Thursday April 6th

I can finally upload pictures without timing out we are at the Radisson Spa - Sedona.

We were told that a visit to the monastery south of Florence, 60 miles southeast was a nice experience. http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/ it was a nice bright sunny day as we drove there.

Dions is painting the sign. We were warned that it is easy to miss the turn as it is not well marked, so watch for exit 124. Pretty sure we would have seen it, the turn that is.

We find a lightly shaded spot by a tree and park there. It is warm at 10:30, 78 degrees. We were warned also that I wear long sleeved shirt and pants.

Shirleen needs a skirt, which they provide and long sleeved top that would not show curves. It turned out that she had to wear a scarf and they provided it. The one we waited for had a Bluetooth hanging out of his ear and he is chattering in Greek with someone all the time. We are handed to another monk for the tour. But before that we run into a person who is living there and deciding to become a Greek Orthodox member, William.

William is the person in the background with the long beard, with his 84 year old brother and wife from Northern Wisconsin. He took to us and quickly befriended us with a booklet that gives the history and more of the church. He then wanted to gift us a book also, I refused and he quickly gave it to Shirleen, he loved her name saying it many times. He asked do you know anyone with that name, yes a couple but never met. The gift shop has many religious items and a snack bar with cookies and breads that are given free with water – nice touch, as there is no place to eat.

As the Monks are not in a hurry, but doing what needs to be done at there own speed we waited about 15 minutes for a group to gather. We head off to the first church. He mentioned that we are not to take pictures of the Monks; I thought the ones praying or working and excluding him.

The second picture is St. Nicholas. If one has never seen an Orthodox church they are a sight to be seen. There are icons all over – a painting of a Saint with a lot of red and gold leaf; crosses; hanging candles in brass holders with red lenses; and seats for the clerics.

The buildings and churches are designed with neat brick layouts.

On one icon hung many necklaces and trinkets, a request for a favor from the Madonna.

We walked through the three churches and saw where they are building more. It is a hot day and we did not dally.

I took a couple pictures of the monk that is giving us the tour, not realizing I should not take his either, oh well.

Further away from the main area is a white church with blue domb and high on the hill. we drove over to it to see the overlook as we could not get inside it.

A dramatic overlook.

It is well past one and we need to grab a bite, it was recommended that we try Mount Athos restaurant in Florence AZ, seven miles back. it turned out to be the right call.

Shirleen had a perfectly grilled Swiss Cheese on Rye bread.

I the Beef and Lamb, mixed; cooked on a vertical skewer. Sliced and Wrapped in Pita; served with Slice Tomato, Onion; Tzatziki Sauce mine was the deluxe - Served with French Fries; Greek Salad. I have steered away from these for years, this is the test. Am I ever glad I ordered this, what was different? It was the sauce; he said it depends on the yogurt used. He was right that made the difference. The salad was well dressed with Feta cheese and a spicy flavored dressing.

Remember the books that William gave us? We left the nice pictorial of the Church yard, buildings and history. As I have never forgotten anything – Ya – we doubled back to buy a new one. We waved at Dions at the entry sign he was still painting. We entered the courtyard and asked if we could enter without Shirleen wearing her sirt and scarf, turned out the only language the lady understood was Greek. She indicated to the guy with the Bluetooth hanging out of his ear that we had a question. After his conversation he turned toward us and another guy tried to talk to him and the monk said wait and walked toward us. He said we could enter the gift shop and that he would give us another one gratis. Who do we see when we open the door William? This chance meeting gave us time to say a proper goodbye to a gentle man who has found a new way. After the goodbye, I mentioned we left him a note, our card with a donation for him.

Casa Grande National Monument Prehistoric Ruins
http://www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm

Mesquite fills the desert and it is said that it can live to 12,000 years old. One lady commented that her grandchildren should touch it as the Indians may have also. The ruins were built in 1350 BC. Shirleen got another stamp in her National Parks book. Nice visit.

This evening we went to see the Arizona Opry. The event starts off with a roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, and cooked carrots with a sweet apple sauce with a piece of chocolate cake. The music, skits and such were just great. The western songs were followed by songs with many different instruments from the stage – looked like a hundred different ones.

It was a night worth while, after I wondered if I would like it. jerry