Puttin' on the miles

Today was a long, busy day. Arizona Adam and Lola started the day off at 7:30 by going for breakfast at the hotel, making use of the continental breakfast. Then, a trip to the grocery store to get some water and snacks and then off on the adventure for the day - Sedona to see the red rocks and then to the Grand Canyon. 

Sedona was about an hour and a half north of Phoenix. As you approach the town, you can see many rock formations with a deep red tint to them. We stopped at the ranger station and got some maps. After talking to one of the rangers, we were set with our plan to see as much of Sedona in as little time as possible.  Our first sight was Bell Rock which looks like a large bell. It only took us 5 mins to find a parking spot...  Today was free parks day in the Sedona area so everyone was out and about enjoying the mid 70 degree weather. 

Then, we made a quick scoot to the Court House Rock which, as the name suggests, looks like a large rectangular building resembling a courthouse.

Then, we went to see a chapel that was build on the side of one of the rock escarpments overlooking Sedona. After a quick visit to the chapel, it was time for lunch. Lola found a great brew pub in Sedona where AA got a sampler of the craft beers that they made on site. 

After lunch, one more rock was saught out. Can anyone guess what this one was called?

After looking at a bunch of rocks, it was time to make the journey to Flagstaff along Hwy 89a which is one of the top 10 most scenic drives in America. The drive was pretty spectacular, starting with the red Sedona Rock formations, though pine forests and up the escarpment near Flagstaff to be at 7,000 ft. 

After a short jaunt on Route 66 to get to Hwy 180, we were on our way to the Grand Canyon which is about 1.5 hr north of Flagstaff.  The view of the Canyon was as spectacular as you have seen on TV and in the movies. 1 mile down and 13 miles across, it is a vast space with awesome shapes carved into the many layers of rock.  

We were fortunate enough to catch the sunset at the canyon, here is just one of the many photos we snapped:

After the Grand Canyon, it was time to make our way back for supper and then on to phoenix, where we arrived at 11pm, about 14.5 hrs after the journey had started. 

AA

Lola & Arizona Adam

Well Lola and AA are finally travelling together again. We went to Arbakka this morning/afternoon for thanksgiving with Lola's family. Had great food and nice visit.

We are now on our way to grandforks to catch our flight!

Phoenix bound we are, so Arizona Adam can be back in his home ground, but for once he isn't working! 

This is the first time we are going to fly from grand forks. So we are heading there, finding some supper then heading to the airport! (Which we also only have a rough idea of location...) but I am sure we will find it with one of our gps's.

View from the car! 

I can't wait to get some heat, and be able to take these shoes and socks off!!! Sandals and shorts, and t shirts here we come!

We are pretty excited! 

Till later, Lola!

Just like old times

It feels just like old times, except kind of a new look. I'm staying at the residence inn just down the street from bombardier, where I stayed for several weeks when I move to Montreal and just before I left. The same shows are still on TV as well (storage wars).  

Flight was good today. I got lots of work done on the flights. I also got a haircut at my favourite spot in the mall. 

Now I'm ready for my meetings tomorrow. 

It's a lot colder here than back home. I wasn't expecting this. True fall weather here, 17*C here this afternoon. Tomorrow should be a little warmer. I guess you could say I brought the warmer weather ;)

Time to chat with Lola.

Lola's birthday weekend

Phew, glad to go back to work today after such a busy weekend...

Just kidding.

We started off on Friday with AA coming home late from work. Then, a quick supper before Lola opened her present and pretty sweet card. Afterwards, we made our way to the rink for a hockey game. Unfortunately Arizona Adam lost. We finished off the night with a pitcher of beer and a pitcher of water with a few friends before heading home. 

Saturday morning AA made some GF biscuits and fried up some bacon for breakfast sandwiches. They were delicious, even though the biscuits were a little too sweet for the sandwich. Dawn and Julian  picked us up and we went to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights for a preview tour that Dawn got tickets to. 

The museum, through all the controversy, is pretty amazing. The contractors have a lot of work to finish this week before the grand opening on this coming Saturday. There were many areas where the floor was not finished and no computer kiosks were installed. Other than these "minor" issues, we were able to see the first three floors on a guided tour with a few highlights. We definitely need to go back to explore the remaining 5 floors. 

In the afternoon, Lola went shopping with Melissa while AA went shopping for a few groceries to get ready for the party in the evening. Then, Arizona Adam spent the rest of the afternoon with Devin, talking and later playing some video games.  Meanwhile, Brian and Janet were babysitting the kids (all 3) while Dawn and Julian went to the U of M alumni dinner and dance.  

For dinner, we (AA, L, M, D and Ernie) went to Kristina's on Corydon and met Eric and Jamie and Shaugn and Janelle (Eric's cousin). After dinner, we played some games back at our house. Warren and Ashley showed up with enough time for the girls to beat us 2-1 in a Bezzerwizzer tournament. 

Sunday was family birthday day.  Lunch was had before the ladies, and Julian, went to paint some pottery at Cockerdoodle. AA and Brian went shopping before coming back home where AA gave the VWs a bath.

Supper was a grandiose event - lobster, steak, shrimp, muscles and scallops along with double stuffed potatoes. Delish. 

Needless to say, today it was tough to wake up in huge morning. 

This week should be a fast one.  Arizona Adam is heading to his former home out east for a few days. Hopefully the weather is as good out east as it looks to be here at home.  

Lake Washington

We had time to kill this morning so we drove to lake Washington and took a little stroll on the boardwalk. It was a nice way to end the trip.

We are now in Vancouver waiting to board our next flight home. I'm hungry can't wait to eat the Thai chicken wrap that I ordered. And our fries smell good. 

Seattle

It's been a busy time here in Seattle which is why we haven't had time to blog yet. 

We got to Seattle Friday afternoon on time, after some issues with our tickets first in Winnipeg and then in Vancouver. We flew westjet and they are code sharing with delta airlines to fly from Vancouver to Seattle. For some reason, we couldn't check in for our departing flight, then once at the airport in Winnipeg had to have the lady working at the desk call delta to get our seats figured out. Then, in Vancouver at the delta gate they had to call west jet to get the ticket numbers assigned. I'm not sure why it was some confusing. 

Afterwards, we made our way to the hotel, unpacked and then started along to the baseball game. The game was alright, saw four or five home runs, mostly for the Washington Nationals. Here are some pictures from the game:

Saturday was a golf day for me. As is tradition with these weddings in Washington state, golf occurs before the wedding. In this case, it was the day before.  It was rainy. And not just a little, but a constant drizzle for two hours. But luckily by hole three (for us, the last group) the rain let up and it turned out to be a nice morning and early afternoon. 

I won a prize for the longest distance traveled for the golf game. It was a close battle between some of the people from Anchorage but apparently Winnipeg is 150 miles further.  I would have thought more. 

After we went for lunch and then to an outlet mall by Renton. Lola got some clothes, I got a shirt and we got some t-shirts for some gifts. Then we went to Sara and Keith's place just outside of Renton in Issaqah for pizza and drinks. We weren't there too late, I was pretty tired because I didn't get to sleep in and have a nap in the morning.

Sunday was wedding day. We went to Bellevue so I could get sized up for a tuxedo for the wedding I am in down in Tucson in October. Then, we went for lunch and back to the hotel to get ready and go to the wedding.

The venue was pretty cool. I'm not sure if it was actually an old school house or just made to look like it was. Either way, it was pretty neat. Here's a photo of the setting sun from Bothell WA:

Monday morning was fairly relaxed. Brunch was held at Brian's cousins place in Snohomish WA. The weather was really nice, but not nice enough to use the pool:

After, we drove north to go to some more outlet malls in Tulalip WA.

Here, more money was spent by Lola. I equally bought some stuff (two t-shirts and a new rain jacket). Then, we went to Cabellas, just to check it out. We thought it was kinda funny that there was a static display with a whitetail deer from Manitoba:

After we drove to Everett and went to the marina for dinner.  I couldn't believe how many boats there were in the harbour and how many millions of dollars were sitting there:

Now, we are relaxing in the hotel trying to finish our food and drinks. I think I have another three beers I need to drink after this one is done.

Hopefully our return flight goes off without a hitch. I can't check in right now but should hopefully should not be an issue. If not, Seattle isn't a terrible place to be stuck for a few more days ;)

It's official

I am now a Transport Canada Delegate!

All I need is one more signature but this letter was the big one signed by the Director General of Transport!