friends, then rented a car and drove here. We picked them up at the airport just south of Flagstaff where they dropped off the car. And it didn't take long for the adventures to start. It's dark (I forget the time) and we are cruising at around 75 mph (that's the speed limit) back home on the interstate. Bill asked if we heard or felt something, but no one had - we were all talking, of course. A mere moment later the car veered sharply to the left and with great effort Bill manages to safely stop the car at the side of the road. We pile out and discover that the right rear tire has completely removed itself from the wheel and is in shreds. Yikes!

Okay, first let's take all their gear out of the back so we can get to the spare and the tools. Well, isn't this a fine time to discover that the special tool Bill bought to take these wheels off (and that was another whole story) doesn't really work. It took both men about 1/2 hour to get the wheel off, then install the spare. Fortunately, it wasn't snowing. At this elevation, in March, that is a real possibility (see April for more).

We only had three and a half days, but we made the best use of the time. Day 1 we went up through Oak Creek Canyon, to the Grand Canyon, via Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments. We watched sunset over the canyon, then got back up before dawn for sunrise. Sunrise is pretty spectacular, but it's also very chilly at that time of night!

Sunset Crater Volcano last erupted sometime between 1040 and 1100.

Less than 800 years ago, Wupatki Pueblo was the largest pueblo around.

Grand Canyon

We stayed over in Tusayan, just south of the park. On Day 2, after a leisurely breakfast, we traveled south back to Flagstaff, then east to Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. We hadn't ever been to either.

Painted Desert

Petrified Forest  with geologic and fossil records of the Late Triassic period.

All that and we were back home in time for dinner.

Day 3 we went to a nearby State site, the V-Bar-V Ranch, with wonderful petroglyphs. Then into Sedona for a close-up look at the red rocks and a hike to Chicken Point.

Day 3.5. Their flight home wasn't until evening, so we had some more time early in the day. After a stop for awesome ice cream, we headed up to Jerome and wandered in some of the neat stores and galleries. Then, the trip down to Phoenix, dinner and on to the airport. We had a great week, and look forward to Kristin and Aaron returning soon.

April - Jay pictures

Bill's son Jay is a high school teacher, so he has very defined times when he can take vacation. He also is track and cross country coach and has a minimum (NY State) requirement for 4 practices during the "Easter" holiday. So school got out Weds, he held practice a few times before he left, and got in the last one when he returned. He flew out on Saturday before Easter and got here just ahead of the bunny (who left very nice chocolate for the "boys"). Sunday we had brunch at a very elegant resort in Sedona. We've been there several times in the past, and love the location. Outdoor, on the banks of Oak Creek, with the trees and the ducks, and it's sunny and pretty warm.

Monday we did the Sunset Crater - Wupatki - Grand Canyon route again, but this time we did it all in one day. No sunset or sunrise. But, Jay did hike down into the canyon for an hour or so (the old folks waited by the car).

Tuesday, Debbi had class in the morning so Bill and Jay went for a hike in Sedona. In the afternoon we went to two places new to us. In all the years we visited here we had not made it to Montezuma Castle or Well. Turns out they are both relatively small sites, but more than worth the trip. The "Castle" is an ancient cliff dwelling. About 20 rooms remain, built into the cliff. This is an incredible sight

Montezuma Well is located 11 miles from the main park. Formed long ago by the collapse of a limestone cavern, over one million gallons of water a day flows continuously into the Well. This constant supply of warm, fresh water provides an aquatic habitat like no other in the world, and has served as an oasis for wildlife and humans for thousands of years.

Wednesday, Jay went up into Oak Creek Canyon for a hike but the trail he had selected turned out to be closed due to fire damage from 2006. In the afternoon we went to Jerome for lunch and again headed for the shops and studios.

Thursday, Debbi again had class, so she missed the very early trip to Phoenix (darn). Jay's return flight left at 9...it's about a two hour trip and you have to arrive at least 90 minutes ahead... They left VERY early!.

April - Mark, Chris, Sarah

These guys were supposed to visit in February when it's really awful in Rochester, but Chris and Sarah were both ill, so we had to postpone.  The bad news about changing at the last minute was unavailability of the one non-stop direct flight from Buffalo. So, they took the long way, via Atlanta. Basically an uneventful trip, but it was late and everyone was really tired by the time we got to bed. No trip to the Grand Canyon with this group. Chris & Mark were there a few years ago, and that's where he proposed. So we went to Meteor Crater (privately owned, east of Flagstaff),  Petroglyphs near Sedona, Jerome, sunset on the red rocks, and we spent a lot of time with Sarah.

May - Marilyn & Joe

We finally convinced them to come for a few more days, so they arrived Weds afternoon and stayed till Tuesday morning. It was a pretty relaxing long weekend with a few meals out, and a few in; visits with Herb & family, and a lot of resting.