Life is a Highway

Goodbye Kelly Place

So, today we leave our home in the Southwest, Kelly Place B&B. This has been our best stay yet, not because of what we've done, but who we've met. Romana, a kindergarten teacher from Switzerland, who is here on a four month spiritual journey. Laz and Nancy, from Florida and L.A., who sold their homes and are searching for the right place to open a healing and retreat center. And, of course, Marc and Jerene, our hosts, who combine warmth and humor so effortlessly. As always, we hate to leave, but more so this year because of Romana, Laz and Nancy. Marc and Jerene, we'll see you next year. (If you'd like to see Kelly Place for yourself, please check out their website at www.KellyPlace.com. Or check out my blog from last year's trip to see photos of this beautiful place.

Yesterday, Marie stayed around Kelly Place to journal, paint and reflect. Romana and I took a 4 hour hike in Sand Canyon. The natural, otherwordly beauty and amazing Ancestral Puebloan ruins made for a great afternoon.

The day ended with an impromptu didgeridoo concert by Marc and Jerene (one of the little known features of Kelly Place) and dinner with the whole gang at a local restaurant. A very nice way to end this year's stay at Kelly Place.

Be Open to Outcomes, Not Attached to Outcome

Sorry for the break, but it’s been a busy, interesting few days. On Friday, we decided to stick around Kelly Place and relax. We thought that meant relaxing in our cabin with a fire roaring while the cold wind and occasional snow blew outside (yes, it snowed again!). Instead, we found ourselves moving from stimulating conversation to stimulating conversation with our fellow travelers. Then, after dinner we all gathered around the one television to watch Avatar. Marie and I flew out here on the day of release, so we bought the DVD at BWI airport just in case we might get a chance to watch it. Romana, from Switzerland, and Jerene, our hostess, hadn’t seen the movie. Laz and Nancy, who hope to buy land here, had seen it once; Marie and I were the champs – this was our fourth time. As if 2 1/2 hours of action and emotion wasn’t enough, we all stayed up talking until around 1:30. What a beautiful community we’ve become in such a short time.

On Saturday, we got up thinking we’d hike an unexplored stretch of Sand Canyon, until I mentioned that there was a Native American Heritage Festival in Blanding, UT, Romana, Laz and Nancy decided to go and invited us along. Marie sensed we’d be in for a great day, so we changed our plans. And were we glad we did!

First we went to the festival, where we enjoyed the crafts and the people, including Aldean Ketchum, or Lightning Hawk, a Ute flute player, storyteller and author of our grandchildrens’ favorite book. After hearing Aldean’s stories and songs, his wife, Wanda, grabbed me and invited me to participate in the Bear Dance, where the women pick their partners for this traditional dance about the awakening of the bear from hibernation. Laz was also chosen, and after three dances (with different partners) was chosen by the other dancers to receive a special gift. No photos are allowed by the Native Americans at the festival, so you'll have to take my word for it. Oh, and it snowed again!

We ended the day by taking Romana, Laz and Nancy on a tour of the amazing places around Bluff, UT. First we stopped off in Bluff for a quick bite at Twin Rocks Cafe and Trading Post, with its own amazing rock formation.
Next were the rock formations known as the Navajo Blankets.

Then came the otherwordly Goosenecks State Park, where the San Juan River takes 6 miles to traverse one mile through amazing stratified canyons 1000 feet below.

Here Romana enjoys the view.

Marie, Laz, Nancy and me.

Marie, Romana, Nancy and me.

And then there was Valley of the Gods.

I've seen the Grand Canyon, and it's grand and it's a canyon. But for my money, the area south of Bluff has the most amazing sights, and is unrivaled in its natural beauty. And we didn't even get to Monument Valley! Keep in mind that everything you're seeing here is only 20 minutes south of Bluff and is clustered within a 3 mile radius. Laz told us that he's been all over the world and he's never seen anything like it.

We ended our day by eating at the Cottonwood Steakhouse back in Bluff. This sign was posted on an outside wall.

Yesterday dawned cold and rainy, turning to snow for awhile. The snow came down Sleeping Ute Mountain to our level, and Mesa Verde was shrouded in a thin layer. Over toward Hesperus and the San Juan Mountains, they got 4-8 inches. We spent time with Laz, Nancy and Romana, culminating in a pot luck supper in our cabin with a roaring fire.

We came out to the Southwest with an itinerary of places to see and hike. Instead, we've been blessed with wonderful new friends and experiences. Marie and I agree that this has been the most amazing vacation we've ever been on. And we've still got a week to go!