The ride from the North Rim was fairly uneventful. We stopped at Marble Canyon on 89 to visit the Navaho Bridge. This bridge saved a lot of miles for travelers who could now cross over the gorge carved by the Colorado River. The bridge was built by cantilevering from both sides of the canyon with the bridge structure and meeting in the center many feet over the Colorado River.
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| Navaho Bridge, Az Original on left newer one on right |
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| Colorado River below |
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| Posing in front of Navaho Bridge marker |
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| Vermillion Cliffs near Marble Canyon |
We lived in Phoenix from 1978 through 1983, where I worked at Sperry Flight Systems working on various instruments for space and airplanes. One friendship that flourished was with Will and Nancy Blevins. Will Blevins worked with me at Sperry and Nancy became good friends with Elaine. Our kids were closely matched in age and spent good times together. This week Will took time off from work to spend the afternoon and evening with Nancy, Elaine and I on their back patio recounting what had transpired in our respective lives over the past 30 years.
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| Nancy, Joe, Elaine and Will on the Blevin's back patio. |
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| Will Blevins on the left, in full view this time. |
Another great friendship grew out of our involvement with youth ministry at Saint Rapheal's in Glendale. Mindy Hansen was in the early 1980's a peer minister. We spent many a night in long discussions over our kitchen table and Mindy was always there for us. We kept in touch over the years and had a wonderful day with her, husband Ted, and daughters Kelsey and Megan. As always there was a large family party with all of Mindy's sisters and brother. This time there was also many nieces and nephews present. As usual Mindy blended us into her extended family seamlessly.
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| Elaine and Mindy |
We left Phoenix Tuesday morning with our next stop Tucson. The 90 degree weather, bright sun, and good friendships has us well warmed.
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