Fleur de Aleta

(Grab the button on the right sidebar) Welcome to “ABC of Your State” ~ This challenge is based on friends and bloggers asking about Louisiana, as well as my interest in travel and learning about other places. Please feel welcome to join in. Z is for ~ Zydeco. It’s bluesy Creole Music. It’s… unique. First couple of songs you’ll enjoy because it’s so different…. But then, by the third zydeco song, you’ll start to think it all sounds the same. If you have the chance, enjoy some of it, just because it is so different. ~ Zoo – I think I might have already mentioned the Audobon Zoo, and they “all asked for you.” They have white tigers there, two beautiful white tigers. I think those are the prettiest cats there. But lots to see and do at the zoo. ~ Zea’s Restaurant in New Orleans – everything is good off the menu and I think we tried just about all of it over the years of living here. ~ and last but not least… after going on all the tours, walking through ...

My uncle passed away on Christmas day. Asking for prayers for our family. I posted a picture of my uncle and two poems (one that my father wrote) on my photography site .

Normally I do confessions on Sunday, but that just didn't feel right for Christmas day! My confession: I love blogs that offer email subscriptions! Please, if you don't have this on your blog, consider it. It's a great way for your blog followers to quickly get the latest update on your blog post. I added it to my blogs, other than the photography one, because I can't figure out how to do that. Grrrr.

Wishing everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Arizona – Antelope Canyon and Hot Air Ballon Ride I’m combining some days here, because it’s the day before Christmas and stuff needs to get done. Santa and all that… and family gatherings and Joy to the World! Ok, so back to Page, AZ. The morning after the Horseshoe Bend, we went to the Antelope Canyon. You have to use the Native American tours to do this, because it’s considered sacred grounds. A jeep took us off road and into the sand dunes, sliding along the way. The Antelope Canyon was everything I dreamt it would be and more. The canyon walls are cool to the touch, smooth, wavy lines caressed by water, made to look as though it’s silk. We were fortunate enough to catch some sunbeams shining through. I loved the feeling of the canyon, loved being there. Here are some pictures and maybe you’ll understand why this was on my bucket list of places to go.. After that magical walk through the Antelope Canyon, we drove back to Flagstaff and spent the night with Greg’s cousin’s fa...

Arizona Trip – from Flagstaff to Page Did I mention that I did all the planning for this trip? Greg did all the grumbling because well, you can’t go see all that Arizona has to offer unless you don’t mind driving. A lot. And we drove… cough… that is, my wonderful, loving, sweet, thoughtful, fantastic husband drove. Thank you, Sweetheart. Grumbling and all. I love you. It was another early morning leaving Flagstaff. We stopped by the Sunset Crater lava flow. There was a nice path to walk. (Though after our Hawaii trip , where we literally climbed a volcano, this was nice, but just not as impressive) We also went on to see the Wupatika National Monument, but we didn’t stay long. Greg wanted to get the drive to Page, AZ over with. Think of it this way… we started off in Phoenix, towards the bottom of AZ. Page is alllllll the way at the top of AZ. Yeah, lots of driving. Before we reached Page, we were given a treat, because the route took us through part of the painted desert!...

Arizona Trip – Grand Canyon – Southern Rim The next day of our trip started early in the morning. We drove from Flagstaff to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. It was on the way that we saw a Road Runner! No kidding! Do you remember the Road Runner cartoon… Beep Beep! It was hilarious to see the Road Runner. And let me tell you, that sucker is FAST! Greg was driving 75 mph. The Road Runner dashed in front of our car and away from us without getting hurt. Greg said, “I’m waiting for the AMC box to fall” (cartoon reference again). We stopped outside of the Southern Rim entrance to see the Little Colorado Gorge. I was wearing a turquoise necklace that I made right before the trip. It was here that my necklace fell off. Fortunately, I was able to retrace my path and found it. I have to admit though, if I had to leave something behind it couldn’t have been in a lovelier setting! When we arrived at the Southern Rim, I had an “America the Beautiful Pass” which allowed us to en...

Arizona October Trip – Sedona to Flagstaff Oh My Gosh! If you go to Sedona, give yourself the fantastic, awesome treat of a helicopter ride over the Red Rock area. We used Arizona Helicopter Adventures and it was worth every single penny! This is the second time that I’ve been on a heli ride. The first time was back in 1999, a heli ride over the Grand Canyon with my parents and brother. This helicopter ride in Sedona was unbelievably better. Ok, ANY heli ride is cool, but let me explain the difference. The Grand Canyon ride - the helicopter is glass closed in with doors and the helicopter is large enough to fit 6 people. The company puts headsets on you and they put a tape on while you’re flying around the canyon. A nice smooth sailing type of ride. The Sedona ride was an adventure in leaps and bounds! First, it was a tiny helicopter and NO DOORS, no side windows! That’s right, you were strapped in and you’re told not to put your hands out (duh). You feel the cold air blas...