Sunday, July 13, through Thursday, July 31, 2025: Devastating North Rim Fire, Carroll Visit to Georgia, Grandchildren, Preston at Home, and Pickleball

Sunday, July 13, is a day that I will remember forever. It was the Dragon Bravo fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

 

A lightning strike fire got out of hand and it burned down the Grand Canyon Lodge and 70 other structures. 

Tom and I met at the North Rim the summer of 2006. The two of us were fortunate to have spent three nights at the North Rim in September last year. We had a deluxe cabin #332 that had a view into the canyon --- facing the North Kaibab Canyon section.

 

The fire burned down a water treatment facility that emitted chlorine gas into the atmosphere. This slowed the firefighting effort --- as the chlorine gas required retreat by personnel.

 

Teresa Moshir, our Dance instructor, held a Zumba class at 1:00 p.m. at the Sultana Theater. There was no pickleball that Sunday afternoon, so I went to the class. It was a lot of fun!

 

 

 

My sister Wendy continues to post photos of her newest granddaughter, Emi Rose.

 

 

 

By my backyard pond, the daylilies began to bloom. They are called daylilies because their lifecycle is just 24 hours.

 

 

 

The clouds in our neighborhood have been beautiful. I never tire looking at fine looking clouds.

 

I was told that daughter Donna posted a photo on her Instagram account. It was a photo from her Dad's (Richard's) 70th birthday celebration at the North Rim in 2008. Very nice memories! So sad that the Grand Canyon Lodge burned down.

 

Tuesday morning, four of us played pickleball. It was me, Patrick, Suzanne, and Ray.

 

I informed the Dalmatian Rescue "Save the Dalmatians" that Kelsey passed away on June 25. One of the members of this organization emailed me. She said that the next female Dalmatian they took in would be named Kelsey --- in honor of my Kelsey. On July 16, I received a photo of the new "Kelsey." I was so touched that I made a donation to that organization.

One afternoon, Preston and I went to Kaibab Lake. It was a fairly hot day. While we did walk around the lake, I was happy that the lake level is low. This made the trek more manageable.

 

That afternoon, Tom sold his boat and trailer. The buyers were from Prescott. It was an 80 year old father and his mid 50s year old son. Nice!

 

Thursday, the dog name tag arrived from Chewy.com for Preston.

 

That evening, Tom and I went to the one hour Dance Lesson with Teresa.

 

My brother Peter had recent surgery on his left eye. He had a wrinkle on his retina that was impairing his vision. The surgery was to relieve the "macular pucker."

 

Preston is adjusting to his new home. He has been in Williams for two weeks now.

 

 

 

The North Rim firefighters posted two photos honoring the Grand Canyon Lodge. So very touching!

 

 

 

My sister Carrie and her husband Brent flew to Georgia to visit their two oldest children and their one grandson, Colter. It is always fun with photos are posted on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday morning, I walked Preston to nearby Cataract Lake. Once again, clouds in the sky were awesome!

 

On Thursday, I had a hair appointment in Flagstaff with Shawna Ritter. When I arrived for my 1:00 p.m. appointment, Shawna was just finishing up with her client Caroline.

 

Friday night, the sunset from our backyard was so very beautiful.

 

Saturday, Tom and I went to DJ's Wild West Junction for dinner. We also went to listen to a local band named Kanyon Thunder.

Sunday morning, I brought out a therapeutic dog bed that Jamie enjoyed. It was nice to see that Preston was receptive to lying on this dog bed.

 

The Dragon Bravo fire still burns on the North Rim. The containment increased to 26%. But, several days later, temperatures and winds arrived to cut the containment in half. What a shame for sure!

 

The sunflowers are beginning to bloom. So many lots now have homes built. But, I was able to take this one photo --- view toward the golf course.

 

On Monday, Tom and I went to Flagstaff. Tom had an appointment with his kidney specialist, Dr. Wong. Tom's blood work and urine results are doing great. Tom won't need to see Dr. Wong for another 12 months.

 

Tuesday, July 29, five of us played pickleball from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Ray was kind enough to take a "selfie" of the five of us.

 

The fire on the North Rim is now a Mega fire. The heat is so intense that the fire is making its own weather. The photo below shows a cloud formation called  pyrocumulus clouds, or fire clouds.

 The fire is still less than 30% contained.

On Wednesday, I took Preston for a short walk in town. He was supposed to get his nails trimmed by Elsa Marie, but she said that his nails were not ready to be cut. I need to wait another month. Preston and I walked by a new 13 foot statue of our former Mayor, John Moore. Amazing!

Friday, June 27 through Saturday, July 12, 2025: Conclusion of Libby Beatty Visit, Laura Dillon Stay, 4th of July, Arrival of Preston, and Changes in the Kuwata Family

On Facebook, High Country Humane highlighted a dog named Kenya who was not doing well at the kennel. I reached out to possibly foster Kenya. 

 

My friend Libby and I drove to High Country to visit Kenya. She was attentive and liked me giving her treats. 

 

Since I had Laura Dillon coming for the weekend, I didn't want to take Kenya home with me just yet.

 

Saturday morning, I drove to Libby's RV site at Kaibab Lake. As we began to walk around the lake, I noticed that pickleball friends --- Robbie and Steve Miller --- were walking ahead of us. So, Libby and I joined them. 

 

I hadn't seen Steve this summer. His ankle was keeping him from playing pickleball. We had a nice walk around the lake.

 

Before heading home, Robbie and Steve wanted to see Libby's trailer and RV Site.

 

My girlfriend Laura arrived at my home around noon. She was tired and took a nap. That evening, Tom and I joined Laura for dinner at the Best Western Plus restaurant, Western View Steakhouse. Laura treated us to a very nice dinner there. We also took a photo of a beautifully decorated "Fourth of July" tree.

 

Monday, I called High Country Humane. Kenya was no longer on the property. She was taken by some fosters who were interested in adopting her. I saw this a sign that fostering Kenya was not meant to be. 

Laura and I drove to Flagstaff to look around and to take some festive photos together. 

 

 

 

Laura was leaving in the morning --- heading back to Scottsdale.

On Facebook, there was a post of a young male Dalmatian (19 months old) who was available through Lucky Dog Rescue. 

Lucky Dog Rescue was the organization that provided me with Dalmatian Libby in 2016. I inquired about the Dalmatian with the name Pluto. Dee Alschuler, from Lucky Dog Rescue, responded to me.

 

Dee, from Lucky Dog Rescue, asked to see some pictures of my backyard. I sent her some photos. 

 

 

She asked how high my fence was and whether there was wire wrap. My fence is almost five feet in height and it is wrapped with wire. Dee was okay with the set-up and told me that she was fine with me adopting Pluto. Yes!

 

Tom and I went to the gym for an hour or so on Friday, the 4th of July. 

 

This holiday is always a fun time in Williams. There is a 4th of July parade at 6:00 p.m. Tom and I went to the parade. We brought some folding chairs for comfort.

 

 

At 9:00 p.m., the Williams Fire Department supervises and conducts an excellent fireworks show. 

 

There was some exciting news on the Shelton family front. My niece, Katelyn, gave birth to her second daughter, Emi Rose. Little Emi was born on the 4th of July. 

 

Welcome Emi to great parents, Katelyn and Dan Wallace! And, big sister Lily!

Saturday morning, I left Williams at 7:00 a.m. It was time to drive to the Phoenix area and pick up Dalmatian Pluto. He was living with a foster family in Buckeye, Billie and Sam Thurmond.

I got to the Thurmond home around 10:00 a.m. Pluto and I were back on the road within a half  hour.

When I got home, I introduced Pluto to Tom. I then took Pluto on a walk to nearby Cataract Lake.

 

I am not thrilled with my Dalmatian's name of Pluto. Pluto is a Disney cartoon character and the God of the Underworld/Dead. I looked up some "baby naming" websites and liked the name Preston. So, I have began calling my Dalmatian "Preston." I think the name Preston better reflects him.

 

Preston is adjusting to our home. Like his predecessor, Jamie, Preston likes sleeping on the sofa. Fortunately, I still had covers for the couch cushions.

 

Preston also has been enjoying our large backyard.

 

After church on Sunday, I played pickleball from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It was a nice group --- eight of us. 

 

Later in the afternoon, Tom's son, Jon, stopped by to visit. While he is spending the summer in Casa Grande, he was up at his Williams home getting some items. This was his first visit of the summer!

 

My sister Wendy shared a few more photos of precious little Emi Rose.

 

Late Monday afternoon, Kathy and Mike Hartigan came to our home for some adult beverages. Kathy and Mike live in Casa Grande. They are the couple that looks after our Palm Creek trailer during the summer. Kathy and Mike are in Williams for a week or so --- getting out of the heat!

 

Preston has a very nice personality. He likes to fetch toys that are thrown in the house. He also likes to play tug-a-war!

 

Tuesday night, we had a magnificent sunset.

 

On Thursday, I took Preston to Kaibab Lake. 

 

It was rather hot, so we did not walk very far. I did stop by to say hello to Kathy and Mike Hartigan. 

 

Their trailer had a nice site at Kaibab Campground.

 

On Friday, I took Preston to the east end of Cataract Lake. There is a dam with a nice breeze coming from the water.

 

Wendy and Kai drove back to Southern California to see their newest granddaughter. They also came back to see San Marino Veterinarian, Dr. Watanabe. Their fourteen year old standard poodle, Stanley, was very ill. Unfortunately, Dr. Watanabe said that Stanley was in a lot of pain and it was his recommendation that he be put to sleep.  The family members --- including Stanley's two dog "siblings" were there for the farewell.