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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Watch Out For Spots On The Road!



Everywhere you look is a perfect picture

Not long after we moved into our Victorian home my sister in law asked if I'd like to take a trip with her to Phoenix Arizona. YES!!! I had never seen this part of the States before so I was thrilled. We headed through Kansas down into Oklahoma and then into New Mexico where we stayed in Santa Fe for the night. Oh MY did we wish we had more time to look around....we did take a quick drive into the old part of the city and stopped for breakfast in the morning in a French Bistro of all things! Then we were on our way again. We got to Phoenix fairly early ...took care of business and stayed the night. It was the first time I had seen palm tree's actually growing outside...and cactus everywhere! The next morning after breakfast we took off for the Grand Canyon. Donna had been there before years ago but it was my first visit. I can not describe to you what I felt when I got my first glimps of the canyon.....it was...for lack of a better description....AMAZING! That word doesn't even come close to describing what I saw and the feelings I had taking it all in. No words can describe the enormity of what you see! The colors are incredible. It was a little hazy that day but even then it was breathtaking.

It was a little hazy this day

My pictures do not do it justice. Even the professionals can't capture what you see first hand.

It's more than what you see...

I came across this little plant growing near the edge

It's hard to believe anything can grow in this dry rocky ground



This is one of my favorite pictures

This little fellow kept us entertained for a while

A woman designed this lodge
We had dessert in here....oh my I wish I had taken a picture of it!

The same woman designed this Hopi building.
I can't find my information on her...sorry.

Our last view of the canyon before we left. You can just see the Colorado River way down in the middle of the picture.

We stayed the night and spent a good part of the day looking around and walking trails but then we were on our way again. We came back through Navaho country and up into Colorado...Durango. It was not far from Durango that we saw a sight I NEVER want to see again. I started to notice black spots on the road as we were driving...LOTS of them. I started looking closer and realized what they were OMG...TURANTULAS....thousands of them crossing the road and some were flattened by cars!!!! I wanted to get a picture but we were to scared to stop for fear they'd get on the car and we'd take them home with us...geepers creeeepers what a thought!!! The funny thing is...where we saw them it was dry desert...then it's like we crossed a line and everything was green and no more spiders on the road...strange. Anyway...we stopped a little further down the road for a break but we were sure on the look out for those ugly fury creepy crawly critters.

Donna on the left
This photo was taken just before we saw the spiders.
Believe me...if we had seen them before...we wouldn't have been standing there!

We got home that night safe and sound...no spiders...no nightmares thank heavens!

If you haven't been to this part of the country before I hope you'll go one day. It's well worth the drive and it will be something you will NEVER forget (the Canyon). It will take your breath away.

One more thing...if you go to Durango Colorado and you travel east from there....watch out for spots on the road!!

13 comments:

Catherine said...

Well i would like to go , but watch on what i am walking! i don't mind small spiders but NOT these ones! i'm glad you enjoyed the market! now it spring and many place will open so i can go to take pictures.Our day is soon finished, but i wish you agood day, yours is starting! hugs Catherine

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh my goodness! I may have nightmares about spiders tonight! Your pictures are just breathtaking. What an amazing place! Hope you are having a great day! Twyla

Scufty said...

I don't blame you for not stopping there - shoot, I'd have driven faster and not stopped for quite awhile. The pics are awesome - I can only imagine what it's like to be there in person! Maybe one day.....

Beatnheart said...

The architect was Mary Colter who has done alot of hotels for the Fred Harvey company. Another great hotel is called the La Posada in Winslow, Arizona...Your pictures are really beautiful Maura...you are a very talented photographer...Isn't that part of the country the best!! Cynthia

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I loved your pictures...
Though I have lived on the edge of the desert all my life, I have never cared much for it's bleakness. It's a lovely place to drive through...but not to live. Many people adore it but not I. I am not certain what it is that bothers me...just not my cup of tea maybe. I have seen the desert at it's most beautiful...wild flowers carpeting it for miles...the gorgeous sunsets..and feeling of space...all of it wonderful. Just not to live in.
Spiders. Charlotte or no Charlotte I don't care for spiders. I have run into a few Tarantula's in my life..and once with a cliff on one side of me and a highway full of fast moving cars on the other and him coming straight toward me...I backed up and finally ran and jumped over him.. nope..I don't care for them and would have had nightmares driving though and over them. Wow...what an icky thought! :) Did you know there are tribes in South America that catch them, toss them on their fires and then break them open and eat them! lol Sorry, I could have gone all night and not told you that story! It's true through.
I shall return. I enjoyed your post so much!
Hugs and love,
Mona

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...
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Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...
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Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

LOL Ok Mona I took care of it! I was in bed sleeping but we have a line of severe thunderstorms coming our way and the weather alarm radio has gone off twice so I may as well get up until the worst is past. Mona I hate spiders too...and these things are my worst nightmare!!! I think the desert is pretty but I wouldn't want to live there...I like GREEN and lush. OMG if I had seen one of those spiders on the ground in front of me I would have done what you did...they are just so creepy especially tarantulas! (I knew I should have checked my spelling in my post!!!)Ugh...the thought of eating one of those hairy beasts is so disgusting..I guess to each his own though. At least they're getting rid of them! Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful Friday. Maura:)

Pondside said...

The sight of all those spiders would have done me in! We have Black Widows here, so one has to be very careful when rummaging about in the woodpile.
Your photos made me want to see that wonderful canyon - someday!

Ann said...

Hi Maura~ I live in AZ and we also see the tarantulas a lot in the spring. I'm not sure why, don't know if it is mating season or what?? Don't really want to get close enough to find out what is going on!!!
BUT, I do love the Grand Canyon. It is so awesome!!!
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

Shirley said...

Your pictures was awesome and I really don't like spiders. I have a nephew that lives near Phoenix, Arizona. He talks about the climate that is so different from ours. Have a wonderful weekend. We have had storms today.

Flat Creek Farm said...

Gorgeous pictures! I love how that little aster is blooming there in the rocks. And hip-hip hooray for that woman designer... girl power! What awesome buildings! (I'm getting pretty high on girl power now, what with my coop-building venture and all.. lol). Thanks for sharing the beauty of your trip! -Tammy

Anonymous said...

Hi Maura,
Your photos are just gorgeous!! I have always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon but have never had the chance. Thank you for sharing the beauty!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

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