~CASA BLANCA and Way Too Much PINK For Me~

 ~EARLY SHOT of the MONTE VISTA HOTEL~

During our trip to Arizona my Mr. AGPMan and I made a point to visit the historic Monte Vista Hotel located in Flagstaff.  Originally built in 1926 under a citizen subscription legislation, the Hotel Monte Vista quickly became the place to stay for every kind of traveler you can imagine! Years ago it offered an oasis of lush surroundings and a chance to rub shoulders with the local and national elite.

 

~RECENT SHOT of the MONTE VISTA HOTEL~

Because it is located just a little north of the famous Old Route 66, the Hotel ended up being "home" to thousands of adventurous and colorful characters.  Many famous people have stayed at the Monte, from bank robbers to Stars in Hollywood.

 ~ON LOCATION FILMING FOR CASA BLANCA?~

I loved stopping in for a quick peek at the room Humphrey Bogart stayed in.  There is a persistent rumor going around (one that has run rampant for many, many years) that a scene in the classic (and romantic!) movie Casa Blanca was filmed at the Monte Vista.

 ~ARCHED DOORWAYS ARE LOVELY~

 ~AMAZING STAIRCASE~

 ~MY MR.AGPMan (R) with an Old College Pal~

People working at the Hotel swear by it...but I found conflicting statements regarding it's truth.  Some of the websites I visited denounce it while others say it is true.

~MOVIE SET or ON LOCATION?~

The pictures you see above and below with the arched doorways sure look like the Monte.  But...they could have easily been duplicated on nearly any movie set...so one may never really know.

~A CLASSIC and ROMANTIC MOVIE~

Regardless, seeing the old Hotel for myself was totally enjoyable and I'm so glad we paid it a visit!

 ~HUMPHREY BOGART DOOR #408~

Now...we opted NOT to stay at the Monte for reasons I'm not afraid to share.  My guy and I wanted total comfort...not just nostalgia on our get-a-way.  We stayed at the Hilton because it was away from the railroad tracks (and constant whistle noise) and also because we wanted a pool, workout room and breakfast...

 ~INSIDE VIEW of BOGART'S ROOM~

We also found out while touring the Hotel the ELEVATOR WAS OUT (what???) and trust me when I say this girl was NOT going to lug her luggage up four flights of hairpin stairs JUST TO STAY AT THE MONTE!

~SWEET ANTIQUE DRESSER~

~TEENSY BATHROOM w/ TINY SHOWER~

I'm not TRYING to be snarky here...truly I'm not.  But, my personal opinion about the decor in the rooms was that it was lacking and honestly a tad-bit tacky.  I believe the decorators were going for a look of old/vintage Hollywood Glam and I'm thinking the total package fell a bit short.  At least it did for me!  Extremely BRIGHT, hi-gloss yellow and black paint was used on the walls and the black bedding appeared heavily washed and faded.  The single closet was sooo small that MAYBE a dress, shirt and pair of jeans would have fit inside.  OK...I'm know I'm being sarcastic, but you get the drift...right?

 ~NOW THATSA-ALOTTA PINK~

Also, Debbie Reynolds' room was the BRIGHTEST SHOCKING PINK I've ever seen and was decorated in a similar wacky-tacky fashion (sorry...just trying to be REAL HERE)!  You all KNOW I love, love, LOVE PINK...but even this pink was TOO MUCH FOR ME!

  Even so, the Hotel was truly worth seeing in person~  I'm just not sure I'd ever actually stay there!!!

I hope you loved seeing a few more of our pics!  Don't forget I have a SWEET GIVEAWAY currently running and I would love to enter your name for a charming Sachet Pillow, Altered Art Card and Decorative Soap from my A Gathering Place Shoppe!  Click this LINK to find out more!


Blessings and love to you today...

~~~~~~BREATHAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL~~~~~~ Simply Gorgeous America

 ~GRAND CANYON~

Amazingly Beautiful

One might think that since I spent my entire childhood in Southern California I'd have somehow made my way to the Grand Canyon in Arizona before reaching "Nana-status!"  Even with all the I-40 road trips from Oklahoma back to my birth state we somehow never managed to make the little detour to see one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. 

~TRULY MIRACULOUS~

A week ago today my Mr. AGPMan and I snapped the pictures I'm sharing with you today.  Never in my wildest dreams could I have understood the majesty of the Canyon without seeing it with my own two eyes.

~CREATED BY GOD~

~MY HUBBY TAKING IN THE VIEW~

 ~OVERCOME BY THE BEAUTY~

 ~QUEEN OF THE CANYON~

(Yeah...right!  Couldn't WAIT to get off of that rock!)

~LOVELY ROCK FORMATIONS~

 ~IN SERIOUSLY DEEP THOUGHT~

I snapped this pic of the hubster while he was standing in line for information about a Helicopter Canyon Tour.  We seriously considered hoping onto one of the six-seater-copters for a 55 minute in-flight excursion....  BUT~being the total woosy-girl that I am I just couldn't do it!  Nope, Never, NAUTA!   I'm not sure YET if my guy was happy about my decision to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground.  It would have cost us about $900 (for both) and this girl was more that thrilled to see the Canyon from behind the railing!

Regardless of the fact we opted to skip the in-air tour, I'll never forget seeing the Canyon for myself.   Beyond beautiful.  Beyond fabulous.  A miraculous creation by God!

 ~TINY CHAPEL IN THE WOODS~

On the way back to Flagstaff we stopped by and peeked in for a closer look at this tiny little Chapel just off the road.

~THE SWEETEST THING~

I was intrigued by it's style and form and so I just HAD to see if it was open!

~INSIDE VIEW~

I was thrilled to be able to walk inside.  The ground was made up of strewn pebbles and the seating was simple and uncomplicated.  Just perfect for a little bit of worship, meditation and a prayer or two (or three, or four, five, six...)

~LOVELY DOOR~

 ~BACK VIEW~

 

 ~A GIFT FROM A TRAVELER~

 ~MY HANDSOME HUBBY~

I loved visiting Arizona and we hope to return again to see even more of this lovely State later this summer.  In July we will be going to California and we plan on stopping off again for at least a day visit!

I'll be back later this evening for news on my latest

GIVEAWAY!  I hope you'll stop back in to see what's coming up next!

Blessings for a fabulous Spring day!

Love to you...

 

~STANDIN' ON THE CORNER IN WINSLOW~

My hubby and I returned late last night from a sweet little Spring get-a-way.  We enjoyed some fabulous R & R and truly had the most wonderful time while zig-zagging our way through a few South Western States!!!

Since we were away from home over Easter Sunday we attended church with an old college friend at a pretty little place in Flagstaff, Arizona.  The music was lovely and the service was beautiful.  My guy almost always wears a suit to church (or at least a dress jacket), but "Flag" is sooo laid-back that he felt much better in a pullover...

Aside from FINALLY visiting the Grand Canyon (I'll show pics of that next week) we goofed about while stopping over in Winslow, Arizona, too.  Winslow, of course, was made famous by the old Eagle's song "Take It Easy" which was written by Jackson Browne and Glen Frey. 

   Not too sure just WHAT I was expecting, but Winslow is nothing like I pictured it to be in my mind.  The Interstate (I-40) successfully detoured the Old Route 66 traveler and much of the town seems to have died away.  There were lots of closed businesses and empty store fronts...kinda sad!

The painted mural and the bronze statue were a sight to behold though...  The mural was painted by muralist, John Pugh, and the statue was designed by sculptor, Ron Adamson.  Stopping off in Winslow was well worth our time and it was fun acting light-hearted and silly!

 Even though my Mr. AGPMan and I had a wonderful time gallivanting around in the West, pulling back into the driveway of our La Chaumière de Briarwood made the two of us swoon with joy!  

~~HOME SWEET HOME~~

(Truly 'Nothing Bettah'!!!)

I'm going to spend some time visiting around and hopscotching about to see what you've all been up to while I've been away.  If I can pull myself together I'll see you tomorrow for PINK SATURDAY!  I also have a fun new GIVEAWAY for you and that will finally begin this coming Monday!

Blessings and love to you all...golly I missed you!

Love to you~

~DON'T I GETTA GO? LEAVING ON A JET PLANE~

~YOU'RE NOT LEAVING ME~ARE YOU?"

My Mr. AGPMan and I leave this morning for a little Spring Get-A-Way!  Although our trip was planned in January I wasn't sure until a few days ago if we were going to actually get to go.  I will be back in about a week and I'm sure I'll have more pictures of our trip than you care to see...

 ~SAY IT ISN'T SO!~

Now~even though are daughter, Adrienne, and her hubby will be staying at our home and caring for my little doggie, Mollie (The Molinator!), I must admit I just hate leaving her behind.  She is a 4.5 pound fur-ball of high maintenance energy and she's my 24/7 shadow.  She is eight years old now and I am most certainly her favorite human.

 ~PLEASE TAKE ME!~

If you are a pet-lover you can imagine how it broke my heart to see my beautiful little friend perched safely inside my suitcase.  She would NOT budge...  She knew were were leaving her behind and wasn't going to even allow that!

Gosh...I thought leaving my children on their first day of Kindergarten was tough...WAHHHHHHHHHH! I seriously think I'm gettin' old here!

I'll be missing you while I'm away...  But, given the fact my hubby begins some schooling next month this will be our only chance to escape for quite some time!  Have fun enjoying Spring...I'll be back soon!

Love to you...

 PS:  My A Gathering Place website is on hiatus while I'm away!

~HOME AGAIN...SAFE AT LAST~

My hubby and I pulled out of Oklahoma exactly a week ago today and we arrived back home SAFE & SOUND early, early this morning! Today I'm thankful that after a long trip we had a restful night of sleep in our OWN BED~ We are sooo happy we pulled into our driveway without a single scratch... GOD IS GOOD!

I have A LOT of reading to do to catch up on my favorite BLOGGIES! I hope you know I've been MISSIN' YOU ALL so much and hope to be back to posting and sharing soon!

Blessings to you all as the summer presses on...Rebecca