Visiting with Betty and John

After we left Cody on Thursday morning, we drove to Phoenix to visit with Betty and John. We hadn't seen them for a couple of years, so it was time! They are doing great - they have just finished a remodel on their home, increasing the size of their family room, and including a "museum" for John to display his impressive collections of memorabilia. It looks wonderful, and we really enjoyed browsing through his very interesting items, and Betty's doll and crystal collections.

Betty and John had gotten tickets to see the Chihuly glass exhibit at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens. Chihuly is an amazing glassblower, creating all kinds of incredible glass sculptures. His creations were in and among the desert plants in the gardens, which made an incredible backdrop. We took TONS of pictures - here are just a few!



The blue glass creations look like exotic birds!

Ok, this picture is out of order! We also saw the butterfly exhibit, and Lee got this great shot!

This creation is all in yellow, oranges and red - it looks like a party!

Here's a sculpture among the cactus.

Betty and John, with barrel cactus and red glass creations.



Late April and the desert was just beginning to come into bloom. Amazing!

This sculpture was hanging from an overhang - very impressive!

Lee and I with barrel cactus and red glass.

This sculpture was about 9 ft. high! Unbelievable!

On Friday morning, we got loaded up and headed up to Betty and John's "cabin" in Pine. It was supposed to be in the low 90's in Phoenix, but only in the low 60's in Pine. It's amazing the temperature difference in just about an hours time. Oh the way to Pine, we stopped in Payson for lunch, and to browse some thrift shops, a lot of fun - I found a great pair of tan capris for $1!!

Betty fixed a great taco salad for dinner, and we had a nice relaxing evening. Saturday we headed off on a field trip to Strawberry, Cottonwood, and finally to Jerome! Jerome was once a booming mining town perched on the side of a hill. While there is still mining in the area, Jerome today is a combination of shops, restaurants and B&B's surrounded by crumbling structures. It's very quaint and unusual, and we loved it! The Jerome hospital, built in 1926 is now the Jerome Grand Hotel. We had lunch there in the Asylum! It was a hoot - we had a fabulous view and a wonderful meal.
On Sunday, we got to see Jim and his family, and Leslee and the kids. Jon and his family had a prior commitment, and we didn't see them, but maybe next time! On the way out to Jim's, we stopped at the Arizona Falls which also is a hydro electric plant. It's on the irrigation canal and has created a great water environment.
Betty and John at the Arizona Falls

And under one of the waterfalls!


This picture caught both waterfalls.

Grandma and granddaughter! This is Ashley - she's Jim and Kristie's little girl.

Here's a picture of Jim, Kristie and Ashley, who was tired of pictures at this point!

Grandma and granddaughter! Here's Leslee's daughter, Katelynn!


Leslee, Matthew, Katelynn, with Betty and John.

Time to go home! : ( Betty and I as we are leaving for the airport.

Oldies but goodies!! Thanks, Jayna, for taking the pictures for us!
We had a great time, Betty and I talked and talked and talked - it was great! We're hoping that they will come and see us in September!