Frank Lloyd Wright had the Right Idea - May 17

After a day of light hiking, a picturesque road east along scenic highway 81 and breakfast with the locals in Payson, Gary and I toured Taliesin West, Wright's Western home away from home and a current architectural work program. Wright had the uncanny Bility to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living and it is a style I absolutely love! Off today to hike Camelback Mountain. Having a great time!

Always The Travel Host -- Never the Traveler - May 16

I have to admit, even though I work in the travel/tourism industry, I'm not much of a traveler. Oh, I've been to Disney World and I live at the shore, but I've never been further west than Chicago, IL. I feel a true connection to the earth, so I'm very excited to be heading into a beautiful and spiritual part of our glorious country. I'm a little nervous though. My husband and I haven't been on a true vacation alone together since 1986, the year after we were married. At the time, I was in the beginning stages of pregnancy and didn't know it yet. Needless to say my sickness and tiredness didn't bode well for me to be a fun travel partner. I hope to make up for it this trip. This will be a great opportunity to begin our future life together as we approach the empty nest years. I've been breaking in my new hiking boots by wearing them while gardening and all of our other travel arrangements have been confirmed. Today is my last day at work and my mind is in full vacation mode. In a few days I'll be on my way to a new -- and hopefully not last -- trip of a lifetime!

Traveling Day is Behind us -- what the heck time is it anyway?

I won't bore you with the idiosyncrocies of our travel day (i.e. Coffee spill on my husband's shirt, enduring a sales pitch while desparately waiting to check-in, and realizing I lost my sunglasses AND reading glasses (somewhere between Denver and Phoenix), to name a few! Today is a new day and I'm taking full advantage of it having been awake since 4:30 am. Although our resort didn't have water this morning due to a broken pipe, I have faith that the dirt mountains that look different from every angle will be glowing in the bright Arizona sun today!

Let the Journey Begin - May 11

And away we go! The planning is over and now the fun begins as Gary and I hit the road and head for the airport in Philadelphia. We are scheduled to arrive in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, May 15, around 10:00a.m, where our journey begins. Our first time travelling together in many years, together we are in search of the Power of the Vortex. (see Vortex below)