Return to the desert

I arrived yesterday afternoon in Phoenix.  Monday and Tuesday were both beautiful days for driving so that was a big plus.  I found the house especially dusty compared to years before...I thought all those days of rain would tame the dust storms, but evidently a few got through during the monsoon season!

Matt rode his bike to the farm Saturday afternoon for a very short visit.  It was good to have him home for a few hours.  We went in to see Jan and Clayton so that was especially nice.  We both left for Omaha Sunday around 1:00.  He had a going away party to attend for a friend and he took me with so I could meet all his friends.  It was lots of fun.  Afterwards we went to one of his favorite pizza places for dinner.

I woke very early Monday morning so decided to toss on some clothes, brush my teeth and hit the road by 5 a.m.  The new car was such fun to drive and each stop I was amazed at not being stiff, so that was awesome!  :-)  I always stop in Santa Rosa, NM the first night.  747 miles and a little over 11 hours.  I had a special treat when the kids decided to Facetime.  So good to see them! 

Tuesday is a shorter day for me so I didn't leave until 6:30 a.m. and arrived in Phoenix around 2:30.  So tired, but managed to go to Costco and pick up essentials.  Due to the 2 hour time difference I went to bed WAY too early and then woke up around 3 a.m.!  Wide awake.  I decided to make the most of it and started unpacking all the junk I hauled with me. 

When I was tired of that, I decided to do what I love best about being here and went for my favorite mountain hike.  I was 10 minutes slower than when I left last spring.  Ha!  Darn flat Iowa got me out of shape!  I will have to work on that.  :-)

I have spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon dusting and mopping the floors.  I plan to go over the floors again later.  The water kept getting so dirty, I kept changing it often but I think it needs another go over! 

I am looking forward to Mark's call that says the harvest is finished.  It has been a real struggle with too much rain and muddy fields.  Those boys will be glad to see this behind them!

Before I left I went to see Dan, Katie and sweet Piper.  She is a good baby!

Matt and I decided to take Jan out for a spin on a very gorgeous Saturday.

Me and my baby boy.  :-)

28 miles until Flagstaff!!

I have some yard work to do!  The grass is usually dead when I arrive, ready for winter seeding.  Not this year!  Time to mow this down!

Beautiful morning for a North Mountain hike.