This has been a week to see and hear from old friends and it has been delightful.  Our friends from Ecuador have moved back to the states and are now in Oregon.  Health issues were part of the reason although they now seem to be well on the mend.  They wanted to have American (and Canadian) doctors working on the heart issues which apparently was a good thing. 

Then we got together with friends from Cedar Rapids that are here for a month and a half.  They have a really cute apartment that they rent yearly for this time period.  Perfect for the time the time they are here.  We went to dinner with them at the Dakota Cafe the other night and today went out to San Xavier Misison. 

The mission is one of my favorite places to visit.  It is such a beautiful spot and usually have some of the tribal booths set up outside where there are pots and baskets, beading and food.  Today they were light on those things but in two weeks will be the Pow Wow and the place will be jumping.  We had lunch in the little shopping center on the grounds, sitting outside in the beautiful weather and visiting up a storm.

Last night were the dog races.  We hadn't been for some time so it was kind of fun to go.  I talked to Tom Taylor, the General Manager/CFO for a few minutes.  The tracks in AZ have put it to the legislature that they want to put slot machines in the tracks (so it would be kind of like Prairie Meadows only with dog racing rather than horse racing) and feel that it will be a benefit to them and to the state.  The amount of tax revenue they will pay far exceeds the tribal contribution.  They think they will have an answer by June.  Not sure what that will do to the tribes agreement with the state, guess that will all come out in the discussions. 

The monthly coffee at our church for the young people is the same weekend as the Pow Wow.  I have notified the girls since they want to come down.  We'll see if the schedule works for them or not.  Would be fun to have them.

Since yesterday was rather a wasted day, didn't get much done on the sites, I will probably spend the rest of the day and tonight adding content, gosh there is a great deal to see and do in this country!  There will never be enough time to see it all so I truly enjoy writing up the articles for those that will be able to go to the different areas and see some of the glorious sites.