Fwd: Our trip

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lynn Kirby
Date: Sun, Feb 18, 2018 at 10:53 AM
Subject: Our trip

Hi,

I usually write a letter every Sunday, but I missed last week because we were traveling. My iPad and iPhone will not remember lists of people, and I can't remember lists of people, so I can't write group messages very well. Bill brought his Chrome book, and I was planning to use it to write, but it didn't like the internet connection at our hotel, so I have waited to get home to write. 

We left here on Saturday, Feb. 10. It was a normal uncomfortable, boring day of travel--certainly nothing of interest. We got to our motel in Phoenix at about 6:45, and ate what food we could find there. It wasn't bad.

Sunday: It was a gorgeous sunny morning during our couple of hours at the Desert Botanical Garden, warm but not too hot. What a difference from home! The garden itself was beautiful, with many types of desert plants, all planted and cared for. It didn't really look like the desert, where things are more spread out, more haphazardly planted, and where the dead plants remain; this garden was more like a glorified desert, bringing the beauty of the desert to neat, artistic arrangements. It was set up by type of desert plants and biomes, as well. We very much enjoyed it. 

After a trip to a store to buy the things we forgot to bring, we drove to Sedona, about a 2 1/2 hour drive. As we drove over a hill into Sedona, there was a very noticeable change in the color of the rocks. Instead of the grayish tan we had been seeing, these were deep red monuments. Very beautiful.

We got there about 2, and our room was ready, but Beth and Dave's was not. We had adjoining rooms, so we spent time together in our room--even took a little nap. And then we walked around the grounds. We stayed at the Sedona Hilton, and it was quite posh, including the grounds, and our explorations brought oohs and aahs from us. About 4, Beth and Dave's room was ready, so they settled in there, and called us in to see it. Our room was typical: 2 beds, a TV, a desk and chair, a nice sink for making coffee and drinks, and a  bathroom. Their room had a dining room table and 4 chairs, a couch and TV in the living area, a separate bedroom, and a very fancy bathroom. They were thrilled with it, but they felt that we should have gotten the room. But since the trip was our gift to them, we stayed in ours. If we had planned it, it would have been exactly what we would have done.

Somewhere between then and dinnertime, when we met our group and group leader, it began to rain. Rain was a big feature of our time in Sedona. We got all our materials, a description of what we'd do during the week, and a personal introduction of the leader about himself. And that ended the day's program.

Monday: Monday morning we had a lecture about the geology of the area. I am afraid many of us struggled to stay awake during the first half, where he described the origins and nature of each of the 9 layers of rock. The second half (which several people didn't attend) was more interesting, but I honestly don't remember what it was about. Maybe the plants and animals of the area?? 

After lunch we all climbed aboard 2 trolleys to take us to see the sights of Sedona. Site one: the chapel on the rocks. It was very crowded there, and we only stayed about 20-30 minutes. It is a pretty place, but you couldn't appreciate it as much from the inside, and the rain and cold kept you inside. (Bill stood around the votive candles to stay warm.) As we drove around, all the features of the area were pointed out and described. Second stop: the Airport, where there are beautiful views of Sedona from above. However, we didn't see them because a) it was pouring rain, b) the views were covered by clouds, and c) the plastic sides of the trolley were completely steamed over. Our final stop was in a little shopping area, where we had about 20 minutes to wander. And that turned out to be our only shopping trip. 

After we got back, Beth and I went to a few stores to look around, and we took our umbrellas. At one point, we were hailed upon! We bought some necessities, such as chocolate bars.

The evening program was led by a woman who brought in some of her pets for us to see, learn about, and handle. She also told wonderful, funny stories. First was her scorpion Lorraine, a particular kind that does not sting people. When she offered to let us handle it, I was the first person up there. I really got a kick out of not only holding it in my hand, but gently petting its back. Second were 2 tarantulas, Buttercup and King (something). And finally, she had 2 snakes. Other people ended up touching and holding things, and I wanted to hold them all, but I didn't want to be piggy, so I held off. It was a delightful evening.

Tuesday. It only sprinkled a little in the morning, and then it was clear the rest of the day. Yay! We went to a tiny Indian cultural center first, then to Montezuma's Well National Monument. That is a place of cliff dwellings, with a lovely river/stream running by. While there, Bill bought me a Valentine's gift in the gift shop: a stuffed scorpion. Sweet! 

In the afternoon, we took the train which goes through the Verde River valley. It is a 4-hour ride, and it was really lovely. If you get to that part of the county, I recommend you go on it, especially on a day that isn't raining. The train allows you to go back and forth between regular enclosed cars and cars that you can be outside with the scenery and rocks. It was beautiful. Our dinner was late, and we got back late, so no evening program.

Wednesday. In the morning there was a talk by a Native American about the Native Americans. I was tired and didn't attend, but I heard it was very good. The afternoon was free, so the four of us went to Tlaquepaque for lunch and shopping. We had a very, very nice lunch for Valentine's Day in an upscale restaurant. When we went outside to start shopping, it started raining, and since the guys didn't want to get wet hearing aids, we didn't shop. Instead, I napped in the afternoon.

The evening program was a man and his wife who sang many lovely songs of the area and of cowboys. Some we sang along with, too. A fun evening!

Thursday.

The last day of Road Scholar trips is always the most elaborate, and this was no exception. We drove through Oak Creek Canyon (I had never been there before because I was afraid of the curvy road on the map, but I'd do it again in a flash now because of its beauty), to Flagstaff, and then to the Grand Canyon. There was snow on the ground at these higher elevations, but not much. The geologist and his wife led us throughout the day, and they did a great job pointing out features and making it all very interesting and inspiring. Bill and I had said before that we didn't want to go the the Grand Canyon again because we had been there enough (and there are other places we haven't been), but we learned more on this trip than on all the others combined. We learned a lot about the Bright Angel trail down into the canyon, and even went and stepped on it. (It was muddy and slippery, and we didn't go anywhere.) We also learned a lot about the Kolb brothers and their photography and how they lived there. And on the way home on the bus, after our geologist finished telling us stories, his wife led us in singing really old songs that everyone knew. 

This chronicle would be incomplete with mentioning the rain. Apparently they have not had any rain all winter in Sedona--a drought. Their water supply depends on the snow pack melting, and they were getting quite worried. Our leader must have told us at least 20 times that it was so ironic that they had no rain all winter, and that it rained so much while we were there. Beth got especially annoyed from hearing that over and over. Another thing that needs mentioning is the need for naps--altitude induced naps. Lowlanders like us get tired at higher elevations.

Beth had been afraid that she would be the youngest person on the trip, but she wasn't. One woman brought her niece, a woman in her early 20's. She was a real spark on this trip.

Friday. We packed up and drove to Phoenix, where we went to visit with Dave's brother Don and sister-in-law Judy. We did several things, one of which was to go to the Hole in the Rock, where Judy, Beth and Dave climbed up to the hole. BTW, it didn't rain on Friday either. 

Saturday. We arose at 3:30 AM, left to return the rental car, rode the shuttle to the airport, went through check in and security, flew to Chicago, flew to central Wisconsin, drove home from the airport in a snowstorm, got home about 1 PM, ate something, napped, did laundry, and attended Leyton's family birthday party at Pizza Ranch and then Beth's house. And we went to bed early. 

I am going to send pictures in batches because I can't figure out a way for all of you to see all of them. 

Lynn