Petrification, Monsoons, and Shotguns

There is so much to do in Arizona, especially when you know the locals. A took us out to the petrified forest and the painted desert today. Such a gorgeous sight. It makes you wonder what things looked like a few million years ago; a desert that was once a full forest but now is reduced to huge chunks of solid rock. These old trees are shot with colour and can be polished to a glass like finish by local artisans. The painted desert is exactly that; take your normal orange and brown desert and streak it with blues, reds, purples and black. The further we drove into the park the more we were amazed. It was just so cool. Some locals may take it for granted the way that we forget how amazing our lakes are. We had a great day and were able to find a few presents at one of the local rock shops for people back home.

Another thing about knowing the locals is that they are often willing to take you out shooting. E took the girls out to the family farm to do a little shooting with a pistol and a 22. They had a blast, literally. Apparently the girls are pretty good shots, considering that this was their first time (except KJ). They didn't shoot anything living but just practiced. Afterwards we all decided to head up to Sho low to catch a film and try some fantastic wings. The movie was great and the wings were delicious at the local bar and grill. You could choose whatever kind of wing you wanted to try; anything from suicide to a nice honey mustard. Yum! The only down was watching yet another storm roll in. I swear that I am a rain magnet. While we were at dinner the clouds took on a midnight black look and just as we finished the skies opened up and it started to pour down on us. The lights flickered in the bar but didn't quite go out. A few of the towns we passed on the way home had lost power. E drove us back to Holbrook through the storm as we marvelled over the lightening show happening over the desert. Such an amazing sight, you could see the lightening fork from the clouds to the ground on both sides o the highway. I love storms but not necessarily driving in them.


Quote of the day: "I don't think Arby's counts as an emergency light" A "What? It is to me." E