"armed" and ready at the Grand Canyon |
Amazing yields from our garden |
Workwise, no retail for us! I continue with my two marketing clients, both for 24+ years. With Mike officially retired, he has been enjoying his freedoms of choice. As always, he’s an amazing caregiver and I am greatly appreciative of his assistance with the simplest tasks (like opening containers, zip lock bags, doors).
Thunderheads bringing rain - incredible views from our friends' cabin |
Tons of hummers at Hannagan Meadows Lodge near NM border |
I could post lots more Grand Canyon pics! |
Spectacular, hiking, walking and even more incredible vistas when viewed from a Bell 340 helicopter ride across the canyon. We also spent two days in the magical Sedona area, wine tasting, hiking and exploring the petroglyphs, etc.
Fabulous summer eve - paella dinner in Carlton |
Travel far, drink local |
Canyon Wine Company in Williams, AZ where Mike won the half gallon (!) of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, final ticket of the drawing there. Having the courage to ask about exchanging it (tacky, I thought, but I was encouraged by the servers), I approached the winner if she would consider it. She is in the midst of downsizing and wondered how she’d get rid of her prize so it was a win-win - I got a fun, carry-on friendly, appetizer dish set and her tablemates were thrilled to get the BBQ sauce… ; getting the last helicopter ride before a big thunderstorm hit at the Grand Canyon – dark gray clouds descended quickly and the view disappeared, giant drops of rain pummeled the windscreen as we landed and soaked us as we ran to the hangar... ; being invited to a winemaker's dinner – at his home – where we got to name the new baby sheep and enjoyed paella he'd prepped on a wood fire in a barrel… ; scoring the best of the hand surgeons and hand therapists at Ortho Specialists, well, that's what I believe … ; and the chance to meet up with friends who will also be in Spain in October.
Maybe they are coincidence or maybe fate –
however they happen, I am thankful for these special moments.
On September 9th, we head to Madeira, Portugal for scuba diving, where we’ll meet longtime friends who now live in Virginia. Who knew that this small volcanic island, famous for Madeira wine, also boasts some incredible diving experiences – or so we hope to discover. While there, we will participate in the annual Wine Harvest Events. I’ve written to the organizers who are looking for volunteers to help with the crush and other tasks.
We’ll follow that with 5 days at the pig sty (report to follow!)😊, then take the train to Madrid and Valencia where we’ll
meet up with 2 sets of traveling friends from different paths in our lives.
Luis on WhatsApp check-in call |
Pura Vida awaits us in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Our two local service providers, Luis and Angel, have been caring for our boat each month, sending photos and videos to demonstrate that she’s doing well and happy being afloat. What a huge change from the hot, desert environment we’ve had every year in Guaymas, Sonora to the north. There are a lot of logistics we'll be working out with the boat being further south.
After a visit with my family in October, God willing, we’ll be heading south.
Long Beach frying pan |
Sand sculpture, left from the contest |
Celebrating Tony's BD @ Long Beach |