Sedona with Side Trips (Jerome)

                 Day Three....Sedona.....yes We are still here !

What is it....when you wake up in Heaven.....Tension is gone, the fast pace is gone....'what bill to pay next'.....is gone....Didn't even need my Starbucks.



We got up a bit later, then headed out to the shops.  Was looking for Prickly Pear Juice and I found it, a syrup that can be used over pancakes....Sean was happy....Traversed through the shops, and we decided it was time for a road trip....yes, that is what I said....Not far though...Jerome...  This was a mining town, many years ago bustling with people and excitement!  It is a gorgeous town, fun shops to go through, great restaurants, yes, even vegetarian!  The houses were gorgeous, the museum is worth the walk through and the video depicting an era gone by is superb.

Good Morning Sedona

                         DAY TWO

                          6/21/12

Good Morning Sedona….

We are up bright and early to head over to Slide Rock.  It is a Park that has a natural slide built into the river and it is a blast!  People come from all over the world to see this natural beauty.  You must get there early if you want to ‘get a good spot’ to plant your things.  There are natural ‘pools’ that are not too deep, so we found a spot to put our things and headed into the water…the temp was around 68 degrees, which is VERY warm for this river, and once you were used to the ‘chill’, it felt incredible.  People come bearing cabanas, drinks and their picnic food, for a day of fun in the sun.  There was one hitch however, today had been somewhat cloudy which made it even more perfect, and dangerous for us ‘easily burned types’.  We had already decided to leave, we had been at the park about 3 hours, sun-screened and all, but were not willing to take the chance of the major burn, so we packed up and were heading out, stopped to pick up an ice cream for the kids at the Slide Rock Market when the Heavens’ decided to let loose, slowing at first, then huge drops.  Perfect timing, we were in the car and once again, enjoying the rain! 

Arriving at the Lodge, the weather “up here”, was a bit nicer, just a few drops, and the kids were itching to go to the pool, once we were sure there was no ‘lightening’ danger, we headed over and the kids jumped right in (I might add that the pool was heated, so they were quite happy about the temp.).  Sitting by the pool, we had some good news that one of Erin’s oldest friends Melissa and her daughter, lived close by and we were thrilled when they were able to come and visit with us.  We so enjoyed reminiscing and having a good laugh about old times and old friends.  I loved seeing the two of them with their children lamenting on ‘how different things are today’.  We all headed out to an organic Italian/pizza restaurant, ate, enjoyed the night air, then it was time to say good-bye till next time.  We love you Melissa and

Perfect end to a perfect day!  Time to hit the sack and get ready for a day of shopping and hitting the town of Jerome nearby.

Happy Adventures…

The 4 Corners Adventure

The adventure begins!  We finishing organizing the two cars, Kathryn is taking her Tahoe with Erin and 4 of the kids, we packed up our Honda with one of the grandkids with us.  Ten of us, gearing up to have a grand time!

We start out around 9:30am and are j u s t getting to the freeway and Dad asks “This place does have a pool right?”  “Yes, they do”, I reply…next question?  “Did you turn off the pool water”????? Panic sets in, we do a quick U-turn and rush back home. Thankfully a tragedy was avoided and he turned it off, that would have been a disaster! Back on the road, being so thankful he thought of if BEFORE we were more then two stoplights away, we start to relax and enjoy.

The traffic was cooperating and we were smooth sailing when we saw a gorgeous sight up ahead,  dark menacing clouds!  In Southern California, rain is precious, and monsoon-type weather, is hit and miss to say the least.  We rejoiced at the drops starting to pelt the car, and windows were immediately opened to revel in the sweet smell of rain.  Near Flagstaff, we had an amazing light show along with the rain, what a treat!  As we neared Sedona, the rain let up a bit and with windows opened we could smell the pines and the campfires in the air, really starting to relax now :D

We arrived at Sky Ridge Lodge on top of a mountain, next to the Sedona Airport, we have stayed here before and have NEVER been disappointed.  We settled in our rooms and then headed out to dinner to a familiar place Javelinas…Where the atmosphere is relaxed, the food is delish and the Prickly Pear Margaritas are worth the trip alone!

Exhausted, full and ready for a great nights sleep, we head back to the rooms to dream of tomorrows adventure….

Up, Out and Away!

Tomorrow....FINALLY, we will be back on the road, this is going to be a great vacation!  My husband surprised me with the first leg of the trip...Sedona....one of my FAVORITE destinations...We will be staying at Sky Ranch Lodge.....Atop a mountain with a view of the city below, the airport, with great food next to us and the Heavenly stars, above us.  The perfect place to see the sunrise and the sunset, both equally beautiful in this perfect setting!  I will be posting as we travel from Arizona....but, I will not get ahead of myself.....I want to savor and I hope you will too the beauty that is in this first stop.  So....packed....and once again AWAY WE GO!!   Happy Travels.... and love to all

JULY? Already?

When I started this blog, it was to document all the traveling that we do as a family....To this date?  We have gone to Target and the grocery store....lol....Now, I am not complaining, just realizing that these are the adventures that I am loving this summer!

We had a GREAT springtime vacation, and so I fear I must not be greedy...  I actually have hanging plants this year, birds that are nesting in those hanging plants....visiting the grandkids, spending time relaxing and the biggest project?  Painting....so....this may not be exciting to read about?  But I am having the BEST summer, and I know, that we will be sprinting here and there, and if not?....another BIG fall surprise.....

So, I am ENJOYING my little adventures to small antique stores, Bed Bath and Beyond, and the Redlands street fair, .....Sandles, shorts and cotton candy..........OH YEAH!

June 1,1978.....The BIGGEST Adventure!

Thirty-three years ago, We began the best, largest most all consuming adventure of all...children.  Erin was born on June 2, 1978....Twenty years (technically 19) after I was born, 2 years after I graduated High School, and Medical Assisting School, and 17 months after Scott and I were married.

Scott and I are goal oriented, driven and adventurous people, so it made perfect sense to start our family early to enjoy all the "life we were going to experience and share it with our children".  People thought we were crazy!  Scott was in the Volunteer Fire Department in El Toro, California, and with the California Department of Forestry, which meant it was seasonal.  I had odd jobs, but when I became pregnant, my main job was at a corporation as a clerical typist in Irvine.  That was going to quickly end as my due date came closer.

Scott was a trouper, he worked several jobs, even as a "Kelly Girl" Temp to sustain our family, we NEVER borrowed or asked...we made it work.  I will always love the "Kelly Girl Man" that made our life work!!

On our Wedding Day, I looked into the eyes of the man that I knew was my 'soul mate', and realized that no matter what, we were going to be fine!

On the night of our first childs birth?  I was a bit unsure of that earlier statement..lol...He happened to be out on 'field training' in the middle of n o w w h e r e......when my water broke..

Let me back track....my mom had come out to be with us for this sweet  baby...I still see her sitting on my brown plaid couch, looking so confident and serene..  God, I miss her!  Ok, so we were watching a program and it was 8pm....my water broke and I had 'some kind of look on my face'....my mom "Are you OK?"....me.."Well, either my water broke or I peed".....a few minutes later, I  k n e w it had been my water.....So what do I do?  Take a shower...(I know)...then try to reach Scott (before cell phones).  I am finally able to reach the Chiefs wife, yes, this was when you were able to directly talk to the 'higher uppers'....they found him and sent him to the hospital.

Where, he was exhausted, and he wanted to sleep, so he did, until the time when I really needed him, then?  Like I said?  What a guy!!  Several hours and some 'invasive procedures' later, she was breech, our first born came into the world.  Named after Ireland....Erin Kathleen....Bald, small and the bluest eyes.....our very first adventure!

We have traveled the world, and will do so again, God willing, but the best adventures are the ones with your children, either having them or having them along!  Now, we also have delighted in the adventures with the grandchildren!  

Happy Birthday to our eldest, Erin Kathleen....Let the Adventures Continue!!

love to all

Summer Adventure?

We, our family, the three that are still under this roof and extended... LOVE to go places.  We must or should have some gypsy blood in us.  We are home less then a month, and we ALL get 'itchy feet'....ready to pack our bags and RUN!!  Anywhere, serious..

After our FABULOUS cross-country experience, Sean is already asking 'WHEN is the cruise".  I said, maybe this year, we take a break and go on small, fun trips...  The LOOK,  oh that look.. "What, are you crazy, this is our 'platinum year', we have to go SOMEWHERE"!!!

Geeze, forgot that it was THE year...the 'platinum year'... lol....Sean has been traveling, well, since birth, and he knows how many cruises, how many train trips, AND how many states.  He LOVES to travel, he loves to learn, to discover new cultures and just GO~  The McDairmant's what can I say....Scottish/Irish Gypsies to be sure..

The 'Platinum Year' means that this will be the 10th cruise, special amenities, easier access, more parties and for the kids?  Sean has already won the "Medal for Most Cruises", and that was two cruises ago.  He is excited about all the competitions that are had for young people on the Carnival Cruises.

Well, I will say this, the next adventure is on the horizon, not sure what it will be, but stay tuned....I am SURE you will love it as much as we do!!  Well, I would love a European Cruise, but that, I am sure would have to be booked at least a year in advance..

love to all