Things I might do in College Station...

As the hanger-on for our stay in College Station, I'm going to have to find myself things to do to keep busy, pass the time and have something to talk about when Peter gets home!  That's a joke based on a 1960s guide for married women, something about making yourself interesting for your work weary husband on his return home!  Ha!  That's after you've given him his pipe and slippers I assume!

But I digress!

Seriously...there's no chance of employment, no garden to do and a lady comes in to clean, so three months of leisure are in store starting next March.    So I'm beginning to make a list of possible diversions.  So far I've come up with:

• Visit all the museums and art galleries in Bryan/College Station
• Locate a craft shop, buy some yarn and do some knitting
• Hire a bike and get some exercise
• Go for walks (if I can find pavements!)
• Do slow shopping (i.e. shop little and frequently, European style)
• Investigate the public library
• Read
• Join a book club
• Write this travel blog
• Research and plan weekends away
• Make friends and visit
• Take a class (art? language?)
• Volunteer

The last idea has lots of possibilities.  I've spotted a request for volunteers to help collect people's stories about life in College Station for an anniversary of the city, and also to database their archive of stories and photographs.   Wonder if you need to be a local to do that?   Well, I shall make contact soon and find out more.   I've found a volunteering web site for Bryan but the activities look daunting and I can't quite get a handle on the expectations.  Could investigate though.

It's a start, but I hope the list will grow.  More online research needed! 

Ruth and Peter go west again...only this time not so far!

Last weekend, Peter had a birthday with a big zero, so to celebrate we took the family to a cottage near Malvern, Worcestershire for the weekend.   Malvern is west of Norwich, which is why it sneaks into this blog!   And strictly speaking we weren't in Malvern, but at a place called Acton Beauchamp even further west, although we never discovered Acton Beauchamp itself. We rented The Cider House which had plenty of room for all of us.   We arrived first with Rupert and bagged the room with the four poster bed and he took a quiet room, tucked away from the rest.   Then Eliot and Nancy arrived with the two boys and finally Tania and Simon were collected from the station in Great Malvern. 

The Cider House, Hidelow House Cottages

Peter and I met in Malvern an amazing 49 years ago, so the area has always had sentimental associations for us. The countryside is very attractive and there are wonderful views from the top of the Malvern Hills.   Peter is often tempted to quote A.E. Housman who frequented these parts and quote bits of poems we learnt at school...but never the whole poem!

The Cider House was interesting...lots of space, comfortable bedrooms, a huge kitchen and a log burner in the sitting room.  The hot tub which had started out as an attraction wasn't used at all.  It was pretty cold outside in the evenings and the long list of rules associated with using it were probably very wise, but a complete dampener.  The kitchen equipment was OK (if you ignored the mouse droppings in the frying pan - well we were deep in the countryside) but there were no basics of the kind you normally find in cottages describing themselves as 'luxury'.  No salt or pepper, no oil or vinegar and no shampoo in the bathrooms.  Tiny things, but you have to go out and shop for absolute basics if they aren't provided.  The sofas in the sitting room were brown leather (?) with brown slippery leather cushions - very easy to wipe down after guests, but hardly cosy.  There was a sponge cake waiting our arrival however, which was delicious and didn't last long and a bottle of milk.  So, a good place to stay, but some more thought could be put into little things that guests need.   The absolute masters at this are The Vivat Trust.  We've stayed in several of their properties and have never been disappointed. 

Waiting for Abe to catch up

The weather was just about OK, a  bit damp on some days, but we pottered about, talked, cooked and ate, bought cider, shopped for nappies and did a few short walks, played with Abe and passed Saul round from person to person!

Anticipating the lighting of the candles!

Breakfast en famille

On Saturday night Peter had Abe's assistance in blowing out the candles on his rather odd looking, but delicious cake and opened his presents!   On Sunday we all went into Worcester for lunch at The Old Rectifying House (renamed by Eliot, The Rectum Terrifying House) where our roasts were served as carve-it-yourself joints.  After lunch we dropped Simon, Tania and Rupert off at the train station (with the remains of the cake) as they had to get back to work.  The rest of us returned to the Cider House for another day.   The extra day was a boon as Abe had brought a stomach bug with him which passed round the family and had us keeling over in relays! Having en suite bathrooms for every bedroom was particularly welcome!   

Pumpkin adjustments in progress

Boy in search of a stick

We managed two short walks on our last day.  Abe tends to walk in circles or back the way he came and stops regularly to examine sticks, so eventually Nancy and Eliot sent us off to complete the walk on our own and we made a circuit along footpaths back to the house by way of a very wet and muddy sugar beet field.  In the evening the pumpkin lanterns were lit and Abe went out in the morning, in borrowed shoes to examine them carefully...

On Tuesday morning we loaded up the cars and drove off in different directions.  A good weekend!  
 

Last Day: Sedona to Phoenix

Today we repacked the car for the last time, with our suitcases nearest the door for a change! 

We drove south towards Phoenix, passing for the last time through the red rocks of Sedona, with a passing glimpse at a church built into the rock and a brief pause to admire the saguaro cactus.

Red rock, Sedona

Saguaro cactus outside Sedona

Church built into the rock

We decided that a coffee break would be in order and Bob pulled off at Red Rock Cafe.  It looked rather suspect from the outside, but inside turned out to be a dieter's nightmare.  Pies, pies, pies!   And what pies.  Some confections saturated in syrup and others piled inches high with whipped cream!   Of course we couldn't resist!  Bob had chocolate cream pie, Peter had sugar-free apple pie and I had mixed berry crumble pie.  Mary had a cookie.    The place was really busy and many people were tucking into hearty lunches at 11.45 in the morning.  

We admired the saloon, with its ancient refrigerator and some of the buildings outside.  

Red Rock Cafe facilities?

Also selling "Whoop Ass Sauce"

Pie anyone?

More pies

Good news! 

The saloon at Red Rock

Ancient refrigerator

So full of pie we set off for the airport.  Bob and Mary had a long drive ahead of them to New Mexico so it was a swift farewell and hugs all round outside the terminal and then we whiled away the time until our flight.   We found wifi - that kept us busy for a while - then a fruitless search for a reasonably priced aftershave for Rupert....sorry son!  Then a very late lunch in an Italian restaurant in the airport which actually had a woodfired oven.  We had very good spaghetti and meatballs! 

Eventually we boarded the plane.  Poor Peter,  the window seat next to him was occupied by a very, very large lady who encroached on his seat space and wriggled all night long.  She must have been so uncomfortable!   She did not leave her seat for the entire 9.5hr flight.  We don't know how she managed!  Best not think about it! 

So Phoenix to Heathrow, collect the hire car and head back to Norwich.  Rupert had kindly put the heating on for us, so it was a cosy homecoming...

Goodbye for now!  See you again in January when we go for the inaugural gala for Peter and the other visiting professors at College Station, Texas. 

Day 14: Sedona

Today was a hot, lazy day.  We had scrambled eggs for breakfast cooked by Bob with rolls from the Italian meal last night and croissants delivered yesterday by the landlady.  We ate outside on the patio, eventually going out at about 10.30.

The breezeway, Lantern Light Inn

We visited the Sedona Historical Museum based in the one room house of an early settler which expanded over time when their orchards matured and bore fruit.  There were many interesting photographs, mementoes and reminiscences and a host of old machinery outside - including an old apple grading machine.   There was also plenty to remind us that Sedona was extensively used to shoot cowboy films in the 1950s.  

An old fireman!

Mega frying pan

Historic museum, Sedona

Prickly pear

Kitchen

Kitchen

We explored a shopping centre called Tlaquepaque with many boutiques laid out like a Mexican village with archways and piazzas with fountains.  Well, the website describes it as Mexican inspired, but we thought it looked Italian! Peter and I took advantage of a shady seat for a while before we met up again with Bob and Mary, then it was off to Staples for large elastic bands (much larger than we can easily get in the UK) and to Safeway for lunch provisions.

Lunch on the patio was followed by reading, siesta, crosswords and more reading and, eventually, drinking! 

The restaurant tonight was the Heartline Cafe just up the road from the B&B.  The whole road between here and Uptown Sedona is lined with restaurants! 

Day 13: Walnut Canyon and Sedona

We just got to breakfast after a couple of bus loads of students who had cleaned out the breakfast goodies!  Almost!   After a few moments, the staff recovered and we had fresh scrambled eggs!   We are becoming intolerant of anything that minimises our comfort! 

First stop today was Safeway!   Almost as exciting as Grand Canyon!   Well, not really, but I do love an American supermarket.   I had bought a book on South Western cooking the day before and so stocked up on chiles and chilli powers of various sorts.  

Next stop was Walnut Canyon, once lived in by the Sinagua, a native peoples who lived in dwellings cut into the rock of this deep, forested canyon and somehow managed to eke out a living with very little water. Sin - without, Agua - water, see?! 

Walnut Canyon

Cliff homes in Walnut Canyon

Before the Sinagua other peoples had built pit houses. There was a good centre with explanations and a walk round with views into the canyon and of some of the dwellings.   Also, excellent labels giving the names and uses of some of the plants we have seen, so I have been able to go back and put in some names and appear terribly erudite! 

Typical vegetation

Cliffrose: purshia stansburiana

Banana Yucca

An infinite number of grasses 

Blue Grama: Couteloua gracilis

From Walnut Canyon we drove south through Oak Creek Canyon, a deep, wooded canyon with a creek running through approached from above down a winding road.   

Oak Creek Canyon, the road down

All green and shady!   And obviously a magnet for Sunday trippers.  We managed to find a picnic table at a stopping place and enjoyed a lunch of stuff from the ice box and fresh goodies picked up by Peter and Bob in Safeway while Mary and I tracked down chili powder.   Spelling of chilli is all over the place...English, American, Mexican...which version to use???

Kitchen

Then on to our B&B in Sedona for the next two nights.  Well!   A little oasis of calm and comfort.  What a perfect end to the holiday!   Bob is so pleased with himself for having found it on the internet!   It's called The Lantern Light Inn.  It's just off highway 89A and the owners are lovely.  

We have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large lounge, dining area, kitchen and private garden.  Peter is taking a nap indoors while Bob, Mary and I enjoy the garden.   

Living room

Garden

Garden

 We have booked tonight at Dahl and Diluca , an Italian restaurant just up the road, which the owner says is one of the best restaurants in Sedona!  We are treating Bob and Mary tonight to say thank you to them for organising this holiday, to Bob for doing all the driving (not that we didn't all offer, he just wouldn't let go of the wheel) and to celebrate the anniversary of their engagement.  You're never too old to be sentimental and romantic! 

Just back from the restaurant.  It turned out to be a really good meal. Very friendly staff and attentive waiters.   We are all feeling rather full!  Bob finished his meal with a Limoncello...what can you expect from a man who drinks Dr. Pepper!!!

We are planning the last day of the holiday.  Tomorrow we'll spend some time in Sedona - which looks like the Arizona equivalent of Islington or Hampstead!   There's a museum and an art gallery and much retail therapy opportunity.   We had hoped to meet up with old friends Van and Kathy in Phoenix on Tuesday, but Van is recovering from knee surgery, so sadly that won't happen.   Get well soon Van! 

Day 12: Grand Canyon, South Rim

Would you believe it!  The couple who we met at the Buffalo Sage B&B (near Bryce Canyon), who also turned up at Kaibab Lodge (near Grand Canyon North Rim) were at breakfast at our motel in Flagstaff this morning!   I told him to stop following us around and he was slightly taken aback until he realised I was joking!   Sometimes British humour doesn't translate well! 

Little Colorado Canyon

 This morning we drove from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, South Rim, stopping off at an Native American run park where we walked to the edge of the Little Colorado Canyon.   Bob and Mary had been here before, many years ago and said the railings were new!  Thank goodness they were installed!   The path led to a steep drop down into the canyon.  Shame the sun was not quite in the right place for photographs because the plunge down to the river was quite something!    Mary posed, hanging over the abyss!  There were stalls of Native American art/artifacts and I bought a hematite necklace and a pair of earrings.  

Mary, showing no fear! 

Bob and Mary must have been to Grand Canyon several times but not for a few years and they were staggered by the development that has taken place.  We approached from the east and our first stop was Desert View.   The whole area has been landscaped, with new paths, facilities and car parks.  Despite it being towards the end of the season, it was busy.  However, it is incredibly well done, well laid out and sympathetically built to blend into the environment - and despite the packed car park, the paths keep people separated and circulating.   Anyway, we got our first view of the canyon from the south and photographs just can't convey the immensity of the scene, the variety of colours in the layers of rock and the general sense of amazement at the landscape.  I probably needed a better camera to capture the depth of field, or something.  The distances are huge and there appears to be a blue haze hanging over canyon. My resident scientist tells me it is the gases coming off all the pine trees that form fine particles in the atmosphere...  

By the way, if you double click on the pictures you get a slide show in which the pictures are bigger and better!

Grand Canyon

The Colorado River 

Just take a few more steps back! 

We had a picnic lunch further along the rim and then Bob dropped the three of us off at Pipe Creek Vista and we walked along the rim to Mather Point and the new visitor centre complex.  The walk was not as dramatic as it sounds as a paved path takes you all the way, but there are plenty of places where the fool hardy can approach the edge and some people were having their photographs taken in poses that made you want to rush up and ask about their life insurance! 

It was a good walk though, about a l.5 miles, with wonderful views of the canyon and plenty of interesting plants to look at.  

Another canyon view

and another! 

Cliffrose: purshia stansburiana

Bark

Looks like some sort of daisy?

Delicate! 

Fern Bush: chamaebaliaria millefolium

Bright Angel Canyon

Bright Angel Canyon

We met up with Bob at an excellent bookshop, grabbed a cup of real coffee (not the usual weak variety) and then drove back to Flagstaff, stopping to admire the light dusting of snow on the top of Humphrey's Peak, the highest mountain in Arizona (12,633 feet).  

Humphrey's Peak

 In Flagstaff we found the Lowell Observatory but changed our plans about the evening programme when we realised that it involved standing outside for some time (and it gets really cold at night) and we refused to pay $9 each to be frozen!  Instead we browsed the bookshop before retreating and Bob and Mary picked up a really good book on the chemistry of the elements for their eldest grandson, Caleb.   

Back at the motel we went to Bob and Mary's room for a G&T and a rummage through the food box for nibbles before walking next door to Denny's for a quick meal.  

PS We decided that if we return to Grand Canyon before we are too old (!) we'll take a mule ride and a ride in a small plane.  Watch this space!