this morning we discovered Walnut Canyon. It is a huge gorge where the Pueblo people lived high up in the cliffs. There were 240 steps down into the canyon so we didn’t go down. It’s hard enough to breathe in this altitude! The views were stunning. Every day we find something different and new, it’s so exciting. 

 We then travelled to a safari park with animals specific to this whole area. Bearizona near Williams. We got in as seniors! As you drive around the 2 miles of tracks you get near to wolves bison buffalo mountain goats and sheep, and many bears. I took the video recorder and Vince took beautiful photos. There was also a zoo area to walk around and we saw tiny baby bears playing and cuddling each other. Then older “children aged”bears climbing eating and playing. There were foxes, skunks, badgers, beaver, and porcupines. So interesting and they were well cared for and looked happy even though they were in zoo captivity.

There was a floor show of Eagles Hawks and owls, they flew right over our heads and one owl flew twice between our shoulders and touched Grandad on his fore head! Hope you like the photos Anona Lily Louis and Otis . 

               On to Prescott tomorrow for 7 nights.

weather is sunny and windy today. We headed out for Sunset Crater. It’s a volcano that erupted 1000 years ago. All around are lumps of black lava and the whole area is covered with crushed lava. Can’t think how the trees manage to grow out of it. In the background is the Indians sacred mountain. Mount Los Angeles. It’s covered in snow still.

 As we travelled further we came across the pueblo remains which were built after the volcano erupted. We could walk right up to them and go inside and around them.

 On the way back we tried to reach the sacred mountain which is in Coconino Forest but only dirt track forest roads go up there, never mind.

Got back to Flagstaff for a rest 

After a couple of hours we drove to Williams also on Route 66. Forgot to mention flagstaff is on Route 66.

Bought our tea and wandered around. Lots of bikers on Harley’s were in town.

Rain clouds and dark skies are back again and it’s much colder. We set off early and as we travelled the storms arrived. We had planned to detour via the Grand Canyon on route. We got there and the rain set in. We soldiered on but visibility was poor and after an hour disappointedly we gave up and returned on route to Flagstaff.  

 Have arrived and the weather is better here but cloudy. We have been upgraded to a king sized room and have a separate living room and 2 bathrooms,2 televisions. (Why did we only book in for 3 days. Lol)

We have wifi and so I will add more photos to the last 3 days, I had to keep going to cafes to post .

The weather over most of USA has been bad for 2 weeks with flash flooding tornadoes and storms so all in all we have been lucky as we have only been on the fringe of this weather. The rest of the week looks set to be better weather though hopefully xxx more photos soon 

this morning we took a little drive to the Navajo bridge and Lees Ferry. Perfect day for sunshine and blue skies.

At Lees Ferry people can get on the Colorado river easily and then continue onto the Grand Canyon. We saw a few rafts and boats setting off here. It is like a seaside resort. Lots of sand and the river to swim in. There were loads of lizards under the rocks, it was a lovely family place to relax in. 

   At the Navajo bridge we looked right down into the Colorado from a height. There were 4 condors swooping down and along in the sky. The vermillion cliffs run right along this area and the road down the cliffs from Page is impressive. We saw 3 larger fatter lizards here and a heron and an eagle (not a condor this time)

      In the afternoon we did our washing! And relaxed after eating our dinner at safeways 🍗🍴☕️ we are being careful with our money. We move to Flagstaff tomorrow for 3 nights. Pictures to follow as the wifi is still down 

 

woke up to blue skies and sunshine, a lovely fresh day🌼🌸💐

We had to be at the boat for 7am. We sat on the top and as it speeded off, I was so pleased I had bought a coat. We passed by many land features in this flooded canyon. There is 600 feet of water beneath us and enough water to keep Phoenix Los Angeles and Las Vegas and all that area of Arizona in water for 10 years if there was a bad drought .
After a 50 mile journey! We reached the inlet where we got off the boat to walk to the Rainbow Bridge. It’s called a bridge because it is caused by wind erosion ,( arches are caused by water and wind) It was awesome high wide and thin. We were allowed an hour and a half to walk there and back.  

   Just as we were leaving a man pointed out dinosaur footprints Louis ! Grandma took a photo but Grandad is going to work on it as you can only just make out the prints if you know what you’re looking for.

When we got back to the marina we saw a roadrunner. It was so comical and ran just like the cartoons depict.

In the afternoon we visited the Lone Rock which is also in the lake Powell, it is a lonely rock 😪😪  

 So pleased the weather has changed😎☀️🌈🌞🚤⚓️ its so hot today.

We have more photos to add but the storms affected the wireless at our hotel and it no longer works as water got into the system. Xx 

           

hi we had a long tiring day today. Woke up to stormy skies and rain in the distance. Decided to travel to Zion National Park. We got good photos even though it was rainy at times.

   
    Zion’s colours and rock formations are different from the other parks. The mountain sides are very steep and jagged. We travelled through a long tunnel and down into a deep gorge…stunning! 

       We are going on a boat trip tomorrow and a mile walk to see the Navajo sacred Rainbow Arch…Very excited about this. I’ve had to buy a raincoat because not sure what the weather will be like. 

Hope Louis and Otis are well and happy, I haven’t mentioned them lately. Pleased Louis loves his train postcard!   

Love to you all xxxx

hi we travelled to Arizona accompanied by a thunderstorm.It travelled with us for 159miles. Anyway were here and it’s a lovely afternoon and evening. we are in a hotel run by the Navajo Indians and have a great view from our room balcony over towards Lake Powell. We are now 8 hours difference from you.

  
We walked about a mile and a half to see Horseshoe Bend. There is a steep sand dune to climb up and then a long trail down to the cliff edge. Neither of us dare go up to the edge but vince held his arms up high and shot this fabulous picture.

  It was a struggle to walk back up the hill but I made it and felt proud of myself. More news tomorrow love you all and thinking especially about Anona taking her exams xxx
PS these are 2 lovely pictures Grandad took yesterday of the forest fire and one of the many kinds of wild flowers we are seeing xxxx 

   

well today we treated ourselves out for breakfast! We had egg and bacon sunny side up and it came with watery shredded potato (yuk). I tried biscuits and gravy. It was in reality scones with white parsley sauce…hung very heavy in my stomach all morning😄. Vince tried bread pudding yummy.

We headed for the Panguitch lake in the Dixie National Forest. You drive 7 miles down an unpaved road to reach it. It was beautiful and we saw so much wildlife. 2 eagle nests with Eagles sitting on them, Canadian geese and their goslings. Squirrels deer and crested grebes. Lots of birds and a forest fire!

   
 In the afternoon we went to the red canyon. it is close to where we are staying too and is full of hoodoos.  

 We talked to the park rangers and they said “oh were you in the little white car by the lake earlier on. we passed by you.” We told them about the Eagles nests and they are going to look out for them. They told us The fire was started deliberately  to burn away the ground cover in the forest .

  
We followed the trails and walked right up high in the canyon. There were lots of wild flowers lizards and birds to see. 

Tomorrow we travel 140 miles to Page and we’re staying there 4 nights.

Hope you like this photo Lilyana 😎 xx

  

hi we went exploring today and found 2 state parks that you travel to on Tarmac roads and then explore by dirt tracks .

We only went a short way on the dirt track and quickly decided they were only for 4 wheel drive cars!

Anyway we walked to a cave and a waterfall and saw some wild life.  

 A chipmunk a lizard 4 different birds we had not seen before. 

We stopped at a view point to see high up in the cliffs the ancient peoples drawings and grain store.

Love our cowboy hotel room it feels like a real home from home. Managed to speak to Lilyana via Skype and hope you are feeling a bit better now. Good luck with your exams Anona soon be over for you xxx

It is cold today! There is a very cold icy wind even though the sun is shining.brrrrrr!

We spent 5 hours visiting all the view points and chatting to other people, mostly French today.

It is Mother’s Day here in USA so perhaps that’s why we didn’t meet so many Americans.

Hope you are having a rest this weekend Anona, your mum told me you have been working all hours on your design work xxx

I’m going to let my photos do the talking today…… Love to all xxxxx