Buckin' bronco

Buckin' bronco

Verde Valley Rodeo

Watching the cowboys riding the bulls in Cottonwood AZ

Check out J's new hat

Fruitloop. Marches to the beat of his own drum.

Lagoon birds

Part of today's school session

A nature hike at Deadhorse state park.

Deryl's visit to a desert botanical garden

She's probably got a few dozen photos that she'll show you if you ask. I've picked two for the moment...

Some shots from the Tram above Palm Springs, CA

Took the tram up to the top of the mountain above Palm Springs. Kinda pricey but is something we can't really do at home. 10 minute ride to the top. The floor of the car rotates 360 degrees while it travels.

Got to the top and it was 25 degrees and snowing and very windy. We brought double layers for everyone and forced the kids to put socks on in their crocs but it was too much for us and we didn't walk too far from the visitors center. Looks like a beautiful area up there and the restaurant had really excellent views and a nice atmosphere (we didn't eat there but it looked great).

After taking the tram back down again, we climbed up the side of the canyon a bit and watched the trams go up and down for awhile.

It was a gorgeous day. Just about everything that can bloom in a high desert environment was in bloom while we were there.

Some shots from San Diego

Spent 4 nights in San Diego and had a lot of fun.

Gas Lamp district had lots of interesting building fronts. This is the area we had Sushi for lunch (earlier post).

Elena and I are waiting for the roller coaster which is built all from wood. Has been here for decades. Much smaller than it used to be due to a fire or something but still very fun. Isaac went with us too. Jonah was too short so Deryl waited w him.

Stopped by seal beach on our ride home from Lego Land. Seals were all bedding down for the evening. Take my advice, try not to find yourself downwind from these guys - they smell!!

Deryl & Katie got a girls' night out together which included tapas I believe. Kids & I stuffed ourselves with pizza and watched TV til everyone fell asleep on the couch.

Robsons in Las Vegas

This was from when we were in LV on April 18 I think. We went to see the LOVE tribute to the Beatles at Mirage with the Petrie family.

Slide Rock sliders...

Deryl and Elena were able to overcome some very cold water to run the
rapids here at Slide Rock State Park just north of Sedona, AZ. A great
way to spend the afternoon!

Carlsbad Caverns photos

Here's a few samples of photos we took while visiting Carlsbad Caverns.

Isaac and I got up really early that morning and got to watch a stunning sunrise.







Here are some snaps from within the cave. We took a bunch but most are hard to see for obvious reasons...

Lunch at Open Range in Sedona.

Is that a pitcher of beer?!? Yep, that's the way cowboys in Arizona
roll.

Lunch in Sedona AZ

Overlooking the red rocks

Long lost relatives

Took a slight detour on our drive to Sesona to see the Robson's
Arizona Mining World. Turned out to be closed - by the looks of it
maybe permanently. Still worth a spot on the blog though.

Windmill Farm

Couple hundred acres of energy producers. What a neat sight.

B17 of Bloody Hundreth

Where George spent over 224 hours over Europe

Cold, dangerous, Thank You!!!!

My other new girlfriend

Shark Attack!!

P-40 Hawk pursuit fighter

A giant plane is about to run over Izey

This was one of isaac's favorites.

My new girlfriend

Visiting the Palm Springs air museum.

Another Beaut!

Ocatillo

A new favorite.

We are Home!

Homewood Suites, that is. My new favorite hotel chain for families.

I love the desert- Palm Springs style

I love the immense variety of desert flora and fauna. I love gently
raked sand gardens. I love winter storm warnings culminating in 60
degrees and occasional clouds. I love clean streets, mountain vistas,
green golf courses, pretty shops, awesome high alt hiking trails,
patio furniture from the fifties...

Deryl from iPhone.

Katherine Williams Nelson

Founder and CEO of San Diego Natural Soap Company

Woman businessowner of the year!

Tour of the inner workings of San Diego Natural Soap Co was an eye
opening experience! Elena says she loves labelling and boxing. I love
shopping there.

Tour of San Diego Natural Soap Company

Stopped by to see Katie's business and buy some soap. Elena was put to
work applying labels in a few if our special purchases. Smells good in
here!!

Lego downtown

DC in a manageable size at Lego Land

Fun at Lego Land

Enjoying the rides and sun here. Kids are totally into the roller
coasters and "fast" rides which is great. Behind Jonah is a Lego
recreation of part of DC. Must have taken forever to build.

Sushi for lunch in San Diego

Cruising through Gaslamp District of SD after church w the RP
congregation. We decided to get away from chicken tenders and French
fries for a change. Boys and Deryl settled on bento boxes and Elena
and I went for sushi. Very satisfying!

Big blue sky in New Mexico

Cacti and desert looks all around on our drive to LV.

Teachable moment in New Mexico

Here's a sign that got everyone's attention. This was at a rest stop
in NM on our sprint to LV. I actually ran over a snake that was
slithering across the highway out in west Texas. I didn't see him soon
enough to steer around -the RV isn't good for sudden steering and
braking moves!

All ya need is love

Just watched a fantastic show with the Petrie family: LOVE by Cirque
du Soleil at the Mirage in LV. Really amazing sound and sights which
overwhelmed the senses in a good way. Boys were a little hesitant at
first but relaxed after a few numbers.

Lunch w Elvis & Marilyn on Rt 66

Stopped in a diner in Kingman AZ on Rt 66 for an early lunch on our
way to LV. Will be driving over the Hoover dam too. We've already seen
4 freight trains go by one of which had six diesel engines.

Elena and desert flower arrangement

Arrived near Carlsbad Caverns ( in Mountain Time Zone!!!) this evening
and Elena wandered around collecting wildflower specimins. I like
horticulture a great deal but she gets her appreciation for bouquet
making from Nana for sure.

Check out the amount of sugar that goes into Sweet Tea!

In a diner in Ft Stockton, TX, Elena noticed the as yet unmixed
pitcher of "Sweet Tea".

Texas hill country

Cruising through neat topography west of SanAntonio en route to
Carlsbad Caverns or White Sands New Mexico. Decisions...opinions anyone?