Water flows in the Desert

Storm building over the Painted Desert to the north
I always feel blessed and in awe when rain comes to the desert.

Rain covers the diminishing Echo Cliffs to the east
On the drive home the storm built rapidly.

Breaking over the Vermillion Cliffs to the west
Yet already I could see a break where the sun struggled to burn through.

Vermillion Cliffs to the west
And it conquered as the clouds continued to carry their wet load away.

Colorado River in Marble Canyon to the northeast
Look closely up river to see the sediments of the Paria River mixing with the Colorado.

The Colorado River suffers the lack of sediments because the Glen Canyon Dam holds them back.

The mix creates an interesting pattern.

All the little side creeks were flowing towards the mighty Colorado.

But the sun shone on the meadows as I returned towards Grand Canyon.

Fun in Flagstaff

Abert Squirrel (cousin to Kaibab) out the camper window
It was an interesting and mostly fun three plus days. Yes, I had to spend an extra night in Flagstaff due to the broken vent incident at the tire store. Flagstaff RV slipped me between customers and did a fine job replacing the roof vent. However, the glue that seals everything has to set for eight hours and not get wet. I was told that late yesterday afternoon as it started to rain. The vent is covered with plastic and I’m back at the KOA in the same site Berta and I stayed in for the two previous nights.

Berta at Salsa Brava
Our first night in town we went to Salsa Brava for dinner at the recommendation of a KOA employee. Very good. They have a salsa bar with at least six kinds of salsa from mild to increasingly hot. Can’t remember what the special was called, three small soft corn tortillas with marinated pork, tomatoes, avocado and an awesome white sauce.

Old Town San Francisco Street Flagstaff
Got a little shopping in Wednesday afternoon.

Howard Johnson’s Railway Restaurant along old Route 66
Thursday morning we had to drop the truck/camper off at 8am. The parts weren’t in yet. So afterwards breakfast we went shopping.

Where I bought some cool sterling silver jewelry that I’ll show you later.

At noon I was told the job would be done by 2pm and we were there. But, the glue on the vent had to set for 8 hours and not get wet. Great, it was raining. They covered the vent with plastic and I returned to the KOA. Berta had to head home.

KOA camp
I miss a day of work today, but caught up on blog reading last night. This morning I’m going back to the Flagstaff RV to have them remove the plastic, I have no tall ladder with me and don’t feel like crawling up on the hood. Then grocery stock up and hit the road back to the canyon.

Flagstaff Finale

Taken Wednesday night just before sunset.

Compared to this taken earlier with smoke from a prescribed burn.

For more glimpses of skies from around the world or to share your own go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Flustered in Flagstaff

This morning I bought four new tires for my truck. When the truck was backed out of the bay, a low hanging banner tore a vent lid off the camper. The manager assured me they’d pay to have it repaired. So I took it down the street to Flag RV. After much measuring, discussion and phone calls the new vent is on its way from Indiana and will be replaced tomorrow.

Berta and I took off in her car and explored old town including lunch, a new pair of Teevas for me and a couple of thrift stores. In spite of the difficulties we still laugh and have fun. Yet tomorrow after the repair and some grocery shopping we will both head in opposite directions home. Back to work on Friday. Even three day weekends aren’t long enough.

Remember Whensday - Prom 1970

I went to my first prom when I was a sophomore and boyfriend Paul was a senior. I remember that we’d had a little tiff the day before prom but we went anyway. I had my hair done, teased into a birds nest. Mom sewed my dress. At dinner I didn’t know whether to take my gloves off or which piece of silverware to use for what. Thank goodness a teacher at our table saw my dilemma and without saying a word provided the examples I desperately needed.

And this was Paul’s ride.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally has started a new meme where the past is remembered through sharing old family photographs and this is #3. I love the idea and hope you will too. So join the fun by clicking here.

Feeling Squirrely

Spermophilus variegates
This Rock Squirrel, not even a foot from the well traveled Bright Angel Point Trail, was so engrossed with the new growth on the White Fir, yet many visitors passed it by unnoticed. The largest of any Grand Canyon ground squirrels commonly found on the South and North Rims, and also the most enterprising of beggars more so on the South.

My squirrelyness is taking off to Flagstaff for my three days off and meeting my dear friend Berta so we can explore the town and surrounding area while being squirrely.

My World Tuesday - Weidemeyer's Admiral Butterfly at Grand Canyon National Park

Perched on Gambel Oak
I was walking to the Grand Canyon NP visitor center and noticed this little beauty. Weidemeyer’s Admiral Butterfly, Limenitis weidemeyerii,has a wingspan of 2 1/4 - 3 3/4 inches (5.7 - 9.5 cm). It’s found in deciduous forests, streamsides (which we don’t have), aspen groves, small towns, and suburbs. They range from Southern Alberta south to Nebraska and east-central California, southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico. Males perch on trees and shrubs to watch for receptive females, rarely patrolling. Females lay eggs singly on the tips of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Adults feed on tree sap, carrion, flower nectar.

Sorry it’s fuzzy & that I didn’t get the other side of the wings.
The several species of American admirals neatly divide up the continent. Only the Viceroy occupies nearly the whole. The White Admiral is basically northeastern, the Red-spotted Purple southeastern, and each extends westerly to the north and south respectively. Lorquin's Admiral occupies the West Coast, and Weidemeyer's Admiral the Rocky Mountains and their adjacent lowlands. Where the species do meet, a measure of hybridism often takes place. Throughout most of the Rockies, Weidemeyer's is the only banded admiral encountered. Territorial battles often take place between Weidemeyer's Admirals and other waterside denizens, such as Mourning Cloaks, Tiger Swallowtails, small skippers, and crescent spots, as well as dragonflies.

For more glimpses of life around the world or to share your own go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Storm over Grand Canyon

Yesterday after my geology talk I lead some visitors out the Bright Angel Point Trail to my favorite fossil rock. We discovered brachiopods and crinoids (which I will post soon). We were so absorbed with our noses against the rock we barely noticed this storm coming at us. But when we did, we all hightailed it back to the Lodge. I love seeing the many moods of Grand Canyon and hope you will too.

Happy Fathers Day to all fathers and grandfathers too!

If you live near a national park, many are offering free entry this weekend. Take your father to a park for the day.