Just Another Tequila Sunrise, Without the Tequila!

Haven't written anything in a while, but not as long as it has been for my friends in Jackson, WY, the Henry's. They are the folks that got me doing this (or at least Mooselee did). They haven't updated their log all month. I find their stuff infinitely more interesting than mine. Try it at Henrysinthehole.blogspot.com.

Again it is snowing here in Flagstaff but alas, I cannot get out on the boards because just after celebrating my birthday this week, I fell ill to a cold. At the moment it is at the peak of it's misery component. These winter colds (or flu, don't know which) are a bit demoralizing, not to mention debilitating enough to keep me from my outdoor pursuits with the exception of snow shoveling. You have to keep up with that.

I want to thank all my friends and family for all the nice birthday calls. It lets me know they are thinking about me and I appreciate it. I have told my daughters that I expect no presents. I can get myself what I want (mostly), and usually do, but thoughts are most important to me. So thanks to my daughters, Tasha and Tania, my sister Norma, her daughter Kimberly, also Mooselee (Cindy) & Bob Henry, Bob Hoyle, Jason, my perspective son-in-law, Marc & Carol Hammond, and that person I cannot mention in print. You all made my 62nd b-day for me.

Sunny Sunday in the Mountains

It looks to be another sunny and warm day (relative to it being winter) here at 7000 feet in beautiful downtown Flagstaff. Our Valentine storm dropped some more snow but it is fast disappearing with these 50 plus days.

I did get to go XC skiing again. Marc came up from Prescott and got here earlier. Even with that being the case, there were a lot of people out at the Nordic Center when we arrived at 9:30am. It was already 31 degrees and rising, so we hit the trail as rapidly as possible. As is usually the case, we saw few folks once we got up higher on the Abineau Trail. Although there was plenty of snow the conditions in my estimation were only "good." By the time we finished up at 11:15am the snow was getting a bit "sticky" and the parking lot was filling up. It was fun as usual, especially having Marc come-up for his personal record 4th time this season.

Wednesday I will be 62 years old. Never thought I'd make it this far! Well, guess I haven't quite yet, but am in my 62nd year anyway, start the 63rd on Thursday. I will be officially an "old coot," not to mention the curmudgeon I already am! The upside of it all is that I will get to draw some of that social security money I put in all those years.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is another snowy afternoon in Flagstaff. After a week of 50+ temps, we have gotten another storm. I have shoveled about 8 inches of the lovley white stuff so far today. The falling flakes have been doing so since early this morning, but have at this very moment ceased. The forecast is for more continuing through tomorrow. This bodes well for XC skiing.


My friend Ed, who will turn 70 the week after next, said he has had it. They have been considering moving to "the Valley" (Phoenix for those of you outside of AZ) because of this winter. This snow storm, our 4th major one, may have tipped the scales toward that move. Besides, his lady Bonnie, has to be down there for her job overnight about once a week, and commutes. Myself, I could not live there, too much winter smog, and hotter than hell in the summer.


Under the banner of "woe is me," I am spending another Valentine's Day in a solitary manner. It seems that I have not done so well in the romantic department since moving to Flagstaff. But, it is my own fault, don't get out much to places where I would meet eligible possible mates. I do not go to church, hang out in bars, and am not a joiner of groups. Plus, I'm a bit "picky." Maybe I'm a bit too "discerning" for my current age and physical appearance. My youngest says I really do not want a relationship as it might mess-up my "schedule." At least that is what she told my late mother, her grandmother. I think she may believe I am too "set in my ways."


However, I do have a love, but she is not available. So, let me wish her, and whomever may read this, a Happy Valentine's Day, plus, a Happy Birthday to my younger (but not young) sister Marlene.

Sunny Flagstaff!

The weekend went by pretty fast with the temps in the 50s, five days of it with more to come. Maybe the groundhog was wrong. I hope not, besides, it is only the middle of February, still a chance for storms and skiing.

My friend and coworker/ranger in the Tetons, Laine Thom, stopped by this weekend on his way from Tucson. For those of you who do not know, we have a wonderful "Indian Arts Museum" at Colter Bay in Grand Teton NP, and although we have an official curator, Laine is the unofficial one. He has worked there for 29 years. At any rate, he is contracted by the Park Service to keep track of items from the museum that are being stored and restored at facility in Tucson. He goes down from his winter home in Utah about twice a year to inspect and inventory museum pieces.

He is a good friend and funny as hell. We had a nice breakfast together on Saturday and he headed up to the Hopi Rez to acquire more items for his personal collection which probably rivals many museums. He is Northern Shoshone/Paiute and sometimes claims to be part Italian, Irish and Chinese (depending on who he is talking to). He said he might be through here again in March, but you can never tell where Laine will be. Those of us who have worked with him know that he can appear and disappear in an instant.

Sorry that I will not be working with him this coming season as I have during the past 9 years. I have been transferred to Jenny Lake Visitor Center. But, am hoping that my quarters will remain at Colter Bay where I can see my friends in my off-duty periods.

So much for news in my world. Have Happy Valentine's Day. Take care of your loved ones.

Reflections on a Warm Flagstaff Day

Many will be happy that this was a warm winter day in Flagstaff. It got up to 52 degrees at my place. While the glee of some was out there my own feelings did not match theirs. I did go xc skiing this morning, the second time this week, but I could already feel the effects of the warming trend. I got there early, and although there is over four feet of snow, the conditions were slick and icy in places, not my favorite. However, Tuesday right after the storm was excellent, and Marc once again drove up from Prescott to ski. We are in for a warming trend for the next few days so it looks like it is back to the gym for me.

Other reflections on the day include some that would be labeled political. Romney dropped out of the republican presidential race today, and even though I am not one of "those," I am happy about that. That leaves my Senator left in the race (must admit voting for him for senator a while back, just think he is honest). I respect McCain but it would take dire circumstances for me to vote for him for President. My candidate is now my youngest daughter's, Hilary. There is something about Obama that doesn't ring true with me. I wish Edwards was still in the running.

Monday Morning and a sh*# Load of Snow

Monday morning, the Patriots lost and we had continous snow all day on Sunday. It actually kept me from driving across town yesterday for my "Super Bowl party." This is the most snow we have had during a winter since I moved here in 2001. It looks as if tomorrow is going to be another excellent XC Skiing day.

It's February, and it's still Winter Folks!

The ground hog came out in Penn., saw it's own shadow and went back in his hole. Guess that means 6 more weeks of winter. That doesn't disturb me, except for the higher heating bills, in fact the highest I have ever experienced. We have to think about energy costs in terms of environmental consequences. There is a realtionship!

We had a nice snow storm this past week providing good snow for skiing. My friend Marc drove up from Prescott on Thursday to join me on the boards. I must say that I would rate the conditions as excellent on that day for cross-country. Yesterday went out again and, although there was still a lot of snow, my rating went down to good. The thing about Flagstaff is that it warms up after storms, a lot of the time to the high 30s or low 40s. That gets the "thaw and freeze" thing going, which makes for icy conditions.

There is more snow expected today and throughout the first part of the week. I know many people here are tired of winter but I am "eating it up." For the first time ever, I have broken even on my season pass to the Nordic Center and plan to exceed that.

It is "Super Bowl Sunday." Guess that is like another holiday for some. For the first time in a long time I am interested and have an invite to watch it as well. My friend Ed and his lady, Bonnie, have graciously invited me for chili, burgers and the fixins.' Go Patriots (although wouldn't mind too much if NY won)!

That's it from beautiful downtown Flagstaff for today!