On Saturday, we drove from Holbrook to Payson, AZ. The drive through Winslow along the old Route 66 and then south on AZ 87 is hilly, winding and very beautiful. We thought we would have enjoyed the Route 66 part more if we were driving an old Corvette!! (I think you have to be a certain age to appreciate that thought) In Payson we stayed at the home of my cousins Alan and Linda Poskanzer. They live in a lovely hilltop home with a great view of the Ponderosa Forest and the elk in the backyard. Unfortuntely Linda was at work in Calaifornia (she commutes!), but our visit with Alan was filled with family reminiscences. Sunday took us from Payson back through the mountains to Clarkdale where we boarded the Verde Canyon Railroad for a 4 hour journey into the canyon. Left aligned photo tag: We splurged on first class tickets which gave us comfy seating, drinks and munchies, and two window seats. A gentle voiced narrator pointed out interesting sights along the way. The highlight of the trip were the bald eagles...both baby and adults...who make their home in the canyon. The nesting pair have been in Verde Canyon for 20 years. From Verde Canyon we drove south on AZ87 through more mountainous road to Dewey where we spent a most enjoyable evening with our cousin, Jack Martin. We took him to dinner, and he gave us a wonderful B&B! At 85, Jack is a gracious and energetic host. On Monday we headed south and got as far as Coolidge. The most notable thing about Coolidge is the Casa Grande Ruin National Monument. This prehistoric adobe site and building stand in stark contrast to the Walmart Superstore up the road. Tuesday brought us to Tucson, a sprawling, desert city. We found a good hotel with a guest laundry and the pool right outside our door and relaxed most of the afternoon. This morning we went to the Arizona sonora Desert Museum, an outdoor extravaganza of nature. From cacti in riotous bloom to coyotes behind barely visible mesh the walking experience took most of the morning. The highlight for me were the cactus flowers. I took photos of as many different ones as I could as we walked along the path. After the museum, a short drive up the road brought us to the Saguaro National Park. We stopped in the visitors center, got some info, and then took the scenic drive to a picnic area called Signal Hill. Left aligned photo tag: Then, back to town and relaxing by the pool. Are you getting the drift?? Tomorrow we go to Las Cruces, NM