Adversity or Love?

Papa Cliff had some computer issues preparing his Christmas cards this year and wrote in his letter "Last night I sat down and generated a new list off the top of my head and now have 120 names with no addresses! That is ADVERSITY!!"

God bless Papa Cliff. He is truly one of the most selfless, patient and caring people I have ever met. His amazing love for and care of my grandma was an awe inspiring example of true love and devotion.

You are Santa

I am the girl scout leader for my daughter's Brownie troop and we are blessed beyond words to have such wonderful families in our troop. Their generosity filled my car with presents and food for the family of nine we adopted through the St Vincent de Paul organization. As part of the meeting/party the girls wrapped the presents and one little girl said it was the first time she had ever wrapped a present. It was so precious.
After the meeting, we took the presents to the family. They had a very small apartment and my kids and my co-leader's kids made multiple trips to the car to unload all the gifts and bring them into their home. On the way back to the car my daughter asked if Santa would come to their house. I said yes, if they believed, and didn't have the heart to tell her that she and the other families in our troop were Santa today.

Anticipation

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Quote

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

Cataract Canyon

300 million years of geology, thousands of years of prehistory and history, 2,000 foot high canyon walls and miles of sky in which to unplug and recharge on 112 miles of river.

In anticipation for the 4 day, 3 night rafting trip with 17 people in Cataract Canyon I got out the cold weather gear that I normally don't need in Phoenix- ski gloves, long underwear, coats, hats and a really warm sleeping bag.

We left Phoenix on Wed and drove up to Utah. The weather report predicted cold and wind and we were supposed to camp at put in in Moab. Fortunately our driver and tour guide extraordinaire was from Blanding and we were graciously welcomed into his parent's house for the night.

As we drove to Moab in the morning it started to snow. Our best stop in Moab was for gloves at a river outfitter. They were expensive, but worth it.

The weather only looked threatening while the rafts were loaded. The ranger inspecting our group's goodies was very impressed with the first aid kit and was easily distracted when he asked about the where abouts of our non-existent fire extinguisher.

Once underway it started to rain and hail almost immediately. Circumstances being what they were we went 6 miles instead of 20 and it made the other days longer but still fun as the weather while cold got progressively better and we had a nice sunny day for the rapids the last day.

Our boatman was a professional violin player who kept us people side up through the rapids and giggled like a school girl every time he steered us into the waves to get us wet. He played the fiddle on two of the nights with two guitarists and a drummer. As we motored after the rapids on the last day he played the fiddle at the front of the flotilla as we enjoyed the canyon.

It was a great adventure at 11,700 cfs with some truly wonderful friends whose kindness and freehearted spirits made 100% weather, 100% awesome. The canyon was stunning and the memories will be treasured, but the hall pass has been surrendered and it was nice to return home to the kids and my husband who was very pleasing.

View from the Bottom

This is from the North Kaibab Trail. AKA the great big hole of perspective. Ribbon Falls is in the distance.

Ribbon Falls

My second favorite waterfall in Grand Canyon NP, but the one I can reach hiking without ropes or rafting. We hiked from the north rim last October and stopped at Ribbon Falls for the first time. Then in May we hiked down the South Kaibab and stayed at Phantom Ranch for two nights. On the day off, I hiked along the Bright Angel creek and back. Initially I thought the hike was relatively flat, but there is definitely an incline hiking from Phantom Ranch.

San Juan River Trip

I made it back to the river being invited to join a kid's trip on the San Juan from Sand Island to Mexican Hat. Thanks to a friend I met on the Colorado we met a great group of people we travelled down the river with and had a blast. It was my daughter's first river trip and we turned her into a river rat. She liked riding on the oar boat more than the duckie and was spoiled rotten by the teens that doted on her. We spent three glorious days on the river rafting, visiting archaeology sites and hiking.

Early morning jam session

Peach jam with peaches from the house of my friend's parents. I really like making jam. The jeweled jars are beautiful and make easy gifts for the kids to give to teachers and friends. It is also nice th make something that lasts more than a meal or two.

Happy Summer

Making peach coconut ice cream on the deck.