Casa Grande Ruins

This weekend we joined another couple and ventured down about 40 miles to visit a famous ruin, Casa Grande, which means Big House. The protective roof was not part of the original structure...LOL....it was added to protect the building from further erosion.
This is believed to be a building used for worship. You can walk right up to it now, you just can't go inside. You are able to see where the building has been reinforced throughout to keep it in tact. There was a complete village surrounding this structure at one time, and the village was surrounded by a 7-foot mud/clay wall. It has been compared to Stonehenge in that the building contains several holes at different levels, like the one pictured below. They are strategically placed for the sun or moon to shine through on each of the equinox days, PLUS one set for an astrological occurrence that happened only every 18 1/2 years! How'd they KNOW that???
We were surprised to find that we were visiting on the weekend of the Annual Indian Music Fest, so we were serenaded the entire time we were there.

It was a bit ethereal to hear live Native American music as we toured the ruins. I captured a short clip to try and share the experience with you....

We're Walking.........we're walking........

Continuing on our tour........ we got to visit the press box and sit in the seats used for the pre-game banter between Gracie and Candioti. You might notice the condition of the field...
When I first saw the field I thought they were re-doing it, dirt and all. But our guide explained that it was set up for a moto-cross event. There will be a monster truck jam in a few days as well. Sacrilege!!
They covered the sod with tarp and sheets of ply-wood, then trucked in tons of dirt. I'm thinkin' the drivers better be pretty careful or they could go careening off into the stands! (by the by, this shot was taken from the owner's suite!)
The press box has a signature wall for guests to autograph that have appeared on air (we weren't asked to sign it LOL) It was a blast hunting for signatures. I got excited about a Bil Keane cartoon signature, and papa HAD to have a picture of Vin Scully's signature.

Pretty official, huh?! From the expression on his face, I'm guessing his team must have won the game!
This is Granny signing off, no more questions, please.......

PLAAAAAY BAAAAALLL!

One of our Christmas gifts was a 'deluxe' 1 & 1/2 hour tour of one of our fav spots - Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. We were allowed into places that the normal tours never go, and our group was only 7 folks, so we got plenty of time to see everything. It was GREAT fun!
Papa was especially excited to get into the home dugout! He could certainly pass for one of the coaches.
Our D-backs are a very young franchise and already have a World Series trophy under their belts. This is on display in the "Wow Lobby", the entrance to the business offices that is meant to impress. It WAS nice, but our biggest kicks were yet to come.......
We were allowed inside the team locker room, which was great fun. Some players are still in town and come to the park to work out. They leave their equipment in their lockers, and we saw the 'mighty four' lockers in all their glory (or disarray!) Reynolds, Upton, Young, and Byrnes
The digital command center. From this station they watch every camera in the stadium, choose the replays, fan shots, and set the tone of the 'digital show'.
This is the locker room 'boom box'! I've NEVER seen a portable system with that size speakers! When we asked our guide about it his response was, "well, these are young guys........"
I'm guessing that locker room rattles when they crank that thing!

"Write A Caption" Entry

OK, here is a fun one for 'all' of you!
For those of you that know the 2 gentlemen in the photo, your job is to write a caption for what you THINK they are saying.
For those that have NO clue who these gentlemen are, you're probably thinking a LOT more seriously than the rest of us, but go for it anyway LOL
We can't wait to read your submissions!

Five Years of Being Grandparents - Life is Good!

I think we can honestly say that NOTHING beats being Granny and Papa! Our first wonderful granddaughter turns 5 years old today, and she has definitely changed our lives forever!
Happy Birthday Sweet Hannah, we love you and are sooooo proud of you.

Happy New Year!

As I write it is already 2010 in Hong Kong (the one sure way I can be awake at midnight!), but some of us are still waiting to ring in the new year. We pray you all have a safe celebration (even if it just means not rolling off the couch in your sleep) and may God richly bless you in 2010.
PS - if you'll click on the picture it will enlarge for you so you can actually read the caption (that note is especially for us baby boomers)

Happy Trails to You!

This little guy is visiting our home tonight. He'll be making a loooong road trip tomorrow, so he and his daddy are stopping over here to save some time.



We told 'little guy' that he didn't have to 'dress' for the trip, but he didn't believe us :o) I think he is waiting for Uncle Buba to tie a windsor knot on him!