I Noticed That

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Mesa in August

Precious privilege
We got to attend Lexie's endowment session
And then step out into the 112 degree air
Always a little startling

Even in the evening, to step out of a building and find it was 95 degrees,
was another surprise. . . every time

I had a useful chat with myself before I left Idaho:
Self, do not make an issue of the temperature in Arizona....surely the good folk there do not enjoy listening to visitors carry on about how hot it is. Ok, I said, I will remind myself along the way....no whining about being hot. And while you're at it.....do not do or say things that will take away from the sweet purpose of the trip.
Aye Aye, self, . . . .got it

Experiment: I carried a tiny water spritz bottle in my walk-about bag
I imagined it would feel refreshing on my neck
It did ....for about 3 seconds....then it felt like another layer of sweat

I loved seeing the plants that are hearty and beautiful in the Arizona sun

After our few moments in the sun
we were ready to chill in front of the Olympics on the big screen

We got to stay with my Aunt Mabel and Uncle LeRoss Jones
who live a few houses away from the temple

They were super hosts to us

They circled us in like we were one of their own

We pretty much adore them

P.S. I love Candice and her beautiful tummy

She was such a trooper....8 months pregnant and right there at every event

Taking to the air

Woo Hoo....Wedding Week!

Ah....the much contemplated travel back pack....my only stash
(considered a 'personal item' in Allegiant speak)
Determined to avoid the luggage charge
I borrowed it from a friend
If she could travel for weeks in Europe with just this back pack
surely I could make it 5 days

What a super stretch for me
I'm one who likes my "toys" when I travel....books, journals, art supplies....more books

I 'practice packed' two weeks ahead
Whew... once I whittled down my can't-live-without list
I actually had room to slip in 2 books before I walked out my door....Yes!

I broke in a gorgeous new journal for the trip, too

Eight of us family adults traveled together
A caravan of two vehicles across the state
to the cheap flights (if you don't take luggage!) of Allegiant in Idaho Falls

When we lined up at the check in desk the employee took one look at us and said
Why are you all dressed up?
Huh?
Til then, it hadn't occurred to me that our skirts and shirts looked out of the ordinary
Our white shirt gang responded
We're on our way to a wedding . . . little brother is getting married
(actually the wedding wasn't until Saturday....but you know the routine)

I guess we did look different than the t-shirts and flip flops around us

Chillin' in our be-ready-to-hurry-to-the-temple-clothes

We were scattered through out the plane
Alisha behind me

Tim in front of me

And in my row....

All in the family!

Landed in Mesa, AZ
I'm doing the paper work at the car rental desk
My sons are GPS-ing and plotting our next move

We rented two vehicles
This big one for 5 of us
A smaller car for the other 3
since we would be sleeping in two different places

Off we go!

I must say, having only a backpack as luggage was a refreshing change from my usual baggage
when it came to hauling my stuff around

How about you.....have you ever traveled as a minimalist?