Supporting Breast Cancer Research

 Every November our area of Arizona hosts the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk.  And every year some of the gals from our community do the walk.  So this year we decided we would go to the Finish Line to greet our walkers on their last day of their 3 day walk. 

The Final Ceremonies were held at the Scottsdale Ball Field - from our seats we had a good view of the stage area.

Many of the husbands, partners & supporters came dressed in pink to support the Breast Cancer Cure.

As one of the walkers said when she walked by this little supporter in the stands "she's the reason we walk - so she won't have to worry about Breast Cancer when she grows up".

As the various teams marched their final walk to the stage through the ball field we saw many teams dressed alike and carrying banners.

Even after 3 days of walking these gals were still smiling and waving.

One of our friends - Kai -  is waving behind the lady in the pink hat.

You may have to double click on this to really see it well - but the walkers are raising their sneaker in their right hand to salute the Breast Cancer Survivors who walked the 3 days (in the next slide)

This group of gals were also walkers - but they were Breast Cancer Survivors.

These are the walkers from our community - Kai Crozer & Susan Hollister - another walker Rhonda Denius injured her feet in the walk and couldn't stay.

Kai & Susan's Partners - Sissy & Anne were very proud of their walkers.

And here's our little cheering section that met them at the finish line - left to right: Sissy, Flo, Kai, Susan, Anne, Me, Co, & Jakota.  We are so proud of the gals and everyone who walked to support Breast Cancer Research and Assistance.

Let's keep celebrating those birthdays

Well - we've only been back in Arizona for a couple of weeks and already found a good reason to party with our friends.  Birthdays are a big reason to celebrate life here in our park - Our friend Jakota is celebrating her 'young' 70th year and Cheryl is still celebrating her milestone 60th!!  

Left to right: Jakota, Val, Cheryl, Molly & Karen.  Molly hosted and cooked for our great group of friends who we all celebrated with.

Left to right: Co, Jakota, me, Nancy, Cheryl, Karen, Kitty, Susan & Ann.

Left to Right: Barb, Linda, Marie, Kaye, & Val.

The birthday girls looked over the yummy deserts: a Blueberry-Razberry tart and a Red Velvet Chocolate cake.

Cheryl taking a full breath to try to blow out the candles.

Thanks from the birthday girls for all the funny cards and delish dinner and yummy deserts and a fun reason to have a party!

Our last Adventure on the road back to AZ

Well the Tomato and Blanch & Lucy are in Canyon DeChelly camping to visit the beautiful Ruins and Petroglyphs in the canyon.  (double click to see larger)

We met our friends Co & Flo (RV on left) and Susan & Ann (RV on right) at Canyon DeChelly - as you can see we we arrived at a great time to see beautiful foliage in the Canyon.

This is our site - quiet and in the shade.

Co, & Susan sitting in the back seat of our open air jeep ready to leave on our adventure - at 8am.

This is Ann, Flo & Cheryl in the 2nd jeep - we had 2 jeeps so that we had 3 gals & a driver in each jeep.

So here we go .... off to see the Ruins & Petroglyphs.

As we drove in we saw a tour that was led on horseback.

There were lots of herds of horses that roamed freely in the canyon.

The horses were very comfortable strolling near us.

This beautiful white horse was hanging very close to us and had no problem with us photographing him.

The beautiful Cottonwood trees were ablaze with beautiful color as we drove through the canyon floor.

Our Tour Guide, Eleanor, was very good about stopping at every Ruin so that we could jump out to take photos.

Some Ruins were closer and some were further away from out vantage viewing area - but the detail of the Ruins were incredible.

These Ruins were called 'Antelope' Ruins because of the Petroglyphs below.

These Petroglyphs of Antelope were the reason this area was called 'Anelope Ruins'.

As we looked behind us our 2nd jeep was right behind us.

Here is another Ruin that we saw.

Here is a close up of one of the buildings in the Ruins.

And here are more Petroglyphs that we saw.

There were times when our partner jeep was in front of us.

This is called 'Fortress Rock' a Proud Moment in a Sad Legacy.  Where the Navajo hid out on this 700ft mesa when the Dine people were trying to escape the Long Walk with the American Cavalry.  If you want to read more on it log onto this link - http://navajotimes.com/news/2009/0609/060409fortress.php

On the way back we saw these Carins (little piles of rocks) so Susan & Cheryl added a few of their own.

After the tour along the canyon floor we took our vehicles and drove along the top of the rim of the canyon to look down on the canyon.

This is called 'Spider Rock' a wonderful spire that juts high above the canyon floor.

We viewed 'White House' from above and could have hiked down into the canyon to see it up closer - but most of us were too exhausted to do the hike.

Even from above we could see the ruins very well with a telephoto lens or with the telescopes that they had for viewing.

From above the foliage was very pretty to view.

We had 2 open Jeeps which were great fun and brought us everywhere on the Canyon floor - these made for a fun ride.

Thank You to Eleanor of "Ancient Canyon Tours, Canyon de Chelly" We highly recommend Eleanor for a great tour - reach her at 928/380-1563 - You will be glad you called Eleanor for the best tour ever....