Our trip back to the U.S. began with a visit to friends in Hill City. Brad (left), Larry, Brett, and Dan (right) were college buddies and manage to get together at least once a year.
We've been documenting the fellows getting together for several years now and decided we need to start doing the same with the wives. Miss (on the left and married to Brett), Ann (second from left and married to Brad) and Diane (right and married to Dan.)
We then headed to Angostura for our annual one-night visit with Virginia and Dennis -- always enjoyable. Virginia is second from left with her friend Barb from Rapid City behind her. The young lady to the far left was visiting with Dennis' son and the young lady to the right was visiting with Virginia's son Jesse and Mia (in the middle) is her daughter.
Was able to gather for lunch with Chadron buddies: Vicki, Virginia, Virginia's mom Mardra and Cherri. Back in the day, Cherri, Virginia and I played volleyball together.
My return trip to Harrison I couldn't pass up photographing the area between Crawford and Ft. Robinson.
I like this picture of the lone tree along the road on the way back to Harrison.
Ah, the lilacs were in bloom so I picked a bouquet for Robert and Dorothy.
Can't you just smell them!
Okay, this might be a strange one but I couldn't pass it up.
We arrived back in Phoenix and the following day, the fellows headed to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (without a camera) and Sue, Marla and I headed for the North Rim. We hit this Starbucks in Flagstaff.
The Vermilion Cliffs on the way to the North Rim.
We arrived and are so happy there is porter service available. We had a lot of stuff!
We settled in and could now enjoy a glass of champagne on the porch of our cabin overlooking the Grand Canyon and thanking the fellows for making this trip happen for us each year. Here is to the guys!
Our view from the porch of our cabin. Thanks Mikey!!! for making these reservations far enough in advance to secure a cabin with a rim view.
The following day, the fellows had begun their 22-mile trek across the canyon and we three were well into our 10-mile round trip hike to Roaring Springs.
We were nearly to Roaring Springs and all I could think about was that I had to go back up and that my backpack didn't fit me well!
Had to capture this Century plant blooming.
Ah, we arrived. Stopped for a bite to eat and then began the process of climbing out -- how do the fellows do this?
It had warmed up and guess it must not have been too difficult getting out since we had smiles on our faces!
We completed our 10-round trip hike to Roaring Springs in 7 1/2 hours. The fellows completed their 22-mile hike in 9 hours and 15 minutes. What can I say. Here they are coming out.
Here we were early morning the next day enjoying the view with our coffee.
We took a 5-mile round trip hike later in the day and brought along umbrellas -- just in case. The front moved in quickly and it wasn't rain but actually hail and sleet -- we were chilly but was a neat experience nonetheless -- especially knowing we could return to our cabin with the gas fireplace!
Here the fellows are (Mike in the middle and his brother Steve to the right) at 4:30 a.m. the next day as they began the return trip to the South Rim.
We were reluctant to leave that morning so weren't moving in high gear.
And guess what? The fellows beat us to the South Rim by 40 minutes! They completed this portion of the trip in 9 hours and 40 minutes. We had a 5 hour drive.
Marla discovered on our hike to Roaring Springs that Sue's boots were coming apart and we insisted she retire them so we left them here, overlooking the South Rim. I do believe we'll return next year and find that a tradition has been started and that there will be a line of other people's retired boots along with Sue's.
So, we returned from out Grand Canyon trip and headed to Safford as Larry had business which gave me an opportunity to visit the ladies at Eastern Arizona College Records and Registration.
Larry had business in Silver City so we traveled from Safford to Silver where we were able to see Kathy and Terry -- we had met them here in Calama.
We traveled from Silver City to Prescott -- another long day of driving. We were able to stay at Laurie (and Mike's) beautiful home they've built at Talking Rock. (We met Laurie and Mike during our Peru days.) Tom, our buddy from Phoenix, was able to join us for golf at Talking Rock.
We returned from Prescott and were able to see Jimmy again and my brother Jim.
Allison and Brian had several of us over for a wonderful dinner. Mike had an accident with his wine glass.
So here we end our trip back to the U.S. with a girl group photo. Allison to the left, Michelle, and Sue -- my champagne buddies. Thanks to all of you who contributed to a really nice trip back to the U.S. -- until next time...
