Leaving Cali And Heading East—-Sort Of

Today, we left California after about the most interesting four days I have ever spent anywhere.  We experienced two back to back earthquakes that left me rattled and wanting to go home.  We survived the dry desert heat that was really only hot during the day, and quite lovely at night. We hit the highlights of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, experienced the most wonderful dolphin cruise, and fell in love with La Jolla Cove in San Diego.  It was a wonderful time, and I will be honest;  I could not wait to get out of there.  California is arguably the most beautiful state in the nation, but the risks of living there are so great that I would never be able to relax.  I did become a fan girl of Dr. Lucy Jones while I was there, and I recommend everyone follow her on Twitter.  You think James Spann is popular in Alabama?  No one has more respect than Dr. Jones in California.  She is the authority on earthquakes, and yet seems like someone you could have a great casual conversation with about music and Faith.  Yes, she is a scientist who is also a believer in a Creator.  There are more of them than most people realize, and they have my utmost admiration.  I also admire every single person who calls California home.  I don't know how they do it.  The "Big One" is coming and yet they manage to live their lives knowing they have to be prepared, but not spend every waking moment fearing its arrival. There is a lesson in there for me for sure, and probably for all of us.

One last thing about the dry heat before I move on to our next stop.  Yesterday, on our dolphin cruise, I got my shoes very wet by standing on that mesh, and when I say wet, I mean you could ring water out of them, and they were sturdy athletic shoes.  I put them on the table outside last night, and when I went to get them at 7:30 this morning, they were COMPLETELY DRY!!!  It would have taken a week to dry them at home.

On to our next stop.  Arizona!!  I did not like the majority of this state when we were driving through today.  Most of it was flat, hot, and the sign at the rest area said beware of stinging insects and venomous snakes.  Yikes!! Anthony once again asked me to drive, and once again I thought it would be a piece of cake.  Apparently, there are mountains in that part of Arizona, and I had to drive through them..........once again.  Yellow warning signs are now a part of my nightmares.  I failed to get a photo of cacti today despite seeing tons of them, but I did get a photo of these beautiful flowers.  When everything else around is dead or looks like it, these really stand out.

We finally arrived in Flagstaff around 4:00, and thought we would check in to our hotel and then head to the Grand Canyon, which is 90 minutes away.  I had wanted to take some sunset photos, but my sister told me that once it got dark, the road is a bit winding on the way back to Flagstaff, so I quickly decided that I would put that plan to a vote, and we unanimously decided to grab a bite to eat in Flagstaff, and wander around downtown, because you know how I love a good downtown.  This one did not disappoint.  This part of Arizona is quaint, and modern, but yet holds onto the past, and I just adore it.  There is a train track that runs through the down town area, and people don't even seem to mind.  I live in Shelby County and we mind big time.  Route 66 is here and we walked across it twice.  Walking through this little downtown made it perfectly fine that we missed sunset at Grand Canyon.

We are headed there tomorrow, but are all three anxious to get some rest tonight.

Good night from Flagstaff!