Saturday, February 15, & Sunday, February 16, 2025

Paradise Valley, and Tucson, Arizona

Our Valentine’s anniversary gave us special moments, art appreciation and sumptuous meals. Zeiman’s treated us to a cozy brunch and a reunion with Anita Zeiman and Tracy Boekenkamp. We’ve loved exchanging memories and recalling stories of Jeannie Boekenkamp, one of my first childhood chums, who also was an attendant in our wedding 51 years ago. We hold Jeannie in our heart after her passing last year.

Staying at the historic Hermosa Inn also entitled us to have a fantastic Valentine’s dinner at Lon’s Last Drop, a locally renowned restaurant recognized by Travel and Leisure magazine Top 10 resorts and Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. Very lucky to get a reservation for dinner at Lon’s Last Drop! Lon Megargee was a cowboy artist who created murals for the Arizona state capitol and many pieces of art including Cowboy’s Dream and Last Drop from his Stetson.His artwork is respectfully displayed throughout the resort. The grounds reflect the serenity of the desert and a glimpse into Arizona history when cowboys roamed the vast Southwest desert. Here is “Cowboys Dream” and “Last drop from his Stetson.

Meeting up with Bev Quirk Krol and Marsha Quirk for lunch was a treat! I babysat for Bev and Marsha babysat for me many decades ago! Our father’s were partners in a consulting engineering firm, Nelson, Haley, Patterson & Quirk in Greeley. Friendships like these that endure through happy times and rough spots are precious treasures.

A Rendezvous with Nona and Sam Leeper near their home in the Oro Valley north of Tucson was another deposit in the friendship bank. Loving the sunshine and warm temperatures, especially when we hear about the deep freeze back home! Not to rub it in….

Art Celebration show in Scottsdale featuring fine artists under a big white tent was a fun way to spend a few hours and see a distinctive variety of artists, most of whom were on the scene working and displaying their crafts. Love the clouds and the unique textile art made from hat felt remnants gathered from the Greeley Hat Company! Small world!