Quarai Pueblo. New Mexico

Visiting the Salinas Pueblos

While travelling through New Mexico, we got the chance to visit the Salinas Pueblo National Monument. First, we stopped at Abo (not pictured). Much smaller in scale, all the pueblos are wonderfully preserved.

After Abo, we visited Qurai. This pueblo is much larger, and more intact. We spent more time here. Besides Bizzy taking all the pictures (first of me and Becca in the top, and of Becca in the bottom), I was able to capture Bizzy (in the middle).

This made for a wonderful stop on our trip back from Arizona. I highly recommend, if you are ever in New Mexico, stop by and visit the pueblos.

The Ratliff Clan

Visiting the Ratliffs in Arizona

While in Phoenix, we visited Russ and Kira. At Russ' house, Russ, Becca, Charles and Evan take a moment to share some Kodak time.

Then, down in Tucson, we got to spend time with Larry and his family. Here, Charles and Becca hang out with Caius, Larry, and Ailey.

Tucson Children's Museum

Tucson Children's Museum

We awoke Sunday morning to the urge to visit downtown Tucson. As with all major metropolitan areas, Tucson is home to its own Children's Museum.

We toured the museum and found these guys in the science of the body section. We discovered that if you press on certain parts funny sounds are made.

Later, we met Larry, Caius, and Ailey for lunch. After an evening spent at the hotel, it was up Monday morning and we headed for home.

Enjoy the pictures!

Biosphere 2

Visiting the Biosphere

One of the more famous landmarks in southern Arizona is the Biosphere 2 outside of Oracle, AZ. This is a place that both Bizzy and Charles has visited before. Charles has only walked around the Biosphere while as an editor at the local newspaper in San Manuel, AZ, back in the day. Bizzy has been inside before.

Today, we took Becca to visit this iconic place, unique to only southern Arizona. We were able to get a tour inside the Biosphere, made our way through the biomes, and got to visit the internal workings and view up close the mechanisms that make the Biosphere what it is.

In the early 90's, scientists attempted to reside inside the Biosphere without any assistance from the outside. The Biosphereans went inside in 1991, and exited in 1993. Many believed the experiment failed, while those at the Biosphere discovered the "what not to do" while enclosed in a Biosphere. The biomes are still intact, and scientists from the UA continue to perform experiments inside.

What a neat place to visit!

We took these shots, well, mostly Biz and Becca, of us as we toured the Biosphere.

Historic Casa Grande

Visiting Historic Casa Grande

We stopped through Casa Grande on our way to Tucson and found the historic church and museum - closed! Of course, it was early Saturday morning and we were hoping to beat the heat as we raced to the southern part of the state.

Biz took these shots of Becca and Charles.

Casa Grande Az

Arizona boy and girl enjoys the cool 117 degree record heat

Becca and Charles take a moment out of their drive to Tucson to enjoy the heat of Central Arizona. With a stopover in Historic Casa Grande, we took a break to stretch our legs. Unfortunately, the stretch did not last long as the heat was upon us almost immediately!

Thankfully, Charles' Indiana car's air conditioning was primed and cool. We jumped back in and finished our drive to Tucson.

With a slight detour, of course!

Ready to fly

Our Vacation Starts!

Bizzy and Becca board the plane and head for Phoenix. Charles met them at the airport in Mesa, AZ, and the three headed out for a wonderful weekend, and week of travel!

First up was a two-day stop in Phoenix. Here, Becca, Biz and Charles spent a couple of days with Russ and Kira. In the midst of shopping, barbecuing, and playing with dogs, Becca got her ears pierced!  

Swimming At KHS

 Becca enjoys Open Swim at KHS

Open swim allows kids and adults to take advantage of the swimming pool at KHS. Becca loves going to open swim because it gives her a chance to work on her swimming strokes.

The teacher in charge of Open Swim is one of Biz's PE teachers, who is also the swim coach. During a lull, the teacher showed Becca and some other students, different swimming techniques.

Becca began diving off the starting blocks, learning how to start the first lef of a swim lap. She's also learning how to kick appropriately while in the lane.

This fall, the community's swim club, the Blue Dolphins, kicks into high gear after a several year absence. We're going to try and get Becca to participate. Who knows? This might lead to a high school swimming career!