The Red Rocks of Sedona

Andew and I returned from a trip to Sedona and Grand Canyon. This was our first trip alone in 12 years. Sedona is so beautiful...words that come to mind to describe it are: sensual, mystical, serene, vibrant. It is a contrast of the vivid red rocks next to the pale desert.

The area is known as the Red Rocks because of the picturesque red mountains resulting from their iron oxide content.

Every morning we would go for a one or two-hour hike around various mountains. Our favourite was "Bell" Mountain.

The Red Dust Clings to Everything After a Walk

You had to plan your days carefully around the temperature. This was, afterall, desert. You had to be finished your hiking by 11:00am and then resume after 5:00pm. We could start our morning at 56F and end the day at 122F.

Swimming and lounging during the afternoon heatwave

We hiked up Cathedral Mountain which was considered strenuous (and it was) but worth the effort.

A breathtaking archeological destination was Montezuma's Castle. This was the cliff dwelling for 60 Pueblo Indian families. It is simply chilling to see this site and the ingenuity of these mysterious people who lived here from 1240 to 1400 a.d. and then simply abandoned this structure.

Montezuma's Castle

This beautiful church was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and it is situated on a small mountain, between two pillars.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Sedona - Our B & B

We stayed in the most marvelous B & B in Oak Creek Village, by Sedona. If you are travelling as a couple (no kids, no dogs) then we highly recommend the Adobe Hacienda B & B.

A Welcoming Entrance

Serene Mexican Fountain

Nightly Campfire

The Redrocks View from our Bedroom Window

Recumbent Trike Built for Two

Andrew has managed to attached Dylan's recumbent tricycle to his own to creat a tandem recumbent trike. The two road warriors strapped on several saddle bags, a tent built for two, two tiny sleeping bags.....and they went camping overnight!

Press PLAY to see this engineering marvel in action.

A UFO Sighting????

As mentioned above, Andrew and Dylan completed an overnight bicycling/camping trip. They were at Presqu'il Provincial Park which borders Lake Ontario. Late at night, Andrew was at the toilet near the lake when he spotted an Unidentified Flying Object. It was a very large light, as big as the moon, hovering over the lake. He could see several planes circling below it. Several other campers were at the lakeside watching it too.
Now we must keep in mind a) the park is near a Canadian naval base b) the object was flying over the U.S. side of the lake c) OH MY GOSH WHAT IF IT WAS A YOU KNOW WHAT?

Andrew refuses to acknowledge the latter but I like to beg the question, "what if??????"
See the VIDEO below.

Top 8 Ways You're the Best Dad

Dylan wrote the following card for Andrew on Father's Day.

TOP 8 WAYS YOU'RE THE BEST DAD

1. You make the world's coolest recumbents


2. You always take me to great restaurants


3. You have a cool job!


4. You love me with all your heart!


5. You can comfort me when I'm sad


6. You (sometimes) buy me toys!


7. You take me to movies


8. You are a nice gentleman

Oklahoma! The Musical.

Dylan's teacher arranges a Broadway musical at the school every year. This year she directed and choreographed the musical, Oklahoma. Wow! Andrew and I were flabbergasted with the quality of work she produces from these children age 8 to 12. You would think you were watching a performance directed by Bob Fosse! Dylan was in the Chorus and enjoyed every moment of the experience. We left the production singing, "Oh what a beautiful morning....."


Dylan (in the front row) with the Chorus

A Song and Dance Number

Dylan's First Sleepover!

Dylan was recently invited to sleep over at a friend's house. You can see his smile beaming from ear to ear. He had a great time!

Landscaping Before and After

Andrew and I grew bored of looking out our back window and seeing our blank garage wall. So, one weekend we built, stained, planted our backyard trellis garden. We are very proud of our work.

BEFORE

AFTER

I love my iRobot Roomba Vacuum!

I tend to rebel against gadgets (since my husband brings them home by the armful). However, I must admit that I LOVE the the robotic vacuum cleaner, iRobot Roomba. This little guy will clean carpet, tile or hardwood. You set it in the room and then it returns to its docking station when the job is completed to recharge itself. It does this with little beeps and lights which give it an almost pet-like endearing quality. No wonder that I nicknamed it Boomba the Roomba. Here is a video of it in action. Press PLAY.

Roomba in Action