Time & Seasons of Life

“Happiness, not in another place but this place...

not for another hour, but this hour.” – Walt Whitman

Just as each day unfolds from dawn to dusk,

so also does our full life span,

from beginning to end.

As we move through the seasons of our life,

we experience different kinds of growth.

We progress from our time as a student,

to focusing on a career,

then perhaps to family

and later toward retirement.

Every phase offers opportunities

to grow in character, compassion, understanding, and self-awareness.

By staying in the present moment

we can find fulfillment at every stage of our life.
(Making Every Moment Matter. Oprah & Deepak Meditation)

At this stage of our lives,

we are happiest staying home.

Ed is happiest when he has a trip to look forward to.

We find we are both happy

with this compromise. 

A week in a condo in Vegas with Aunt Clare

coming each day.

 Visiting with Shirley in Cedar City - my impetus for going.

A beautiful sunset on the way to the condo

after In 'N Out Burgers with Clare in North Las Vegas.

 DeRay & Clare fixing dinner in condo.

 We like the Iris because of the pool
(Photo taken from 7th story window w/reflections)

As usual, it was freezing cold.

A couple told me they hadn't seen a soul in the pool all week.

"I'm going to call them as soon as I get back to the room," I declare.

"We will too."

Much to my surprise, by the next morning

the pool was as warm as a bathtub.

It stayed that way all week.

Not trusting them,

we swam in Clare's community pool on Monday.

The largest and nicest pool I have ever seen.

Ed and I each had our own luxurious lane.
DeRay couldn't swim all week because 
of a deep sore on his leg.

On the road to Grand Canyon West, the Joshua trees were large and numerous.

 Grand Canyon West

 Riding the hop-on hop-off bus to the viewpoints.

We didn't stop at the Hualapai (Wa-la-pai) Ranch

since we already know cowboy life.

            

Glass floor so you can look down if you dare.

The glass bridge is 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon floor.

No personal items on Skywalk,

including cameras.
Their photographers take asinine shots,
all using the same goofy poses
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I think we were the only ones who didn't wait 
in the photo line.
Half of the Haulapai Nation
do not like the tourist attraction
feeling it is a desecration of their sacred lands.
I feel like the quirky pictures
are a desecration of a scared sight (site).
To protect the glass floor, you put paper slippers on over your shoes.

 Lunch afterwards.

No outside food or drinks.

Does that include peanut butter and cheese sandwiches?
Grand Canyon West is privately owned
and operated by the Hualapai Tribe.

 Live Native American performances

from multiple tribes perform continuously.

  

 Walking along with no railing,

you could step down to forever.

 Bad angle. Looks like the Skywalk is on the ledge.
Look carefully. It's in front and above.

 The crevice again. If you're not watching you could step down down down down

 Bad hair day. I need braids like my new friend.

 Guano Point

 We should have come here first - before the shadows.

 Colorado River

 "Highpoint Hike" offers breathtaking panoramic canyon

view of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River.

 I wish I had taken a picture of the sheer cliffs this points sits on.

If they fell & rolled, they would fall 4000 feet.

 Our hike and view.

 The Most Delicious Green Valley Buffet.

To our pleasant surprise,

we found that Veterans were free today.

DeRay could have had a $36 crab dinner free.

Instead he got a $12 lunch free.*
When we get back out in the car,

Eddy says to Clare and Dad as he listens to them, 

“You two are best friends like Mom and I are best friends.”

 The compulsive gambler.
On the last night, 

DeRay says that Clare texted to say that she was safely in the car

and to thank us for a good time.
“Why is she thanking us?” Ed queries. 

“She’s the one who drove us everyplace?”

His astuteness astounds me.
Another marvel was checkout day.
Two carts for our whole building.
Iron Blosom has at least 30 carts.
I call complaining that we are in our 80's
and definitely need a cart.
"We'll send one over."
"Thank you."
We get all packed up,
including freezer and fridge stuff,
no cart.
So I call again.
Within 5 minutes a knock on the door.
"Do you need two carts?
There's already one in the hallway."
We didn't know they brought it.
I love their new customer service policy.
Makes me happy.

 Back in SunRiver St. George to check out the house on Veterans Day.

 We almost forgot what it looks like. Over four years.

  Yula singing "Don't Fence Me In".

She had just been on a rambling walk about town.

 Shirley devoured about half of her lunch.

 Look at her go.

 We insisted she try out her new chair.

 It hadn't changed since the Saturday before so we knew it hadn't been used.
In fact, it wasn't even plugged in.

 She indulged us; but she prefers her bed.

Home around 7:30 PM.

"Why does it take you so long?" Amy asked.

We left Vegas at 9 AM Utah time.
November 4-11, 2017

“Happiness, not in another place but this place...

not for another hour, but this hour.” – Walt Whitman

*Golden Coral offered a free dinner for Veterans on Monday.

DeRay & Ed went with Cai & Suzanne.

He didn't miss out on the annual free Veteran's Day Dinner and program

at Davis High School either

Since it was cancelled because early in the morning a drunk driver

hit a power pole knocking power out in Kaysville for nearly two days.

We had power but we were without Internet or phones for more than a day.