Finding Fun in February

This past week, I was able to get away for a few days and go up to Sedona to visit my dear friend, Emilie.   It is always so good to see her and even when we haven't been together for awhile, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were.   

Emilie was a teacher at Gilbert Elementary when I first started as the principal.  She was one of the best teachers ever and I loved being in her classroom and seeing the community of learners that she built.   She loved her kids and they loved her and so did her parents.

Emilie comes from a large Basque family.    Her family reminds me so much of mine.  I have been to a couple of their reunions through the years and they are much like ours in many ways.

 Em has two great sons, John and Joe.   Both of them are now married.  John and his wife live in Cottonwood and Joe and his wife in Flagstaff.   Joe and Dara recently opened up an incredible restaurant named Shift.   We joined Em's better half, Greg, there for dinner on Wednesday night.  It reminds me a lot of Cafe Roka in Bisbee and the food was very different and very delicious.

There was so much snow in Flagstaff and the drive up was incredible.   I have never seen that much snow in the area.   The only problem is that in Flagstaff, the snow has become dirty.   Walking around downtown was a bit scary as it is icy and wet. 

We walked both mornings that I was there and it was so beautiful.   We walked around the Oak Creek golf course and the red rocks are in incredible.

Of course, we talked, laughed, danced and drank a bit!!   We never seem to run out of conversation at all.    I so enjoy my time with her and hope to be able to get back up there soon.

Thanks, Emilie, for two wonderful days and nights!!  I was able to relax and unwind and that was much needed! 

And as an added bonus, I got to go to lunch with my friend, former principal and former "big" boss, Sherryl (Henning) Valentine.    It was so nice to see her and talk to her before heading back to Gilbert and my new work!!