Waiting for the other cone to drop - Flagstaff Arizona, New Year's Eve

What a year. I'm exhausted.

Tonight: watching the Pine Cone drop from the Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff.

Accidentally borrowed from Tom Bean, who must have been here. I hope to run into him tonight and explain this unauthorized usage.

Don't let the pressure of a "new year" get to you. You're going to get some things wrong, and a lot of things right. 2013 has been the best worst year of my life, and I SMOOCH IT ON THE MOUTH AT MIDNIGHT. 2014, here I come!

A good friend said tonight that she made a list of the fun and not-so-fun of 2013. Her resolutions are to do more of the fun and less of the un-fun. 

I've felt like words just pad my experience lately, instead of describing or illuminating it. I hope you've been able to get to that pile of books on your night table in my silence.

Have fun tonight, be as safe as makes sense, and let 2013 slip through your fingers. Happy New Year, my friends.

Paaaahhhdre Island, Texas

A:  When you absolutely, positively have to be out-of-touch overnight.  When you're willing to suffer through a deserted, untouched, sandy beach and sunrises over the ocean.  When the sound of surf (and nothing else) can be tolerated all night.

Q:  When is it okay to boondock at Malaquite Campground?

  

Then I sez ... hehehe ... then I sez ... SNORT haw! ... then I sez ... This is the GULL'S room! 

In the fog we called this Briga-Dune.

You know what I always say about pelicans.

Still, I couldn't help but feel that the ocean was sending us warnings:











Our friend, Leslie, drove all the way from Bryan (six hours away!) to spend a few nights with us and help us welcome in the New Year. None of us saw the new year arrive, but we definitely felt the change this morning.  Thanks, Leslie - it was great to see you!  And, thanks, Gary! who soldiered through New Year's Eve without his wife to smooch at midnight.

Annie, Leslie, and satanic photobomber.  This must be what the warnings were about.

Cupcakes are a thing! Did you know?

The CupCake Shoppe has a cupcake van!  This is what they look like on the way out of town.

This is what they look like on the way back into camp.

Find The CupCake Shoppe on Facebook, or at their website. I'm not linking because they have instant music.