Gotta wear real shoes

After I'd lived in California for several years, I was packing to visit Flagstaff, AZ, my hometown, and I realized I didn't have any appropriate shoes. I had sandals, canvas shoes, gym shoes, shoes with decorative cut-outs or woven leather, and dressy shoes, but no sturdy, waterproof, dirt-resistant shoes for wearing in snow or on dirt walkways.

I came ready with some dirt-worthy walking shoes this time, and I put them to good use. Of course we made the obligatory trip to Red Mountain, and we enjoyed sharing with newbies. What a magical place this eroded cinder cone is, with weird hoodoos and cinder  hills! Funny thing is, with just adults making the hike, it didn't take as long as usual!

We didn't do more than stroll along the rim of the Grand Canyon the day we went there, but we enjoyed the beautiful view as part of our lunch date with Mom. What a decadent day, driving to the Canyon to eat lunch (Navajo tacos - yum!) in the El Tovar Lodge: the original craftsman-style, Fred Harvey railroad stop right on the rim of the canyon.

Mmmm, a Navajo taco is Indian fry bread topped with chili and taco fixings.

Here's Ralph, taking pictures of us during our hike at the top of Oak Creek Canyon. I love the rocks!

Here's another hike, on the Sandy's Canyon Trail, where we saw pines and aspens, sandstone and basalt, wildflowers, and even a cute little horned toad!

We also hiked on the Kachina Trail, on the San Francisco Peaks. That's 11000' altitude.

There were also hikes taken around our cabin in the woods, but I opted for relaxation on the deck, instead!

Here's Pamela, who blew out her Italian hiking boots on our first day. She made the rest of our hikes wearing her Teva sandals. So much for real shoes!

Pamela tied the semi-detached soles to the tops of her boots to make the hike out of Red Mountain.

Fabric and Cake

Yesterday I came home to find a big box had arrived in the mail!

It was from my sister, Laura; fabric she'd been given by a neighbor who used to design little boys' clothes.

There are a lot of bold graphics, and some subtle, neutral colors, and there are multiple yards of most of them.

It really is a treasure box!

Ralph's birthday was Wednesday. I made his favorite, German Chocolate cake, and this is all that's left of it.

It was yummy!

In other news, it's Memorial Day Weekend. For a few years, I've tried for years to go to the I Madonnari Chalk Art Festival at the Santa Barbara Mission, and this time I think it might really happen. I just talked to the Es about visiting them, and they invited us to stay in the guest house, and we might just go tonight! That would be great! Hmm. John says he's going to his friend's tonight. I'll call the Es and see if Sunday evening might work. Then we could see the finished chalk drawings on Monday.
It's also the weekend for the Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande. Last time we went, I was disappointed in the so-called Arts & Crafts Fair, because many of the vendors sold junk I can buy at Oriental Trading Co. But, it's going to be a beautiful weekend (hopefully not as windy as it is right now!) and I would like to give it a try, and at least eat something strawberry-y!
Hope you have a lovely weekend!