Colors of a California spring! Some are artificial - like the ubiquitous barrels of salt water taffy in this Balboa Island candy shop (really, why is taffy still a thing?). But the most brilliant are cultivated in gardens and parks, or sometimes just growing wild on a hillside. "Have you ever seen the yellow mustard … Continue reading 4-8-19 →

Bumpy and I spent another memory-filled morning with church at St. Andrews, a cruise along LaPerle, and a treat at C'est Si Bon. We picked up Tina at her too-cute-for-words cottage and I picked up lunch at Babette's, a new eatery in Newport's Crystal Cove (their other location is in the Hamptons). Add on a … Continue reading 4-7-19 →

I'm finally in Newport Beach and Balboa - a place steeped in youthful impressions and fond memories - and too many experiences to fit in one day. The harbor and the ferry. The island and Bayfront's picture-perfect homes. The pavilion! The Fun Zone! The pier! The beach! Bumpy and I walked and talked, worked out … Continue reading 4-6-19 →

Why did I go to Border Field State Park? I've been to Neah Bay, Washington; Lubeck, Maine;  Key West, Florida. There was only one corner left! I'm counting it as a win, even though I skipped the 1.5-mile walk to the beach and border because of the (a) nearly empty parking lot; (b) warnings about … Continue reading 4-5-19 →

More Montana friends! Beth (East Helena) and Holly (Sidney) have been in several of my MSP projects. We wrapped up a good conference day by returning to Old Town to wander through the shops and plaza. I marveled at California landscaping - pine tree to palm tree, tropical to desert to Dr. Suess-like. We eventually … Continue reading 4-4-19 →

One of NCTM's Lifetime Achievement Awards this year went to Johnny Lott - my advisor, mentor, role model, colleague, and friend. Having his wife and son here and having the award presented by veteran Montana teacher Dick Seitz were bonuses. If I've had any influence on the quality of mathematics teaching in Montana, it's due … Continue reading 4-3-19 →

NCSM's sponsors are very generous about providing receptions and luncheons (note: a lunch involves food; a luncheon involves food with speeches). But dinners are on our own, and there are plenty of options! Today the Montana crowd chose nearby Seaport Village. After strolling up the promenade to enjoy the pastel sunset, we settled in for … Continue reading 4-2-19 →

The NCSM meeting is one of my favorites with its focus on leadership, professional learning, curriculum, and teacher improvement. I watched my friend Lisa (and her friend Robert Wadlow) present a SIMMS math activity. I attended several sessions featuring programs that sound like (and maybe borrow from?) STREAM. And a surprise encounter with former MSU … Continue reading 4-1-19 →

Southwest Airlines brought me from Phoenix to San Diego this morning for NCSM, NCTM, and meetups with many math friends. My first encounter - Brian, the teacher whose workshop I attended back in Oxford, MS! I'm loving this Marriott Marquis on the harbor - great views from the fifth floor, great pools I will admire … Continue reading 3-31-19 →

I'm back in Peoria and repacking once again - this time for a flight and a rental car, for a conference and a family visit and a road trip. Hours of careful organization resulted in two suitcases and way too many pairs of shoes. In a couple weeks, I'll be back in Sedona for another … Continue reading 3-30-19 →

Last night we finally got up to Enchantment resort for sunset and drinks on the deck. (At $465/night, I won't be staying overnight any time soon!) Early twilight and indirect lighting altered the color palette and washed the rocks with a matte finish. This morning was also colorful - I stopped by the studio of … Continue reading 3-29-19 →

Sedona's plant life is a study of contrasts. It's fragile as trembling tree blossoms or a barely-rooted cactus. It's durable as cypress and pinyon pine or a stubborn, centuries-old juniper. It's as familiar as the Indian paintbrush up Fay Canyon, as mysterious as a rubbery plant on Chimney Rock, as surprising as a burst of … Continue reading 3-28-19 →

I brought Maddie up Fay Canyon in 2011 - one of my first Sedona hikes. On return trips I've ventured up to an arch in the canyon wall and climbed the imposing shoulder of red rock at trail's end to view Bell Rock far below. This time I rock-hopped half a mile up a steep … Continue reading 3-27-19 →

Another retrospective: the food of Sedona! (1) creekside lunch at L'Auberge; (2) sunset sliders and corn fritters at Enchantment; (3/4) BLTA and corn chowder on the Secret Garden patio; (4) queso and a view from the deck at Saltrock Kitchen; (5) just another smoothie from an organic, locally sourced, micronutrient-rich, small-batch-crafted juicery; (6) my traditional … Continue reading 3-26-19 →

Today we hiked one of my favorite loops - up Brin Mesa, down Soldiers Pass, and over the Cibola Pass connector. The trail to Brin Mesa climbs through an old burn, passes a series of ledges and overlooks, then links to Soldiers Pass for a steep descent into a tree-filled ravine and past the Seven … Continue reading 3-25-19 →

Today's theme examines a tiny sampling of the spectrum of art that suffuses Sedona. (1) a wall display in the Kimpton Amara lobby; (2) woven glass in Tlaquepaque (I met the artist in Scottsdale!); (3) a single tortilla chip served up creekside at L'Auberge; (4) art of the ancients at Honanki ruins; (5) map art … Continue reading 3-24-19 →

I'm going to post too many photos of today's hike up to and around Chimney Rock. This was a first-timer for me and a gem of a trail - just a couple miles, steep climb over a pass, scramble up to the hilltop monolith, and views in all directions. Tina is a great hiking partner, … Continue reading 3-23-19 →

A few days ago I sat through a time share sales pitch to score tickets for a Sedona Jeep tour. It was a great two hours of bumping up Schnebly Hill Road to get views of Mitten Ridge (can you see it?), Cow Pies (use your imagination), and the old Munds wagon trail. We scrambled … Continue reading 3-22-19 →

I took Nancy to the Phoenix airport, then met up with Tina on my way back to Sedona. She's parking her RV near me for a week so we can share meals, hikes, and my Sedona Pines amenities. Today's photos represent two extremes: (1) Exposures Gallery, where two years ago I acquired Bill Worrell's "Desert … Continue reading 3-21-19 →

I joined Nancy for a few nights at a condo in Oak Creek - gifted by a couple in her yoga training (coincidentally from the Helena McMahon family). It's a departure from Sedona Pines - all high ceilings and dark furniture, with an excellent patio and hot tub and a rather confusing decorating scheme (cowboy … Continue reading 3-20-19 →