What a whirlwind couple of months since we returned home mid-October!  Besides all of the activities you will see below – within a 10 day period during this time we listed and sold our townhouse, signed a contract on a “condo” in a Sr. Living Community (Vi Silverstone), sold both cars and bought 1 new Lexus (new Home has only 1 parking spot), sold BIG Magic and bought a new MiniMagic AND MOVED!!  Whew!  By January 1, 2019 – WE WERE EXHAUSTED;-)!!

In between signing contracts and packing boxes, there were holidays to celebrate and typical AZ activities to take in.  This year’s Electric Light show at the Desert Botanical Gardens was one of those events – –

 

Next thing we knew, a birthday presented itself followed quickly by Thanksgiving – –

 

Next up – our usual trip to Beaver Creek for the World Cup ski races.  On the way, we decided it was time to check another item off the ‘Bucket List’ and headed to Page and Antelope Canyon on a photography tour.

 

And now – the main attraction!!  Two cameras and two iPhones were firing away and don’t begin to do justice to the scenery  – –

After all the wonder and beauty, it was time to move on to Beaver Creek and the ski races.  Once again, we watched and cheered for our favorite US skier – Ted.

 

The next two weeks were spent madly packing/unpacking boxes and carting them up Scottsdale Road to our new “Home”.  Monday was the move date and by Friday we were joining our new neighbors on a hike at Brown’s Ranch – –

 

And – with the snap of the fingers it was Christmas.  Time to open pressies!!

But wait – there was more Christmas.  We were off the afternoon of the 25th to Ridgecrest, CA to see – and celebrate with – the Shoe Crew.  There were LOTS of games played in a very short period of time;-)

 

Since we were at the entry point to Death Valley NP (and had a couple of days to investigate), we decided to check another item off the Bucket List – another NP.

 

The trip there was quite exciting!!!  With less than 1,000 miles on the new MiniMagic – we had a blowout in the middle of NOWHERE with NO cell service.  Gary learned very quickly where the spare was, where the tools were and how to change these tires.  We did have a little help from a VERY good samaritan – David – who we are very grateful for.

 

Next stop – our Oasis in the Desert.  Literally!!

 

Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Death Valley NP has the dubious distinction of being the lowest, driest, and hottest spot in the US.  And yet, it is surrounded by dramatic hills and mountains, such as 11,000-foot Telescope Peak.  More than 10,000 years ago a vast fresh water lake once filled Death Valley to a depth of 600′.  Today, after thousands of years of dry, hot weather, only crusty salt flats remain.  The landscape is very desolate – but with beautiful colors at sunrise and sunset.

 

Badwater Basin – at 282′ below sea level – is the lowest point in North America.  Today the lake that once existed here is long gone leaving a layer of salt.  Adjacent to the Basin is the Devil’s Golf Course!!  Here, gnarled crystalline salt spires dot the landscape and look like a coral reef run amok.  Devil’s Golf Course be damned!  We had to give it a shot – –

 

Decided maybe it would be better to try the real thing.  We HAD to do it – it is the lowest golf course in the US;-)

Next up – Artists Palette Loop at sunset.  The mineral deposits here have caused swathes of red, pink, orange, purple and green to color the hills – and it all lights up at sunset.

 

One more sunrise and one more spot to watch it from.  Zabriskie Point provides a stunning panoramic view of golden-brown mudstone hills riddled with rills and gullies from the occasional, but intense, times when water rushes down these bone-dry, yet soft slopes.  It is a desolate, unearthly landscape – —

 

Home again and one more day of 2018.  Then it was time to welcome in 2019 with many new adventures to come – –

 

We wish you all a Happy and Very Healthy New Year with all the wonderful adventures and excursions that you might desire.  Keep checking off those “Bucket List” items and generate lots of fabulous memories.  Thank you to all our family and friends that join us along the way, invite us in and make us laugh;-)  We are grateful for all of you!

Much Love from Elizabeth & Gary  xoxoxoxox