One Night in LA

After Sedona, we started the long drive home. We decided to stop for one evening in LA to break up the very long drive and see people we like. We stayed at a little boutique hotel in Burbank and then we trekked over for an outdoor gathering with Annabelle and Allen.

At Annabelle and Allen's house we spent time in the yard and realized we've never spent time back there. Quite nice. They brought out their dining room table for the affair.

Todd hangs in driveway.

This cute couple.

Couple with kids making bizarre potions in the background.

Potion making was big hit by these fountains.

Hilarious rest stop signage on the final trek home.

Fun Hike

After learning our lesson the day before, we reworked our strategy for today's hike. We arrived at the West Fork trailhead when the parking lot opened at 6:45am. We aren't early birds, but this was a much better way to hike.

Heading into the trail.

We brought our water shoes for all the river crossings.

In the canyon.

Tree hugging time.

Near the end of the hike, we adventured on up the river.

Beautiful.

Canyon kid.

Chilling with some snacks.

Adventuring even further.

Happy hiking is better than unhappy hiking.

This is great!

Having fun all alone in the canyon.

Crazy shot.

Maya and Dexter start making sand castles while Dad sits on a rock.

Lovely.

Dad stayed on the rock while everyone else when a little further up the river.

Dad contemplating.

We stopped up here and Maya and Dexter made another castle. 

Heading back out.

So cool!

Tunnel.

A much better day!

Making our way back to the car as the temperature is getting hotter. Thankfully, the stream is always there.

This was a great hike.

After hiking excitement we got to say hello to Laurie Dawe and her husband, Dick. She is Lulu's cousin and she suggested the West Fork hike. Today was the day that they got a new puppy.

Kids loved meeting Charlie!

Hot Hike

We made it to lovely Sedona in an extension of the same heatwave. Apparently, we had to learn the hard way about the proper way to hike in hot desert summer. 

Maya enjoying our rental house.

The next morning we started this ill-advised hike with the kids. It was a recommended hike from the Kender/Page starting at Broken Arrow and finishing at Chicken Point.  It was 11am by the time we got started and we thought it was around 100 degrees (it was actually 115 degrees).

This is one of those cases where the pictures look nice when the experience was much less pleasant.

We realized it was ridiculously hot, but instead of turning back we continued on our hike.

We are looking normal.

Look...a smile...it's forced.

This is how everyone really feels.

It's too hot.

We got to the end of the hike and a lovely lookout at Chicken Point. It was pretty, but we were too hot to really enjoy it.

Eating lunch while hiding in a shady crevasse in the cliff walls.

Cool rocks that are very hot..

Looking up at the hot crew.

We survived the first half.

Now with less water, we head back.

Our sad crew was afraid we might not make it, but eventually we found our way back to the hot car.

At home we all took cold showers and drank tons of water. Lesson learned.

Our New Purchase

Sometimes you make big decisions somewhat blindly. During COVID we made a decision that will change everything. We bought land and we plan to build our next house here, in Santa Fe. We finally got to see our land in person. It was even better than we expected!

Welcome!

Maya checking out the property

The land has been staked out multiple times now.

Kids hang out while we meet with Vahid.

Finding new views! Checking out the sun paths.

Our lot is down there.

Lulu and Pop checking it out.

Horny Toads like our lot. Good luck?

Vahid, our wonderful architect.

Kids getting to know the place.

Our first cairn.

Momma looks for some memento to remember this place is actually real.

Mommy decides to take a cactus.

Digging.

Our family on our land.

Enjoying being here.

Cactus named Stabby coming home with us.