Orr Family Reunion, California

Part of our Orr family gathered for a mini "reunion" of sorts in southern California this August. It was great to have everyone together, including Amanda and I, brother Geoff and sister-in-law Mavis (and her brother Brian and sister Karen) who flew in from Washington, my parents Russ and Kristen from Nevada, and of course Grandma Orr, aunt Barbara and uncle Mark in California. The weather was also a good 20 - 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and the coast beautiful as always.

Looking toward Seaport Village from our San Diego Bay ferry.

The Coronado Bridge over San Diego Bay.

Looking across San Diego Bay toward the Marriott Hotel.

An iridescent green "June bug" that terrorized the other passengers aboard our San Diego Bay ferry to Coronado Island. He was actually quite friendly.

The seared Hawaiian tuna stack appetizer at C Level restaurant--amazing! It was topped with papaya-mango salsa, and garnished with banana and taro chips.

Pleasure Point, a permanent installation of boats and other water vessels by Nancy Rubins, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, in La Jolla.

Another view of Pleasure Point.

Amanda chillin' in a hammock.

The Orr Family

August sunset over the hills of Escondido. 

Hong Kong Days and Shanghai Nights

Read about our January 2012 travels in Hong Kong and Shanghai here

Day Trip to Jerome, Arizona

Amanda and I took a quick day trip to the historic mining / ghost town of Jerome, Arizona. The town is part artists' community, with a mix of galleries, gift shops, biker bars, and bed and breakfasts--truly a great escape just under two hours from Phoenix.

This image is looking directly down Audrey Shaft (part of the Audrey Headframe Park), a sheer 1400-foot drop before reaching the groundwater table. The total depth of the shaft is 1900 feet, taller than the Empire State Building. There is a glass viewing plate that rests directly over this shaft, so you can stand above it if you so choose.

One of the many great shops to check out in Jerome is Nellie Bly's Kaleidoscopes. This store is the largest kaleidoscope store in the world (in terms of sheer number of kaleidoscopes) and features over 90 kaleidoscope artists. The owners encourage you to pick up all the kaleidoscopes and even take photos through them. 

We stopped in at Alice's Restaurant for lunch. Their apple pie is amazing--warm cinnamon apples served straight up (without all the gooey filling) in a flaky crust.

Amanda hamming it up in an antique car outside the Jerome Grand Hotel.

The Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital, is purportedly haunted, and offers ghost hunt tours for guests.

The view looking across Jerome and north toward the Verde Valley and Sedona.

How We Spent the "Apocalypse"

Not surprisingly, the world didn't end on May 21 as Harold Camping had predicted on Family Radio. Amanda and I happened to be camping on that day at Colcord Ridge on the Mogollon Rim, between Payson and Heber. It was a great time to disconnect and immerse ourselves in the natural rhythm of the world.

Canyon Creek

Horsetail along Canyon Creek

Nelson's Larkspur near Valentine Ridge Campground

Rocky Mountain Iris

Rocky Mountain Iris

Silver-spotted Skipper

A Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake that slithered across the highway as we drove south of Young. It brings to mind a helpful rhyme I learned in my scouting days, to distinguish between the very deadly coral snake, and this non-venomous kingsnake: "Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack." Either way, I wasn't about to pick this guy up!

The view overlooking Roosevelt Lake from the east, with some blooming Ocotillo.

The view overlooking Roosevelt Lake toward Four Peaks, with blooming Prickly Pear.

What camping trip would be complete without chili dogs!

Thanksgiving-Christmas in St. Johns, AZ

Having families in different states prompts Amanda and I to get creative with how we celebrate the holidays. This past Thanksgiving we also celebrated Christmas in St. Johns, at Amanda's parents'.

Our first night there brought an early dusting of snow, which added to the Christmas feel of things! This is Amanda's grandfather's house.

Some grass in the front yard with a frosting of snow.

Pyracantha berries and snow.

Rocher enjoying a good run over the cold snow. She's never seen this stuff in Phoenix!

Rocher and her buddy Sailor romping around.

Rocher sitting unusually still.

A Christmas tree topper to end all Christmas tree toppers.

One of these things is just like the other.

The world's largest Christmas stockings, courtesy of Monica.

This year Amanda's mom Nellie introduced us to a new Christmas tradition, wreath making. The girls were incredibly talented and came up with some award-worthy designs. I, on the other hand, will probably just stick to photographing the completed wreaths! :) (Guess which one's mine.)

Amanda, Monica, and Nellie, and their finished creations.



Freak Hailstorm in Phoenix, Arizona

We had a freak hail-and-rain monsoon hammer Phoenix this afternoon. The hail was bouncing off the windows of the house, but thankfully none broke. Some of the hail approached quarter-size. I'm glad I wasn't driving out in this weather! This has been such a nice relief from the 100+ degree temps we had just a week ago!