9-27-19 Grand Canyon National Park

How does one make a visit to one of the seven “must see” wonders of the world a personal experience? It certainly helps to have a bright clear autumn day as a lens to view it. Then you hire a driver/guide (Marvelous Marv Tours) ) who has spent his life in Williams, Arizona (except for service in Vietnam) pick you up at the hotel and point out regional wonders en route to the south rim.

The Park is celebrating its Centennial Birthday all year.

Although thousands of world visitors come to view the canyon every season, our fellow tourists were mostly burgundy- robed and civilian pilgrims to the opening of the Buddhist Temple in Williams.

Route 64 north sent us through Ponderosa pine, Pinon pine and the wild National Forest suffering from long-term drought. The Forestry service is clearing the forest floor and will light controlled burns of the cleared debris as snow approaches.

The water and grass and hunting free area bring in the elk

Elk groupings graze calmly along the highway, but they are an invasive species competing with antelope and native grazers.

Cliffrose bush explained by Marv

Cliff Rose bush edges the walks toward the viewpoints along with Utah juniper and Yucca family Bandolear spikes. Cliff Rose provided wool dye for rugs from “spurs”, lanolin in the branches to wash the wool and a sunny yellow flower to guide natives to its growth. The points of the yucca plant worked as needles and the sturdy leaves release “threads” which helped early inhabitants bind and sew tools and coverings

Bird of the Canyon, probably a turkey vulture, but possibly a California Condor as they have been released into the canyon

Ravens, turkey vultures and California condors float on the upstream from the canyon a mile below. Clouds shadow the geology and highlight the green of trilobite layers and Redwall limestone.

Black volcanic rock thrusts up from the base schist and golden Coconino sandstone layers at upper levels

On a clear day you can see the San Francisco range in the distance, past centuries of geologic history
North Rim on the horizon from Yavapai Point on the South rim
Sun and cloud shadows provided a perfect backdrop at every stop
Ten miles across to the opposite North Rim
Green oasis at bottom of canyon is Phantom Ranch, accessible by Bright Angel trail, hiking or mule

Marvelous Marv tours showed us Canyon views at Yavapai Point with the North Rim background; the muddy Colorado below, and Phantom Ranch Bridge visible as white water rafters glided though, pinpoint spots from our perch a mile above. The Yavapai Geology Museum added historic and reviewed guide points made during our trek. Grandview Point views provided expansive, yet closer photos of the layered canyon.

Nature provides resting points
The Canyon is measured in meandering river miles, 245, although “as the crow flies” it is 140 long

We could have taken the Grand Canyon Train from Williams to the South Rim but we really enjoyed our adventure with Marv, plus the train takes 2-1/2 hours each way giving you only a couple of hours to explore.  Marvelous Marv had us at the South Rim in just over an hour and we spent almost 5 hours in the Park before heading back to Williams.

Thanks Marvelous Marv (Mason) you had two happy tourists
Marvelous Marv – a wonderful resource and guide for our adventure to the Grand Canyon

It was a beautiful day with only moderate crowds and the weather could not have been nicer to view this amazing National Park.

9-26-19 On the Road Again – Williams AZ

On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends

And I can’t wait to get on the road again
On the road again

Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again

The song, by Willie Nelson says it all. We are on the road again. This time we have left Southern California and are heading back to the East Coast. First stop was a quick visit with my brother in Indio – and then on to Prescott Arizona. Prescott was an overnight visit with our friend Dave – he and I worked together for 16 years in Glendale and we both retired within 2 months of each other in 2017. Nice visit. It seems that taking pictures over the last couple of days just hasn’t happened. So actual proof we were there is unavailable.

Now we are in Williams Arizona – the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”.

The Arch over the road

It seems that Janeen has never been to the Grand Canyon so we have a tour set for tomorrow which should be both educational and fun. However, today it is all about Williams. With a population of only 3,158 (as of 2017) its major claim to fame is that it was the last city on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. The community was bypassed on October 13, 1984 and it is clear it thrives on tourists and those particularly nostalgic for the old route 66.

Painted on the side of the building to commemorate when I-40 opening and the end of Route 66

The Historic Downtown district covers 6 square blocks with a number of interesting shops and restaurants. This place is clearly one of the major inspirations for the Disney – Pixar movie Cars.

This reminded us of Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure. Live music in the patio too.
Proof we were there.

As we drove into town Janeen and I both said how it reminded us of the movie and Cars Land at Disneyland California Adventures.

Pete’s Rt 66 Gas Station Museum
Just walking along the sidewalk
Lot’s of 50’s and 60’s references throughout the place.
Seems the couldn’t get this old car out.

One of the attractions is the Grand Canyon Railway. The original Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway were completed in September 1901. After declining ridership, it was eventually purchased by private investors in 1988 that restored the faculties and passenger cars. Since that time, the railroad has taken hundreds of passengers to and from the south rim of the Grand Canyon on a daily basis.

Grand Canyon Railway – the create a nice experience to the South Rim.

The Grand Canyon Railway on it’s way to the south rim

Other highlights include the Grand Canyon Brewing Company,

Seems there is always a local brewery in every town we visit.

AZ Wine and lots of shops with Indian and local artist creations.

This Chevy is parked outside this place very day. Lots of car parts both inside and out of this shop.

We had a nice time just wandering around and visited one of the original Route 66 Trading Posts for southwestern native jewelry and pottery. Tomorrow the Grand Canyon!

 

 

9-9-19 Historic Jamestowne Virginia

Historic Jamestown, just a few miles away from our place in Williamsburg, seemed like a nice spot to visit on a lovely September day. With Ryan and Chris on board, we headed out to visit this site.

The Welcome Sign f

As we were getting in line for our entrance tickets we discovered that Tony and Gloria were also there – and just in front of us – and it was great to visit with them again. (they were at the 50th anniversary celebration that was held the prior evening).

Tony, David, Gloria, Janeen, Ryan and Chris – a beautiful way to spend a few hours and learn about American History.

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Started by the Virginia Company of London as “James Fort” on May 4, 1607 along the banks of the (now) James River (originally Powhatan River). The location was chosen as a site in a secure place, where Spanish ships could not fire point blank into the fort. Within days of landing, Powhatan Indians attacked the colonists. As a result of the hostilities, the newcomers spent the next few weeks working to create a wooden fort.

This is a depiction of what the fort might have looked like based on the excavations completed.

It is inside this fort that England’s first permanent colony took hold.

The Jamestown Tercentenary Monument, erected in 1907 to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the settlement, stands 103 feet tall.

Of course it wasn’t easy. Disease, famine, and sporadic attacks from the neighboring Powhatan Indians took a tremendous toll on the early population, but there were also times when trade with the Indians revived the colony with food in exchange for glass beads, copper and iron tools. Relations with the local Indians quickly soured and the colonist would eventually annihilate the Paspahegh in warfare over the next four years.

The original number of colonists was 105 “men and boys” but despite the Virginia Company sending more settlers and supplies, including the 1608 arrival of eight Polish and German colonists and the first two European women, more than 80 percent of the colonist died by 1610. The site was abandoned for several years, the remaining colonists returned from nearby encampments after a resupply convoy arrived.

Ranger Bill gave a great talk and brought the area to life for us.

The first representative assembly in English North America convened in the Jamestown church on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly met in response to orders from the Virginia Company “to establish one equal and uniform government over all Virginia” and provide “just laws for the happy guiding and governing of the people there inhabiting.” A few weeks later came the first unsolicited arrival of Africans to Jamestown, marking the beginning of de facto slavery in the colony.

With the introduction of tobacco and the arrival of the first indentured slaves Jamestown created an economy that was able to survive and expand.

Janeen leaning on a corner post of a partially recreated wall.

As Jamestown grew into a robust “New Towne” to the east, written references to the original fort disappeared. In 1676 a rebellion in the colony led by Nathaniel Bacon sacked and burned much of the capital town. Jamestown remained the capital of Virginia until its major statehouse, located on the western end of the island, burned in 1698. The capital moved to Williamsburg in 1699, and Jamestown began to slowly disappear above the ground. By the 1750s the land was heavily cultivated farmland erasing all the above ground structures.

The fort has been recreated based on all the research done over the last 20 years.

In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barney owned the property that was Jamestown. The Barneys gave 22-1/2 acres of land, including the 17th century church tower, to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (now Preservation Virginia). By this time James River erosion had eaten away the island’s western shore; the common belief was that the site of 1607 James Fort lay completely underwater. With federal assistance, a sea wall was built in 1900 to protect the area from further erosion. The remaining acreage on the island was acquired by the National Park Service in 1934 and made part of the Colonial National Historical Park.

David, Chris, Ryan and Janeen

In 1994 an extensive survey of the property was done which resulted in finding the foundations of the original fort. These excavations revealed 1.5 million artifacts and greatly increased the understanding of this first chapter in American History.

Just a sample of some of the artifacts that have been recovered
Work continues trying to discover additional artifacts during restoration work.
Some of the artifacts on display in the museum.

Today, the Preservation Virginia Society and National Park Service jointly operate Jamestown.   Upon our arrival ,we learned that Ranger Bill would be doing a talk in a few minutes and we arrived in time to listen in. Ranger Bill brought to life much of the history of the area and pointed out various significant points of interest. After our introduction talk we walked through the recreated fort, visited the museum with all many of the artifacts on display and generally had a very nice time.

Ryan by the Captan John Smith memorial. He was the original leader of the group.

After we left, and had posted a few pictures on Facebook, we learned that Chris is related to some of the early Jamestown settlers. It seems that on his mother’s side of the family, his great grandmother…..the Slaughter line from Upper Slaughter, England help settle Jamestown. John Slaughter came over from Upper Slaughter about 1610-1612. His wife and son, John, joined him about 1615-1617. John, the father, was killed in an Indian massacre outside of town. His wife died and is buried in Jamestown. John, the son ,married and had 3 sons in Jamestown. Who knew that Chris comes from such old and hearty stock? The Slaughter Family is listed in the settler’s books of Jamestown.  Nice surprise to learn all of this after having visited the place.

Chris – our ‘Junior Ranger’ for the day. Who knew he was related to some of the early settlers of Jamestown!

 

 

 

 

8-25 & 9-7-19 50th Anniversary Celebrations

What happened in 1969? Well a lot of things – many of which we remember. Here are some of the highlights:

The Beatles’ last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records     First Concorde test flight is conducted In France,

The Concord started test flights in 1969

The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes its debut. It carried 191 people, most of them reporters and photographers, from Seattle to New York City.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am the epitome of the American muscle car is introduced,

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock-n-roll fans.  Members of a cult led by Charles Manson murder five people.

Man Walks on the Moon – July 20, 1969

The first man is landed on the moon on the Apollo 11 mission by the United States and Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon.

Apollo 11 and man is on the moon in July 1969. We watched this on live television with my parents in La Jolla.

Richard Nixon becomes President of the United States.    Sesame Street known for its Muppet characters, makes its debut on PBS.  Seiko sells the first Quartz Watch

Popular films included: The Love Bug,

The Love Bug Movie

Funny Girl, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. True Grit, Midnight Cowboy, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Easy Rider and Where Eagles Dare

Popular Musicians include: The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Creedence Clearwater Revival,

Creedence Clearwater Revival was on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969

John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, Marvin Gaye, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The first ATM is installed and the hand held barcode scanner is created.  Fashions reflected the anti war sentiment with military jackets adorned with peace signs, and other trends included long unkempt wild hair and headbands reflecting the feelings of anti establishment felt by the youth.

 And on August 2, 1969 David & Janeen got married.

Walk to the Reception after our ceremony

Since that time, 50 years or so, they have been together, raised two sons – seen them both married, grand daughters have joined the family and now they (David & Janeen) live in a state of Wander – they don’t have a house but just “wander” around.

August 2 ,2019 was the official anniversary day – and we had a lovely lunch with our dear friend Beth at a Spanish restaurant in Healdsburg. Fantastic time
Gary Peter and Jaynese were not able to make either celebration so we partied with them in the Bay Area.(51st anniversary August 10)

To celebrate this long relationship, our sons, Jason and Ryan, hosted two major parties – one in California for a bunch of West Coast friends and one on the East Coast for the growing network of friends in that area.

A photo montage was created and can be seen by clicking on the link here.  https://youtu.be/7jwtRiQ-TPA

Below are some of the pictures from the two events – one held in Pasadena at Bacchus Kitchen and one in Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Plantation VacationVillage. Our friends on both costs (and those in between) who were able to attend were treated to wines from our collection along with great eats.

All the West Coast folks got together for a picture after dinner.
The West Coast Crowd
Will and Cheryl with Janeen and David. David and Will worked together at Northrup and haven’t seen each other in years! A nice surprise at the West Coast event.
Jason hosting one of the tables at the West Coast event.
Here we are after all these years still together.

Our Celebration in Virginia was smaller but just as fantastic.

There was a special cake! Hand made pistachio flavored cake with lemon curd filling. Wonderful edible chamomile flowers adorned.
Ira, Janeen and Chris at the East Coast event
Opening cards at the East Coast celebration
The table was set and ready for us when we arrived for the East Coast Celebration
Gloria and Tony – he was the Best Man at our wedding.
Janeen and Emma holding our granddaughters(flower girls in pink)
Tiy, Theresa and Michael all joined in the celebration
We had a wonderful evening for sure.
Joel is our Jazz lover friend from Boston – Janeen worked for his dad when we lived in Cambridge in the early 70’s.

We don’t consider our Party over yet as we continue to roam around and stop in to visit friends across the country :new celebrations happen all the time.