Grand Canyon, 2010

Mikki and I were suppose to fly home from California Wednesday. Due to some unexpected work, we delayed the trip until Thursday. Then while driving to dinner the night before, Mikki said, "I guess we could just drive home and get there by Sunday". So, we cancelled the flights and loaded the truck. We left Thursday morning about ten o'clock a.m. We found ourselves late Thursday evening "Grand Canyon 200 Miles", then 100 miles, then 65 miles... so we cancelled our reservations in Flagstaff Az and turned north right before dark. We over-payed for a hotel room in a small town near the canyon on Highwar 64, and awoke Friday morning and headed to see the early light on the Grand Canyon... totally unplanned trip. Seems this type are always the best. I suppose you don't have time to work yourself into a planning frenzy. So here are a few captures from the early morning visit on Friday, before we turned back East and headed to Lubbock. We thoroughly enjoyed the side trip to one of the most awesome of God's wonders. 

We lucked out and saw this bird (not sure what... probably a hawk) soaring around the canyon looking for some breakfast. It was a beautiful, silent experience.

I had a polarization filter on my lens, but the sun was so direct in this shot that I couldn't get it to remove the glare. So I shot it anyway. 

Another of the hawk soaring free... 

For some unknown reason, this lonely rock perched out on the ledge struck me as interesting. 

Mikki standing on the rim trail

This is near the lodge. I'm amazed at the shadows as much as I am at the incredible colors.

Grandmother McCaghren's old Crepe Myrtle

I recall like it was yesterday setting in the crotch of this crepe myrtle in 1967 (or so... that's 43 years ago) and acting like it was a helicopter in Vietnam. My brother Llewel and cousin Bobby Collins were over there fighting, and I was in hot pursuit in this tree:-) This is Brody and Caroline in front of the giant crepe myrtle. Amazing that this tree has to be at least 60 years old.

A hot weekend at Wimberley, Texas

Mikki took the girls and the grand kids to the river in Wimberley, Texas. It's such a kid friendly place. And very relaxing for adults. 

Brody, Caroline and Jack at Wimberley...

Jack trying his hand at fishing

Brody dives into the torrent and goes downstream to his Mom

Jack followed suit

And then there was Grey

Brody tries his hand at the giant green turtle

Grey said "It's my turn"... then grabbed hold and closed his eyes all the way down until Amber got him off at the bank:-)

Amber tries out the turtle

While Mr. Grey takes a breather

And then some refreshing cold watermelon

Liney loves her watermelon

Caught Caroline as she was jumping for a star on the porch...