Day 320

Fire From Our School's Neighborhood

As my class worked on a test, we heard siren after siren.  And the worry began in the room.  So, I closed the door and then the noise after the test solved the problem for a bit.

We then were going out to P.E.  A helicopter was circling above and smoke was in the distance.

I then learned, from a fellow teacher, that there was a neighborhood fire and one of the families from school lost their home.  So devastating.  Thankfully, everyone seems to be safe.

Day 319

B-I-N-G-O

I sure don't know how I get roped into these things.  Yes, I do...because I am SO nice :)

I was approached by a parent to be the caller for BINGO on our school's family BINGO night.  It was tonight and was actually a lot of fun. The best part was seeing families participate in good old fashion fun! Thank goodness I recruited one of my student's to help because that spinner was sure tricky!  

Day 318

My Explorers' Wall

A Ship in a Bottle

And Another Ship in a Bottle

Explorer Map

And Another Explorer Map

As you can tell, we have been studying Explorers.  The students completed a report about an explorer.  To make it look creative, we had them put their message with a ship in a bottle.  After a colleague found an instructional video on how to draw ships, these kids made serious works of art.  They all turned out great and they had fun, too.

In addition, the students were asked to tea stain and burn a piece of white paper.  This was used to draw the world and their explorer's voyage.  Another piece of art. 

Day 317

Loves His New Toys

SO Happy and SPOILED!

While we were in AZ, my mom stopped by to see Harley three times (and yes, once with my dad too).  On one visit, my mom brought by this very cool scratch pad and the green/blue fuzzy toy.  Harley, of course, loved it! 

But, when my mom decided to clean his litter box and all the food he had thrown out of the dish, Harley hissed at her!  Hissed at her!  I couldn't believe it when I was told.  My mom threatened to put all the poop back and take back the toys.  

I think Harley must have gotten his tail stepped on because he really is a nice boy.  I promise!  Hopefully, my mom will still like him!  Thanks a million, Mom!

Day 316

Pleasanton's Controversial Book

I have been hearing and reading about this new book.  It is written by a Pleasanton mother and boy has it gotten the town talking.  My mom was so sweet to order it for me and leave it on the table to surprise me when I got home.  So far, it is hilarious and so true!  

Look at the book cover...too funny!

Day 315

Our Brand New Safeway

We slept in and boy did it feel good to be back in our king following a week in a queen.  But then it was back to business.  It was time to do the grocery shopping and we had to check out our brand new Safeway.  The store is so new I couldn't find a true picture online. 

Day 314

Chillin'' on a Dirt Road

The Land of Windmills...Surprisingly Not the Altamont Pass

Oh, the drive home!  We finally left at 11 a.m. (Arizona time) and arrived home 13 hours later.  It was one looooong day!

The major hiccup of the drive occurred on the 10 freeway, outside of Blythe, CA.  The freeway came to a STOP.  Thank goodness that Chris was driving because he was wise enough to pull off after seeing many trucks exit.  He was thinking that they knew of another route but they were just pulling off to nap...we knew it was bad.  

Sure enough, the freeway remained stopped and drivers were getting out on the freeway.  We had about 8 more hours to go until home so this was a problem.  Then, we saw a driver going down a dirt road.  Then, more drivers and more.  Simultaneously, Chris and I looked at each other and thought, "Let's do it!"  

So, Chris drove down that dirt road while we sang "The Dirt Road Anthem".  The only problem was that the dogs flipped out!  We are thinking that there bowls were clanging together during the many bumps and the flinging dirt scared them.  Well, it scared Dixie.  After the road, she was staring at the back door clawing to get out.  Of course, we were so worried it was her eyes or there was a bigger issue.  

We resolved the issue and continued on our long drive.  Later, we found out that the freeway was closed for 4 hours!

During our drive, there weren't too many great views but I was entertained by the many, many windmills.  I thought the Altamont Pass had a lot but this put it to shame!  

To pass the time, Chris and I quoted the Griswold's vacation many times.  We had just watched it in AZ and sure laughed. 

Day 313

Dixie and Chris, Before the Game

Kona and Me, Before the Game

Let's Go CAL

Get Them

Sun Devil Stadium

Oh, Sparky!

To start off the day, we took the dogs to Tempe to walk around since we wanted to buy the ASU vs. Cal tickets.  The dogs sure wanted to go into the stadium but "no doggies allowed". 

That night, we met a friend and got some appetizers with drinks, on Mill.  Then Chris and I made our way to the game.  There is no feeling like stepping into enemy territory, covered in Cal gear.  

The game was sloppy but, hey, Cal won!  I think the highlight was taking this picture with Sparky...priceless!

Day 312

The Trail

At the Peak

Chris Made it to the Peak First

Woo, hoo!  We did it!

Didn't Think I Would Make It!

Phoenix's Downtown, View From the Top of Camelback

City Views From the Top

And, Another View

The "Trail" to the Top

Camelback Mountain (On a Clear Day) - Elevation 2706 Feet

It was Thanksgiving Day and we decided this would be a perfect opportunity to hike Camelback.  We got some directions from the locals and headed out with our camelbacks and a backpack with lunch (which Chris carried...most of the way).

There are two hiking trails which ascend 1,280 feet to the peak of Camelback Mountain. The Echo Canyon Trail is 1.2 miles and the Cholla Trail is 1.4 mi.  We chose the Cholla Trail because we were told it was the easier of the two...I don't know what that other trail must be like!

The hike was challenging at first but completely manageable.  We hiked at a good pace (so we thought) until RUNNERS kept passing us by...they were crazy!  The trail was rocky with some areas that required some big steps. 

We made it to the "top", for some people, and decided to push on.  The trail was only marked by blue dots spray painted because you had to literally climb up some areas.  I trudged along, definitely complaining at this point.  The peak was so close but it was difficult to get there, I had lost my energy and had to stop.

Chris pushed on to the peak while I increased by blood sugar by eating some long overdue lunch.  I was feeling better but frustrated seeing the peak so close by.  I decided to ascend to the top!  But...I had to do it alone and I had to carry the backpack that Chris left behind, as he ascended.

I was feeling energized, until I couldn't figure out where to go next.  I was feeling very stressed especially since I couldn't see the peak.  Then, I figured out the next move, calmed down and saw Chris descending to come and lead me to the top (he is so wonderful).

We climbed to the top, together.  The view was wonderful and I felt accomplished.  Then, it started to rain!  This stressed us out because once in rains in Arizona, it pours.  Pouring down rain on that trail would have been brutal.  So, we didn't spend too much time on top and decided to head down.  

Climbing up Camelback Mountain was a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving day.

Smoked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Beans with Bacon, Cranberry Sauce

YUM!

The Happy Family

In addition to our hike, we made our first ever Thanksgiving meal.  We had so much fun and it was EXCELLENT!

Day 311

The Atrium's Garden...With Some New Additions

Dixie and Kona Made a Mark

To add to the atrium in Chris' parents' house in Arizona, the doggies decided to get a few new cactus plants and to make a sign.  Kona wrote it...she has trouble with writing an "e".  :)

Day 310

Largest Shooting Range West of the Mississippi

Chris is Loving this Day!

A Tough Shot

Poor Cactus

Chris had found this shooting range in a nearby area of Scottsdale and just had to try it.  It is like the course he has done in Morgan Hill but has this desert setting.  The craziest station was the one that set off the clay targets from up high.

I, of course, enjoyed being the one to "pull" the shots (press the button) and I loved the walk and scenery.  Thank goodness it was a beautiful warm day because a typical, hot, Arizona day out there would have been rough.

Day 309

Toby Keith's, I Love This Bar

Sunset Walk

Thank Goodness for a Leash!

The Prestige Bone

Getting Comfortable

Our Monday started out with a trip to the gym.  Unfortunately, on the way back I had a traffic camera go off as a went through a yellow light (crossing our fingers that nothing comes in the mail).

After Chris recovered from the possible faultiness of the traffic cameras, we headed out to Mesa to Toby Keith's, I Love This Bar and then to Bass Pro Shop.  The bar and grill was great with the guitar shaped bar and they were setting up for a Dierks Bentley concert the following night...how fun to go to a concert in such a small setting, we did consider it.  At Bass Pro Shop, Chris was excited to see that shotgun ammo was considerably cheaper and he stocked up for his shooting adventure for the next day.  I, on the other hand, enjoyed clothes shopping.  I found some great tops for jogging.  

That night we took the dogs out for a walk around the nearby park, with a pond, ducks and all.  Dixie absolutely loved the ducks and geese...she would have been in the water had it not been for the leash!  Kona, liked the geese and duck poop more and only wanted to sniff, sniff, and sniff some more.

We finished off the day with a barbecued tri-tip and a movie (Change-Up).  The girls got very comfortable hence Dixie on the couch, happy as can be.  Kona "helped" with the barbecue (see the ash mark on her head). 

Day 308

A Walker Favorite

Metal, Metal, Metal...Head, Head, Head!

During the day we worked out, ran errands, got settled...nothing too exciting. 

We had to gear up for our night on the town.  First stop was at Zipp's Bar and Grill.  This has become a Walker favorite (maybe an obsession for Dave).  But I do have to say they have the BEST turkey burgers, ever!  Chris and I sat by the fire pit, outside, and enjoyed wings, big cold beers, and our turkey burgers.  I was most entertained by the native people there...they are wimps.  The people from Arizona were dressed in wool coats, sweaters, beanies, and scarves.  We, on the other hand, were dressed in light weight shirts and jeans.

After dinner, we walked over to Martini Ranch.  This is a Chris and Kristin favorite.  Metalhead is an 80s hairband that plays each and every Sunday.  We learned about them years ago and try to see them each time we visit Scottsdale.  They are honestly worth seeing.  The band puts on a show with songs from Def Leppard, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Metallica, and much more.  Our only disappointment was the ridiculous amount of time between sets.  For these old folks here, midnight is pushing it!

Day 307

Road Trip

On the Road Again (And Again)

Goodbye California

We made it out at 6:15 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning.  The car was packed and the doggies were cozy in the back (Dixie had to be strapped in unless we wanted her in our laps).  

The trip wasn't too bad but it did take us 12 hours to arrive in Scottsdale, AZ.  Dixie and Kona were pretty well behaved.  They mostly slept and we forgot that they were even in the car at times.  The only issue was when we would stop and Kona wanted to LEAP out of the car!

Chris and I listened to music, napped (when not driving, duh), and listened to college football.  We sure loved crossing over into Arizona with the beautiful sunset and the MUCH cheaper gas.  

Our arrival in the Phoenix area brought about fireworks (from the U of A vs. ASU game).  We were so happy to arrive.  And, we were especially happy since it was warm and we were able to watch the end to the college football day (Cal almost got Stanford).

Day 306

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

For the day before our week long Thanksgiving break, I showed the class "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving".  I absolutely LOVE the Peanuts crew.  While these kids have all these high tech toys and enhanced cartoons, they also LOVE these simple movies.  

Each year I am entertained when the kids all seem to chime in about the cool car that the crew gets into at the end of the show.  I am mostly entertained because that was the type of station wagon that I grew up with.  You know, the ones with the pop up seats in the back?!