Robert Shields, Sedona, Arizona

 

Before I leave Arizona (mentally and on the blog) I wanted to mention Robert Shields.

If you were born...  really in the 80s or later, that name might not mean anything to you.  I BARELY remember Roberts Shields, from Shields and Yarnell, but I do remember that the name was pretty big at one time.  I remember seeing them on variety shows as a kid.

On our first visit to Arizona, I stopped by a jewelry shop in Sedona.  I saw several framed pictures and posters of the mime team on the wall.

I asked the lady there who the Shields and Yarnell fan was and she informed me that Robert Shields owned the shop!

I thought that was pretty cool and made a few purchases.

A few years later, on our second trip, we stopped by the same shop.  I asked a lady there is Robert still owned the business, but he did not.

He is still making art, and I checked his website.  He has some really interesting pieces reasonably priced.

Random Thoughts on Friday: ur First Arizona Trip

 And, one last Arizona story before we leave the state.......

I have briefly mentioned this story many times....  But I love telling this one.  Stop me if I have told ya before.

Back in 2004 we lived in Cleveland.  At that time in our life, anytime we had vacation, we would head back to Kentucky to see my family.  I wasn't obsessed with travel the way I am now.

Anyway, my wife had been working hard at her job, and they loved her.  They decided to send her to Phoenix for a training.  They made it very clear that they would be paying for a rental car, and all of her expenses.  They even strongly suggested to her that if she wanted to take her husband that would be fine.  We would have to buy my plane ticket, but if her food expenses were a little high, they wouldn't mind.

Honestly, at first I was going to pass.  I thought I might still head south and see the family while my wife went to Arizona.  Who wanted to go to Arizona anyway, isn't that state just a big, dusty desert?

I thought about it though and figured it would be a rare (and affordable) opportunity to see somewhere new that was very foreign to me.  I ended up going.

Her work put us up at the Squaw Peak Hilton Resort (since renamed to the more politically correct Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak) and it was very nice.

My wife would go to her training each day and I would go to a cute coffee shop down the road about a mile, Plantation Coffee, and read.  I would get lunch at the Blimpie's sub shop next door and return to the hotel.  They have a great lazy river at the resort, and I would float around the rest of the day.

In the evening my wife and I would explore Phoenix.  We would also have enough free time to explore Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

We were driving back to the resort from Sedona one night, and we would see a shooting star (such clear skies in that area) while Thin Lizzy's "Cowboy Song" was on the radio.

We had an incredible time.  My feelings on travel were pushed forward and the whole trip was pure magic.  Arizona is still a very special place for us, and I need to get there more.

 

Wupatki National Monument Arizona

We had a nice visit to Wupatki National Monument in Arizona in 2025!

Newspaper Rock, Petrified Forest, AZ

"Halfway between the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest, nead Adamana, one of the finest specimens of ancient writings (pictographs) to be found in America.  These writings are the expressions of an unknown primitive people of long, long ago.  Signs along the highway will direct you to them."

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument 2025

In April of 2025, while on our Arizona road trip, we visited Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument!

Petrified Forest Arizona 2025

We had a great visit to Petrified Forest in Arizona in April 2025!

Walnut Canyon National Monument Arizona 2025

One of the many great National Parks we visited in Arizona was Walnut Canyon!

Montezuma's Castle, Arizona

Sent in 1953, this postcard shows Montezuma's Castle.

Chapel of the Holy Cross Sedona Arizona 2025

Here is a quick look at the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona Arizona!

Montazuma's Castle, Arizona

Montezuma Castle- National Monument. Prehistoric Indian ruins, 54 miles east of Prescott, Arizona.

Montezuma Castle Arizona 4 2025

We had a great visit to Montezuma Castle in Arizona in April, 2025!

Our first visit to Gallup New Mexico 2025

While in Arizona, we realized it wouldn't be that far to drive to Gallup New Mexico.  None of us had been to New Mexico before, so we did it!

"Bear with Me" by Don Theye

On our recent visit to Arizona, we stopped by "Bearizona", a great drive thru type of zoo near Flagstaff.

The visit was a no brainer.  The place looked cool.  AND, we had visited "Bear Country USA" in South Dakota a few years ago.  We would find out that members of the Casey family started both attractions.

Anyway, while we were at Bearizona, I picked up a nice book on Doc Casey, the founder of Bear Country USA, and the father of the founders of Bearizona.
 

This isn't a huge book- its just a nice, short read about Doc's life, and some of the early days of his South Dakota attraction.  There are a lot of stories involving the family and their roles in the family business.  This is just a nice read after a visit to one of the Casey attractions.

Firecreek Coffee Co Flagstaff Arizona 2025

We had a nice time drinking great coffee at Firecreek Coffee Co. in Flagstaff Arizona!

Concert Memories: The Eagles Indianapolis, IN 9/20-21/1995

So, after visiting Winslow Arizona, I dug through my scrap books and found these tickets!  This was my first time seeing the Eagles on their big reunion tour.

My pal Mark from college and I hit the road from Berea Kentucky and spent 2 nights in Indianapolis, a pretty big deal for us back then.

I remember we spent about $70 (a pretty good amount of money for us at the time) for a room at a nicer hotel.  Once in Indy, we found there was a budget place (I think it was called the "Dollar Inn" or something like that) where we got a room for a little over $20 a night.  We were thrilled with the price.  For two college dudes on a road trip, it was perfect, but it was the kind of place I would not stay at now.

The shows were great and we had a good time.  We had general admission seats both nights, and I remember both shows were note for note, move for move, exactly the same.  At one point Joe Walsh went over and messed with Don Henley and it seemed so spontaneous.  The next night, he did the exact same routine.

Still, we were glad to be there, and to be at both shows.

As a side note, this was one of my first visits to Indianapolis, and it is now one of my all-time favorite towns.  I try to get there at least a couple of times each year.

Bearizona Arizona 2025

While we were in Arizona, we visited the wonderful "Bearizona"....  a drive through zoo!

Winslow Arizona 2025

You know the Eagles and Jackson Browne are my favorites...  while we were in Arizona, we made the pilgrimage to Winslow Arizona!

Two Guns Arizona

Check out Two Guns Arizona!  

Flagstaff Arizona

Here is a look at our trip to Flagstaff Arizona, in April 2025!  There is some snow!

The Painted Desert, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Sent in 1939, the back's description says-

The finest effects at the Grand Canyon are altogether uncommunicable by brush or pen.  They give themselves uponly to the personal presence, and no painter or writer can do more than suggest what they are.