Hair of the Dog

Attempting to improve upon Miss Dottie's current facial hair situation:

Apparently, she would prefer to stay with her current look. So I guess that means...

El Bandito

only in the south: part 1

At the shoe repair shop today:

Me: I bought these vintage riding boots and when I got home one of the heels promptly fell off.
Old curmedgeon who repairs shoes: Well, that's whatcha get fer buyin' old shit.
Me: err...right.

Then he took my boots and repaired them for free.

only in the south...

lady in waiting

My roommate took this picture to show me what Miss Dottie does when I leave the house. She camps out on the chair in front of the window that looks out onto the street. Apparently she assumed this position for well over an hour, waiting for me to return, after I left the house this weekend. It's kind of cute...but I also think it means we are running low in the dog toy department...

I heart Sedona

     I flew home from Sedona today. It is good to be home (and good to be with Miss Dottie again). Yesterday I took the day to revisit my favorite places in Sedona, then I climbed to the top of a vortex to watch the sunset. A Native was chanting and playing his drum as the sun went down; it was one of the most peaceful moments I've had in a while. It felt like the red rocks were my companions as I said goodbye to Sedona. After the sun set I went back to my hotel, sat on the terrace and watched a heat lightening storm in the clouds. It was the perfect way to end my trip.

always hoping...

my trusty steed

goodbye...

cliff dwelling

     Today I took the scenic route from Sedona to Flagstaff. It's about a 30 minute drive through the mountains of Arizona. I rolled the windows down and listened to NPR the whole way. I was in heaven. I decided to go to the Walnut Canyon National Monument, which is the ancient home of the Sinagua Indians. The Sinaguas lived in cliff dwellings in the canyon and I got to see some of the preserved ancient ruins. I love learning about Native American culture, so I was curious to see how these people lived on the edge of a cliff.

     As I descended the 240 steps into the canyon I immediately began to sweat. big time. The first reason is that Flagstaff's elevation is 7,000 ft., which means there is 23% less oxygen in the air than I am used to at sea level. I thought I was in fairly good shape. Nope, not at 7,000 ft. The second, and more pertinent, reason for my extreme sweating is this: I am kind of a 'fraidy cat and have a *slight* aversion to heights. I kept envisioning myself tripping and falling off the edge of the cliff. Plus, I had a dress on, so if that happened people would DEFINITELY see my ass. Which, for me, would be way more embarrassing then falling off a cliff and rendering myself unconscious in the middle of a National Monument. Pretty sure I looked like a freak scooting around the cliff (on the cement path with a guard rail, mind you) trying to stay as far away from the edge as possible. I also think the park ranger made fun of me when I passed him. jerk. 

     But I have to say, the dwellings the Sinaguas made in the cliffs were remarkable. I can't imagine that being the landscape of my daily life. I would be a nervous wreck. My tribe would probably trade me for some decent pottery. I kept thinking to myself, "What about the toddlers? How many of them just toddled right off the edge of the cliff?" On my way back up the 240 stairs, I ran into the park ranger again and managed to have a conversation about the toddlers in between my pants and wheezes. He compared their cliff-dwelling existence to our present-day life where we navigate traffic and city blocks in order to get to our destinations; we adapt to our environment. I kind of think he's an idiot for comparing cliff-dwelling to traffic, but maybe that's just me and my issues with heights. 

     beautiful scenery. descended into a canyon and walked along the edge of a cliff in spite of internal misgivings. relaxing evening at the hotel. I'd say today was a good one.  

cliff dwelling (about 1/3 from the top)

closer...

ancient cliff dwelling (the walls are made of stacked 

rocks, plastered with red clay for insulation)

inside a well-preserved room (doorway leads to another 

room; each dwelling had multiple rooms)

Going to the mattresses...

     So today was definitely one of those days that can only be placed in the category of "WTF?" I started my day on a helicopter ride that went through the canyons of Sedona and got up close to the ancient Native American ruins that are in the Red Rocks. It was my first time in any kind of aircraft that isn't a commercial jet and it was amazing! I got to sit in the front seat (the co-pilot seat, if you will) and had a breathtaking view the entire time. It was well worth the time share debacle.
     Also on the helicopter was a couple (Eduardo and Sabrina*) in their late 60's. We made small talk and discovered they live in West Palm Beach, FL-- which just so happens to be where I was born and raised. We chatted briefly and then got on the helicopter. When the ride was over, I realized I didn't have cash to tip the pilot and the tour company wouldn't put a tip on my credit card. Eduardo stepped in and spotted me cash for my tip and when I asked how I could pay him back he replied, "Oh, just buy me a beer sometime." I thought he was kidding so I laughed and agreed as he walked out the door. When I went to get in my car, Eduardo and Sabrina pulled up next to me...

E and S: What are your plans for the rest of the day?
Me: (Dear Jesus, please don't let these people be weird swingers who want to kidnap me and make me a sex slave. Amen.) Uhhh...well...I don't really have anything planned. I was thinking about going to a state park or something...
E and S: Great! We have the whole afternoon and no plans...so let's do lunch and then see the sights...I mean, if it's alright with you.
Me: (repeat previous prayer)...Umm....
E and S: Remember, you owe us a beer...
Me: (Oh dear Jesus, what have I done?!!) Well, in that case....let's do it. How about you follow me.
E and S: OK, I'll follow you and Sabrina will ride with you. She's always wanted to ride in a smart car.
Me: (gulp)...alrighty...

     Although my mind was quickly shuffling through all the mug shots I have seen in late-night episodes of America's Most Wanted, I actually felt like these people were pretty harmless. And they were. We had a great lunch together (which they paid for) and I spent the rest of the day acting as their tour guide. It worked well for all of us--after traveling alone for 4 days, I was up for some company and they thought I was the bee's knees for showing them around. We used my Red Rocks State Park pass to hike and take pictures.
     The only thing is, I am *pretty* sure my new friends are somehow involved in the mafia. Now, I realize that may sound a bit dramatic. And those who know me well know that I have a bit of a paranoid streak (note: my previously mentioned fears about being kidnapped). But as the day unfolded I began to take note of comments made about Sabrina's "very Sicillian family", the four companies they own "for various reasons", a penthouse condo in Miami, commuting back and forth between Miami and New York "for business", the yacht they own in the Bahamas, the fact that they have "ways to find out anything about anybody...anybody," etc. etc. etc. When Eduardo referenced The Godfather at dinner, I almost peed my pants.
     But, if I know one thing about the mafia it's this: you want to be their friends WAY more than you want to be their enemies. So, I kept my thoughts to myself and we had a lovely afternoon. They took me to dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Sedona and paid for my meal (which was at least $70 for my portion alone). At dinner, they told me they liked me, that they could tell I was a genuine person and they "like genuine people." Then they extended me an invitation to join them on their yacht in the Bahamas in December. Cha-Ching! I mean, who says no to the mafia?! Not me! So, I told them I would think about it and Eduardo replied, "Well, you never know what'll happen. We'll keep in touch and go from there." (Hmm, not really sure what that means...)
     We toasted the evening over dessert and wine, and when dinner was over they dropped me off at my car. We exchanged e-mail addresses (I figured they already knew my name so they could find out anything about me anyway) and they both kissed me on the cheek as we said goodbye. It was the weirdest most entertaining day I have had in a LONG time. wow. wtf?

More pictures from today:

me in my co-pilot outfit

ancient native building structure (in the shadow of the cove)

ancient markings that bear a striking resemblance 

to my initials. huh. what are the odds?

big sky

*names have been changed to protect identity...you know, in case they're involved in the you-know-what

more pictures...

Snoopy Rock (named for obvious reasons)

weirdest poop I ever saw (no, it's not mine!)

red dirt