Sunday, September 17, 2006

Our summer vacation

Last week was our big break from school.  We were finally ready to actually take a summer vacation!


 


We spent an incredible week in the White Mountains of AZ at a working cattle ranch.  It was a beautiful place and a wonderful week.  The ranch property is 35,000 acres.  Yes, that's 35 THOUSAND acres.  It also borders the national forest which gives them even more space.  The history of this place goes back to the 1880's.  The trail guide for our horse back riding is the 5th generation to live & work on the ranch.  She'll be inheriting quite a legacy one day.


 



 



 



 


There was horseback riding


 



 


An Archeological dig site that dates back over 1,000 years..  The ranch has an on-site archeologist who takes people to the dig site and teaches them how to properly excavate the site while teaching about the area.


 



 


A beaver home...


 



 


and the busy beavers dam


 



 


There were fields full of grasshoppers begging to be caught, wild flowers to be picked and endless running.  There were ponds full of fish waiting to be caught (catch and release only) and the Little Colorado River winding its way through the property.  The nights were incredible with a gazillion and one stars twinkling in the sky.  The Milky Way could be easily seen winding it's way across the night sky every single evening.  It was awesome!


 


Everyone enjoyed the week immensely.


 


Tomorrow we hit the books again!  That will be another post.

3 comments:

Laurabc said...

Oh my goodness! That looks so fun! Wow, can you imagine owning all that land? I was just telling my hunny the other day that I'd like to have 100 acres or two, but 35,000?!? Wow! And all that history too, how cool!

I'm sure your school year will be incredibly enriched from your awesome vacation. Enjoy.

jengresak said...

Thanks so much for your comment last night. I think it was the nicest one anyone ever left me - lol! That pic of your kids is Gorgeous!! They are all so beautiful! Have a wonderful week and I hope we'll be "seeing" more of each other!

Anonymous said...

What a WONDERFUL experience for you and your family. :) It looks like fun, fun, FUN!


Missy