Greens Peak Lookout

Aloha Everyone,

Approach to Greens Peak is very picturesque. James drove the car through Navajo Tribal land then off road through land under the Bureau of Land Management.

Greens Peak stands among a set of rounded knolls, north of Mount Baldy in the White Mountains. I thought it was named Greens Peak because it towers over meadows with bright yellow flowers. But the truth is that it was named after Major John Green, a principal figure in the building of Fort Apache.

Through the unpacked, bumpy old volcanic field, we went towards the Peak dominated by communication towers on its summit.

The panoramic view of the valley below was spectacular.

The second activity was for James to fly his drone. This is my very first close-up of drone flying. Amazing how it can be controlled remotely, although it requires practice. James confided that he had lost one drone which flew and landed in a grove and it was never recovered.

The steakhouse was closed because today is Sunday. Bunny & James suggested going to "The House," a former house converted to a family-style basic hamburger and limited menu restaurant. Food was excellent, our conversation flowed easily while sitting in a shaded patio chairs under a large umbrella. It was a wonderful way to enjoy our Sunday lunch.

Aloha -- Cathi

Visiting Cousin Bunny in Show Low, AZ

Aloha Everyone,

Bunny is one of J.J.'s many cousins. She and her husband James live in Show Low, AZ. Energetic, confident, intelligent and compassionate, Bunny had a major career change from sales to healthcare. At age 47, she went back to school and attained her masters degree from University of Florida. Since then Bunny has been working as a psychiatric nurse at a hospital.

James is a computer specialists and he works for a company that manages network systems for fire department, police departments, hospitals and private entities.

Show Low is a small city in Navajo Country about 2 1/2 hours drive from Flagstaff in east central part of the state. Our drive took us via I-44 then Route  77. An elevation of 6,345 feet, current weather is comparable to that of Flagstaff.

Rural and pleasant community, based on the 2010 census, the population was 10,660. Bunny and James's home is on a very large double lot property. James is an avid gardener and a half of the land is devoted to flowers, fruits and vegetable garden.

Tonight I enjoyed the round yellow cucumber and yellow squash from his garden. I am curious to try the black tomatoes.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Basic Good Human Nature

Aloha Everyone,

Human beings are basically good.

Whether you live in a luxury home or in a little hut, we all desire to be happy. We desire a safe environment to raise our family, that basic needs of food, shelter and clothing are met. We all seek love, friendship, respect, integrity, kindness and empathy.

So when we are inundated by news of horrors, hatred and tragedies, it helps to remember the teaching of His Holiness Dalai Lama, whose heartfelt messages are borderless and go beyond race, religion and politics.

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."  

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe."

Aloha -- Cathi

Going to Hawaii!

Aloha Everyone,

We are going to Hawaii for a week in September.

It is a time for us to reconnect with the powerful mana, the special energy of our beloved island home. It is a time to inhale the sweetness of the tradewinds and feel the gentle shower that is the blessings from high above.  

The two of us are eagerly looking forward to our upcoming trip.

Aloha -- Cathi

Flagstaff, Arizona

Aloha Everyone,

The 2 of us love Flagstaff, Arizona. It is a attractive place. On our approach to the city, we drove through both desert and Ponderosa pine forests. Flagstaff is surrounded by mountains. This is a gateway to the San Francisco Peaks, home to Arizona’s tallest mountain. There are numerous outdoor activities one can engage in including visiting Wupatki National Monument where you find Native American pueblo sites, and Walnut Canyon National Monument with their cliff dwellings. The Grand Canyon is less than 100 miles away. With an elevation of 6,910 feet, Flagstaff is an excellent choice.

According to one of the historical accounts, in the mid to late 19th century, prospectors and surveyors who had traveled through the area stripped a Ponderosa pine tree and flew an American flag. Thus the surrounding area where the flag was raised became known as Flagstaff.

Based on the 2015 census, Flagstaff's combined metropolitan area had an estimated population of 139,097. The city is expanding with new residential communities which cater to the 55+ population.

I am happy to note that historical downtown Flagstaff remains charming and it maintains a good balance between tourists and residents.

Here is a quick tour of downtown Flagstaff from Honu's passenger seat.

Aloha -- Cathi