Spring Break in Arizona

From March 11th-16th, Ben, Amy, Margaret and Caroline had the pleasure of visiting John and Grace in Casa Grande National Monument.

Caroline and Margaret wait for their plane.

Snow on the mountains near Coolidge (the first time that had happened in something like 5 years).

Margaret and Grandma check out the cactii.

More cactii.

Enjoying the desert landscape.

Amy, Margaret, Ben and Grace at "The Big House"

John and Grace's trailer as seen from the Big House.

Amy at the Big House

Grace gives cactus lessons.

Caroline and Grandma and the "Oh-k0h-TEE-oh"

Margaret and Caroline mug for the camera.

Caroline works her way into one of the smaller houses.

Grandpa, Margaret, Grandma, and Caroline wave from inside the hidden room.

Grandpa administers the Junior Ranger oath after Margaret earns her badge.

Junior Ranger and Senior Ranger

Caroline earns her badge.

Two Proud Junior Rangers

Junior Rangers guarding the big house.

On patrol with Grandma.

Margaret and Grandpa look for pottery shards in the back country at Casa Grande.  Because Grandpa Schafer works there,  we got to go off where other people aren't allowed.

The vast majority of what you see here isn't rocks, but pottery shards cast off 100s of years ago by the Hohokam people.  There are so many thousands of pieces out there that the archeologists don't bother collecting it, but let is stay where it is.  It makes for tempting souveniers, but we respected the rules.

A typical close-up view of pottery shards in the back country.  This was not a staged photo.  All the pieces you see were found right there.

Margaret shows off the biggest piece she found.

Getting ready to hike at Sabino Canyon.

Grandpa and Margaret forge ahead.

Enjoying the view.

Margaret and the prickly pear.

Hiking (Margaret walked the entire 3 plus miles out of Sabino Canyon and will not hesitate to tell  you that she was "a real trooper.")