Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!

 A big birthday flare for 80 years!

 

Mom with 4 of 5 children

 Mom with 3 of 4 inlaws.

Yes, I do believe Debbie and Laura planned that matching shirt thing they have going there.

 Mom with the Nanos family.

 Mom with 3 of 8 grandchildren.

 Me with Frank and Lyla.

Yes, I know it's not my birthday but these two are so cute, I just couldn't resist a picture of them with me. Look at those missing teeth on Frank and Miss Lyla with her sparkly hat. Adorable!

Happy Birthday, Mom! I hope it was a good one! love, nancy

Sedona Hike - Huckaby Trail

Hiking season is here! This beautiful Sunday morning had us up at 5AM to get to Sedona to hike before it got too hot. Sedona is probably my favorite hiking spot in this state so far.  I haven't hiked the the Grand Canyon yet, I am sure I will love that, but don't think I will love it more than Sedona. I am not one to buy into that whole "vortex" thing that goes on there, however, I do feel a certain calm and sense of peace when I am there. The natural beauty of the area is amazing to me and I love to hike early when there is hardly anyone else on the trail. To say I do not like my peace being disturbed is putting it mildly. I don't like people talking or kids screaming or whining or dogs barking, I like to lose myself in the sense of being alone in the wilderness.

This particular trail was approximately 5 miles round trip. We went down into Oak Creek Canyon, I love hiking near the creek. You can hear the water rushing, you are down in the canyon and can't hear or for the most part see any other part of civilization. We also managed to pick up a cache while on this hike. Pat found the cache, it was in a hollowed out old juniper tree, high above the city of Sedona. It is always fun to be able to combine a cache with a nice hike.

After we finished hiking, we headed over to El Rincon for a little lunch. This place has one of the best margaritas EVER. The food is excellent also. I had a blue corn crusted chile relleno and Pat had a green chile burrito. It is a great place to refresh after the hike. It might be my go-to place after a good hike in Sedona, as it is where Mary and I went after one of our very long hikes last spring.

One last stop on our way home was the Rock Springs Cafe. We see the signs on the highway every time we travel up north, and Pat has always said some day he was going to stop for a pie. They have world famous pies (they wouldn't lie would they?). Well, today was the day. Rock Springs Cafe is conveniently located with an easy off and back on to Route 17. A Tennessee Lemon pie was the choice and back on the road we were.

Can't wait for the next hike!