Tulip Time - First time ever...

Jerry registered for a continuing ed class which was going to be in Mount Vernon... We left the night before, stayed in a local hotel so he could go to the class nice and early and then we would have the afternoon to enjoy the flowers AND a side trip to LaConner for a delish meal at "Seeds."   The weather seemed to have cleared up just for us.  Couldn't have asked for a better day!  Don't need any more commentary, the flowers and view speak for themselves!

A fun day taking pictures UNDER a bridge for a change...

and a pic of frozen... starting to thaw... all the ice fishing houses gone... Lake Minnetonka...

Minnehaha Falls... so pretty in ice!

Picked up Halley... Had a great lunch with Amy G, Executive Director of Minnesota Life College and met their new Development Officer.  It's about 40 degrees... so it's comfy... This weekend, they'll be back below freezing!  

Took a little ride and checked out the falls.  Found a sweet parking spot... and then, as I got out of the car, I fully slide on the ice, going under the car while the camera flew in a snow pile.  I got a snow rash (like road rash) on my hand and wrist and wrenched my back/chest... Jerry commented that was one of the first legitimate falls he has ever seen me do... I asked if he was making a joke since we were near the falls... but no, he really meant it.  He says I tend fall where most wouldn't have a problem (and that is true, my mom called me "Grace" growing up cuz I was a klutz) but in this case... Anyone would have fallen there... ahhhhh, redemption, a legitimate fall... life is complete!  

The Minnehaha Falls themselves are gorgeous... Check the pictures further below and there's an explanation of the when the falls were dedicated... it's a hoot... do read it!

The ghosts at our hotel...."The Depot"....

Fun Times with the Andersen's and McDaniels...

We have the best friends!  Anyone who lets us stay at their house and feeds us and entertains us (well, I like to think we entertain them too!)... well, they are very special.

The girls had fun shopping for themselves and Julie's new decorating task (Julie and Jens are buying a condo there...they'll be temp residents... official snowbirds now along with Tom and Christy!!!)  The guys hit the golf ball around on Friday and Saturday.  Everyone was happy!  Julie's kitchen was a hopping and none of us went hungry... do we ever???? NOT!

Alas, Sunday came around and we had to leave.  New memories have been made... and we're looking forward to more!

Coming home from a day of shopping... Pink boa feathers still haunt us from when we made Halley an honorary Diva for an evening! 

Julie is the best 'cooker' and 'entertainier'.... and Christy ain't so bad either!

Brunch at Hacienda del Sol to thank our hosts! 

 One last shot of the three of us before we leave for the plane!

Will miss these beautiful sunsets on their mountains there... Pretty!

Kartchner Caverns.... the Four J's Take a Road Trip!

We checked out of the hotel and moved to the Andersen's Hacienda for the next few days!  Had to leave nice and early, dropped off our luggage at their place and then we were on the orad by 8:30.  Jerry, Jean, Jens and Julie on a road trip and explore to the Kartchner Caverns!

Started the tour out watching a movie about the discovery and how the tours now came to be.  Unbelievable... Back in the 70's, college buds who like to explore caverns... and boy, did they hit the jackpot... They entered through a sinkhole... now I was imagining a huge sinkhole... but no... it was very small... the clue was the warm air blowing out of it on their explore. And their explore determined it was huge. But... all very secretive for years as they didn't want the place ruined.  First they told the landowners (Kartchner's) and showed them... as well as they could... then, they got they state involved... It's a fascinating history... check it out on the internet!

Once inside, there were strict rules... no picture taking, had to compact and roll up our jackets before we entered the warm caves.  They wanted to prevent any lint of loose hair from falling on the rocks.  If we accidentally touched any part of the cave, we would have to tell our guides and they would leave a plastic tape and it would be thoroughly cleaned (???) that evening

So, these pictures following I downloaded from Google... The explore was awesome!

AND, when we got home, Diva Christy had prepared an absolutely delicious meal....

The 'mountains' over the caves... 

An Honorary Diva for the Night!

So, Christy and Julie prepared a special evening for Halley... and she was crowned an honorary Diva!  Can we say FUN!!!!

Touring Tuscon...the City and It's History!

 Woke up early and met Michael Reisen for our personal tour of the city and a visit to the San Xavier del Bac Mission.   So, so, so much information in Michael's head... The Mission is still an active church today and the interior is gorgeous.  It's on the Tohono O'Odham Reservation.  Again lots more history on how this whole area was settled.  We definitely need to come back and do even more exploring!

Stopped for a meal and then back on the road....

All done, we came back for a dip in the pool!  nice.....