Rear-ending

Stopped at a red light in Flagstaff this afternoon, I was surprised by the WHAM! We shot forward about fifteen feet. Fortunately, I was first in line.

Phoebe seems to have taken it in stride. I've had a low-grade headache the rest of the day and lower back pain. Not what I had in mind as a distraction at this point. 

It could'uh been woise

Weds morn 8:35. Extra tired from it all but only -- so far -- minor stiffness; not enough to bother getting treatment for.

Thurs afternoon: Weds afternoon the back pain prompted me to call his insurance & file a claim. I was able to schedule a massage for tomorrow afternoon.

Fri: Pain continues to worsen. Chiropractic just makes it hurt more.

Flagstaff

It'd rained most of the day and tired as I was from driving I'd stayed inside and read A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle, (for the 2nd or 3rd time; senility has its advantages.). But after checking the forecast, something I RARELY do, and seeing it was supposed to continue for the next two days, I decided to move. 

Even though the word "late" hasn't any meaning in this lifestyle, by the time I got put together it was 2:30. 

Location Shot

I had a long to-do list that included extra stamps for an especially hefty birthday card, groceries, fender washers for the license plate, maybe laundry, but "late" as it was, we decided most could wait. After the post office & Safeway, we headed north. By then it was 4:30.

Move Along There, Buddy

Their timing was a little off as I was just prepping for my baahhth and had nothing on but my tighty-whiteys. But when I asked, they obligingly turned their backs whilst I pulled my pants on. It wasn't that I was embarrassed, it's just, you know, the 68-year-old "physique" could, actually, be offensive to some.

It seems the threat of fire has become too much and they decided to close the forests in Arizona.

When I mentioned I'd been thinking of going up to the North Rim, they said the Kaibab was closed too. They suggested Utah, Colorado or even New Mexico.

As it is, Phoebe's been making some odd noises in the area of her timing belt (you know...down THERE!) and I'd been thinking of taking a room at the hotel. I called TAG Automotive in Flagstaff (highly recommended) but they were booked out two weeks. So, it made sense -- may the godz have mercy, I said I'd NEVER go back -- to return to her regular mechanic in ALBUQUERQUE.

I'll borrow the 2008 Honda FIT from the family and use it while Phoebe gets whatever needs doing done. The Jemez Mountains are beautiful this time of year.

Pausing To Rest - West of Flagstaff

She's been known to make the run from Los Angeles to Albuquerque without stopping. With my nagging she MIGHT have stopped somewhere along the way, but by meeting her a few miles west of Flagstaff and guiding her to "my" spot in the dispersed camping area, I was assured she'd get some rest.

As it was, she drove white-knuckled for an hour and a half to reach escape velocity from L.A. and then another ??? hours to our rendezvous. There was only time for a brief massage and five minutes of cuddling (count 'em!) before sending her off to dreamland.

She woke at five (a.m.) had tea and went back to sleep until about 8:00 (a.m.). After a quick breakfast, she lugged her portable loo off to the hole like the veteran she is; I even forewent the quip about whether everything "came out alright."

By then she was looking a tad pale so she "did" an ativan and went back to sleep whilst I piddled around online.

After she woke, we again had coffee, then packed up and parted. We'll meet sometime in the next week or so in Alamosa, Colorado. There's a major whitewater fest, FIBark, next weekend in Salida and an art fest on the 28th. She doesn't have an end-date for this "celebration" of her upcoming 70th birthday, but she's mentioned several places in Wyoming and Montana.

Stay tuned.

(She came and went so quickly I didn't EVEN get a photo.)

180 North of Flagstaff

She arrives tomorrow. In the meantime I'm exploring highway 180, the lesser-used route to Grand Canyon.

This is the view from the highway. The backside of the San Francisco conglomerate.

A little closer in.

Tomorrow, in anticipation of closeness, it's bath time...whether I need it or not.

Can You Mix Engine Oils? (Jeezus!! A friggin' *technical*!)

Out there in the fields, where we ponder our wheels....the question has come up a number of times (for me). I tho't you too might find this article of interest. Besides which, Overland Journal is the only publication, I know you agree, worth subscribing to. 

And their annual conference, Overland Expo, is coming up soon. (New location: Fort Tuthill County Park, mere minutes from Flagstaff)

How's tHAt for a press release & promo?

For those who, like myself, eschew campgrounds, road 89A going SW from Ft Tuttle C.G. is the "backroad" to Sedona. It's in Nat'l Forest and from my brief looksee this past Fall appeared to offer innumerable boondocking opportoonitees.

Happy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hozhoni Gallery, Flagstaff - Outsider Art

A MUST SEE whenever in Flagstaff is the Hozhoni Gallery. The artists, referred to as clients, have developmental disabilities so the work is bonafide outsider.
Open Saturday 10 - 4. But they'll glady open it for you if you go to the main office and ask. The low prices add to the delight. The Cat is $25.00.

2133 N Walgreen Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Ph: 928-526-7944

The Mask is almost two feet tall and about a foot wide.

It's Thunder Spirit by Edward Haswood

The Cat is about two and a half feet long and nearly a foot tall

Each doll is about ten inches tall

These three assemblages were about five inches long and almost as tall

Mask by Miranda Delgai

Bowl

Mission Statement
The Hozhoni Foundation provides individualized residential, vocational, and educational services primarily for people with developmental disabilities. 

Our goal is to enhance quality of life, self-sufficiency, dignity and self- respect of the individuals we serve. We provide opportunities for education and interaction within the community to heighten awareness and understanding of people with disabilities.




My purchases - Four Popcorn Tiles by Tammy Smith

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA - HOZHONI ART GALLERY

I created this post to help promote an exhibit (see flyer below) that has since ended. But the gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Much of the work is exceptional and if the instructor(s) are amenable I encourage you to tour the artists' working space. There you'll see even MORE wonders.




Flagstaff's WEEKLY HAPPENINGS.


The Hozhoni Art Studio is one of the most advanced art programs for artists with developmental disabilities. It specializes in Native America and other outsider art. The program is a non-profit visual arts program where artists create and collaborate with other artists organizations and galleries, as well as display and sell their works. The goal is to promote artists with disabilities cultural contributions and successfully market their creations.

The Gallery In Williams

Several weeks ago three artists at The Gallery in Williams (Arizona, that is) granted interviews. Now, finally, they can be seen on Youtube. Please enjoy videos of 

Don Nord...

....a cabinet maker who's taken his skills to another level. He combines his love of woodworking with turbine blades from helicopters that fly over the Grand Canyon, railroad spikes from the Grand Canyon Railroad, and gears, piston rods and such from automobiles. 

Amy S. Martin...

...is a rower with the Arizona Department of Fish & Wildlife. She rows on Colorado River trips and photographs as she goes. She is also a former Peace Corp worker (this link is to a project she's working on) who is interested in helping the stateless peoples' of the Dominican Republic.

and

Tom Williams...

...co-owner and a gallery founder, Tom makes beautiful bells from propane tanks and sculptures using the shoes of mules that trod the trails of the Grand Canyon. His "Shoeguaro" sculpture won Best in Show at the Flagstaff 2012 Recycled Art Exhibition (coordinated by The Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff). A collaborative sculpture is installed at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.