We arrived at our new job the 2nd of May. What an incredible operation, and the people are so friendly and helpful. The campground (5 miles from the Crater) is an oasis in the middle of the desert. Very well kept. I'd like to say quiet, but when the country's busiest highway is only 1/2 mile or so away, the sounds of traffic - particularly semi's is always there. We had a full hook up and our propane expenses were reimbursed. Electric was included - thankfully as the air conditioning was running constantly. It wasn't supposed to be this hot at 5700' above sea level. We're still high, but lower than Taos, so we thought we'd be ok.
Training was thorough, but fun. We worked in Admit, and the Gift and Rock Shops as cashiers. Four 10 hour days to start until Memorial Day when we went to Five 8 hour days. Wow, we're not used to working like this. Between the heat and the elevation, we were pooped by the time we got home, and meals were quick and simple. The work wasn't hard, we just weren't used to it! We also got a good discount at the Subway (onsite), gift shops, and company gas station. So Subway was usually lunch! I can't say enough for our supervisors, Management and co-workers. They were all really wonderful and the way Meteor Crater is run is outstanding.
A week after arriving, we got a phone call and learned that John's mom had passed on. Oh, Ursula, you are missed, but you lived a long and wonderful life. 98 years old! John flew out of Phoenix. OMG! Phoenix! Horrible, horrible, horrible. Congestion and traffic can't even come close to describing it. And not only did we have to go there once, but Twice! Flying out, and flying back in. The desert was beautiful - wonderful seeing the saguaro cactus again, but too many people, and living in such a harsh environment. What a stupid place to build a city. There is no water, and it is piped in from far far away. Nough said. We didn't like Phoenix. Fitting name though - blazing hot!
After John got back we'd travel on our days off; first to Camp Verde the first weekend (our weekends were Monday and Tuesday) to get down lower in elevation. Stayed in a hotel for the first time in several years! It was nice. While there we went to Sedona (wow has that grown - way to many people and too much congestion for such a powerful place. Also went to Jerome, but as it is up on a mountain top, John wasn't feeling too good, so we didn't stay and shop. Besides, what did we need? We're not much into shopping.( It was just after getting back from this trip that we got that phone call about John's mom.) We also took a day and went up to the Grand Canyon. Along the way we stopped at The Little Grand Canyon wayside on Hwy 64 - Navajo owned. We had stopped here 23 years ago and bought some jewelry directly from the Navajo people. I had been looking forward to returning there many years, and I wasn't disappointed. The workmanship was wonderful and I picked up my turquoise. Another road trip took us east to Hwy 87 out of Winslow (we didn't like Winslow at all) down to Natural Bridge State Park (really cool), Strawberry, and Payson. One road in, one road out, and drier than tinder dry forest all around. Yikes! Beautiful, but the whole area is so stressed. Trees are dieing. It was a beautiful day, but I sure wouldn't want to live there! We also took a day and went up to Sunset Crater and Wupotki ruins. Thoroughly enjoyed that. Wukoki ruin (around the bend from Wupotki) wasn't open when we were here 20+ years ago, and it was wonderful! Found a great little restaurant on the North end of Flagstaff - Silver Saddle - great place. Also really enjoyed China Star on Route 66 in Flagstaff. Best Chinese food buffet we've ever had. As for good restaurants in Winslow - Don't go to PJ's or Denny's at the travel center! Pizza Hut was good though. The restaurant at the old depot is supposed to be very good, but pricy.
Evenings were nice. Actually, the sunsets were incredible, and the night sky.... so much of it! Chilly. No one was really into music out there. Poker was the topic of conversation and get togethers. John had fun with that. We also got 2 new tires on the truck thanks to the new Navajo casino a few miles down the road towards Flagstaff.
All in all, Arizona was an experience. Like going to hell and back again with some refreshing things on the side (like Meteor Crater). I'd always thought I'd end up living out there, and this was the trip to find out about that. The answer was very clear - beyond a shadow of a doubt clear. NO WAY! and that is a good thing to know.
We had planned to be there until mid-Sept. but John's body had other thoughts and mid-July was all he could take. We felt bad bailing on our job, but health comes first., and, we were needed back home.
Training was thorough, but fun. We worked in Admit, and the Gift and Rock Shops as cashiers. Four 10 hour days to start until Memorial Day when we went to Five 8 hour days. Wow, we're not used to working like this. Between the heat and the elevation, we were pooped by the time we got home, and meals were quick and simple. The work wasn't hard, we just weren't used to it! We also got a good discount at the Subway (onsite), gift shops, and company gas station. So Subway was usually lunch! I can't say enough for our supervisors, Management and co-workers. They were all really wonderful and the way Meteor Crater is run is outstanding.
A week after arriving, we got a phone call and learned that John's mom had passed on. Oh, Ursula, you are missed, but you lived a long and wonderful life. 98 years old! John flew out of Phoenix. OMG! Phoenix! Horrible, horrible, horrible. Congestion and traffic can't even come close to describing it. And not only did we have to go there once, but Twice! Flying out, and flying back in. The desert was beautiful - wonderful seeing the saguaro cactus again, but too many people, and living in such a harsh environment. What a stupid place to build a city. There is no water, and it is piped in from far far away. Nough said. We didn't like Phoenix. Fitting name though - blazing hot!
After John got back we'd travel on our days off; first to Camp Verde the first weekend (our weekends were Monday and Tuesday) to get down lower in elevation. Stayed in a hotel for the first time in several years! It was nice. While there we went to Sedona (wow has that grown - way to many people and too much congestion for such a powerful place. Also went to Jerome, but as it is up on a mountain top, John wasn't feeling too good, so we didn't stay and shop. Besides, what did we need? We're not much into shopping.( It was just after getting back from this trip that we got that phone call about John's mom.) We also took a day and went up to the Grand Canyon. Along the way we stopped at The Little Grand Canyon wayside on Hwy 64 - Navajo owned. We had stopped here 23 years ago and bought some jewelry directly from the Navajo people. I had been looking forward to returning there many years, and I wasn't disappointed. The workmanship was wonderful and I picked up my turquoise. Another road trip took us east to Hwy 87 out of Winslow (we didn't like Winslow at all) down to Natural Bridge State Park (really cool), Strawberry, and Payson. One road in, one road out, and drier than tinder dry forest all around. Yikes! Beautiful, but the whole area is so stressed. Trees are dieing. It was a beautiful day, but I sure wouldn't want to live there! We also took a day and went up to Sunset Crater and Wupotki ruins. Thoroughly enjoyed that. Wukoki ruin (around the bend from Wupotki) wasn't open when we were here 20+ years ago, and it was wonderful! Found a great little restaurant on the North end of Flagstaff - Silver Saddle - great place. Also really enjoyed China Star on Route 66 in Flagstaff. Best Chinese food buffet we've ever had. As for good restaurants in Winslow - Don't go to PJ's or Denny's at the travel center! Pizza Hut was good though. The restaurant at the old depot is supposed to be very good, but pricy.
Evenings were nice. Actually, the sunsets were incredible, and the night sky.... so much of it! Chilly. No one was really into music out there. Poker was the topic of conversation and get togethers. John had fun with that. We also got 2 new tires on the truck thanks to the new Navajo casino a few miles down the road towards Flagstaff.
All in all, Arizona was an experience. Like going to hell and back again with some refreshing things on the side (like Meteor Crater). I'd always thought I'd end up living out there, and this was the trip to find out about that. The answer was very clear - beyond a shadow of a doubt clear. NO WAY! and that is a good thing to know.
We had planned to be there until mid-Sept. but John's body had other thoughts and mid-July was all he could take. We felt bad bailing on our job, but health comes first., and, we were needed back home.
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