2011-61 Goldfield Ghost Town & Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Hello
All,
We arrived in San Tan Valley, about 20 miles south of Phoenix, to the open arms of Barb’s daughter Shana and her family. We planned to stay with them until after Christmas. The two youngest kids, 10-year old Cooper and 7-year old Jordan, were excited in anticipation of Christmas.
Our daily walks around the local neighborhood included the boys, riding on bikes or skateboards. They were good at getting ahead of us and then waiting alongside the road for us old folks to catch up on foot. Other days we did last minute shopping. And, as the big day approached we took turns helping Shana with gift wrapping for her family.
We planned and cooked meals together. Shana prepared a great Mexican dinner, which is a favorite of Dave’s. One beautiful warm evening we sat around the backyard fire pit, telling stories and roasting marshmallows for “s’mores.” They were sweet and sticky, but very tasty.
On one of our walks we came across this roadrunner. They are such a distinctive interesting bird.
We arrived in San Tan Valley, about 20 miles south of Phoenix, to the open arms of Barb’s daughter Shana and her family. We planned to stay with them until after Christmas. The two youngest kids, 10-year old Cooper and 7-year old Jordan, were excited in anticipation of Christmas.
Our daily walks around the local neighborhood included the boys, riding on bikes or skateboards. They were good at getting ahead of us and then waiting alongside the road for us old folks to catch up on foot. Other days we did last minute shopping. And, as the big day approached we took turns helping Shana with gift wrapping for her family.
We planned and cooked meals together. Shana prepared a great Mexican dinner, which is a favorite of Dave’s. One beautiful warm evening we sat around the backyard fire pit, telling stories and roasting marshmallows for “s’mores.” They were sweet and sticky, but very tasty.
On one of our walks we came across this roadrunner. They are such a distinctive interesting bird.
Another daytime outing took us to the Goldfield Ghost
Town. It is located along the historic Apache Trail and is quite lovely with the
desert fauna of cactus and the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains nearby. It
was formerly a gold mining town, rich in western history. The Goldfield Museum
is located nearby with other historic buildings. It also has Arizona’s only
narrow gauge train. In the 1890’s, after the gold mine failed to produce enough
to realize a profit, the town died a slow painful death. But, people from all
over the world still come to visit this historic town, to experience a glimpse
of the excitement of Arizona’s old Wild West. It has become a tourist draw with
a saloon, eating establishments, many gift shops, small church, jail, and water
tower. It was a fun place to spend the day with family.
There is even a bordello there! Check out the beauty they
had caged up and on display out front!
And here is the church for all the sinners to repent. It
is still an active church with weekly services.
One evening we all piled into a car and traveled to the
Phoenix Zoo for the holiday season “Zoolights” event. The numerous displays
were well done, colorful, and very festive. Of course we did our best to get
photos of our favorites, but it was not easy with the crowds of people and the
darkness. We particularly liked this one of a globe reflecting on the water of
a lake. We are partial to bright colors.
And
this spider and web were kind of neat.
As
a Christmas gift, Shana and Ted purchased tickets on the “Polar Express” for
the family, including us. During the holiday season Grand Canyon Railway’s
Polar Express comes to life for journeys from Williams, AZ, to the enchanted
beauty of the “North Pole.” Cookies and hot chocolate were served on board the
train. Some of their friends also purchased tickets for their family so we had
quite a large group taking the trip. As a tradition, many family members wear nightgowns
and pajamas on the journey. It was a real hoot! Here is a shot of both families
preparing to board the train.
Upon
arrival at the North Pole Santa Claus came onboard the train and personally
presented every “good little boy and girl” a small gift, to the delight of
everyone young and old.
After
spending the night in the town of Williams we all decided to travel to Grand
Canyon National Park to check it out in the winter. It is such an awesome
location that some of Shana’s family has never seen. We have visited it many
times, but never in winter; and yes, there were patches of snow here and there
along the pathways and in the trees. Once again, it did not fail to deliver. It
is an awesome place to visit and the vistas overlooking the canyon are like no
other place in the world--Mother Nature at her finest.
Can
you see the folks in the following photo that are flirting with disaster?! They
have crossed over the fenced observation point and are out on one of the rock
outcroppings--so foolish! One guy is sitting right on the edge.
Here
is a close up of him. One wrong move and it would be his last.
Since
it was early in the day we decided to drive along the south rim of the canyon.
There are many different viewpoints where you can stop for a different
perspective of the canyon.
We
came upon a herd of elk that were on both sides of the road. They are such
lovely creatures and we couldn’t resist stopping to take a few photos. We found
the shadows across the snow to be quite lovely.
We
thoroughly enjoyed spending the holiday season with the family and thank them
for inviting us to share it with them. Our next adventure will be about our
return trip home. We never take the same route twice if we can help it.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns