Week 16 Grand Canyon - Prison Visit 2 with Stepmom

 Though it makes my list of 'firsts', I have been to the Grand Canyon before. I include it because I haven't ever visited it all on my own nor have I stayed on the canyon rim overnight before! Both were highlights of my year so far!  There is something so spiritually rejuvenating about the place.  Mind boggling to think of its age (far older than the dinosaurs) with people inhabiting it for 3000-4000yrs!

After 3 hours in the medical walk in clinic in Flagstaff, AZ (I had Pink Eye and Bronchitis), I found my way to the Grand Canyon. It was about a 2 hr drive from there.  Even the drive was extraordinarily beautiful! I checked into my cabin at the rim and had a look around. It was early evening so I got to see the sun set. It was a bit cloudy and snow forecast.  

 

Snow at the canyon is interesting. They dont salt and barely throw down dirt to help with slippage.  It had snowed that night but by about 10 the next day it was near 50F and all melted.

 I drove my car to the furthest point of the trail open to the public, then hiked back.  Later I took the shuttle back to my car. Guessing I did between 5-10 miles. I was concerned about my knees but they have the rim trails paved so it was easy walking most of the way.  One morning I woke at 5am and went out to look at the stars. It was magical.  So little light that the sky appeared clouded with stars!  Breathtaking.

 A herd of Elk were just lounging around the grounds the entire trip.  Once I had stopped the car to catch a glimpse of a male across the road from me and while I was busy looking at him, a female decided to cross directly in front of my car! lol

Friday I got my Stepmom from the airport and we visited with my brother the next day. It was traumatic for her to see her son in that situation but it was still really nice for them to spend time.  Living right in an alley between 2 of the prison buildings was a group of homeless people. Guessing about 7-10 of them. One morning we brought breakfast for them.  I should have done it more than once but I kept wondering about safety.  In the end I felt great for getting them a hot breakfast on that chili day.  Next time I will do more.

When we weren't visiting my brother, we went to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, a place called Hole in the Rock archaeological site and Old Scottsdale.  Shout out to Frankie and Lupe's restaurant.  They had wonderful Mexican food and a pobleno cream sauce to die for!  Really great trip. I love Arizona! #Grandcanyonsnow #frankieandlupes #holeintherock

Week 15 Orange is the New Black - AZ Prison Visit

This is definitely not a first that I aspired to have but it is one none the less. My brother is in an AZ St Prison for DUI charges and I went to visit him this month.   Since this was my first time in a prison I did some research and I have to say it is not easy.  I want to give a shout out to one blog I read that did help me http://www.jessicasoperationorange.com/faq 

She (I am assuming through her family and friends since I cant imagine that she has access to the internet)has answers posted to the simplest questions. What to expect, What to bring, and What to wear. With all that valuable knowledge it still took me 3 tries and two trips to  Walmart 2 times before I got in. Looking, I might add, like the poster child for Walmart as well! lol

 My first set back was my V neck shirt.  When I mentioned that it doesn't stipulate no Vnecks on their website, and that when I called no one told me I couldnt wear one, the guard looked at me and said, " Well honey, I am telling ya now."  Soooooo off to Walmart I went! haha

Me (above) in the Walmart bathroom changing into prison attire... seems that the hooks from my bra set off the metal detectors, so I decided to change 100% of my clothing so I didnt have any other issues.  3rd time was the charm! 

The 2nd day I saw him I wore the same outfit but with sneakers (flipflops in the car just in case).  You only have one failed attempt through the metal detector or they escort you out and you aren't permitted visitation that day.

The only things you can bring with you are 30$ in quarters in a plastic bag for the vending machines, your drivers license and the key to your car (with nothing else attached). #azprison #orangeisthenewblack #visitinginprison

So I had 8 hours with my brother the first day and 4 the second. Lots of Mountain Dew and vending machine junk food.  To be honest, that $30 goes pretty quickly over 8 hrs! 

There were loads of visitors wearing jeans (with buttons and zippers!) and tight clothes.  No "V" necks though lol.  I changed one small thing each time I went to visit him and on my final visit the 2nd weekend, I was in jeans, Toms, a tee with a cardigan over it. Dare I say I looked nearly normal! lol 

The stories he had were so interesting.  He never has felt unsafe thankfully and flies under the radar as much as possible. The gang mentality of life in prison helps with order and safety.  How everything is ordered is generally by race and the inmates rule the roost.  I learned some new terms like PCing (Protective Custody - when an inmate fears for their life due to getting in trouble with other inmates  for things like getting caught snitching or not able to pay off debts.) They are then immediately put in "the hole" and then transfer to another prison.  Getting a "Hot One" or invited to the back to get beat on for a minute or 2 in order to teach a lesson (ie wash your hands after you use the toilet, dont embarrass your race doing something you shouldn't etc.  Keistering... well you can guess that one... up the butt to smuggle in drugs, phones, nearly anything! 

One of the most interesting experiences I have had in a while.

Week 17 - Fleetwood Mac Concert

 Fleetwood Mac in Atlantic City. Great concert and wow they are all impressive for their ages! Stevie is 66... Mick Fleetwood and Chrissy are 71! They spent 31/2 hours full on entertaining. Great special effects.  Fun weekend with friends! :)

Always fun to go to a concert where you know all the words to all the songs!  The only downside to the week is that my son ended up in the hospital for 2 days because of a Mrsa infection in his elbow... maybe thatssss why he didnt clean his room?!?!? lol  He is fine now! #fleetwoodmac  #atlanticcity #Mrsa

Week 14 James A Mitchner Museum and NYE Wedding

The James A Mitchner Art Museum has been on my list of places I wanted to see for years,  It is directly across from the Mercer Museum.  It once was an old stone prison which makes its bones and story as interesting as its art!  http://www.michenermuseum.org/

New Years Eve, 12/31/14, I went to the wedding reception for one of my oldest dearest friends at the museum. Fabuloussss setting for a wedding and bonus... I got to see the museum as well! 

 We pledged our sorority freshman year together (Thats me right over the Sigma in pearls, and her 3rd row from the top, left side, second in, wearing brown stripes).

Both Kim and Joe have been married before. I was at Kims first wedding.  Her first husbands parents were at this wedding as well (In the photo below). Kind of a long story but a nice one.  One that I hope has had a happy ending for everyone. :) Great to see some other old friends too.

#Jamesmitchnermuseum #kimswedding #nye

Week 13 Mayan Museum - Cancun Mexico

 ***MEXICO***  Its been a family tradition for the last several years to go away between Christmas and New Year.  We have gone to Cancun for the last 4 yrs and never once left the resort to explore any of Mexico's rich culture. This year,(as a first for me and my family) I forced the troops to the Mayan Museum.  It was directly next door to our hotel so it wasn't too difficult a sell.  The only unusual/difficult thing is that its the only place in the area that doesn't accept US Dollars or even credit cards so we had to exchange money to get in.  We were unprepared.

 (Sunset Beach Vollyball and pineapple drinks were not part of the museum admission price!haha)

 The grounds are well kept and impressive. There are several Mayan ruin sights there, as well as some other structures. Its not a place that will leave you awed but it was worth the time and effort to get a taste for the culture.   Some huge Iguanas and interesting native trees.  Big termite mounds all over...

 Inside (raised onto a higher lvl so that there isnt the risk of flooding) there is a nice exhibit of ancient remains found in Tulum dating about 14k yrs old.  There is another of the remains of La Mujer de las Palmas or "the Woman of the Palms".  They believe these are the remains of a person that lived 10k yrs ago during the Ice Age! Some other tools and bones of wildlife are there as well.

Clearly everyone was as impressed as I was! haha  It was a fun afternoon!  #mayanmuseum #cancun 

 Can you see the drawings in the rocks above?

Never Fear! I might be unmotivated but I am keeping up!

Mayan Museum in Mexico, old friends and a New Years Eve wedding  posts coming soon.
Plans in the works for the Polar Bear Plunge in Feb. Off to a prison in AZ next week!
Life is good!