Sisters on the Fly-Christmas in July

Last weekend was our Christmas in July trip.  The weather has been hot and dry for months, with the an ever-present threat of wildfires.  But the rains started coming about a week or two before our trip and the forest became a cool green place to find respite from the Valley's heat.  What a delight to spend 4 days and nights with my adventurous Sisters on the Fly.  We cooked, kayaked, hiked, fished (delicious trout dinner on Saturday-thanks fisher-women), laughed, painted, napped, sang, played and enjoyed each others company til it was time to go home.  Thank you Sisters for another weekend of rest and fun!

Through a serendipitous turn of events, I was able to spend 3 peaceful days in Oak Creek Canyon while attending a conference in Sedona.  With new responsibilities as President for Az NAPNAP, tons of school work, the stress from changes at work and home concerns, it was a much needed break away.  The lush green trees, cool night air and constant music of the creek soothed and quieted my troubles.  I spent simple time resting, eating, reading and writing.  Once again, a retreat and a sanctuary.

My Sweet Sundance

I learned today, that the sweet Palomino rescue horse that I sponsor was recently featured in the National Geographic Kids June/July 2012 issue. I've been sponsoring him for a year now.  He lives at Equine Voices Horse Rescue south of Tucson.  Isn't he sweet!s Sundance's Story

The Trail of Life

"When you are riding the Trail of Life, there is only one true way to find your way home....follow the path of truth and caring for your friends and family in all days of our lives...then, you are always Home.

Rain Valley Dreams

Perhaps it's wanderlust or time to move on.  I can't be sure, but dreaming about new places to live and the possibilities for adventure, renewal and fresh perspective are ever-present in my mind.  I want to throw a few essentials into my well traveled bag, toss it into the back of the Expedition and hit the road.  No plans, just gas  in the tank, the Atlas on the seat and plenty of funds to take me where I want to go.  Who knows where that might be.  It changes from day to day.  A month ago, it was the beaches of Southern California, but today, I'm dreaming of a ranch in Rain Valley Arizona.  The monsoons will be sweeping across those peaceful grasslands bringing long awaited moisture to the dry, brown earth and suddenly the waist high grasses will be thick, lush and green.  The smell of desert creosote will whip up in the air as lightening crackles in the dark grey skies.  Oh to have a ranch house, with a front row seat planted firmly in that heavenly place.

Father's Day and My Dad

I can't think about camping, boating and fishing without thinking about my dad.  It was at his knee and by his side that I learned to love each of these things.  From a very young age he had us in the boat, on skis or up at the family cabin.  My best memories are of my dad sitting on the back of the boat seat, glasses tipped forward so he could see ahead and driving the boat as he taught his young daughters the fine art of water skiing.  I have good memories of being together at Lake Tahoe, and its crystal clear waters, watching the trees whiz by under water as I rose to float along on my skis.  The smell of coffee and bacon take me to the fireside for breakfast, watching his mother, my grandmother Bernice, get it all going before we climbed out of our tents.  Or, gathering together with cousins and my Uncle Ray and Aunt Marge's trailer at our A frame cabin.  I learned to love the smell of pine and appreciate the feeling of Blistex on my chapped dirty lips right there at my dad's side.  I first saw the great red sequoia trees and Yosemite with my Dad.  He walked us on the beach and taught us to dig clams.  We fished off the pier and drove up the coast with my Dad, singing road songs together, and listening to Dodgers games on the car radio.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and wish that I had had more time together.  He was my best cheerleader as I told him all about my trailer and sent him pictures of his progress.  When I started to refurbish My Sanctuary, I imagined Dad would get better and we could have a few camping trips together.  But it wasn't to be.  I know he's with me on every trip and his love for the big outdoors and all the joys it gave us together and those yet to come will love on in me.  I will look for moments to share them with my kids and grand kids.  This is his Legacy!  Thank you Daddy!

I think I'm having Sister withdrawals.  I'm hunting around on Facebook lookin' at trailers and reading about other camp outs.  I've noticed this seems to happen about a month before the next camp out.  If it weren't 100 degrees outside, I'd be out in the trailer fluffing and looking for something to decorate, rearrange or redo.  Instead, I'm just poking around on the internet for a cute this or that so here are some pictures I've found.  I'm thinking about  a beach theme.  The nice thing about the trailer is I can dress her up however I'd like.  She's all mine~~~<3~~~