Sedona to San Diego

Just drove in to San Diego last night!  it's been over 1000 miles since my last post.  The story of the last three days is really a theme of the kindness of friends, and friends of friends.  For example, I am staying at the Freddo's house in Del Mar, California today, waiting for Max Sands to arrive.  Jim and his wife Gail were so generous to put me up, or is it put up with me.  The same was true of Tom and Mary Beth Nowak, my Super Bowl stop in Sedona.  All of this really is a tale of two Sands's....

The Amarillo to Sedona run was a marathon day of  635 miles.  My only stop was a quick one to see the Cadillac Ranch in a frigid farm field 10 miles outside of Amarillo just off highway 40.

Then it was a day and evening with the remainder of the Texas Pan Handle and the indian lands of New Mexico streaming past my windows at speeds approaching, well let's just say I moved along.  Reached Sedona's Oak Creek Canyon after dark winding downward for several thousand feet to drop into downtown Sedona and find the Nowaks waiting for me with open arms.

Tom and Mary Beth were my friend, John Sands', neighbors for many years.  They bought this beautiful winter home in Arizona about four years ago.  I had a great time with them, hiking the hills with Mary Beth, and meditating,  while Tom finished a tennis match.

 Then we all drank pre-Super Bowl Margaritas and enjoyed Mexican food together at El Rincon, and concluded the day with Tom and me watching an amazing and wonderful victory by the NY Giants!!!

 I can't say enough for the warmth and generosity of the Nowaks.  I really hope we spend time together in the future.  Debby and I need to get to Sedona together soon!  She'll love it.

The next morning I was fired up with the belief that I was on my way to the summit of Humphrey's Peak, highest point in Arizona, but conversations with the Forest Service and local experts convinced me that it was not to be on this trip.

I was solo, the snow seemed to hold the promise of "post holing up to my waist and the conditions were potentially right for an avalanche.  Prudent risk management said, take some good pictures and head for the Freddo's in Del Mar, CA, just outside San Diego.  So, into the car for a joy ride through the Mojave Desert and 461 miles later I was into the welcoming arms of  Jim and Gail Freddo.

We had a lovely dinner last night, thank you Gail! We drank wine and talked about Dean Sands and other family topics.  Dean and Jim are great friends, I hope I am/will be too, thus my second tale of a Sands and my connection to Jim.  This morning we were up for a vigorous 4 mile loop around Del Mar, seeing the beach, canyon and town of Del Mar, while walking Cassie, the Freddo's two year old Golden.

She is now sleeping peacefully as I write this and anticipate the arrival of Max at the San Diego Airport.