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Phoenix and Beyond

We were warmly welcomed in Phoenix with a grill-out, crepes, a hike, church and lots of good conversation.









After Phoenix we made a quick dash back to Denver via Albuquerque. Rachel stayed in Denver to start her new life while I made the trip back to Goshen alone, staying over night in Kansas city with Christy at the MVS house. In Kansas City we were joined by Kyle and Liz. In the morning I got a tour of Christy's work (a community Garden).

Christy in her natural habitat.

I did make it back to Goshen safe and sound, if not a little tired.

Grand Canyon

The next stop was the Grand Canyon. We spent one night camping on the south rim and then got back country permits to backpack in the canyon for two nights. We hiked down the Bright Angel Trail and set up camp at Indian Gardens campground. The next day we day-hiked, relaxed, read and were awed by the incredible vistas. After the second night, we faced the 3,000 ft 4.6 mile hike out of the canyon and were very impressed with ourselves.

Triumphant and victorious!

Look, Mom, I can fly!

Petrified Forest National Park

After Albuquerque Rachel and I headed west stopping at Petrified Forest National Park for a short backpacking trip into the back country for the night.

Albuquerque part two

The next day we went for another more extended hiking trip, which included a lukewarm springs (which we didn't partake of) and a hot springs (which we most definitively did).

It was a little cold.
A biologist at heart.

Albuquerque

After bidding farewell to the G-rents (with Glenn still kidnapped) we headed off to Albuquerque. We met Katie at work and then when to a great little place in old town for Navajo Tacos and the like. The next event was a Gaelic Storm concert where we danced the night away.

The next morning we awoke to a breakfast party for one of Katie's housemates. Over pancakes, we met some new friends, caught up with some old friends and made Menno connections like it was our job. After the party a few of us went for a hike in the Sandia mountains. We had lunch along the trail and then sat on the rim admiring the view for quite a while before coming back home to make sushi for dinner.

South Western Colorado

Rachel and I drove from Denver to the Mesa Verde where we kidnapped Glenn and took him to my G-rents where we were greeted with a many course dinner. The next day Glenn got us "back stage passes" to Mesa Verde where an archaeologist gave us a tour of Spruce Tree House, and we got to go behind the barriers into the ruins.
Rachel, Glenn and I then went to Dove Creek, ate at the Lunchbox, and explored my old home out on Bug Point. After exploring more ruins, bushwhacking, and watching the sun set over the canyon, we returned for another wonderful meal at the G-rents.

Eric's Play (video)

Denver

Rachel and I spend a wonderful afternoon with Terry and Bonnie hiking up at their place. We then had dinner with Marcos, Brian, Jess, Anna, Jeff, Dan and Sondra. Later on we got together with Jake, Aaron and Eric for tea, games and a play reading.