Grand Canyon Thanksgiving

Jim and I spent Thanksgiving weekend at the Grand Canyon. When we arrived on Thursday it was snowing ! The elk and deer were eating right outside our hotel window.
Friday we hiked the rim trail from the village to Hermit's Rest. Although the view of the canyon was spectacular the almost seven mile hike is a mostly asphalt path right next to the road. At Hermit's Rest we decided to hike down into the canyon a few miles. It was my first hike down and I could not believe how beautiful the canyon is from the inside. Thankfully, we got a ride back to the village. I was so glad not to have to walk back.

Saturday was our big hiking day. We went down in the canyon via the South Kaibab trail ( about seven miles ) , across the Colorado River, to Phantom Ranch. As the sun came up the canyon was red and orange.

The trees at Phantom Ranch were changing colors too. From Phantom Ranch we went up the Bright Angel trail back to the village. The first seven or so miles of the trial are not too bad. You are going slightly uphill but there is plenty to see and a creek to cool your toes.

BUT, the last three miles are a killer, zigzagging up the cliff to the top of the canyon. Here is the view from the bottom of the trail.

I really did not think I was going to make it back out. I was so tired ! But, one foot in front of the other is all that was necessary. I just kept going until I was done. Here is a picture of Jim and I after the hike-

We look tired because we were !

Christmas is Coming

I had big plans to get all my shopping, wrapping, and quilting done this weekend. I even made a list ! We did manage to get a lot done but I didn't get to the wrapping or the quilting. I still have ten more days !

I stayed home on Friday to get a head start. Christina and I took Luke for pictures with Santa. I cried because I was reminded of Doug's Santa stint at the hardware store in Downey. Later in the day, Jim, Nick, and I bought a beautiful Christmas tree. Rather than our usual Nobel Fir, we bought a Grand Fir. It is very full and fragrant.

Saturday morning Jim took Doug's stuff to St. Luke's. Now lots of homeless people are dressed like Doug ! I stayed home ( too painful) and really cleaned the house. We decorated the tree later in the day with the ornaments Jim and I have collected on our travels. We are both a little bah humbug about Christmas, but we are trying to make the season merry and to start some traditions together.

We spent Sunday morning preparing for the church holiday party. Jim made chili in the crock pot and I made a rum bundt cake which refused to come out of the pan. Even though it was in six pieces I took the cake to church anyway and it got rave reviews. I did a Kwanzaa craft with the kids at the party while Jim helped with clean up in the kitchen. The ladies at church love Jim.

Luke in December

Doug's Stuff

There are six very large bags of Doug's clothes and shoes sitting in the back of Jim's car. Vanessa cleaned out Doug's room and these are the things she does not need or want to keep. She hung the Hawaiian shirts Doug loved so much in her closet. The rest of the stuff she put in boxes in the garage. Vanessa said she kept only the clothes that were really Doug- the Detroit Tigers jacket, the hockey jerseys, the Mark Twain t shirt. Maybe someday she will give them away but for now she wants to keep those remembrances of her Dad.

On Saturday morning we will take Doug's clothes to St Luke's to give to the homeless men that show up there every Saturday morning for a shower and a sack lunch. I know they will appreciate the clothes. I only wish they could have met the man that once wore them.

Luke- Newborn Pictures

Uncle Toto with Luke

Proud Parents

Auntie Nessa and Luke

Immigrant Student Fundraiser

Friday night Jim and I went to a lovely fundraiser to provide scholarship money for undocumented students at Cal State Long Beach. The event was held at our UU church and included great food, wonderful people, Latin jazz, and a silent auction.

I donated a quilt I made to the auction and it sold for $200. I made the star blocks about five years ago for Amy, an artist who taught painting to my Point Fermin School third graders once a week. It was going to be a baby quilt for her, but her littel girl died at birth.

Two years ago, I finally finished the quilt and planned to give it to my friend from Hawaiian Avenue School, Eileen, when she moved from California to Pennsylvania. I thought the bright colors would remind her of sunny California days. Well, she moved but never sent anyone her address. I tried to find her on the internet without luck. Eileen was a wonderful, demanding teacher for many undocumented students at Hawaiian so I thought this fundraiser was the perfect home for Eileen's quilt.

I used extra stars to piece the back.

Whitewater Preserve

If anyone ever asks you to go on a hike in the Whitewater Preserve, near Palm Springs, say No ! Especially if you have to get up at 5:30 am and drive two hours to the hike. Thirteen miles and the most interesting thing we saw was a yellow bush. Here is a picture so you don't have to waste your Saturday: And we didn't even have a beer after the hike !