California/Arizona

We have enjoyed sunny California, spending time with my brother Colin and his wife Maureen who have recently become doting Grandparents. We haven’t seen them for a number of years so it was a real delight to be able to spend some quality time with them. For me, much of it was spent on our backs under his Bronco 4X4! I grew quite acquainted with this vehicle while there. I think we finally conquered the last oil leak the night before we left!

While in California we hired a car and drove to Phoenix to catch up with precious friends and past KK staff Jim and Caroline Wood and family. That also was pure joy, only made better by the arrival while we were there of Bob and Lisa Scroggins, down from Oregon to love on Annie’s daughter, their first grandchild, who also happens to be J & C’s first grandchild!

We took a day out for a short drive (4hours each way!) to the Grand Canyon while in Phoenix. Our clothes were also short and we wore flip flops because it was such a nice day in Phoenix, only to find snow beside the road on the way, and when we arrived sleet traveling sideways and freezing temps! But by the time we had watched the Imax movie of the history of the Canyon the sleet had stopped at least and the sun was shining, so all we had to contend with was the cold and the wind. We managed to buy some socks to wear with our jandals to keep our toes warm, and thankfully had left our jackets in the car, so we survived and enjoyed. WOW!! What a scratch in the land by God’s little finger! I can hear Him saying when He did it: “There. Work that one out if you can!” And man has tried of course. But, one river and a few contributories doing all that over time? You gotta be kidding me! The pics you see show the west end of the Canyon from the south side. It’s about 20kms across, but remember this sucker is 400kms long! Some hole in the ground. Truly awestriking. The other amazing thing is the lack of safety rails, apart from recognized look out points. Not even signs saying “No Go! Danger! 3000ft drop. Be Careful!” As you can see, it’s possible to stand right on the edge! Chris was happy standing where she was.


We saw some amazing “Dairies” as we crossed the Arizona desert. Literally thousands of cows all crowded under rooves to shelter from the sun, where they were fed crops cut from the outlying irrigated fields and imported stock food and hay. They looked reasonably content and well cared for, but they stunk like pig farms! It seems they were put out to graze at times, probably during winter, because we saw signs indicating wandering stock. Looks like this is the pasture that produces low fat milk!

We did spend time going for walks together while with C & M as well. Mostly down to the shops and around and about. At least Brazil tried to have footpaths! Very few people walk in the States, but there are more paths now than we remember from the past. We also went into the mountains a bit and walked to a waterfall one day. We also spent most evenings watching the Glenn Beck show on Fox. Wow! I wish we had a TV channel in NZ dedicated to reminding us of our roots and the values our country was founded like this! Not one bit ashamed to speak about God and their Godly heritage. What a breathe of fresh air. But they cop plenty of flak for it all the same. But God is alive and well here! We enjoyed beautiful weather in Ca although it did rain one day. The snow capped mountains against the deep blue sky and the humming birds and other birds visiting the various feeding stations in Colin’s backyard made for very restful viewing.

I am writing this on our way to Alaska and as we look out the window to the East all we can see is row upon row of snow capped mountain ranges with huge glaciers upon glaciers creeping right to the ocean. Absolutely incredible. Global warming? I wish. Expected high today in Anchorage is 4oC, low of –8oC. Nice. And this is Springtime! Oh. An announcement from the Captain. Weather when we land at 12.30 lunch time: 0oC, sunny and no wind.
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