Grand Canyon Dec. 1017

We were able to book at room at the El Tovar Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for two days (December 12 & 13),  What a treat - very few tourists compared to when we usually visit in May.

Friends Mike and Sue and their group had hiked down to Phantom Ranch on the 10th (Sue's birthday) and we had arrived in time as their group came out. (l-r: Sue, Jackie and Sue's niece, Lauren.)

And then it was off to Bright Angel bar for French fries and a cocktail to celebrate!

(l-r: Ben, Jackie's son, Sue, Steve, Kathy, Jackie, Lauren, Ben's friend and Mike.  Larry is the photographer.)

The crew left and Larry and I enjoyed our second day.  Larry hiked down Bright Angel to Indian Garden and then onto Plateau Point,  Then it was time to return back to life in Carefree.

This is the view from the top of Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim.

This is the view of Indian Gardens while walking down Bright Angel Trail.

This was Larry's view from Plateau Point.

And I'll end with this picture of us in front of the tree in the lobby of the El Tovar.

Nephew Jimmy arrives home for the Holidays tomorrow.  We're all looking forward to seeing him, having him home for Christmas and catching up on how this past semester at West Point went.  We'll spend Christmas Eve at Jim and Liz's home and Christmas Day at our home.


Retirement and health update:  Larry continues to enjoy retirement and some monthly consulting work with Freeport.  Jayne hasn't been on chemo medication since Sept. taking a break to allow bone marrow to regenerate.  However, a scan and resulting liver biopsy indicates cancer of morphing.  It is possible I'll be eligible for a trial drug which we won't know until 2018.  If I don't qualify for the trial, my oncologist is considering trying the Keytruda immunotherapy infusion again.  So, we're on hold until we know more.

Verde Valley Train Trip Nov. 2017

Friend Jackie put into motion a train trip two hours up the Verde Valley in early November and then the return - leaves were changing color - great trip and met a new couple who fit in well with our group.  A good time was had by all.  Celebrated Larry's birthday too!

Thanksgiving was spent with Mike and Sue's family - good food and company,

No new news on the health front.  I've been off all chemo meds since August - took a drug break from Temodar which treats the neuroendocrine carcinoid cancer to allow bone marrow to regenerate.  We'll do another scan in late November.  However, we know something is going on because tumor marker keeps going up and scan should shed some light on that issue.