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Phinally Phoenix

It was a rocky start to a weekend trip. Our 8pm Thursday night on frontier was delayed until it was cancelled after 11pm. After standing in line with angry passengers (with little hope of rebooking), we gave up and decided to go home. We back tracked the airport, shuttle, car and then drove back to Jenna’s for a brief sleep with little hope of returning…until we decided our sunk cost was lost and we might as well try to get an experience.

We got the 430 pm flight on Delta. We were hopeful about a 2 pm possibility until two platinum skymiles members bumped us. Then, our plane had mechanical problems and more mechanical problems and some weather. After a deplane experience, I began to think we shouldn’t go and was on hold with Delta about a refund when they let us reboard.

Woke up today and got busy making memories on Phoenix.

I’m going to share some pictures to prove it.

Sisters with too much sun and wind.

We left papago and went to South mountain park and preserve and hiked the pima canyon trailhead.

Then we picked up Alaska and went to a folk music festival and had dinner before going to a sunset. We didn’t see cocaine bear… Maybe next time Fiona?

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Rocky knob to peaks of otter

Featured / rugreen4u4632 / 1 Comment

This section of the blue ridge parkway is quite beautiful. You either have rolling hills in Virginia or you ride the ridgeline with mountains and valleys on either side. There is a road closure around Roanoke for 30 minutes, but we wanted to run into town anyway so it wasn’t a big deal.

We asked the ranger for a recommendation at peaks of otter and wow, was this a fabulous hike. Sharp top mountain (which we promptly started calling shart stop mountain). We added on buzzard Rock which was well worth the extra 600 feet.

Stone work at shart stop.

Another day, Goodyear

March 5, 2023March 5, 2023 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

Today we set out towards Estrella regional park. It didn’t disappoint. The wildflowers were amazing, and the dessert landscape is beautiful this time of year. These two old ladies kept jumping into my pictures.

After a great dessert hike we headed to the baseball game. The ball park is quite scenic and we found a shady spot to watch the guardians. It would have been more fun if Alaska had gone in or if the guardians had won, but… It was it was a great way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

Yeah then we took Alaska to watch the sunset. Mission accomplished.

Peaks of otter (poo)

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

Hiked to the top of flat top mountain before heading home. We had not eaten bfast, but just started hiking and never stopped. It was a beautiful trail with big squeaky poplar trees.

I’m so luck to spend father’s day with my bff on the parkway. I needed that. Til next time.

Parkway passing time

June 17, 2022June 17, 2022 / rugreen4u4632 / 2 Comments

Our first weekend as empty nesters, so we headed up on the parkway for a long weekend. First night we stopped at Crabtree falls, (formerly known as Crabtree Meadows). The only other time we attempted to stay there, a lightning storm scared us of. Last night we had smooth weather and took a nice morning hike to the falls.

We also stopped by the blue ridge music center. They have daily music 12 to 4 every day but we missed the Friday open music jam. I always forget it’s up there.

Heading out, we encountered a downed tree across the road. After taking this picture, I went to help. 10 of us tried to move this locust with no luck and I wish I had that picture. A biker left and circled back with his truck and chainsaw and cut it out of the road before our detour put us right back where we started.

Beautiful weekend hot springs

May 31, 2022 / rugreen4u4632 / 1 Comment

Just what the Dr ordered.

Beautiful weekend hot springs

May 31, 2022 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

Just what the Dr ordered.

Veronica rides again

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

Furter (the t@g/teardrop) has left the Austin’s for a new home. Meaning we get to keep the bus / Veronica. After her shipment home from Spokane, George has taken her to the fixit shop for a tune up and upgraded her with a lithium battery and a new fridge.

Currently he’s taking the long way to Maryland and tormenting me with pictures of his travels. Like these beauties

Teardrops last hurrah

September 25, 2021September 25, 2021 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

The teardrop /t@g/furter has made it from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in one season. That’s pretty amazing. For those following along (get it?), after many wishy washy purchases, the teardrop sold before Veronica and we are in our final trip in the T@g-A-Long.

It arrived in James Island campground Friday with Helena our exchange student. She has officially seen then Atlantic at sunset. We also apparently have been withholding restaurants. This was our first restaurant dining and she’s been here 6 weeks. (I’m not sure whether to be proud of that or embarrassed…) .

George has never had the opportunity to run the Cooper River bridge run before since its usually in early April, but thanks to covid we had the most normal race morning (delayed 6 months). We got up at 5, caught the masked shuttle with 25k other fully vaccinated people and ran a 6k across an awesome bridge.

We spent about 4 hours at the beach and watched a random wedding (random to us. It was special to the bride & groom). Then we broke out the #CampgroundChef who magically prepared flounder and scallops.

A little fairy dust… until about 30 minutes ago tn was beating fl in Gainesville. That’s changed since I wrote this, but I’m tired and may not be fully invested.

Glorious Finale to a wonderful t@g. We will miss you furter.

Last day in AK

August 16, 2021August 16, 2021 / rugreen4u4632 / Leave a comment

Well, we have made our way back to Anchorage and are waiting to board the plane to Chicago. Our day started with moose!

Then we went down to the Homer spit to get one final fish and chips for the family.

On the way out, we headed to the Kenai Wildlife Refuge / Russian River valley and took a final walk about and watched a fisher man pull in two salmon.

It’s always sad to end a trip, but it’s been lovely. If I had to stay for a few more weeks, I wouldn’t complain, but I miss my pets and my bed. I am glad to have this time to spend with my family.

Tonight we pick up our exchange student (Helena). Busy week!