What can I say - holy shit! That's the only way to explain the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. It is the most awe-inspiring thing we have ever done. The hot air balloon was fantastic, but this was on another level. Picture this: we're in a helicopter over trees listening on the head phones they gave us to the theme song from 2001: Space Odyssey. In the horizon, we can see the end of the tree line; boom.........we drop into the Canyon. We are totally inside the Grand Canyon - 360 degrees around us. The most amazing feeling ever. It brought tears to my eyes & Eldon's scalp got tingly. Worth every penny (thanks again to those who gifted the event!) We have lots of pictures, but a very poor, slow connection so you may not see them today. On to Sedona, then Phoenix to see our relatives.
Comments from Larry: I saw a coyote today. It looked very hungry. Eldon said I looked tasty to him, because they eat cats. But we were in cougar country and cougars can beat up coyotes, so I was OK.
Comments from Eldon: Today was the biggest rush of my life. Every hair on my body stood straight up from the sheer beauty of nature's architecture & colors. Wow, what a day. Feeling my aura might not fit in with Sedona! Looking forward to fun with Sara & Little Hoss.

An absolutely fantastic day! Now I know for myself why it's called the Grand Canyon. It is truly very grand. Pictures do not do it justice - you have to see it in person to appreciate it. Chad & Missy - I wish we had brought you here when you were young; now you're on your own! Just do it! It's cold & super windy here, but who cares. We took the shuttle bus around to all the scenic points and walked around too. We were at the highest point in the canyon & could see forever. Tomorrow we are going on a helipcopter ride for a view of the entire canyon. I broke out the gift cards I've been hoarding; thank you Library Board, my City of St. Ignace friends & co-workers & Carl, Ed, & Rod - we appreciate the ride! We'll let you know tomorrow how it was.

Comments from Eldon: Magnificent is the only way to describe the Grand Canyon, both in size and beauty. There was a lot of wind & some guard rails weren't where they could have been, but luckily we didn't take the 12 second tour (that's what locals call it when tourists fall into the canyon).

Comments from Larry: I knew they didn't allow dogs, but I thought cats would be OK. Then they told me there was kennel if I'd rather stay in it. I don't stay with no stinkin' dogs; I like the privacy of my car.

Oops, I keep getting disconnected & my pictures don't want to load....Comments from Larry: I went by an ostrich farm; they are damn big birds. And the pictures are of me looking at the world's biggest litter box. Amazing.

Comments from Eldon: Today I got rid of my watch. Yesterday the Pueblo grandfather & I were talking, when I told him I was retired, he said "Why do you wear a watch?" Good point. So now I don't wear a watch.

Just got back from a very forgetable spaghetti supper for our Easter meal - oh well.......Happy Easter everyone! Today we toured the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Absolutely beautiful! There is a 28 mile drive off I-40 that goes through the Petrified with scenic stops & trails. I hope the pictures do it justice as it is truly a unique place. I don't have any special stories to tell today, but a great day none the less. We are spending the night in Williams, Arizona. Tomorrow, finally, we get to see the Grand Canyon.

Comments from Eldon:

Another super New Mexico day. The balloon ride was incredible. Eleven of us were stuffed in the basket (at least that helped keep us warm). We were in the air one hour, 15 minutes. We were mostly 1,000 feet up, but up to 3,000 feet at a speed of 14 mph. It's a quiet ride, except for when the hot air is on. We could see for miles; there were about 30 other balloons in the air at the same time we were. I thought the landing might be a bit rough, but it was smooth. Very cool - so glad we did it as it is probably a once in a lifetime thing. Eldon took a movie of the ride on his camera; if I figure out how to download it, you will get to see it too! After the balloon ride, we packed up our bags & Larry and drove west for an hour to the Acoma Pueblo. Unknown to us, it was their Governor's Feast Day. It's usually in February, but because of the cold weather it was postponed until today. I can't show you any pictures because no picture taking is allowed. Because it was Feast Day, many tribal members were there. They were in Native dress and dancing. This was not for tourist benefit; it was their real festival. Part of the custom of the day is throwing packaged foods & other items (like plastic pitchers, so watch out) to the crowd for good luck. We were told if you get invited into someone's home, it is rude to decline. Of course, I thought, yeah, right, like someone would invite us in. When we were looking at an artist's pottery, we told them about our local Native tribe. Long story short - we were invited in to their home. The grandparents were there, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We had green chili stew and Indian bread and interesting conversation (mainly with Grandma). We were there about 45 minutes. I'm not sure but I didn't see any other tourists invited into homes. I could write a lot more about our day, but I'm tired! It seems like we have chanced upon unusual opportunities this trip. We don't have an agenda or have to be somewhere; we just go with what comes along at the time.
Comments from Eldon: The day started with the balloon captain telling us not to leave the basket until he told us to.......like I was going to step out for a smoke?? I feel sharing the meal with the Pueblo family was a real privilege and insightful experience.
Comments from Larry: I think Eldon is finally getting the idea I'm irritable. I scratched him pretty good 2 days in a row. Perhaps he'll start listening to what I want to do (like whale watching).

We decided we had time to stay in Albuquerque another day. This is the first time we have stayed 2 nights in a row somewhere. Larry seemed to appreciate not having to get in the car as he spent the day hiding. Today we went on the Sandia Peak Tramway. The tram climbs to a height of over 10,000 feet. It's been abnormally cold here the last few days and windy -when we got the top of the peak they said the wind chill was -4 and Eldon had his flip-flops on! Luckily, there was a warm building at the top. Another beautiful view...... Then we went to the Petroglyph National Forest. It's right in Albuquerque, so we didn't even have to drive. The Petroglyphs are ancient Indian writings on volcanic rock. Another intersting stop. We just got back from another Mexican meal in Old Town and are now tucked in for the night. Tomorrow should be very exciting (weather permitting). We are scheduled to go on a hot air ballooon ride at 7:00 a.m. Albuquerque is the hot air balloon capital of the world, so I guess we might as well go for it. Will let you know how that comes out. If we survive the balloon ride, we head to Arizona.

Comments from Eldon: People have wondered if we are still getting along. Most of the time, yes; occasionally she gets on my nerves and I have looked for other modes of transportation (see picture).

Comments from Larry: I spent the day napping with no humans. Phew...................relaxing.

We took the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway today. It's 65 miles from Santa Fe to Albuquerque - it took us most of the day to do the 65 miles! We stopped in the towns of Cerrillos and Madrid. They were both mining towns that died out and are trying to make a come back. Madrid has turned artsy with several galleries, little shops & restaurants (OK, I know you want to know about our lunch there; tacos AGAIN for Eldon & tortilla burger for me). Cerrillos is still a ghost town, but I don't think the people living there know it. The western movie, Young Guns, was shot there. We stopped in a "trading post", the door was open so we walked in. No lights on and no one around; the door into their house from the shop was open & we could see straight into their house & bedroom. We looked around a while; still no one there. Hm.............. I decided there was a turquoise bracelet I just had to have. As I was writing a note & leaving the cash for the bracelet a man walked in and said "Oh, was the door open? It blows open all the time." His wife was gone for the day and he was out in the desert with his dog. He happily took my cash and every one went on their way. The other "trading post" (see pic) was a house, a store and museum ($2.00 entry for museum). The guy told us we had a flat tire - April Fool's Day!!! They had turquoise up the wazoo as the family bought a turquoise mine (once owned by Tiffany) and does all the work themselves as they have six children. Now, Cindy has turquoise up the wazoo too. Missy - we need to have a craft day when I get home and make some jewels. They are polished, drilled & ready to create. It seems we both go out of our way to talk to people more since it's just been the two (OK, 3 with Larry) of us for so long. We just checked out the old town historic plaza in Albuquerque - looks a lot like Santa Fe's. The other picture of the clock with no hands under Will Return shows you the laid back lifestyle. The El Don motel says it all, but we didn't stay there (looked a little too dicey). All for today....................

Comments from Eldon: I think I might have found the motel I was conceived in and how I got my name.

Comments from Larry: How come there aren't any hotels names Larry??????