Marley and Hunter hand out candy. 

Grand daughter Tara and Megan greet trick or treater Marley. 

At the Fall Festival 

Marley is in danger of losing her wig to the wind. 

Hunter as Buzz Lightyear and Marley as Snow White 

Hunter balances. 

Marley Jumps 

desert view

This tower, built in 1930, rests on the edge at the east end of the canyon at a place called Desert View. We climbed a spiral stair case four stories, and at 7200 ft. elevation, it really took the wind out of us. We were two of the few english speaking tourists there. This place is a huge attraction for people all over the world.

Looking toward the north east. 

It's getting late. 

This is the view from the tower. 

pueblo indian ruins

These are the ruins of an ancient Pueblo Indian village. It's situated less than 100 yards from the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We couldn't help but wonder how the indians kept their children from dropping over the edge.

what I'm reading now

This is the best work of fiction I've read since The Kite Runner. I've read two other Cormac McCarthy's books, Border Crossing, and All the Pretty Horses and they were excellent stories. Here's an excerpt from the inside jacket blurb: "Set in our own time along the bloody frontier between Texas and Mexico,... this is a harrowing story of a war that society is waging on itself, and an enduring meditation on the ties of love and blood and duty that inform lives and shape destinies. -- How does a man decide in what order to abandon his life?

thanksgiving

Dorothy and I recently had this conversation:

Dorothy: What would you like for Thanksgiving dinner?

Me: The usual; turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, hot rolls slathered with real butter, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.

Dorothy: Don't you want something different? I'd like to do something different this year.

Me: Are you serious!? Aren't you afraid of the Tradition Police? If we had something different for Thanksgiving the world as we know it would come to an end. The universe would roll up like a cheap window curtain and disappear. We'd better not risk it. If you want something different just add a cherry pie to the list.

For the life of me, I just don't know what gets into that woman.

grand canyon

We visited the Grand Canyon twenty seven years ago when the girls were little. It's just as awesome today as it was then. I don't think you can get used to the view. I know it has become a cliche tourist destination, but if you have never seen it in person, pack your bags today and go see it. I tried to weed out some of these photos but they're all so good and at the same time do not do it justice. I'll post even more phenomenal pics tomorrow.

straight across from near Mather Point 

looking west 

late afternoon shadows accentuate the side canyons and gorges. 

Looking east 

On Mather Point. 

walking up from Mather Point 

majestic 

sixteen miles across at the widest point 

Dorothy is reluctant to get any closer to the rail. It's a long way down. 

cloud shadows over the canyon 

live oak

After an eight hour drive north we arrive at Live Oak. At top you can see the view of the Sutter Buttes from my aunt Atha's front yard. Dorothy and aunt Atha go for a walk. -- A view of the side of aunt Atha's house. --Aunt Atha makes her world famous tacos.