The Visit

Last Wednesday afternoon we drove into Sky Harbor airport to pick up Jesse and Erin!   They were not able to come for the holidays this year and we were really excited to finally see them again.   This was the first time they've been to our "new" home.     We enjoyed a short but busy visit - I didn't waste time taking too many pictures.

They both had some business to take care of the first day,  but we took advantage of the time in between to do a little sightseeing along the Hassayampa river bed with Jesse, Happy Hour with Erin and we all had dinner together.

Dave and Jesse took a few long walks around our neighborhood in the mornings.   

Lewis wasn't invited, but he felt that he needed to keep a watchful eye on them as they hiked away.

Friday was a long day for us all.   The four of us left the house at 8 a.m. on our way into Scottsdale for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West,   It was a beautiful sunny day and we all enjoyed the home's desert setting, the Chihuly glass installation there this winter, and the dramatically embellished tour led by Molly.   

After our tour we had lunch at ZuZu at the Valley Ho Hotel in downtown Scottsdale, checked out the Boulders Resort and then went off road to head home through the desert on Castle Hot Springs Road.     We came across a small herd of Burro just before the historic hotel.

It was a long drive, but we wanted to give Jesse and Erin a little taste of the back country places we so love to explore.   

That night we shared the Ornery Hog's smoked Prime Rib for dinner.    

 As I said, it was a long day for us all but Lewis wasn't too lonely at home.    Steve came over mid-day and took him out in the yard for a little break.     Lewis is a bit of a flower, as you probably know.   Steve tried to take him out for us one other time, when Dave had his surgery, and he wouldn't leave the motorhome, wouldn't even get off the bed.      What if  Steve was trying to steal him, or perhaps try to steal Beluga, or perhaps Steve was planning to kill him, who knows what goes on Lew's little brain.    This time, Steve was a friend and he happily went with him.    Thanks Steve!  

Saturday we had a cool and windy lunch at Nichols West and then out into the desert again to give them an up close encounter with a beautiful crested Saguaro.    

Jesse pokes, Erin shivers

 

While we were tramping around I discovered this unusual and new to me, cactus.   There were no others anywhere around the area.    I think it is an Arizona Queen of the Night or Nightblooming Cereus.  Have you ever seen one?

it was purple ish

I think the highlight of the weekend, however, was the fireplace.....

my two smiling lizards

Sunday morning came too soon and they flew back to their beautiful home in Spokane.   I know Molly and Dexter will be over the moon to have them home!

Lewis was exhausted and slept most of the entire day....or maybe he was depressed?