This is a note from no. 2 grand daughter from her trip ( and her mother and grand mother) a few days ago. And I shall quote, “Our first Hawaiian Rainbow. The morning after arriving, Mom and I went for a walk across the street to the beach and sat in the Pacific Ocean to watch the sunrise. It was a bit overcast, however we were given a beautiful sight…a rainbow. We saw a number of them daily, but seeing one the first day was truly a blessing. The added special meaning is a bonus: In the Hawaiian culture rainbows are a passageway for those who have gone before us to come down and visit. Anytime one is seen it is a way for you to know that you aren’t alone and that whoever you are thinking of is with you.” End of her quote….That’s a nice way to think about a rainbow, huh? If it draws someone gone on closer to our memories again that makes it much nicer….Thanks for the picture No. 2 and I have some of the other 1600 pictures available with your comments  that I will post later..er, uh, lets make that 2 or 3 of the 1600 that I will post later, ok….

It is amazing in looking at the logs that appear to be cut into firewood lengths. I know that is not correct and there were no guides to ask, but I don’t think I saw a single log that was whole. In a couple of places the logs are close enough to touch and examine. They appeared to me to be pine as the bark gave that appearance. Records show it was formed 225 millions years ago down around the equator and the titanic plates have shifted over time bringing them up to Arizona….Well, I don’t know…It’s hard for me to believe but I don’t have a better story.  If you have not seen it, you will want to drive through….Pete

He is hitting Arizona again…..Let me see, Arizona is bad because they want to send several thousand law breakers home….Mr. Robin Hood Navarrette, Jr. says hey, it’s ok…They just broke one little law….what’s wrong with that…now give them full citizenship, pay for the babies and their welfare, after all it’s something they can’t get in Mexico….Mr. Navarrette, why don’t you just once call a spade a spade and come down on the President of Mexico for not providing for his citizens…Why?…..All of our states are fighting just to keep our heads above water and all you can think about is “how terrible Arizona is”. What is your real beef? Why don’t you come out and print that little story……I don’t know why I continue to read you as you can sure ruin my day…well, almost….

New Mexcio District 12, Ernest Chavez, Democratic (incumbent) vs Clyde Wheeler, Republican. Both  answered some questions in this mornings Albuquerque Journal. Question one….What cost saving measures would you support to deal with continuing state government revenue shortfalls? Which would you oppose? Mr. Chavez answered: I am currently regarding all options regarding appropriate options. (dud!!!!) Mr. Wheeler answered: I would consider cutting political appointees, nonessential services and eliminating programs that don’t work. I would oppose cuts to the police, district attorneys, courts and the penal system. (we may agree or disagree, but at least we know some of his thoughts) Question 3. Would you support or oppose a New Mexico law recognizing domestic partnerships that would grant same-sex couples most of the same rights afforded to married couples? Mr. Chavez answered: I choose not to have my personal opinion made public. ( Sir, you may be called upon to vote on this issue and your constituents need to know your stand). Mr. Wheeler answered: I would oppose this new law. (agree or disagree at least we know Mr. Wheeler’s feelings.) There are several other issues that have the same double talk answers….When will our politicians ever take a stand….I don’t know either one of these gentlemen but I know who I would vote for…Mumbo-jumbo talk will not cut it anymore….

I guess if you guys don’t complain I will go on forever about Arizona. 93,500 acres of beautiful layers of bentonite clay and sandstone that have picked up eon’s of different soils, etc, giving the viewer lavender, red, orange and pink colors, with some gray mixed in…The sunlight and clouds can change the colors while you are looking at the scene.  We were east of Flagstaff at the time we toured the Painted Desert. Later, while traveling up to Page to see Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam and about 30 miles north of Cameron, AZ there were canyon rims that were colored like the painted desert. Today while goggling the Painted Desert the article stated the it started 30 miles north of Cameron. So, two days later we saw the start of  canyon. The Little Colorado River cuts through the Painted Desert….”Some places it even had water”…..That’s a joke, son…..

Standin’ on a corner in Winslow, AZ…..Well, we finally saw the famous corner at 2ND and North Kinsley Ave in Winslow, AZ….The fellow is still standing there and the girl in the flat bed Ford is a mural painted in the window…Labor Day weekend and there was no one around to pick him up except the girl in the flat bed ford and us…We just didn’t have the room and besides all that, my wife frowns on me picking up hitch hikers anyway…We passed him up..The girl was still thinking about it as far as we could tell.

…..tomorrow, day three of our Arizona trip continued

26,000 years ago an asteroid measuring about  150 feet across and weighing several hundred thousand tons hit the Arizona desert with such force that in a few nano seconds it dug a crater 700 feet deep and 4000 feet across, displacing over 175 million tons of limestone and sandstone. Today, it is a very impressive place to visit, and you leave there wondering if another asteroid will head our way one day. They are watching several asteroids according to a film we watched, but of course there are several thousands of small objects that could potentially come our way. It was an interesting time spent touring this place. It is privately owned, which surprised me, but it was not overly expensive. It is a worthwhile place to visit….I think you will enjoy your time there…More on day three tomorrow…

The mountains such as this are all around Sedona, called Red Rock Country..Our camera was clicking most of the drive. I have a different shot of this mountain that I am already painting…. The creek you see is Oak Creek and Oak Creek Scenic Drive follows it almost all the way to Flagstaff, as it curves through the Coconino Forest. Several camp grounds through there if you are into camping…..It seemed to me like this was a resort city, as I did not see any industry other than tourist, however, that seemed to be doing pretty well….

Number 1 granddaughter and no. 1 grandson in law introduced us to BK Taco last Friday evening. It was very good food and to me, a very unique hot dog and a new dish, to me anyway, called Caramelos…you will want to order 2 or 3 or them…and the sonoran style hot dog…you will want a couple of them also…it is very good food, folks, and I hope you will give them a try. You can read all about them at www.bktacos.com…  I did not meet the owner Benjamin L. Galaz but I did meet his brother, David….Now they have an additional treat for you beer lovers, on Thursday from 4 pm until 8pm, 99 cent beer….Go by and treat yourself to some tasty Mexican food…You will love it….Pete Hester

 We were greeted at the Grand Canyon by this little fellow. I do believe he recieved more interest than the Grand Canyon until he tore the tree down and moved on. He had his sweetheart following him around. They both had a drink from the ditch near the parking lot. What a beautiful animal…They both were. More on our trip later….Pete