Spring Break - Tucson, Arizona

Taylor and Cameron had the week of 10-14 off for Spring break.  Adrian was anxious to have a family vacation and invited grandma and grandpa along on a little journey to Tucson, Arizona.  There is some method to Adrian's thinking; Cameron has just received his driving learner's permit.  He of course didn't want to go on a trip, BUT the bait was he could drive grandpa's Corvette.  A sweet look for a 15-year old.  Okay, problem solved, trip planned.

The traveled to our house on Friday night and we had the boys sleep in the shed - one in a hammock and one on an air bed.  It's nice to have a second bedroom.  The next day it was off to the Grand Canyon and then on to Phoenix.  Adrian and family are staying with Ali and we are staying with an old friend from Roosevelt, Bruce and Deanna Brighton.  Sunday is Church.  Monday to Thursday is seeing the Kitt Observatory, Titan Missiles,  Caverns, Tombstone, skate parks, Mexican food, swimming in the hotel pool and butterflys.

This bridge is over the Grand Canyon on the way to the north rim.  The canyon view below is magnificent.

Adrian, Todd and Taylor took a Grand Canyon hike.  We stayed behind because the wind was blowing and it was cold.  We who live in St. George did not think of bringing coats.

Grand Canyon sites

With Ali, Paul, and the family!

Selfie with Bruce and Deanna Brighton.  Theron went to school with Bruce.

The US Titan Missile Museum is really quite fascinating.  Especially when Theron is watching for rattlesnakes.  In the other picture, we are looking down 150 feet the full length of the missile.
On to the Kitt Observatory.  Some really awesome telescopes!

We were also very close to the butterfly conservatory in Tuscon's Botanical Gardens.  Butterflys are so beautiful.  

Taylor had a great time looking at the (well we won't say it our loud) nude in the background while we had lunch.  Tombstone is a wild west town and it just wouldn't be right unless we participated in the old west dress-up.  Taylor makes a rocking good cowboy.

Update on St. George Living

It's been several weeks since I posted on the blog so it's time to get everyone updated.  You would think that tiny house living would give a person more time to write, journal, read, soak in the sun, relax -- no that is not correct.  There is so many things to do and so little time.

Rzr Riding
The Rzr has been one of the funnest toys we have purchased.  We take off and travel places you can't see from highways and byways.  We also get to spend time with relatives we don't see all the time and make new friends.  We have been on a sweet ride with Robin into the Mesquite mountains.  Another time, we went with Steve and Jackie to Gooseberry Mesa.  Many don't get to see views like this and have so much fun getting to the top.

Another time, we went with Brett and Lori Simonson trying to make a trip from Colorado City to Zions.  You have to cross the Virgin River several times.  In the spring, the river is high and the Rzr doesn't go through it.  We just lifted up our feet and let the water in.

Just the other day, we took a short ride and the desert flowers were out in all their color.  Who knew cactus could be so beautiful.  We are having a delightful time if you can tell.

New Home - Lot #57 BRIO, Washington, Utah
Don't ever go to a home show!  Our pure intent was to live in the trailer, take trips up north to see the family and wait for the big house to sell.  Then Curt and Melanee could get their new house and we would move back into the old house.  Well, the best laid plans do go awry from time to time.

We found a great development here in Washington.  Not too far into St. George proper, but close enough to all the amenities and businesses.  The development has a club house with pools and pickleball courts.  The homes are not large, ours will be about 1900 square feet.  We can park the RV on the side and have a three car garage.  The lot had to be oversized for these things, so we have more lot than we really want, but Theron has been investigating pools.  It looks like the pool will be part of the deal.

We are just waiting for the plans to be drawn and submitted to the city.  The amazing thing about this whole ordeal is that we both feel it is what we need to do.  The kids can come and stay and spend some significant time.  We are only a 4 hour drive away and can get their whenever we want.  The trailer will take us further south and further north as we desire.  Definitely more to come as the house progresses!!!!  Who knew?

Happy Birthday Melanie

At age - late 30's- Melanee never dreamed she would celebrate a birthday with three 16-month babies constantly surrounding her and begging for attention.  Well, that was her life this February 27 --- Happy Birthday to you!!!!

The kids presented her with balloons.

Jesse even offered to vacuum the floor.

They can be so quiet at times

and who can resist hugging LaLa with hair like this.

We love you Melanee and know that these days are stressful; hang in there fun times are ahead and so are more birthdays!

Love
Mom and Dad Schaefermeyer

Happy Birthday Tyce

Wow, number 4 already!  Happy Birthday Tyce.  What an adventurous young man you are.  We love you and especially love those hugs you always give us.

Happy Birthday Ali

Happy Birthday Ali; the big number 6.
This is one cute girl!  Love her new earrings; they are blue and light up her eyes.

Happy Birthday Brittney

A Happy Birthday to our Brittney!!!
We love you and are always amazed at the energy and creativity you have!

The Harrowing Adventure of Ocotillo Wells, California

February 8, 2017 - Octotillo Wells, California, ATV Desert Adventure
Octotillo Wells is 800+ acres of desert ATV riding - sand dunes, roads, hot water springs, geological formations, canyon trails and lots and lots of miles of driving.
 Naturally, we (meaning Theron) do not like to stay on groomed trails; the adventure is getting off into mesas and canyons.  We followed the map to the "high skills" area and were having a great time with a little challenge.  All was well and good until we headed back to the park station.  It seems that in our driving we had gone far enough that the trail back was now across a wide mesa canyon.  The guys got out and scouted the area and could find only one "possible" way down.  I was talking with the girls and not paying attention to this effort.  Theron comes over, tells me to get my helmet on and says we're leaving.  Okay.  (Never trust him when you think it is back to find the road we entered on.)  His leaving was to traverse the "straight down" (literally) trail that had boulders at the bottom and it looked like no way out --- they could hear me scream for miles "But, it's straight doooooowwwwwwnnnnn!"

Okay, we made it to bottom without rolling over.  Now to traverse the boulders and narrow passes to get our way out.  The first turn was at a good 45 degree angle all the way.  Then it was put my hand out and push us off a boulder.  Then it was Theron getting out and looking at spots for tire placement.  Okay, my seat was getting warm at this time -- can't say why!  Finally after a good 10-15 minutes we made it to the bottom and onto the main trail.  Hummm, no one else in the group followed us; go figure.

Okay, now we are at the bottom on the road rolling along and making good time doing it.  The sun is slowly setting in the west and it's just a few miles further to the park starting point.  "Theron, stay on the trail."  "It's just a little hill," he responds.  Over, down, narrow, sand and the bottom, fender and right front tire plow into the sand, right front tire says Psssssh and breaks the seal around the rim - it's flat.

I walk on one ridge, Theron walks on another and I yell at him.  He calmly says, "are you finished?"  No, but what more needs to be said.  No one in site for miles, the rest of our group is going a different way home, cell service is spotty at best.

Theron goes into McGyver mode and drives the RZR about 10 feet and positions that Razor so that the flat front tire is off the ground.  He then gets our 12V pump out and begins to put air in the tire and work the tire onto the rim.  I stand and observe from my mountain top.  All at once I hear a POP and the seal on the tire is back in place.  I am always grateful for his skills.  Yes, I will get back into the RZR and go off into the sunset.

My heart rate had a good test today; my mind not so much.  Guess it's like a pregnancy, when it's over you forget the pain and anguish so you can do it again.