GILA BEND & FRIENDS & A LITTLE FLORA

On Monday, we picked up Ellie and Doug and headed down the road to Gila Bend. 

It is pronounced as Hee-la Bend, and saguaro is sa-wharo.

Speaking of saguaro. 

These photos from the car show how beautiful the landscape is around here.

We are off to meet our friends, Gary and Dawn, for lunch in Gila Bend. 

They drove up from Yuma, to meet us. For several years, usually in February or March, we vacationed for two weeks with these two. Tons of fun with them in Mexico, Maui and New Orleans.

We were happily surprised by the arrival of Clyde and Jane. 

We had a yummy Mexican lunch, and lots of fun conversation. 

From here, we all went to McD's for ice cream, then we all headed back to our winter homes.

A very good time was had by all.

Along the way, we needed a pit stop, and I took some pics of the foliage nearby.

Prickly Pear cactus.

Pretty blue flowers.  

Pretty pink flowers. 

A blooming yucca.

No sunset pic from this day, but there will be some soon!

WHIRLWIND WEEK!

El and Doug hosted a BBQ to welcome the guys to Apache Junction. 

A very nice way to kick off the week. We all enjoyed the ribs- they were awesome!

We took a day and headed off to Sedona. The pictures can't begin to show how gorgeous the area is. This is the view from the ranger station - lots of great information, and this guy......

....not sure who's shaggier.   :)

This another view area before entering Sedona. Not hard to see why it's called Bell Rock.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Click HERE for a view facing the mountain.

The signs say-

Please do not climb on fountain.

Please don't pick us, we're smiling at God.

Please don't sit on fountain.

How sad, we need to be told this.

The cactus is blooming! Photo op, and look at that background!

One evening, Dan and I went out back to catch the sunset.

I can just imagine how fabulous his photos are!

He advised me to turn my camera, and this is my best sunset pic!

We took some family pics by the pool. 

This is 'going back home day'.

Departure.

We had a wonderful week with Ben and Dan here. A vacation week with grown kids is a lot of fun, but it goes by so quickly!

Love you guys!

ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER.......ETC.

These oranges are amazingly GOOD! I'm not a huge fan of oranges as a rule, but the ones here, fresh off the tree, are pure ambrosia. Doug brought these over, and they are de-lish! Thanks Doug!

These are small suncatchers I made with pieces of stained glass leftover from my stained glass class. The class project should be done sometime Tuesday, then I can share it here. Meanwhile, I worked on these to get some soldering practice in. 

The boys will each be taking one home with them.

Left to right- Dan and Ben will be here until Wednesday- only a couple days left with them. We've been having a great time together!