Announcing a new Facebook Group and a new Blog


We have created a new Facebook Group called

The Childress (Texas) High School Classes of 1960-1966

Created for anyone from the Childress (Texas) High School classes of 1960-1966 who is looking to reconnect or connect with former friends and classmates.

If you are currently a member of Facebook or if you are planning to become a member of Facebook, we invite you to join the group. Contact either Nicki or Jennifer for information.

You are also invited to visit our new blog, Voices From the Class of '63,

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Raenell Wynn Smith: 'Cat Tracks ... Monument Valley ... John Wayne Country ....

Photographs of Monument Valley
East and West Mitten Buttes, Monument Valley

A couple of years ago Jim and I planned an extended trip to see this beautiful country we live in. We always enjoy driving because (1) Jim wouldn’t get in a plane (although he is the airport manager here in Childress); and (2) we just enjoy the sights and adventures of driving ... sometimes taking unplanned detours, but always amazed at the wonders we encounter, the people we meet, and just what God has in store for us. We are never disappointed, but always in awe and are sometimes left speechless just to take it all in.


This time we were going to see John Wayne Country – Monument Valley, on the Utah/Arizona border. Jim and I are both great fans of John Wayne and have seen his movies multiple times, over and over. Good, clean entertainment when the TV fails to produce anything worth watching. As Jim was getting our schedule ready, preparing places to stay and events to see, we decided to stay a couple of nights at Monument Valley. FYI – there is only one hotel/motel located there. Albeit very nice and adequate to accommodate quite a lot of tourists, it just happened they were booked up. The lady told Jim that there were no rooms available. We were very disappointed and decided to check out the nearby alternative conveniences.

Photographs of Monument Valley
Eagle Nest, Monument Valley

We then got a call from the lady at Monument Valley telling us she had come upon an available accommodation for us, but that she wanted to tell us more about were we would stay. It so happens this small place has an airport… just a strip for landing and taking off to deliver tourists “who fly” to their destinations. This is located about a half-mile mile from the hotel/motel. The facilities were made available for pilots who stayed overnight or for extended lengths of time waiting on their guests, but it had not been booked so she asked if we would be interested.

She was amused by Jim’s answer. He then told her that he was manager of the airport here in Childress and that staying at the airport would be just fine, that although he worked in a hangar he had never spent the night in one --- yet. We expected nothing fancy, but we were pleasantly surprised by the facilities when we arrived. We felt like we were royalty. The “suite” was indeed more than adequate. We had our own kitchenette, bathroom, large bedr
oom with two Queen-size beds (comfort to die for) and a sitting room with all the essentials of entertainment. Besides the sleeping arrangements we had an unobstructed view of Monument Valley to our East where we were able watched the sunrise over the Valley in the mornings and the sunset over the mountains to the West in the evenings.

Photographs of Monument Valley
Merrick Butte, Monument Valley

We walked each morning to the hotel/motel for breakfast and each evening for dinner and decided we, as native Americans, were of a minority. People from all parts of the world were visiting, Dutch, German, French, Italian, and Orientals. The only people we could communicate with were each other and the restaurant employees. It was a most memorable experience.

We went on to travel to the Grand Canyon and then to Sedona, Arizona. We came back to Texas through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. We would certainly
recommend Monument Valley to anyone who has not seen it and -- be adventurous! Don’t be afraid to step outside the usual and let God surprise you with the unexpected. He certainly did us. May you enjoy each day and take in all that is about you wherever you go.

Jim & Raenell


Sedona, Arizona

4 comments:

Jennifer Johnston said...

Raenell, welcome to the main blog ... although we certainly enjoyed your "Show and Tell" update published earlier.

Thanks for the story of your trip to Monument Valley. It's truly a gorgeous place and well worth the journey. I know you also enjoyed Sedona (one of our favorite places ... wish we could have been there with you) and the other scenic areas you mentioned.

The Grand Canyon deserves its reputation as one of the natural wonders of this country, and the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest have always fascinated me. And just a short jaunt from Sedona is Jerome, Arizona ... the largest ghost town in the country and also a great place to kill (no pun intended) an afternoon.

So looking forward to hitting Paris and London with you and Jobey and LK in two weeks!!! What memories we will create! And of course ... we'll write about them!!! Love you ... and thanks again for your story....

)O(

Nicki Wilcoxson said...

Raenell,

I, too, enjoyed the account of your trip to Monument Valely. It is obvious that you and Jim have your priorities straight especailly when it comes to travel. Your willingness to go with the flow so to speak and to be open to new adventures is something thing that I envy. I am afraid that I am often too structured and I know that causes us to miss out on so many things that would be really awesome. I love the idea of your actually staying in the hanger! Thanks for sharing and please send more of your adventures when you can. Jennifer tells me that you guys often visit Branson. I haven't ever been there! Needless to say, I can't wait to hear from all of you about Paris!

Anonymous said...

Raenell, I loved your story about your trip. Monument Valley is one of my most favorite places on Earth, next to the Hoover Dam.
My first sight of Hoover Dam was with Yahn and Jenn with Yahn detailing every nook and cranny. I felt like I had been blessed with a special trip in history. There were times when I wondered if he had been there while it was being built....NAH>>>>just a fleeting thought.

Anonymous said...

Raenell, one of my strongest memories of you is when we lived across the street from each other. We were in the 1st grade...maybe 2nd. Your grandmother wanted some of the pods from one of the trees in our yard. I think it was a mesquite. I remember that she was so glad to have access to the pods. I also remember the awe that was left within me...forever. Do you remember?