Saturday, April 16 through Sunday, May 1, 2022: Easter, Flagstaff's Tunnel Fire, and a Visit to Family in Coto de Caza

Saturday, there was no pickleball play. So, I walked Kelsey and Jamie around town. We parked at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.

We then continued down the Railroad Avenue part of Route 66.

That evening, we went to DJ's Wild West Junction for dinner. Every weekend, they have a prime rib special.

We also wanted to listen to live music with Rick Remender. But, he was playing outside and it was too cold and windy.

 

My sister Carrie called on Saturday. She and her husband Brent are in Bend. They received several inches of snow!

Sunday was Easter Sunday. Two of my pickleball girlfriends were getting baptized --- Jan Chumley and Chris Peterson.

The Southern Baptist believe in baptism by immersion. First Jan...

And then Chris... 

After church, eight of us played pickleball on the outdoor courts. Back in Southern California, my sister Wendy's family hosted my brother Peter's family for Easter in Pasadena.

 

A highlight of the Kuwata/Shelton Easter was my little grandniece, Sophie!

Monday evening, Tom and I enjoyed a beautiful Arizona sunset.

Tuesday afternoon, I took Kelsey to Flagstaff for her acupuncture session. Several days prior, she had a little set-back. So, the veterinarian suggested that I put Kelsey back on some of her muscle relaxant medicine.

That evening, Tom and I took the cover off of the barbecue. It was finally warm enough to enjoy cocktails on the back porch and barbecue hamburgers.

Wednesday, I drove over to Kaibab Lake and walked the perimeter --- about three miles.

On my most recent visit to Flagstaff, I bought two beef tenderloin pieces of meat on sale at Bashas' for $9.98 a pound. On Wednesday, Tom cut the meat and put Filet Mignon meal-sized packages in ziploc bags.

Tom's maternal grandfather, LV Parker, was a meat butcher in Indiana. Tom inherited the knack! Later in the day, the news outlets reported that there was an out=of=control wildfire north east of Flagstaff. Hundreds of residents of Doney Park had to be evacuated.

This area is fairly rural --- with homes and livestock.

Thursday, Jon went looking for shed/antlers. He is such a gifted hunter!

It is that time of year to get the water feature ready for the spring and summer season. So, I got the waterfall pumps out of the RV barn and put them in the pond.

We are expecting a cooling trend for several days, so I will not yet hook-up the drip system..

By Friday, Flagstaff's Tunnel Fire was only 3% contained. Governor Ducey declared a state of emergency.

It is that time of year to put the waterfall pumps back in the water feature pond.

Monday morning, I had an 8:30 a.m. appointment to give blood at the Williams High School. 

That afternoon, I drove to Flagstaff for my monthly massage with Emily Johnson at Northern Arizona Massage Therapy. Yes! 💗💗💗

Tuesday morning, Randy Thomas of Wired-Up Protection Systems came to install a new radio for the alarm system.

It was a beautiful afternoon, so I completed the process of filling the pond and turning on the waterfalls.

Wednesday morning, Jerry from Appliance Service Today came to service our washer. For about eight months, the washer has been "walking" on the spin cycle. Until recently, this Flagstaff company was not coming to Williams --- not enough staff since Covid-19.

Thursday morning, I saw some deer across the street. With two homes being built there, Tom and I were not sure the deer would come back.

At noon, the Highland Meadows ladies went to Nany's Tacos for lunch.

That afternoon, my sister Carrie sent a photo of my niece Lauren and her boyfriend Cody at Laguna Beach. I'll be driving to south Orange County tomorrow for Lauren's baby shower and a family barbecue.

Jon went to the woods and scored big time with Elk and Mule Deer antlers!

Friday morning, I got in my truck and headed the 439 miles to Coto de Caza. It is generally a 6 1/2 hour commute. I got to Carrie's home around 2:30 p.m. On the schedule was a 4:00 p.m. ultrasound appointment for Lauren's baby. Her name will be Oakley Mae --- due in August.

We then went to dinner at Lauren's favorite Mexican restaurant --- Carmelita's Kitchen --- in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Early Saturday morning, I went for a walk in the Coto de Caza neighborhood. Down the street is the former home of William "Bill" Lyons who developed this gated community.

Lauren's baby shower was at noon. my sister Carrie did a beautiful job decorating her home.

Photos were taken of Lauren, Cody, and family.

After the luncheon, we all congregated for Lauren to open her gifts.

Later in the afternoon, the guys came back to the house for a family barbecue. Brent and Peter prepared the hamburgers, vegetable burgers and brats.

This was the first time since Covid-19 that four of the Shelton siblings were gathered together.

Of course, I enjoyed taking some family photos of my siblings and their spouses.

Part of the festivities was the reunion of first cousins --- Katelyn Kuwata, Lauren Carrol, and Molly Shelton.

Sunday morning, before leaving Southern California, I went to Felipe Tennis and Recreation Center in Mission Viejo to play pickleball. Fiona and Greg Carroll invited me to play there. I played seven games --- once partnering with Greg and once partnering with Fiona. It was fun play!

It was an easy 6 1/2 hour drive back to Williams. I topped off some gas in Barstow before heading to Arizona. California gas is at least $1 per gallon higher than Arizona. I got home around 3:30 p.m. Tom had a nice filet mignon barbecue set-up for us.

Kelsey and Jamie are always big fans of Tom when he is barbecuing!

Friday, March 25 through Friday, April 15, 2022: Seligman, Williams, Flagstaff, Mesa/Phoenix and Prescott

Carrie and Brent are back in Bend.

Carrie will remain in Bend until she heads back to Coto de Caza to host a baby shower for my niece Lauren. I received an invitation to the shower and bought a gift online. Carrie was kind enough to let me stay at her home for two nights. I'll just drive the seven hours there and back.

On Sunday, Tom and I drove to Seligman for lunch. We were told to go to Westside Lilo's Cafe. Tom and I shared a blooming onion appetizer.

We also shared a Reuben sandwich. The food was excellent!

We then wandered down the main street to the Delgadillo's Barber & Gift Shop. Angel Delgadillo was a barber in Seligman. He was instrumental in saving Route 66 --- between Chicago and Los Angeles. After the decline and eventual delisting of the route from the United States Highway System in 1985, Angel went on to found the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Eventually, the Historic Route 66 Association became an entity in all eight US 66 states --- with a similar goal of preserving the once-important road.

While in the gift shop, the husband of one of Angel's granddaughters started talking to us. He shared that Angel will be celebrating his 95th birthday on April 19th.

On Monday, I had my eyebrows tattooed by Amy at Junto Skin and Laser. I had a similar procedure thirty years ago --- but it is now more refined. Coming home, I was greeted by Kelsey and Jamie.

Tuesday morning, we woke up to 3 inches of new snow.

I had an appointment with Tori at Lush Beauty Bar for a fill and a pedicure.

In the afternoon, Kelsey and Jamie had an appointment with Dr. Ryan at Williams Veterinary Wellness.

That evening, Jon came over to belatedly celebrate Tom's 75th birthday. Jon bought steaks at Arizona Mobile Meat Processing here in Williams. Jon also brought some side dishes. Tom is such a great cook, so we had him cook the steaks to perfection.

It was a special meal!

Thank you Jon! 😊😊😊

 

On Thursday, I went to some of my Republican neighbors and had them sign my GOP Precinct Committeeman Petition. I need ten signatures to become an elected and/or appointed PC for Williams Precinct 98. Success! I have an appointment on Friday to file this paperwork at Flagstaff's Coconino County Recorders Office on Friday

In the afternoon, I took a long walk into Williams. Along Route 66, there is a bronze statue of an Elk family.

While on this walk, I noticed a new Route 66 sign at the Williams Visitor Center.

Thursday, I was contacted by a pickleball player from Payson, Gary Heinlein. He is a 4.0 player visiting Williams and he wanted to play some pickleball. Gary joined us Friday morning in the Rodeo Barn.

In the afternoon, Tom and I went to Flagstaff for several appointments. We arrived in Flagstaff early, so we had Thai food at Pato Thai Cuisine. I had not been to their new location on Historic Route 66.

At 1:00 pm, I dropped by GOP PC paperwork off at the Coconino County building.

Tom had an appointment with his Internal Medicine doctor. I walked the neighborhood. That evening, Kelsey and Jamie enjoyed their new dog bed layout.

Saturday morning, a group of us played pickleball outdoors. It was a beautiful day.

Tom took advantage of the afternoon and washed and detailed his SUV.

After church, I had Tom drop me at Dry Holden Lake and I walked home from there.

On Monday, I dropped the dogs off at the Grand Canyon Railway Kennel. They are spending the next two nights there. Tom has an appointment in Mesa/Phoenix with a Glaucoma Doctor. So, we decided to make it a two-night getaway. On the way, we stopped in Dewey to have lunch with Roger and Priscilla Lasch. Priscilla made a delicious taco salad meal.

Several months ago, Roger was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. So, Tom and I treasure our visits with him and with Priscilla.

After lunch, we headed to the La Quinta Inn in Mesa. Tom and I love seafood, but there are no restaurants in our area that serves fresh oysters. So for dinner that night, we went to nearby Seafood Market & Restaurant. We pigged out on lightly breaded calamari, oysters, and halibut.

Tom's doctor appointment was at 8:00 am. He was back by 10:00 am. We decided to do some sight-seeing. Both of us have never visited the Phoenix State Capitol. So, off we went! The original Capitol building is now a museum.

We toured all four floors. In the State House of Representatives wing, I enjoyed a photo at the Speaker's desk.

While in the Capitol Museum, I heard a worker recommending a "Mom & Pop" Mexican Restaurant called The Tee Pee. I found it on Google Maps and we headed off. There was no wait, so we enjoyed our entrees with chips and salsa.

That evening, we went to the White Rabbit "Speakeasy" Bar in Gilbert. Tom had heard about it --- even with a secret entrance. Tom was smart and got the password in advance "Just got out of the Big House." The bar served specialty drinks and interesting appetizers. I ordered the "Lucky One" --- served in a small Bento Box.

It was very refreshing. The atmosphere was very much like a Prohibition 1920s Speakeasy.

We enjoyed several cocktails with a light supper of Truffle fries and Grazing Meat, Cheese, and Heirloom Tomatoes Plate.  The next morning, Tom and I headed back to Williams. It took us just over three hours.

On Thursday, I took Kelsey and Jamie to town and we walked Route 66. It is always fun to say hello to Smokey the Bear.

Friday, April 8 is granddaughter Meghan's 29th birthday. Her sister Emily threw her a birthday party for a few of their friends. Happy Birthday, Meghan!

Kelsey and Jamie have begun sharing the living room couch at night. I'm so glad that I have a sofa cover!

Saturday was another beautiful day. Tom and I went to the Route 66 Diner for breakfast.

There was no pickleball play, so I took Kelsey and Jamie to nearby Kaibab Lake. 

We were able to walk around the lake. There were a number of families fishing from the shore.

That was a good workout for the dogs. So, later in the afternoon, I left Kelsey and Jamie at home and I walked around Cataract Lake.

On Sunday, Tom and I went walking in the woods. We drove north from our house to the Kaibab National Forest. We parked at Pipeline Tank and walked for several miles.

Unfortunately, we did not find any shed. As we walked up higher, we did see Elk scat.

When we got back to our car, Tom drove further up Forest Road 124. We saw a cinder firing range and parked. There was no one there. Tom had several guns with him, and he set up a make-shift target.

Tom let me fire two guns --- the 38 special and the 9 millimeter Walther automatic. It was the first time in my life that I ever fired a gun. Tom forgot to bring ear plugs. Very loud!

Mid-week, I had a hair appointment in Flagstaff. Before the appointment, I went to Sam's Club to buy a few things on my list. With Easter coming up, I bought a very nice Rib Eye steak.

That evening, after dinner, Jamie got agitated about something in the backyard. He tore out of the doggy door. Kelsey followed him out. We could see Jamie's tail wagging behind the barn. So, Tom and I went outside to see what was there. Low and behold, there was a small cat. We took the dogs inside and then, with a broom, we tried to shoo away the cat. The cat finally ran and hid behind our Barbecue and Smoker.

Tom called the police and the officer arrived.

The officer secured a noose around the cat's body and pulled it out. It seemed to be injured. The officer took the cat to a lot across the street and put it out of its misery. The animal control officer called Tom the next day. The Coconino County officials decided to test the cat for rabies. I supplied the animal control officer with Jamie's and Kelsey's Rabies Vaccination records.

There was no pickleball on Thursday. The Williams Canyon Coaster Adventure Park --- that just opened --- was offering $5.00 rides for locals on the Coaster and on the Tubing. So, Tom and I went to the venue.

The signed waivers, paid our money, and walked to the Coaster.

The company operating the Canyon Coaster has a similar Adventure Park in Big Bear, California. It was a fun ride. I was able to capture some photos of Tom.

I also bought a ticket for the Tubing.

It was fun to take those rides at $5.00 per ticket. The retail costs for the general public are $20 per ride for the Coaster and $10 per Tubing. Later in the afternoon, I walked over to Cataract Lake. There, I saw a Bald eagle trying to catch some fish. He was across the lake and my phone camera got a fuzzy photo.

Arizona Fish and Game has been monitoring two eagles and their nesting eaglets.

On Friday, I had an appointment in Prescott. My general practitioner doctor is concerned about my high blood pressure. She referred me to a Pulmonary and Sleep specialist. I would have preferred an appointment in Flagstaff, but Dr. Mohammad-Ali El-Harakeh was able to see me sooner.

Before my doctor's appointment, I made a run to Costco. My membership to Costco expires May 1. I decided to not renew --- especially since we now have a Sam's Club membership in Flagstaff.

I met with Dr. El-Harakeh and he scheduled me for a Sleep Study in early May.