Plein Air Tuesday - 3/5/24 - Ranger's Station - Day 2

 

Ok, I know it would appear that there was no Day 1, but there was and I learned from Mike that it was just a few people.  Apparently no pictures were taken but I'm sure they had plenty of fun.

Wasn't sure who was going to turn up for this Day 2 but I did have a surprise.  However, to start I arrived and walked up to the Visitor Center and saw Pat walking down.  I was quite early, so phone for pics wasn't ready.  Pat and I discussed where we should go, we had both parked at the upper lot closest to the Center.  However, we realized that people probably wanted to go down to the water, so we got back in our cars and drove down to the lower part of the lot.  This was when the surprise showed up.

Robin, Hamilton

Yes, Hamilton was there and all ready to greet and be greeted.  He brought Robin with him - wasn't that sweet of him.

Robin was concerned about going down to the water for a few reasons.  The first being she had just seen a coyote on the other side of the fence (not a situation that would be good for Hamilton) and the other was that the last time Hamilton went down that way, he wound up with all these nasty burrs in his fur and paws.

Now at this point, look who came swinging in

Mike - no mug

It was Mike who contributed to the discussion about perhaps just going back up to the Visitor's Center instead of down to the water, especially since it turns out there really wasn't any water in the Creek.  While we were discussing this, Pat and Hamilton had their own little conversation going on.  I think Hamilton said he wanted to go up to the Visitor's Center and he was looking in that direction.

Pat, Hamilton

One thing about Hamilton, he always makes everyone smile.  At this point Robin, Hamilton, Pat and I all got into our respective vehicles and drove back to the Visitor Center parking lot.  I'll have you know that it was now 9:29:33 and I found myself in my 3rd (that's right 3rd!!!) parking space this morning.  Our meet up time was supposed to be 9:30.  Oh but wait, there's more.  The particular time also happens to be the time that Timestamp Nita showed up.  Yikes, what's happening -- Nita was EARLY, whoa!!!

Mike, Nita

Boy, this morning was full of surprises!    So, we all went off and found our own spots.

Robin and Hamilton opted for the shade of the overhang on that patio.

Robin, Hamilton & Smokey in the background

This turned out to be Pat's spot.

Pat in her spot leisurely gazing into the distance

While it looks like it was empty, that was just at this moment.  It turned out that we had visitors, lots & lots of visitors.  Every single one felt compelled to comment on our paintings, they really all were very encouraging which was sweet.  A couple wanted photos, some with me  & them in it, at least that was my experience, I guess it made it more of the "Sedona Experience" for them, glad I could make it into someone's "book of memories".

And, while we were already set up, I head someone come up past me saying "Hi, I'm late"  She zoomed past me so fast I didn't get a chance to take a picture of her, but I did catch her in her spot.  It was LeAnne.

LeAnne, random visitors

She didn't waste any time, just went over towards Pat's spot, set up and started painting.  Oops, just realized I still didn't show you Mike & Nita's spot.   As Pat put it, they found the only patch of grass to sit themselves in.

(L to R) Nita, grassy area, Mike

Turned out that Nita had to leave early as she had a lunch to get to.  BUT, because she arrived so early, she managed to get not one or two but FIVE (5) paintings done.  She had her own little gallery.

Nita's Gallery

The rest of us finished working on our paintings, and visiting with visitors and a little bit with each other.  My spot was out in the sun not  far from where Nita & Mike were.  I was VERY overdressed for the day.  Multiple tops and a hoodie.  Finally took the hoodie off, but still overdressed.  Perhaps Robin and Hamilton had the right idea with a spot in the shade.

So, that left just the 5 of us for our gallery, gee the same number that Nita had in hers.

We started to get ready for our "line up" and there was activity coming from Hamilton -- looks like he was getting ready to jump out saying "hey wait for me, Robin you have to pick me up"!

Hamilton

Have no fear, he wasn't forgotten and he was even smart enough to look at the camera on 2 while we all smiled.

Front Row - Hamilton
Back Row (L to R) Me, Robin, LeAnne, Pat, Mike

That's it for this day.  Hopefully next week it'll bring more of you out.  I already know that Hamilton can't make it, darn, no nose bumps to the leg for me (he's such a cutie) - you'd think he was starved for attention 😊.

Cecilia