Oct. 24, 2008
Show and Tell Friday...
Posted in Show and Tell Friday
Welcome to this latest installment of Show 'n Tell Friday with Canadagirl! If you would like to participate, please go visit my dear friend Mary for more information.
This past Sunday, hubby and I decided to take advantage of his rare shift change. He usually works daytime hours, but for the past week and half has been on 2nd shift hours. Since he didn't have to leave for work until 2ish, we decided on the spur of the moment to head up north for the night. (In the interest of telling the truth, I was going stir-crazy and he told me to "pack my bags." LOL)
So, we threw our overnight bags in the truck and off we went. Three hours later we were checking into our hotel, and another half an hour after that found us outside, enjoying the cooler mountain clime. We took a favorite hike of ours along the Mogollon Rim, and the boys had a wonderful time exploring the area while hubby and I sat on a boulder and talked (and held hands and smooched, if you must know). Here are a few pictures of our hike along the Rim:
(that's Piper above walking along the path; the path was paved for the first 0.3 mile, and then dirt for the remaining 0.7 mile)
Where's the boy?
Along the hike, we (literally) crossed paths with the original road into town; you can read more about the Rim Road here. Here is the original road:
After our hike, we grabbed a pizza and watched the sun set, then went back to the hotel where the boys swam for hours and yours truly sat in the hot tub until I got pruny.
(sorry for picture quality - I'm still trying to figure out how to make my extremely amateur digital camera turn out high-quality photos like Alyssa's high-quality digital camera *grin*)
The next day we got up, had breakfast, and headed home. (*sigh*) The trip home entails driving through the Salt River Canyon, and this trip we decided to prolong our all-too-brief holiday and so stopped and enjoyed a respite from travelling. Here is our stop about half-way down into the canyon (we're headed for the bottom, folks):
Across the canyon, you can see the road we will be taking carving its way up the moutain side:
Once down at the bottom, we stopped at the rest area, where you can buy some authentic Indian jewelry (I thought of you, Mary, the minute I saw this display; this display is only about 1/6th of what was available jewelry-wise there. There was also a table where you could buy Indian Fry Bread... yummmm.),
or you could take the stairs down to the river and hike around:
So, that is our 24 hour trip. Literally. We left the house at 12.25 p.m. on Sunday and pulled into the driveway at 12.24 p.m. Monday. But as hubby says, it was so relaxing it felt like an entire weekend.
Incidentally, this is my 200th post. While there are many of you who have hit more than that, there are also those of you who are surprised to see me hit this - as am I. When I took my bloggy break last year, I didn't really intend to come back. I'm so very glad I did, but still struggle with finding that balance. I know you all do as well, and that's what keeps me from throwing the towel in. So, here's to 200 more!
Comments
Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by crazybusy
Oh, Shani, those are beautiful photos!! The trees... the blue sky.. the sun shining through the trees...the boys on the red rocks.... love 'em all! Gorgeous stuff! What a nice peaceful place to pass some time! (especially with hubby on a boulder! ;)
I'm glad you got to get out for a breather! :) If we could only trade weather every now & then, huh?
And yay for post #200! And I, for one, am glad you didn't throw in that towel!
Love, Alyssa
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Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by letshomeschool
Shani,
What a beautiful place to get away. Thank you for sharing the pictures.
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Oct. 23, 2008 - Congratulations on 200!
Posted by bubbebobbie
I love your 200th post. What a beautiful place to spend the day with your family. I loved the "where is the boy?" photo it reminds me of where is Waldo.
As for the family traditions having three generations under the Sukkah, building it together, that was awesome.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
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Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kinley
Beautiful!
Kristy
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Oct. 24, 2008 - What fun!
Posted by deedeeuk
That trip looks great! I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes my boys pose in front of every rock along the way! LOL! Don't they just love it? Hehehe!
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by proverbsmama
I'm glad you got a chance to get away. We keep talking about it, but never do anything about it. Kind of hard in today's economy.
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
So beautiful! You know I love that kind of country! Unplanned trips are the very best. Thanks for sharing!
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
I feel the same way just getting away for an afternoon of fresh air and trees. I've always said that if I lived in AZ, I'd have to live in the mountains. Such beauty is all around!
Jenn
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
Ohhh what a GREAT retreat. Please tell you hubby GOOD JOB from Mary on getting you and the family OUT and to a more sarean (sp???) place that is COOLER. I know how much that was needed. [0= I sure wish we were there to enjoy your hike with you but you prob. didn't want that when you were smooching LTTN ! But I sure could use the hot tub right now. Upper back is in spasim and I am curling tonight. lol
Those necklaces look soooooo pretty wished I could see them IRL.
Sending blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sonoranstamper
Absolutely b-e-a-utiful!!!! ( you have to spell the first three letters to get the full import of that statement! : } )
These, to me, are the best trips ever!!! The unplanned, family only, do whatever trips!!! Gotta love those! I'm glad you were able to get away!!!
(((HUGS))))
Robyn
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 40winkzzz
Good for you guys! It is great to be able to be spontaneous every so often.
Our trip was just the younger kids & me and we had planned it for abt 2 weeks. That's spontaneous enough for me. :-) Ours was sort of a 24-hour thing, too, and the same time as yours (not accounting for time zones)-- except that our 24 hours *didn't* include the travel. We arrived in Dearborn around 11:30 am Sunday and left at noon Monday. (And now I bet you know where we went.) Still working on pics, but I'll get the post up eventually.
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SuzyScribbles
Oh, so fun! What wonderful scenery. Hmmm...I saw some manzanita in one of the pictures. True? The only disappointment was that you didn't say WHERE in the country this is. I was left guessing. California? The Rockies? The Sierras? You've got me guessing, that's for sure.
I do like to hike...and the weather looks beautiful...
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jilann
What beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a wonderful and much needed getaway. Thanks for sharing!!
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by flmom
Wow - breathtaking photos! My boys would definitely love to see all that beauty (and I would too!).
You asked about the birds on my s&t - flamingoes are something entirely different and really not seen all that often (you're much more likely to see one in a zoo).
http://a-skip-in-my-step.blogspot.com/
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Mrs.Cuddles
Those are beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing.
~Mrs.Cuddles
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
okay I am back again. I just had to look at "home" ( anywhere where the air is dry and things are distinct colors like brown and green and blue.) I love the jewelry! When dh and I were dating and on a class trip in college to Grand Canyon and other points he bought me a beautiful necklace at an indian reservation. I cherished it ....only to loose it at the next stop. The clasp must have broken. He replaced it two years ago! Well since I cannot blog...my page is not loading I am off to work on some same ol chore ( sweep, dust vacuum....)Have a great weekend.
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Flemj17
It looks like you had a great time. It's so terrific and such a blessing to get away every now and then--even for just 24 hours.
Beth
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
What a wonderful place for a hike.
Blessings,
Dawn
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by blessedwith2angels
Congrats on your 200th post! Way to go!
Those are beautiful photos. What a fun getaway with your family. I would enjoy doing something like that around here.
Did your kids give you a hard time about the smooching? Mine would have. lol
Blessings,
Pam
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by socalval
Those are such beautiful photos!!! I love nature and you captured it so nicely.
Valerie
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Happy 200th!
Posted by TroopersForChrist
Well, Shani, I don't know... you look to be doing very well with your digital. Those are awesome photos. Some times the pictures reminded me of the 'High Desert' of Central Oregon and others of Eastern Washington where I grew up. I get some pangs for those places often enough too.
What an inspirational 24 hour vacation! Good for you all to do that. I hope some day we can again...when we aren't in the middle of house building.
You made me chuckle sharing about the smooching on the rock. Inspiration Point, huh?!
In Him,
Marie in nippy Washington state
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Oct. 24, 2008 - Wonderful Getaway
Posted by basketflat
What a wonderful little getaway. I love the sunset.
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Oct. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by franbles99
Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing those photos. Glad you got a break.
God bless you
Franbles
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Oct. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mojmommy
Happy 200th. Bravo. I loved the get away...I am a little stir crazy here as well. I am glad you all got to run away, even for only 24 hours. I am pretending I am hikng with you, lol.
Missed you this week.
Be blessed,
Chasity
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Oct. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mojmommy
Oh, I am soooooo glad you did not throw in the towel last year....because I would have never met you. ;(
Be blessed,
Chasity
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Oct. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sahmto4orMore
Oh, your photos are making me miss the desert Southwest. Sometimes I would really like to move back.
It looks and sounds like a wonderful trip. I'm glad you all were able to go and relax together as a family.
Spontaneity is good.
Congrats on 200. I totally know what you mean about the balancing act. I still haven't gotten back full force since taking my blog break this summer. I'm not sure I ever will.
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Oct. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by loobylou1971
What beautiful photos. Must have been great to get away with your family.
Congratulations on your 200th post!
Hope you have a good week.
Lou x
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Oct. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kim From Canada
Fantastic pictures, even if it isn't a fancy camera. And congrats on the 200 mark in blogging. You said it right when you mentioned all us struggling to find balance for computer time...I just posted on this last week and although I plan to keep up with S&T Fridays (because it's so much fun), I have come to realize the need to re-evaluate time spent in here. Thanks for sharing.
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Oct. 27, 2008 - Hi Shani,
Posted by Michelle122161
What lovely pictures.
I have a very bad fear of heights & when I saw the picture where your headed to the bottom I actually felt my stomach leap. :)
It's funny that I'm saying that, when years ago I would drive the Great Smokey Mountains barefooted and uh, well speeding. LOL
Blessings,
Michelle
Oh, I do Love bloggyland. But, I'm also having a hard time doing my balancing act. Congrats on your 200th post & I'm glad your here. :)
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Oct. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tammy
WOW- gorgeous photos! What a wonderful fall trip you all had!
I wanted to invite you to join in at my first ever Home School Open House this week! It starts today, but it's not too late to participate...just post what you've been doing in your home school lately with maybe a picture of the latest project, ect....
Hope you can stop by- and better yet, join in!
Blessings,
~Tammy (Lattes and Lollipops)
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Oct. 29, 2008 - Thanks for sharing your trip.
Posted by ThreeLittleLadies
I love the sunset picture. Did you end up buying any jewelry?
Carol
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Oct. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Haflingerhorses
What great pictures, Shani. I wish I was there!
It is great to be spontaneous, isn't it?
I am glad that your family had some fun and had a great weekend.
Antoinette
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Oct. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sandpiper
Those are beautiful pictures! I'm glad you've stuck around too!
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