FLAGSTAFF TO CANYON VISTAS... 39.2 mpg

As many of you may know, it’s just about all downhill from Flagstaff (over 7,000') to Gold Canyon (about 1890') so Big Red (our 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe) performed well with a high mpg reading of 39.2 and an average of 32.9.  We’ve been here about 5 days and are still running on the same tank we filled up with in Flagstaff.  This all wheel SUV is only ranked 25 HWY!!!  

Lots of “work around the place” and “stocking the cupboards” took most of our time the last 5 days.  (Suzanne W - if you're reading this, stop now as there is discussion of snakes and photos.)   For the rest of you -  this morning it was cooler so we worked pulling weeds and trimming the tree in the back yard.  It’s been very hot so we were on the lookout for snakes, and sure enough I wasn’t too startled when I spotted a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (with 6 rattles and a button) curled up under a bush.  This snake is easy to identify by the black and white bands just above the rattles.  We’ve seen them before here in AZ, but not in CA, although we have other types of rattlesnakes at home.

As we headed out at 8:30 a.m. outside temp was 60...
Don's driving, set his temp at 79 - that's me at 68.

The sky looked like this

and the clouds did a dance for us

can't you just hear the music.

Proof of that great mpg.

Our first evening sunset at our AZ home...

Gardening - visitors, look closely - head raised

uncoiled

the "tell tale" sign "Western Diamondback Rattlesnake".

The yard looks great.  The snake was coiled under the
small bush in front of the Palo Verde Tree... the one with
a few red fluffy flowers "Fairy Duster".

All's well that ends well!!!   Later...

ONE MORE STUNNING DRIVE...

We traveled a few miles north of St George  on I-15 and then took the Scenic Drive thru Zion NP and followed the back roads (including Hwy 89A - Arizona) past Jacob Lake and then thru The Vermillion Cliffs Nat'l Monument, across the Colorado River at Marble Canyon, via the recently constructed Navajo Bridge, and on to  Flagstaff via Hwy 89 - WHEW!!!  Since I posted lots of words and only a few photos in the last segment...  “Late Good News”, I decided to let the photographs of this beautiful drive do the talking…  Let your imagination run wild!!!

Heading into Zion NP

Taking the scenic route...

What else can I say?

Hmmmm...

After all, it is October.

Mother Nature in control.

Many fabulous "arches" in the making.

Boy am I glad I have a 46X power on this camera.

Utah Bighorn Sheep.  (Butt shot)

Layer upon layer.

Geocache stop

Grand Staircase Escalante, here we come.

Interesting plants...

Loved this...

Great geocache.  As the owner of Rider (the lab) and Bandit and Ripley
the Dalmatians,  this was a favorite cache for both of us!!!

There actually is a lake about 1 mile away, now a puddle.

As a tapestry weaver, the Navajo Rugs were even better
than the delicious lunch...

Ask me some time, I'll tell you all about them.

A stunning collection.

As we stopped for another geocache, I saw this "beast" rolling
and scratching his back in the grass.   NOT - just a dead log...

Geocache treasures.

It's all about the color

wouldn't you say.

This is Red on Red, with Red - accent blue and green!!!!

What do you think?

It's delicious even close up!!!

Where ever there's a water course, there are settlers.

Layer after layer, erosion tells the story.

WOW

We crossed the "mighty" Colorado River south of Page AZ.

A view across the Colorado from the Navajo Bridge

where this flag reminded us of the meaning of FREEDOM.

As we approached Flagstaff, the colors changed, and

the San Francisco Peaks welcomed us.  They are one of
the four sacred peaks honored by the Navajo.

LATE NEWS, GOOD NEWS...

A few days ago I was notified that my partner Dee and I won the Gold in the Nevada Senior Games in our age group.  We played with a group of  women 70-79 year olds… spans 2 age groups.  Within that  they had two categories, Q for those trying to Qualify for the Nationals in 2015 and those just playing age group 70-74 and 75-79.  We had entered Q division because the players would be better skilled.  We didn’t realize that all the people we played against were either in the younger age group, or were playing Age Group Skill Level only, not Q.   So Dee and I came away with the GOLD.

The days were hot and long, about 1 hour between matches at the Huntsman World Games in St George UT.  Dee and I played Skill Level 3.0 and Age Group 75-79.  No medals but felt I played good.  On Wed, Hank and I played Mixed Doubles  75-84 and had about 6 matches.  Once you loose 2, you’re out in the double elimination format.  We made it through about 6 matches and ended up 4th place with a loss by only 2 points.  Play was good and hot as we started about 1:15 and finished about 5.  After the 1st 2 matches we only had about 5-10 minutes between matches, which I really enjoyed…  hate that sit and wait scenario.  My friend (hiking and kayaking buddy from home), Sharon Klotz (age 70), won the Bronze in women’s doubles with her partner Claire and a Silver in Mixed doubles (age 65-69) you can play down, but not up!!!  Then on Friday she captured the Bronze in 70-74 age group SINGLES.  Way to go Sharon.

Dee and Nancy await the serve...

Loved this guy in front of the Best Western
in St George UT