Cowgirls I Have Known

Kimarra Taylor Heard Relaxing at Home

I've been very occupied with lots of details finishing my last month of work in Auckland, so I have been a bit delinquent in reporting our two-week whirlwind return to the states the last of June. Leaving from the Auckland Airport International Terminal, we had to pay our respects to the statue and plane of famed NZ aviatrix Jean Batten.

Jean's Statue

Jean's Plane

First stop in the States: Phoenix, Arizona, home to the Heards (and 115' heat!). From winter and snow in Christchurch to the blazing hot desert. It was great to see our daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law spending some quality time together.

Kimarra and Daddy

Kimarra and Mommy

We arrived the day before Father's Day, and Sofia had planned for us to spend that day at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, AZ. It was quite posh and fun, but the best part was you can take a short boat ride on a stream (I'm not sure where Phoenix steals all its water) to a classic Arizona fun-for-the-whole-family fake Western Village, namely "Rawhide, an 1880’s Western Theme Park featuring cowboy stunt shows, petting zoo, stagecoach and train rides, live entertainment nightly and much more". In case you have any doubt, I looovvve this kind of roadside kitsch.

Father's Day Ferry to Rawhide

We did it all, including the steak dinner, but also the stagecoach, train, and especially the "gun shows", the cowboy shoot-em-up stunt shows, Kimarra's favorite.

Cowgirl KTH at Rawhide

Another big reason to be in Arizona was to help celebrate Sofia's 22nd birthday (at Cheesecake Factory, a favorite of hers).

Birthday Girl

Good Cheesecake, not so easy to find in NZ.

But the biggest reason we returned home late June was to not miss the nuptials of our dear friends Christine Samas and Doug Nunn, AKA  Wedstock 2012. They had sent out a "save-the-date" notice over a year ago, and I was deeply honored when Christine asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. How could I say no?
It was a classic, monumental Mendocino Coast/Albion event. Untold minions from Greece, Germany, and Albion cooked and decorated for a week or more. It had been unseasonably raining for several days, but had the good manners to clear perfectly for the event.
Christine is the second cowgirl from the title, so-called because she concocted her wedding outfit boots first. That is to say she found these boots she loved, and then organically moved up from there.

The Boots

The Bride (Front)

The Bride (Back)

My duties fortunately did not include any such frock for me, and I did not have to dye my shoes tangerine or chartreuse. A great time was had by all, especially the happy couple.

Fayne, the Bride, and Me

We had a little time to take care of some business at home, see some frieds and family, and I went to five day medical conference in San Francisco. It was time to take the long, delayed trek back to NZ to finish the last month of my contract in Auckland. We made it fine, but our luggage took an extra day or two in LA. Such are the vagaries of modern travel.