End of week 21, April 25, 2009

Week 21 begin April 19, 2009

Wow! What a week. Another adventure. Took a “Hot Air Balloon” ride out of Sedona. A perfect day, rising at 5:00am for a 5:40 pick up to the site for a 6:00am lift off. Perfectly blue sky with a soft breeze. Generally do early morning rides due to much more stable air. Once there, assisted a bit with filling the balloon, first with a large fan, then the “fire jets”. Green light to jump in the basket, then off we were. Absolutely amazing! Climbed to 6,900 ft (starting at 4,000) then dropped several times into canyons to tree height in hopes of viewing wild life. And we did! A herd of elk, mule deer, a coyote, and one group saw a pack of Javelina. It was awesome. Flew from Sedona towards Cottonwood, speed around 9 mph. Flew over one of John McCain’s Page Springs Corneville, AZ retreat home. This is where he and Palin planned their presidential run strategy we were told. Our concern of course was not lift off but rather “landing”. Well, it was a gentle lowering of altitude, (not any directional control except finding different wind troughs) communicating with the chasing vehicle, picking a good landing site, and then go for it. Well, these guys do this every day, so pretty routine, but winds can do funny things. When the basket hits the ground there is a forward thrust and tipping motion, sometimes actually tips over. But today, a couple of forward thrust bumps and then to a full stop, chaser catching up to help stabilize the basket. Once stable, green light to get out of basket. Crew drops balloon and begins the packing process. Bob helped a bit. Then we drove to a site meeting four other balloon teams for a “Champagne breakfast”. Fun! Got a certificate for the ride. Great Time!

Rest of the week, numerous hikes, golf, and a day in Jerome, a fun old mining town and now for tourists. Also took a nature hike in Red Rock State Park advertised as 1-1/2 hrs but our tour guide was a retired geology teacher and enjoyed our group so much that we were out 4 hrs, nobody really objected. Hiked us up to a state park mansion owned by former TWA executive Jack Fry, and through divorce passed to his ex-wife marrying a Vanderbilt. Interesting story of the 1947 era, at any rate, eventually donated to the state for the park, along with some 700 acres. Beautiful spot. Of Course Shari very much enjoyed all the desert flowers and narrative about all the other plant life.

Friday took a rode trip recommended by the visitors center. About a 20 mile round trip from dry creek through Boynton Pass. Gravel road but not too bad. Beautiful scenery. Stopped at a national ruins site, “Palatki”, observing 1,000AD dwellings and pictographs. Tour guides did a great job explaining. Evening went to Elks for Friday night fish, arriving learning tonight was steak night. Well, for ten bucks each, we got a very good NY strip steak, huge baked potato, sweet potato fries, salad, roll, desert, coffee. Not bad! Afterwards, we stopped at Sedona’s local micro brewery offering their famous “Oak Creek Beer”, discount coupon and free entertainment. Well, the entertainment was interesting. Outside patio had an open pit bonfire with all sorts of interesting characters. Live band playing inside. Understand, Sedona does have some “free spirited” locals, almost like “tree huggers”. Had a beer and enjoyed observing the locals rolling their own cigarettes, free massages, and interesting conversations. Toothless and Jesus looking characters.

There is so much to do and see in Sedona, after two weeks we only scratched the surface.

Overwhelming geology and scenery. We will have to return.

Saturday finalizing our plans to head for home. Looks like we will head through New Mexico towards Kansas City then up to Albert Lea, MN to home, current schedule back by April 30^th.

See ya soon!

End of week 21, April 25, 2009