Flagstaff (pictures)

So we returned last night from our trip to Flagstaff, Arizona, (here's the view from our camp) caked in dirt and volcanic ash to the point that it will take several days to scrub it off with any success. The beautiful peaks just north of the small city are remnants of long ago seismic wonders and sit just south of Sunset Crater National Park and just west of Meteor Crater, one of Arizona's claims to fame. The weather was perfect for us Mesadonians, those of us who live in the valley of the sun, with perfect 70 degree temperatures during the day and upper 30's at night. It's only our 2nd "real" trip with the new Superlite trailer and we had a good chance to see what it can do. It did not disappoint. We could have lasted a lot longer out there if we had the time. Our new "used" Ford F250 diesel was SO much smoother and stronger (obviously) than the old Expedition that it was almost braggable, if I didn't have to use a paycheck to fill the damn tank. But, overall, the trip was a success with a few minor glitches that are a part of any family outing. If there's one thing that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, it's the fact that kids NEED plenty of sleep. Being up around the campfire til 11 p.m. and then waking up with the sun streaming in the windows at 5 a.m. makes for VERY cranky kids. I love 'em, but I hate it when they get cranky. Then they get sassy...and irritable...and when all you want to do is relax amidst the pines is when they want to start some sort if independent revolution.

We arrived Friday to the area officially known as "The Cinders" and the entire forest was EMPTY!!! Our strategy to pick the weekend BEFORE Memorial day weekend turned out to be a winner. Nobody there. It was amazing. We positioned our rigs and set up camp and took some real nice rides over the course of the weekend. The Cinders is a great place to ride ATV's with just enough trails to keep you busy for the weekend but the place is not so vast that you get lost...during the day anyway. At night, it's a different animal. Anyway, this post is somewhat generic as I just wanted to put up some pictures. Enjoy and I'll get into more details in a later post.


Here's a shot of yours truly standing next to our truck and trailer at camp. Like a proud papa.


Another view


The lovely Miss Dawn sitting at camp.



A view from our awning to the Boyd-Johnson motorhome. There were 17 of us total at camp this weekend.



Here's a shot of Dylon and his friend Andrew who grazed us with his presence and his flu-like symptoms. Thanks Andrew. You're swell. (That's Rob and Susie's trailer in the background.)



Here's Jim's mom, Karen and her sister Becky.



A nice shot of Taylor with our dog Princess. She's old and gets spoiled on these trips as she should be.



No, this isn't Dawn dressed like a boy...it's Dylon up close. He's turning 15 next week.



The boys on top of a mountain that we rode up with some nice snow capped peaks behind them.


Next to one of the Polaris Razor's that we rode up on.


Me and my friend, Jim, at the same spot. He's a lanky one, ain't he?