The weekend wedding celebration began on Friday with time to hang out and meet Jack, Peggy's future husband. Her sisters, Patty and Mary arrived from Iowa, Wes and Alena flew out from Baltimore and friends from the Canyon were all around. Mary and I were busy on Saturday morning making the flowers for the reception, fun to laugh and enjoy the excitement of the occasion.
Once the flowers were done, the tables and decorations set just a few doors down, we had time to share a bottle of champagne before heading to the rim of the canyon for the 4:00 ceremony. Wesley and his Aunt Patty played guitars and sang
as Mandy and Peg waited nearby making sure all guests had arrived and walked out to the special location.
Mandy and Wes walked their Mom over to start the wedding ceremony while we all found places to sit on rocks nearby with a stunning view of the canyon as backdrop. A perfect afternoon, warm, sunny and no wind.
With love and laughter as they said their vows, Peggy married Jack McCardle of Wickenburg, AZ
then time for lots of family photos while tourists watched or practically joined into the event.
As we were walking back towards the car area a young man sitting on the bench nearby motioned to Wesley he wanted to play his guitar, so Wes handed it over and suddenly the guy stood up and started playing flamenco music. He didn't speak much English but was having a great time playing while I grabbed the moment of fun.
From there we headed over to the party in a friend's lovely backyard near Peggy's condo. A wonderful potluck dinner, horseshoes, campfire and LOTS of cake to finish off the night.
Sunday was time for a ride out the east road towards WatchTower site, a beautiful view of that side of the Canyon.
From there we back tracked, parked the car and walked out to Shoshone Point. It had been 5 years since we'd spread my brother Mark's ashes in this beautiful canyon he loved so much. Mandy, Wes, Alena, Paul and I spent the afternoon there enjoying the beauty and quiet spirit of memories. Next, we drove out to see Dan and Terry's cabin in the woods, the project they've lovingly built weekends, holidays and any extra time they had over more than 20 years, giving them a home outside of the canyon but still within driving distance to work. When you are a teacher at the Canyon as Peggy and Terry are, you are given housing as part of your contract. Peg's was a comfy 3 bedroom townhouse that backed up right to the edge of the forest but her wedding to Jack also meant she was retiring from her teaching career and moving to Wickenburg, AZ to start her new life there.
Monday was time for most family to head back to Flagstaff or Phoenix to catch flights back home, Paul and I stayed one more day so we could ride our bikes along the East Rim and just be tourists in this amazing place.
We had the best campsite for our motorhome while at the canyon that weekend, right alongside Dave and Judy Beckerleg's home and only a 5 min bike ride over to Peggy's condo. So fun to be close to the action and have time to catch up with Dave and Judy over a bottle of wine, or pizza dinner and relax in their back yard.
Tuesday morning we said our good byes and left for our most favorite spot, Sedona, only an hour and a half from the canyon. As we have in the past, we returned to our small Page Springs RV Park right along Oak Creek, about 8 miles south of town. It's warm, quiet, and so peaceful along the river.
With 4 days to just enjoy the area we took hikes and walks and saw some new places to check out. The days were hot but evenings were worth it.
Our campsite has the most wonderful view, perfect for sitting and just gazing at the ducks in the waters.
Sunday we left early and went south to Wickenburg so Peggy could show us her new home. We parked the motor home right next to their house, got all plugged in and later in the afternoon went to meet Paul's sister, MarLyn, and his nephew David's family for a lunch at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in the little town of Anthem. We met the newest little Slater, Baby Logan, had time to visit then MacKenzie and I played checkers on the porch after lunch. So fun! Since David and Ruthie live in Phoenix, MarLyn is often there enjoying her grand babies., but what a coincidence for us to be int he area at the same time.
Monday morning it was time to get out of the heat of Arizona and head back to California. We got on the road by 5 AM, but Julie made a big mistake and we drove about 25 miles in the wrong direction before realizing we were almost in Phoenix, not on our way west to Palm Springs. But an easy turn around and a much prettier road west, we were crossing the border into California about 9AM and the temp was a mild 85'. Even with the mistake and lose of an hour of driving time, we still were in California by mid day and we'd gotten out of Arizona before the 108+ temps hit.
Our destination was Temecula, CA to visit family and friends for the next 4 days. What a difference to be closer to the coast and get those cooling ocean breezes.
No comments:
Post a Comment