Day: March 15, 2017

We were lucky with the weather, after the snow, we had great sunshine and almost warm. We went hiking in Fay canyon with Shawn:

We called this the wineglass, I guess we have been drinking a lot every day:

When this wet tree caught the sun, it steamed and looked like it was breathing:

Andy says: so many side canyons to explore some day…

Wineglass from the other side:

As we went up the canyon, there were formations on either side, but the east side was in the full afternoon sun. This one reminded us of a ship:

The trail ends where the stream and canyon split. We climbed on some cold boulders and kept going on the left (west) fork a bit further. A use trail climbed up the rocks for some spectacular views straight down the canyon we had just hiked up. I (Andy) think that is Courthouse Butte in the distance:

The tree with a seat and view about where the previous image was taken:

The canyon was split by a large formation, and we were clambering along its base:

I (Andy) went exploring up the other (right/east) branch, there was no trail, but I got to a point where I could see a thin waterfall coming down a side gully. I imagine it was from the recent snow melting and flowing very rarely, and I wished I could go see it:

Fay canyon has an arch on the side wall, halfway back down to the trailhead. It’s hard to see because it’s barely detatched from the wall that it formed out of. On the way down we went looking for the arch and actually found it, up a side trail, off the beaten path. Once under it, we could see the arch clearly:

The rocks behind the arch were inviting us to go climb them:

Under the arch and overhang, there were rock walls that were probably not from native inhabitants, and some wind-carved alcoves:

We decided to go up to the top of the arch, it was a bit of a climb, but doable and gave a different perspective:

The shadows were creeping up the canyon walls, time to head back to the car:

Shawn joined us for dinner, David made potsticker soup and pickled cucumbers – it was very good and enjoyable.

—

The day after Christmas, the sun came out, and it was time to go hiking. And we heard that no parking permit was necessary for the day–I guess the rangers need another day off. But first, one last good snow picture before it melts…

We went on a hike with David. Jim had a sore foot, and Leilani got itchy under her cast when she hiked, so the grandparents and Leilani stayed home. Our first choice was Boynton Canyon, so we drove out and couldn’t resist the side trail to the vista, a vortex spot we had visited 2 years ago (the one with the rainbow and flute player):

Looking into Boynton Canyon, especially scenic with sunshine and snow:

On the way back to the car, we met the flute player who hands out heart-shaped rocks to everyone. He gave Sonja another one, even though she said she still had one from 2 years ago. Later in the trip, Leilani was inspired to carve her own heart rocks.

We enjoyed the view again, but the resort in the canyon was chainsawing broken branches from the snow, and the canyon was more shaded than we thought, so we changed plans. Andy found a map that showed a trail back toward Sedona, facing south for sunshine and less chance of snow. After a bit of mud and snow, it started up toward a formation called Lizard Head in the sun:

There were some nice views back toward Fay canyon where we hiked yesterday:

But then the trail kept going up and up into the rocks. Fortunately, we ran into some people who told us it looped back down after a while, but not before we got up high and close to some rocks on some little ledges, with nice views of Chimney Rock:

Late afternoon, looking back toward Boyton Vista point (the two little needles in the sun just above the trees):

Speaking of needles in the sun:

Meanwhile, back at the time-share, Grandma was teaching Leilani how to sew her own dresses, on a sewing machine she brought in the car all the way from Texas:

David’s photos from the balcony of their time-share/rental studio. They were in West Sedona, with a view back toward Coffee Pot Rock and the formation above it. By the time we saw this several days later, a lot of the snow had melted:

We woke up on fairly early for Christmas day, and because the snow was fresh and the weather was clearing, we decided to go to the Airport Vortex for some views (I remember 2 years ago at the same place, looking for a dusting of snow on the far peaks). They did not disappoint:

Our time-share condo from the outside (notice the chimneys, we don’t see those in Hawaii):

… and vincinity of the Paco Diablo Resort

Sonja went for a walk along the stream, getting some good snow pictures with her new camera:

The rest of the family came over, and it was finally time for Christmas!



Indoor snowball fight with wrapping paper

I think it snowed again a little bit while we opened presents, but then it cleared up again. We all went on another snowy walk, first along the golf course, then down by the stream (and another snowball fight):

We then hopped in the cars and drove a short ways to see the late afternoon light on the rocks nearby:

Back at the time-share again for games (Settlers of Catan), traditional Raclette dinner (yum), and more games:

Traveling is always so hectic, and this was no exception. The dog sitter arrived and I (Andy) was still packing my carry-on backpack. But we had plenty of time at the airport to think of everything I forgot: the small camera and more importantly, a jacket. Leilani spent a lot of time in the cockpit after telling the pilot that she wanted to be a pilot when she grows up…

After an uncomfortable red-eye flight to Phoenix (at least it was a direct flight), and a few adventures getting the rental car and shopping at Costco, we stopped at a thrift store so I could buy a jacket (and Leilani got more sweaters that fit over her cast). Then we got some lunch food from our favorite place: Trader Joe’s. We packed all the food in the car and took our picnic lunch to a cold picnic table at the former Squaw Peak (now called Piestewa Peak).

That’s where we realized we also forgot the battery and battery charger for Sonja’s new camera. We drove back towards Phoenix and found a camera store that carried them, then we drove to Sedona. We got checked into the time-share on time, then we made kitchadee dinner and waited for Jim and Rosemary to arrive, and much later David.

The next day started out gray and rainy, so we stayed indoors and relaxed. We made the first of several puzzles on this trip:

Grandma Rosemary made aprons for all of us, which was great because we all did a lot of cooking:

Then it started to SNOW! SCHNEEEEE! Leilani was very excited and running outside several time until she got so cold she had to come inside. Andy grabbed Sonja’s new camera and confirmed that it takes great pictures, but only if one does everything right. Sonja says: I should read the manual…

The snow started to accumulate, so we all went outside to see it. Spot the weird one:

Andy checking out Jim’s bumper stickers: not feeling the Bern… and wondering if hell did freeze over. The Bernie bumper sticker was later found off the car in a snow pile, which prompted Sonja’s criminal-mystery-trained mind go into overdrive:

Leilani getting warm by the gas fireplace:

And the rest of us getting warm with apperitif (the first of many this trip):

Leilani made shave-ice replacement: snowball with eggnog – it tasted really good!

That evening, Sonja, Andy, and Leilani went to the Sedona Unity church for a holiday celebration. By now, the snow was thick on the ground, and we had to drive there carefully in the snow, fortunately Andy remembered how. We met Shawn, Sonja’s friend from Standing Rock, sang lots of holiday songs, and even received some gifts. Outside, they had a nice garden, and we Hawaii residents were fascinated by the plants covered in snow:

Later that night, Sonja and Leilani went to bed, and the rest of the family went to 10:30 choir and mass at the Catholic church. They had more nice music, traditional songs, and more snow covered plants. Andy drove home and saw two people stuck in snow, but he made it back in the rental car.

Early sunset as seen from the Kapaa bypass

Leilani’s fall bouquet got decorated for Christmas


We are feeding the Daygeckos with bananas, so we have a lot of them. 2 live indoors, one is in and out.

Poinsetta hedge on Eggerking Rd.

Julie found a cool structure on Wailua beach and decided it was a doghouse