Arizona

Happy 4th of July, Y’all!

July 4, 2011 Karen 3 Comments

While the 4th of July means going to a parade, going camping, spending the day at the lake, or just cooking out in the backyard with friends and family to most of you, my day will be spent in uniform, at the entrance station to one of the most beautiful national parks in this country. I love that living in the United States means that I can choose to live full time in an RV is want to, and that I can work at this gorgeous place. Even if it means I have to work on the holiday, so be it.

north rim grand canyon — the canyon in all her glory!

and because I work here, of course I get to live here for 6 months out of the year. Here is my backyard:

And there were people who thought I was crazy to want to live this life!

Announcing: Gluten Free Cookies At Jacob Lake Inn!

June 30, 2011 Karen 3 Comments

Yes, you read that right. After three seasons and counting of me standing at this cookie counter while FabGrandpa bought his delicious cookies, for which Jacob Lake is F.A.M.O.U.S., and drooling over those cookies, and having to smell them in the truck for 45 miles home up the plateau, I am soooooooo happy to announce that Jacob Lake Inn now has gluten free cookies in their line-up.

jacob lake inn, jacob lake arizona, north rim arizona — The cookie counter at Jacob Lake Inn

I had heard the rumor last week, from a co-worker who is allergic to wheat, which is not the same as being gluten intolerant or Celiac. She excitedly told me “Did you know Jacob Lake has gluten free cookies?” A couple of days later, the manager of Jacob Lake Inn came through the entrance station when I was working there, and I said to her “I heard a rumor that you have gluten free cookies now.” And she confirmed the rumor. So, today when we left the Kaibab Plateau to head out to Prescott, we stopped in and I got two cookies of my very own. They were delicious!’

gluten free chocolate chip cookies at Jacob Lake Inn — Gluten free chocolate chip cookies!

They had two flavors today: Gluten free chocolate chip and gluten free oatmeal raisin. I have to say, they were both equally delicious! They were not in the cookie case when I arrived, so I had to ask for them. The clerk went to the kitchen and brought them out when I asked, though. So, if you get there and don’t see any gluten free cookies, ask for them.

I am hoping they will be a regular feature now in the cookie case:

jacob lake inn cookie case gluten free cookies — I hope they make a slot for the gluten free cookies in the cookie case at Jacob Lake Inn

So, if you are planning a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and you are a gluten free diet eating cookie lover, make it a part of your plan to stop in a patronize Jacob Lake Inn. I am always willing to shop and spend my money at a place that is making an effort to accomodate my diet. They are located at the intersection of Hwy 89A and Hwy 67 in northern Arizona. And tell them Karen sent you!

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Breakfast Out

June 16, 2011 Karen 3 Comments

We decided to go to the North Rim Lodge for breakfast this morning. They have a gluten free menu since last year. I ordered the gluten free pancakes with eggs and bacon. These pancakes were soooo goood!

gluten free breakfast at the north rim lodge grand canyon — Gluten free pancakes at the North Rim Lodge

This was the first time since April 2007 that I have been able to order pancakes at a restaurant. I know that doesn’t sound like a big thing to other people, but to me? Heaven! Those pancakes were delicious.

After breakfast, I walked out on the back porch of the lodge to take a few pictures. Yes, this is my fourth season working her, but I don’t have enough picutures yet, OK?

me at the Grand Canyon — NOrth Rim Grand Canyon view from the back porch of the lodge

It was a bit smoky out there today from the fire over in Flagstaff, but still, it was a beautiful day!

grand canyon north rim at the lodge — More canyon

Lots of people come and sit in those chairs and watch the sunset on the back porch of the lodge.

Grand Canyon north rim — Grand Canyon North Rim

and one more:

Grand canyon north rim lodge view — Grand Canyon view at the North Rim Lodge

I still feel like I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe I get to work here. Ah, fate!

Driving Through Marble Canyon In Arizona To The North Rim Of The Grand Canyon

April 26, 2011 Karen 3 Comments

The last leg of our trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon always seems to be the most scenic. We left Flagstaff around 9:00 a.m. and arrived at our campsite at the North Rim about 2:30 p.m. We stopped once for fuel at Cameron, then for lunch at Jacob’s Lake. The weather was beautiful with not much wind, which was a plus. Here are some pictures of the scenic beauty along the way:

Hwy 89 north towards page arizona — Could you imagine living in that house?

If you look very closely, you will see a house in the center of this photo. It will give you some idea of the scale of those cliffs–they are HUGE! Could you imagine living in that house, out in the desert?

Although this is the fourth year I will be working at the North Rim, I never get tired of seeing this landscape or taking this drive along Arizona Highway 89 and 89A. It is beautiful!

highway 89a through marble canyon, arizona — The road does seem endless, though

This is Marble Canyon, on Highway 89A in Arizona. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River — Navajo Bridge crosses the Colorado River

Crossing over the Colorado River on Navhjo Bridge. This marks the far eastern edge of the Grand Canyon.

Vermillion cliffs along highway 89A in Arizona — Vermillion Cliffs

and here is your one minute video of the Vermillion Cliffs in Arizona:

Kaibab National Forest Arizona — Along Highway 67 South on the Kaibab Plateau

After lunch we headed south on Highway 67 headed to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There was snow in the higher elevations, but it looks like it has been melting quickly.

Almost to the entrance station to the North Rim Grand Canyon — Still on Highway 67 South, almost to the entrance station

The higher we went on the Kaibab Plateau, the more snow there was. Still, there wasn’t nearly as much snow as last year.

entrance station north rim grand canyon — The North Rim doesn't open to the public until May 15th, so I had to jump out and unlock the gat. Brrrr, cold!

Last year, the snow was taller than our RV at the entrance station. This year, it wasn’t nearly as high, but it was still cold. The gate doesn’t open to the public until May 15th each year.

north rim grand canyon april 2011 — See, not nearly as much snow as last year.

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Going To Alabama

October 25, 2010 Karen 7 Comments

This is what it looked like as we started out on our trip this morning. Foggy. Windy. Rainy. Cold. Leaving just in time. At the entrance station, it was even foggier. A really miserable day, and I have to say I was really glad I wasn’t working out there.

PA250045 — Foggy at the entrance station.

A few miles down Highway 67, it was sleeting, and accumulating on the road. Our trailer was slipping and sliding around back there. I have never been more frightened on a drive since we started traveling full-time!

PA250047 — Icy Roads are pretty dang scarey!

We passed a couple of cars that had slid off the road and hit a tree. I know those people were not having a good day. I am so thankful that we made it down off the plateau.

Down in House Rock Valley, the desert was sunny and nice. We stopped at the scenic viewpoint and took some pictures of Vermillon Cliffs: (yeah, I know, I take pictures every time I go by there, but I can’t stop myself, hahahaha)

We got into Flagstaff around 3:30 p.m. The rain had stopped and the sun was out, and I saw a rainbow over the mountains.

After looking at the Weather Channel, we have decided to spend two nights here in Flagstaff, to let the bad weather get farther east, and we will miss most of it. We have a little bit of shopping to do in town, anyway.

Here is a short video of the drive through Marble Canyon, just to show how gorgeous it was there today:

A Drive Through The Virgin River Gorge

September 15, 2010 Karen 5 Comments

I have been through this gorge several times, on my way to Mesquite, Nevada. The first time we went there, it was a surprize–no one told us about it. It is amazing! I-15 goes through it on the way from Las Vegas, Nevada to Salt Lake City, Utah. It goes through the very northwest corner of Arizona for about 30 miles. I have taken many pictures of it, but they just don’t seem to convey the awesomeness of the place. So, this morning I decided to take a video while we were driving through. Enjoy!

The Long Ride, Part Two

July 24, 2010 Karen 17 Comments

So, I left you all at the end of the day on which I took the long ride down the Kaibab Plateau in the back of an ambulance. The nice Dr. Nelson suggested that I get checked out by a cardiologist “just to be sure” there was nothing wrong. So, I spent Monday on the phone setting up an appointment for me with Dr. Wani in Flagstaff. He is affiliated with the Flagstaff Medical Center Heart Center.

Going to Flagstaff involves getting a motel room–it is a little over 200 miles away from where I live and work. Flagstaff is a tourist town in summer, so it is difficult to get a room. The Marriott, however, does have a medical rate, which is quite a bit lower than getting a room for touristy stuff. I like that in a motel. I almost seems like they keep a room or two held back for medical customers, or at least I got that feeling from them. They also happen to have very nice rooms and free wi-fi that actually works, so that made our stay in Flagstaff a little better.

DSCN4916 — The sky at sunset outside the Motel 6 in Prescott

We also had to go down to Prescott, Arizona, to the VA Medical Center there for FabGrandpa to get his regular bloodwork done and to follow up on his cataract surgery he had in March. So, we left the Kaibab Plateau early on Tuesday morning, as the sun was coming up. The drive to Prescott is 302 miles, so we had a room reserved there for Tuesday night. We went to the VA, got all the stuff done, then went to the room and checked in. The wi-fi there at the Motel 6 did not work, and it was not free. The bed was too small, and was pushed up against the wall on one side, so that FabGrandpa said he felt like he was sleeping in a crib. During the night, the people upstairs from us started fighting–the police finally came and hauled them off to jail around 2:30 in the morning. We won’t be staying a Motel 6 again any time soon.

DSCN4939 — Breakfast at the Casino dining room

We got up around 4:30 a.m. and left that crap hole of a motel–no reason to stick around any longer than necessary. We made it to Flagstaff around 9:30 in the morning, after stopping for breakfast at the Cliffs Casino in Verde Valley. The people at the Mariott let us check in right away. My appointment wasn’t until Thursday, so we spent Wednesday shopping for things we needed–all the non-perishable groceries at Wal-Mart, some insoles for our boots, (seems SOMEONE threw away the ones we bought in Alabama when we bought the boots. Don’t know WHO could have done that, but they were no where to be found), some new bras for me. And you know how I hate to shop for bras!

DSCN4943 — It was rainy and chilly in Flagstaff while we were there

Thursday, I went to see Dr. Wani. He seemed like a very good doctor. He asked me lots of questions about why I was there, what happened the other day, my medical history, etc., etc., etc. After looking at my records that had been faxed to him from Kane County Hospital from last Saturday, he decided I needed to have a Cardiac CT Angiogram. I thought I was going to have a stress test, but this is something different. Dr. Wani said it would show him a complete picture of my heart and arteries and would show him whether or not I have a blockage or anything else wrong. Lucklily for me, he was able to schedule this for the next day at 4:oo pm.

DSCN4945 — This guy must play "Left For Dead"

On Friday, I went over the the hospital at 7:30 a.m. to get blood drawn so they could check for cholesterol levels and some other stuff. This blood test had to be done while fasting, so I had to get over there early so I could go eat. For my entire life, people have always had trouble finding my veins. It’s like they are non-existent, or too small, or whatever. This day was no different. The first lady stuck me and started digging around to try to get the vein, so I very politely asked her to get someone else to try it. The next one tied the tourniquet so tight it felt like my arm would fall off, but she did get the vein on the first try. I always hate getting blood drawn because of that.

DSCN4951 — This beautiful rainbow was seen across the street from Barnes & Noble in Flagstaff

Later, at 2:00, I went back over to the hospital to check in for the CT Angiogram. They took me in and gave me one of those hospital gowns to put on, then sat me in a chair. They hooked me up to an ECG machine and took my vital signs. My heart rate was 53, blood pressure 123/61, and the ECG was a normal blip line on the screen. About that time I was wondering why I was there. Anyway, the RN who was doing this part of preparation said that I would not need to have the medication they normally use to slow down the heart rate because my heart rate was just fine.

DSCN4953 — A pretty impressive sunset in Flagstaff

While my preparation for the test was going on, they brought in an emergency trauma case who needed a test using the CT Scanner. So, I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more. While I was waiting, the RN said we needed to start an IV line so they could put the contrast dye into my veins while I was in the machine. I told her that I do not have good veins and how people always have trouble finding my veins, so she called and asked for someone with a portable ultrasound machine to come and find my veins that way!!! I was so happy (even though this added goodness will proably add hundreds to my bill, I was thrilled!). The squirted the gel goo on my arm and glided the little wand around until they knew exactly where to stick me. One stick, they’re in!!!

DSCN4954 — More of the sunset in Flagstaff

Finally, around 4:30, it was time to go to the CT room. They had me lay down on a table, put pillows under my head and legs, and told me to expect the contrast dye to feel warm, and to feel like I had peed on myself. And it really did feel that way. The table moved in and out of the donut shaped machine, stopping every now and then. A machine voice told me to breathe in, then out, then to hold my breath, while hundreds of pictures of my heart were taken. The whole thing was over in 10 minutes, and the only thing that hurt was when they stuck me to insert the IV.

DSCN4967 — Some flowers outside the Marriott Hotel

So now we wait for the results of the test, and the bill. Whooo whee, that is gonna be a whopper! (Oh, and sorry I don’t have any photos of the procedure. I couldn’t take them myself, and FabGrandpa was in the waiting room. I hope you like the scenery, though.)

Just Some Nice Pictures

July 22, 2010 Karen 5 Comments

Tuesday morning we had to go to Prescott, so we got up early and left about 5:30 a.m. The sky outside was filled with storm clouds. Across the canyon, it was raining and lightening.

Out in the meadows 12 miles away, we saw a herd of buffalo standing in the road.They took their time crossing to the other side.

The sky still looked stormy, and the ground was wet, but we never got into the rain.

DSCN4791 — Heavy clouds in the Kaibab National Forest

There was a huge rainbow, so big I had to take two pictures to get all of it. I have never seen a rainbow quite like that one before.

Further down the road,out in the desert, we passed by the Vermillion Cliffs

We passed by the area burned in the Shultz fire in June in the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. That fire was caused by a careless camper leaving a campfire burning.

DSCN4843 — The San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff--burned in June in the Shultz fire.

Our trip took us down I-17 south of Flagstaff and through the Verde Valley.

DSCN4850 — The view out the window on I-17 between Flagstaff and Camp Verde, AZ.

We had slow going due to road construction along the way.

We finally made it to Prescott. We spent the night there, then went back up to Flagstaff for a couple of nights. This sunset in Prescott was fabulous!