Flagstaff, Arizona

We drove to Flagstaff, Arizona, today.  Just before we arrived at Flagstaff, we turned south to visit Slide Rock State Park.  It was about 18 miles south.  We had visited it about 25 years ago with our children and remembered the beautiful red rocks and the fun of sliding in the water at the bottom of the canyon.  So we came back.


As we drove around a mountain, all of a sudden, here were the red cliffs.


This looks pretty much the same.  A narrow channel of icy water to slide down.
When we were young, George and I easily climbed around these walls and
slid down the cascade with the boys.  Not today.  I stepped carefully into the canyon and
did not get in the water.  Only a few hardy kids were in today. I did feel old,
knowing that even if the sun was hot, I would not want to slip and slide there.


The park entrance was different, and they had signs around
several buildings, showing their significance.  This land was the Pendley
family's home and apple orchard.  This building was the apple packing shed,
built in 1932. The Pendleys gave the land to Arizona for a park.
There is still an orchard.  I don't remember any of this from our earlier trip.
I want to look at those photos when I get home.

After hiking about, we continued to Flagstaff and went to Safeway.  We have lined
up several airbnb apartments where we can cook dinner this week.  Exciting! Then we
went to our apartment for tonight.  It is wonderful.  Our hosts, Alex and Celestine, met
us and showed us our space and their home.  We really feel lucky.  They are friendly and
helpful.  The apartment is below their house.  They have three children, ages 8, 6, and 4.
We can hear them bouncing around, but it is a comfy normal noise.


There's a bathroom and a kitchen off to the side.


Arrowhead Trail is across the street from our house.  We walked up the hill
and saw wildflowers.


This meadow is at the top of the trail.

Back home now to read and make dinner. On to New Mexico tomorrow.