Daycation: Canyon Lake

I’m embarrassed to say that we overslept and missed church last Sunday.  Early church (9 am) is something I can do… really.  It is better for the kids’ schedules and for the day overall.  I just need a few tries to get it down pat.  And though we missed the boat on that endeavor, we decided to make it a great day anyway and see where the wind took us. 

It took us to the desert.  You may be thinking, ‘yes, but you live in the desert’.  Ah, and that is true to a degree.  However, to the real desert; the beautiful, prickly, wide and wild desert we rarely ever venture.  On Sunday, we did.

About once every six months or so, we skip the naps, skip the church, skip every item on our to-do lists, and we go somewhere crazy.  But only for the day.  And then afterwards, we somehow feel exhausted and rejuvenated at the same time.  Much the way one does after a vacation.  This is like that, but only way more manic and short… a Daycation.

  

Our goal was to have a picnic on a beach somewhere.  Canyon Lake may have felt more beachy if it weren’t for the abnormally cold (in the 50’s) weather we’ve been having lately.  Weather in the 70’s may have tempted us to get our feet wet, but this time, we were just in it for the beautiful scenery and, of course, the ducks.

  

The ducks have apparently been well-treated by humans in the past, because they had no fear.  They got close.  Real close.  If you don’t believe me, maybe the next few pictures will put things in perspective.

 

Jake scared the ducks only to have them swarming back two minutes later.  He did this several times.  Those were some persistent little buggers.

  

Just because she can’t walk yet doesn’t mean Ari doesn’t want a little freedom.  That’s what washing machines were made for, right?

On the way to the lake, we passed Goldfield Ghost Town.  Even from inside the car, the kids could tell that this was a place they wanted to be.  Maybe it was the loud whistle of the locomotive that called out to them as we passed.  Maybe it was the cluster of cowboys moseying along on their horses that we sped by on the road.  Whatever it was, we knew that the day couldn’t end without stopping back there.  We made them a promise to return, and we made good on that promise before heading home.  And I think it was well worth the trouble of a truncated car nap.

The highlights:  Cowboys and cowgirls.  A pirate (the hangman looked pirate-like to them).  A store that only sold cowboy hats. Tchotchke western stuff wherever we looked.  Ice cream cones and country fried steak sandwiches.  Oh, and that train I mentioned didn’t disappoint either.

The kids made a friend.  The precious things this little girl said to my kids made me fall in love with her.  I meet nice, pleasant, friendly people every day.  But once in a while, you meet a truly kind person.  She was one of those.

We got a scenic 20 minute ride through the desert and past the Superstition Mountains, while the train conductor told us his own blend of tall tales and real history.  I still can’t hardly say for certain which was which… which made it all the more fun.

   

The sun in Arizona is unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been.  It’s intense and rich and strong.  I crave it.

After a beautiful day, it’s back to the weekly grind!  My last week of winter vacation before I start spring semester, I might add.  I'd better go enjoy it!