Last Week's Hikes & Shelby's Project

OMG! We continue to be So. Very. Happily. Busy. 

Bill and Deanne decided to stay for three and a half weeks which has been so much fun and great for Rich to have someone to hike and bike with. The three of them are at Usery Park again this morning so, along with cleaning, I have selected a few photos to share.

Monday, March 4, 2013

While I went to PT that morning then picked up Deanne and we went to the laundromat, the guys hiked the Weavers Needle trail out of Peralta Road. Let me be clear, as Shelby used to say, about something. As much as I wish I could hike up to these fabulous places, my mangled ankle had nothing to do with me not going on these hikes. I hiked before this happened, but not the miles and miles of steep, rocky trails that the guys have hiked this winter. That is why I am so happy that Rich can do these long hikes while Bill is here.

Weavers Needle in the background.

Rich took this photo of a dead Yucca knowing that I would love it. Listening to them talk about their day and seeing the fabulous photos that Rich takes, I almost feel like I experience the wonders of these mountain hikes myself.

Doesn't this look like the head of a dog?

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The guys were out in the mountains again. This time they started at a trail-head called First Water off of Apache Trail and hiked a nine mile loop in the Superstition Wilderness. This hike started and ended on the Dutchman Trail with stretches along the Black Mesa Trail and the Second Water Trail in between.

First Water Creek has clear water running over a rocky bed...in Arizona!

Rich at the sign for Black Mesa Trail

Black Top Mesa

A Cholla "forest" with Weavers Needle in the background to the left.

Saguaros

Cholla and Arizona Poppies which are blooming throughout the mountains.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Now here's a change of pace! We went to the kids' elementary school this afternoon to attend the Living Wax Museum presented by Shelby's class. Each of the students was assigned a famous Arizonan to portray. They had researched, written a paper, designed an info board, designed a costume, and rehearsed their speech. We would drop a token into the cup on their desk and their character would come to life and deliver a speech about his or her self. 

Shelby was Lori Piestewa. A member of the Hopi tribe, Piestewa was the first Native American woman in history to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military and the first woman in the U.S. armed forces killed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Squaw Peak in Phoenix has been renamed Piestawa Peak in her honor.

Dylan got to come to her class for this special event and Sandee was able to slip out of work to also attend.

Some of the other famous Arizonans were Wyatt Earp, Linda Ronstadt, Steven Spielberg, Alice Cooper, Jordan Sparks, Karri Strug, Stevie Nicks, Zane Grey. Here are a few more photos.

This was such a fun, educational project! Shelby loved preparing every piece of information relating to her character and we learned so much about each of the characters. Every student stayed in character and was frozen in place until a token was dropped into the can on the desk and then came to life and delivered his or her speech. Rich and I were so impressed! At the end of the time, Shelby said that her legs hurt from standing so rigidly for so long! 

Lovin' Life ~~ In Arizona