Getting into Summer

Here it is, July already.  June went by in a blur, even though at times the days seemed to drag.  I remember as a kid, being bored on hot, steamy LA days.  We were always sent outside to play (no video games to play in the a/c back then).  Whining about nothing to do, no one with whom to play.  And then bam, it was late August and back to school.  NOOO!  Even though I know that summer will last much longer here than back in IL, I don't want to wish it away.  I love the cool mornings and evenings, the star-filled skies.  The hot middle of the days is great for reading, and I've really caught up on some page time.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to spend several days with Ken at the fabulous Pelican Hill Resort on the Newport Coast of CA.  An incredible place of gorgeous surroundings, perfect weather, delicious food and impeccable service.  The trip was an Acura reward for Ken for achieving their Precision Team "Dealership of Distinction" status.  And don't ask for further explanation, because I cannot provide one.

Kelly came out to Sedona a couple of days before I headed to CA, and she and Otis hung out at our condo.  Well, Otis hung out at the condo while Kelly spent her days at the pool.  She was here for a couple of days after my return, and it was so good to spend some time with my beautiful daughter. 

We took a ride up to Walnut Canyon National Monument (near Flagstaff) to see some 800 year old Sinaguan cave dwellings.  Picturesque location, with hundreds of ruins nestled in the cliff walls.  A trail takes you down (about 180 steps, I think) for up-close encounters with the long-ago homes of these Native people.  Those same stairs take you back UP, by the way...

          Looks like the Sinaguan people were about

                        the same height as Kelly

Every step down is a step back up

After our visit to Walnut Canyon, we enjoyed a fun lunch at a cute Mexican place in old town, Flagstaff.  Yum!

After leaving Kelly at the Phoenix airport on Saturday (will that ever get any easier?), I took in an excellent exhibit at the Heard Museum in Phoenix - about Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache people.  Heading back to Sedona, I encountered some traffic congestion just south of my exit.  An 18-wheeler was on its side off the road - scary.  Look at what temp registered on my car - I guess with all that concrete and vehicles running, it cranked up!

But it's a dry heat...

We are starting to get some clouds early in the mornings and then again late afternoons, and hoping that we will get some rain from them soon.  I know it's been a crazy summer in the Midwest, with everyone reporting hot, humid temps.  I'm still hearing about that terrible storm from the weekend and many still without power (including dear Shirley).  I hope everyone else came through safely and without major inconvenience.

I am hoping to have my first rain barrel hooked up tomorrow.  I scored two free ones from Home Depot a while back and one has the knobs and dials and doo-hickeys attached.  I sprayed it tan to cover the heinous original blue (but hey, it was free), and now I need to cut the hole in the downspout and hook it up.  It will be very exciting to have this done before any significant rainfall.  The other barrel will most likely be set up with the "trap" in the top to collect random rain - we only have one downspout.  I know, weird.

The birds and critters continue to entertain me.  I haven't seen any large mammals lately, but bunnies abound.

The excitement for today was the appearance of a male Rufous hummingbird.  I spent way too much time trying for a decent photograph, but this manic little guy is more interested in chasing all the other hummers away than in eating.  I have 4 hummer feeders out - you'd think they could share???  (If a Calliope makes an appearance soon, I will be one ecstatic bird nerd!)

Not the best pic, but I'll keep trying

The Gambel's Quail are about the funniest birds I've ever seen.  A little family has been coming through the yard regularly.  I have a pan of water on the ground for the quail, doves, bunnies...and have to wonder who might be there at night!  Here's the quail family sharing a drink:

There were 7 young'uns but now only 6...

another not-so-great shot, but you can see their

 little doo-dads on their heads

And here's one of my bunny friends

 - a tiny guy I call Peanut.

He was busy nibbling on this low branch
of a  scraggly mesquite

I guess that's the wildlife report for this time.  I am still homesick and missing everyone.  I now have a brand new queen sofa sleeper in the guest room, and in a few weeks should have new couches/chairs for the living room.  I do have indoor plumbing, and chilled Sangria in the fridge.  So come on out!

I'll end this time with these two pics of Mother Nature at her best...

Sunrise...

Sunset...