Sunday, March 1 to Sunday, March 15, 2020: Home Activities, Tom's Birthday, and Sedona

Sunday morning, I suggested that we go out to breakfast. We have tried Anna's Grand Canyon Cafe several times, but it was too crowded. This attempt, we were successful!

I had pancakes, eggs, and crispy bacon. Tom had chicken fried steak. It was very good! That afternoon, we played pickleball in the Williams Rodeo Barn. Our newer friends, Darcy and Gary Nansen, will be leaving soon. They live in Williams for the Winter, and they have a home in Minnesota for the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

That evening, I made Beef Sukiyaki. I made it once before. The recipe is so flavorful! Tom and I also enjoyed some hot Saki.

About a week ago, I ordered some Trump 2020 yard signs. It was the same sign that I have seen in the "north 40" neighborhood --- God, Guns, and Community. The signs arrived on Monday. And, I promptly put one of them in our front yard.

I also gave a sign to my next door neighbor and my neighbor around the corner.

Tuesday was our usual pickleball morning. I also joined the Highland Meadows ladies at the Red Raven Restaurant for lunch.

Later that afternoon, Jon came by to show us his most recent find. It was an elk with a large set of antlers. The elk had been half eaten and had probably been dead for several months.

Some weather was coming into town. When I walked the dogs, I once again marveled at the beautiful setting where we live.

Friday night, I thought that it would be fun to have a "date night" at the Best Western Plus and listen to Omar. Omar just returned from a two-month break for January and February. He was down at Rocky Point and had a bit of a beard. Tom and I had adult beverages and shared a quesadilla platter.

On Saturday, I had a nail appointment at Spa 66. Jennifer and her husband Will take great care of me there.

That evening, Jon stopped by again. He found another shed. He has quite the talent!

On Sunday, our town mayor, John Moore, was canvassing our neighborhood. He is running for a US Congressional District position and needs signatures to get on the November ballot. It was fun having a local celebrity in our home!

Tom's 73rd birthday is Monday, March 9. Months ago, I booked two nights in Sedona at the Sky Ranch Lodge. Early on Monday, I dropped the dogs off at the Grand Canyon Railway Kennel.

We decided to take a longer route to Sedona. We took the rugged County Road 73 to Jerome. It was a three hour trek. In Jerome, we stopped at an old ghost town mining site, the Gold King Mine.

We later had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger Restaurant in Jerome.

No adult beverages until later.

We checked into the Sky Ranch Lodge at 3:00 pm. We reserved a wonderful deluxe room for two nights. This was the view of the Sedona rocks from our porch.

At about 5:00 pm, we walked to the nearby Mesa Grill Restaurant at the Sedona Airport. We had cocktails and watched private planes take-off and land.

That evening, we just made snacks as our meal. The next morning, we had breakfast at the Creekside Restaurant. And yes, some champagne for me and a delicious Bloody Mary for Tom.

It was a rainy day all day Tuesday. The weather forecast predicted it. But, there are some great shots that can be taken with the rain and clouds.

That evening, we had cocktails at the Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill. It was near our lodge and where we had reservations to dine. More clouds and rocks.

We had dinner reservations at the Golden Goose American Grill. We had a quiet table, and there was a guitarist playing nice melodies. One wall of the restaurant was decorated with Venetian glass artwork.

I had delicious sea scallops on a bed of cauliflower puree and Tom had a Delmonico rib-eye. Both were excellent!

The next morning, after coffee, we checked out of the Sky Ranch Lodge.

We decided to have breakfast home --- in Oak Creek Canyon. Our selection was Indian Gardens Cafe. I had a delicious brie, bacon, and fig jelly wrap. Tom had their local special --- eggs and hash browns. The patio was very picturesque, but too wet to sit outside.

After arriving home, I went to pick up the dogs. Jamie was excellent at riding shotgun.

Both Kelsey and Jamie were happy to be home. Later that afternoon, we walked to the "North 40" neighborhood and caught glimpses of some deer.

Friday morning, we woke up to almost three inches of fresh snow.

I think that Jamie had hoped that winter was behind us. Not! On Saturday, one of our neighbors hosted a Celebration of Life for her husband, Jim "Doc" Wurgler. Dr. Wurgler was a doctor at Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park. He was also a member of the Williams City Council. Jim Wurgler lived a good 86 years. It was a very nice celebration at the Best Western Plus.