Myron and I want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Our little tree
We have been pretty quiet lately, not a lot happening with us so far this winter. Just sitting back with our feet up and enjoying Yuma and meeting new friends.
Myron and I have an open-door policy. You show up with wine, we open our door! 😆 just kidding, we welcome everyone!!
Happy hours always consist of old friends, soon to be new friends. They come from all over the world, with different backgrounds, ages, beliefs, but we all have one thing in Common is Rving, friendship and searching for warmer weather.
We get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice a year. Canada celebrates it in October, and we get together with our family before we head south. USA Thanksgiving is in November.
This year was a potluck in Reta and Eldon’s 5th wheel, as it cool, windy. Reta and Eldon are from Minnesota, Thom from Colorado, Julia and Eugene from BC.
Thanks for hosting Reta and Eldon.
At the beginning of December, we celebrate Myron’s 59th birthday. Black Forest Cake and Angel Food cake, snack, cocktails. Burt and Kathy from BC brought over some smoked salmon, cheese, and breadsticks. OMG, the Salmon was amazing.
Julia and Reta each gave Myron homemade Jams for his birthday, and both are amazing!
We tend to do a lot of celebrating when we are south besides our happy hours, Reta and Eldon celebrated their 60th anniversary, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and the Christmas in the desert with our friends Tom and Lori.
Our spot for Christmas.
Our weather these past weeks have been quite similar to last winter on the cooler side. Christmas Eve was sunny with some wind, Christmas day was beautiful, sunny with a slight breeze.
We are so thankful for today’s technology, having the ability to make video calls. We started our Christmas morning with video calls back home to see the grandbabies open all their gifts. We were right front and center to watch the little one. It was great to be a part of it even if we were 2,300 km away.
Our friends Tom and Lori came for Christmas brunch, Mimosas, and Myron’s Canadian Pan Scrambler.
Christmas Morning Mimosa ( the only surviving photo from Christmas day)Made the best Mimosa!
Supper was Potluck style at Tom and Lori’s. Lori cooked Turkey, gravy and carrots. I did the mashed potatoes and deviled eggs.
Unfortunately, I have somehow lost all the other photos off my phone from Christmas day.
Hmmm, I did say the Mimosas were the best 😉.
So instead of pic from Christmas we have these to share with you…..
Well, we didn’t have any palm trees or the ocean but we did have cactuses!I did bake some cookies for Myron and made some bear shits since they are gluten free. Known to some as coconut drop cookies, but we call them Bear Shit cookies.
We have had a great time boondocking in the desert in Southern California and visiting with our friends Tom and Lori. now it’s time to head back to Yuma to wait for our travel buddies to arrive from Canada so we can continue this next leg of our Snowbird season.
Heads make tracks to New Mexico, or tails we head to Winslow, Az.
Tails won, off to Winslow, Az we go!
Moab to Winslow US-191 south & I-40 west
Just as we left Moab on US-191, we had a road construction delay from some rock blasting going in. The sign said to expect up to two hours of delay. Thankfully we were back on the road within 45 minutes!
US-191 South to I-40 was not the smoothest road by all mean.
We arrived in Winslow just before 5:00 pm and made our way to the Winslow Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center for the night.
The visitors center have a large open parking lot they allow free overnight parking.
Winslow, Az Visitors Center does back up to the train yard, and you can hear the trains hooking up but they do not blow whistles.
Up at the crack of dawn, we decided to ”Take It Easy”! Grabbed our coffees and set out for another cross off our bucket list.
From behind the Visitors center is a beautiful walking path that takes you to the Historical Route 66 that Winslow is famous for.
First Street Pathway behind Visitors Center 1st St/ N Berry AveAlong the walking path 1st Street / N Warren Ave
Once you get to the Gazebo, you make a left and head up Kinsely Avenue to Old HWY 66.
The famous Winslow Arizona cornerMyron standing on the cornerYahoo, another thing off my bucket list!What a great tribute statue to Glenn FreyMyron standing next to Glenn Frey
It’s a good thing we decided to come tour early, within 5 minutes of arriving, 60 people must have shown up with the same idea as us!
A few pictures from our tour
Note:
• Plan to visit the area early before the crowds arrive.
• Double check your photos before you leave, incase you need to retake. ( Ask me how I know!!)
Winslow, Az it was a quick stop this time, however, we will be back.
Things to see in the area
• Homolovi State Park –
The primary Homolovi interpretive resources consist of archaeological sites including four major pueblos, numerous smaller structures, and site features ranging in size from one-room pit houses or simple artifact scatters to a 1200 room pueblo, and panels of petroglyphs with depictions of kachina and clan symbols. The sites date from three main periods: AD 620-850, AD 1050-1225, and AD 1260-1400. During each of these periods there was a concentrated population of people living near the Little Colorado River. Members of the Hopi Nation consider this area an important ancestral site and return to Homolovi for religious purposes.
• La Posada – Historical hotel from the 1930s that has been restored back to the original condition of the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style. Have lunch at the famous Turquoise Room, southwestern cuisine that is all made from scratch.
• Rock Art Ranch-
is a privately owned cattle ranch that is a true wonder of the Old West. The property has more than just cattle and bison: It features excavated Anasazi dwellings, a Navajo hogan and sweat lodge, and amazingly well-preserved examples of petroglyphs carved by American natives
Meteor Crater is nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep. It is an International tourist venue with Outdoor Observation Trails, Air Conditioned Indoor Viewing, Wide Screen Movie Theater, Interactive Discovery Center, Unique Gift & Mineral Shop, and Collision! 4D Experience Room. Food is also available at our Blasted Bistro in the Visitor Center.
https://www.meteorcrater.com/
• Two Guns and Apache Death Cave
On a small patch of land near Canyon Diablo, just off Interstate 40, lies the ghost town known as Two Guns. Though there are still crumbling reminders of the town’s use a 20th century tourist attraction, it’s been abandoned for well over half a century… though the region’s Native American tribes have been avoiding the area for a lot longer than that.
According to their legends, the dead cursed the land, and anyone who dared reside there was risking the anger of spirits who met a terrible fate. Naturally, white dudes didn’t listen, leading to some eerily-predicable ends worthy of their own horror films.
The Old Trails Museum explores the history of Winslow, Arizona, and the surrounding area through free exhibits and public programs. We use our collections to interpret the Santa Fe Railway, Harvey Girls, US Route 66, and much more. We are located in the heart of Winslow’s historic district and across from the Standin’ on the Corner Park. Admission is free
https://oldtrailsmuseum.org/
• Arizona 66 Trading Post
Everything was closed on our morning tour, but this is a must check out.
For a quick overnight stay we highly recommended the Winslow Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Cost: Free
If planning on staying a few days, check out McHood Park for camping.
Google Maps showing McHood Park Campground
McHood Park Campground
Cost: FREE
Notes: Fills up fast, must arrive early in the morning and wait for a spot to be open on week days!
If you love challenging hikes, you need to check out this natural labyrinth at the Fiery Furnace. The twisted sandstone walls, rock scrambling, narrow squeezes would be an exciting experience.
To enter the Fiery Furnace hike, you need to sign up for a guided Ranger your which is available May – September, or you can do the self-guided tour, but you must get a hiking permit from the park office.
Do you ever wonder how?Myron thinking we need to do this hike next timeThe layers of colour in the rocks!Just sitting for a few minutes and enjoying the view before moving on.
Skyline Arche
This is a short and easy hike that starts in the middle of the parking lot.
So close, yet so far away!!”its time to remember what it’s like to be alive” unknownStanding at the bottom of Skyline ArchJust two goofs trying to pose for a selfie!!Doesn’t look that big, does it?
Now, zoom in and you can see hikers standing in the arch! Picture on our way back from the arch to the parking lot.I never want to stop making memories with you!
We had a great time touring the Arches and Canyonland National Parks, and we are both looking forward to our next trip back for some more hiking adventures and checking out Dead Horse State Park.
After exploring of the Canyonlands National Park, we decided to spend another night at Horsethief Campground and head down the mountain closer to Moab and check out Arches National Park.
Entry Fee: $30 🇺🇸 / $39 🇨🇦 per vehicle.
We have the National Park Annual Pass we purchased when we went up to Canyonlands for $80 🇺🇸 /$104 🇨🇦. One more National Park and we are ahead.
The Arches National Park is north of Moab, Utah approx 8 km/ 5 milesHorsethief Campground to Arches National Park Entrance 32 km/20 milesMap of the Park showing all the points of interest.
The first stop for us was the Las Sal Mountains Viewpoint. It loops around and has parking for an approximately a dozen vehicles.
Courthouse TowersFrom here you can see Many TowersMyron taking in the view at La Sal Mountain ViewpointView of La Sal MountainNot the greatest photo, but you can spot an arche off in the distance.
Courthouse Towers Viewport
Just a short drive from La Sal Mountain Viewpoint is Courthouse Towers Viewpoint.
Tower of BabelThe OrganThree GossipsSheep Rock. Can you see a Sheep?You can see Sheep Rock once formed an arch.
The Great Wall
View from the roadAnother road view as no place to stop safely
Petrified Dunes Viewpoint
Hmm, aren’t all rocks Petrified?You can see the colour change
Ancient Sand Dunes: This vast area was once covered by extensive sand dunes. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest carried tons of fine-grained sand into this area, creating an immense desert. Over time, the sand drifts were covered by other layers of sediment, compressed and cemented by quartz and calcite into Navajo Sandstone.
Rock Pinnacles
Approaching the rock pinnaclesAwesome rock formationsThe colours layers are so fascinating
Balanced Rock
Just a short 0.5 km/0.3 miles stroll around the Balanced Rock.
Standing at 128 ft tall
The slick rock boulder of Entrada Sandstone sits attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone.
Balanced Rock defies gravity but this won’t always be the case. Eventually, the 3,600 ton (over 4 million kg) boulder will come tumbling down as the erosional process continues to shape the landscape. ( quote from Arches National Park website)
It resembles closely to an elementary art project.
The Balanced Rock would be amazing to see in the evening, as the deep red-orange colours would come to life with the sunset. Maybe even some star gazing from the base of the rock.
Double Arch
Early morning or late afternoon would be the best time to visit. We were lucky enough to find a parking spot first try. The parking area was packed.
The Double Arch trail is a short hike of 0.8 km/0.5 miles.
Walking down the trail to the Double ArchesAbsolutely beautiful
Double Arch is the tallest (112 ft/34 m) and second-longest (144 ft/44 m) arch in the park.
Amazing how these arches form. I Spy!Myron is somewhere in this photo
The Window Section
Back at the parking area from the Double Arches we following the trail climb stairs to the upper parking area and make our way over to the Window Section.
Screen shot of the trailer to the window sections.
We decided to explore the Window Sections on our next visit, but we did take a quick pic of the North Window.
North Window
I will do another post of Part 2 of our Arches Exploring
