Where in the world is Greg Kelley?

I’ve come to the conclusion that Greg has the most fun with the Gallo’s, or should I say the Gallo’s have more fun with Greg on their vacations. I’ve copied and pasted Gerry and Fran’s diary. I gave them several business cards and understand they came home with none. Way to go Gerry and Fran…thanks for spreading the word on colon cancer. This trip was to attend Gerry’s niece Nicole’s wedding and here’s the beginning of the trip.

Pre and Post Wedding

“I did not want to distract the wedding so I had limited pictures. Of course, he did hang out at the bar with the bartender Shannon and my brother’s neighbor, and master of all the wedding decorating, Robyn. Greg is in the wedding arch, top right … also, a view of the wedding setting in Oak Creek Canyon’s Indian gardens.”

New friend’s for Greg …

“Groom’s stepfather and mom, Moose and Liz, and step brother Josey, hanging with Greg ….. Moose was so impressed with Greg, while shopping the next day, he just had to add to Greg’s wardrobe………. Moose and I lived in Hillsboro, NH for the same 11 years, but had to go 2500 miles to meet.”

Greg Meets Jacob

Jacob is a Native American and devout Christian. His art was inspired by his mother’s Laguna-Pueblo ancestry; his father was Navaho.  Jacob found his way to Oak Creek Canyon’s Indian Gardens. Art and faith got him through difficult times and he is now providing the Garland family gift shop artworks in exchange for his humble home in a truly beautiful place. Jacob also is caretaker of the gardens, where the wedding was held. Some of Greg’s ashes were left on the river bank in hope of inspiring Jacob’s creativity.

Jerome Arizona

“Jerome, AZ bills itself as “America’s Most Vertical City” and “The largest Ghost Town in America”, and once known as the wickedest town in the west, it was a copper mining ghost, now turned tourist attraction, sitting on top of Cleopatra Hill, overlooking the Verde Valley. All the Jerome pictures are random around town.”

Prescott Arizona

“Greg pauses at the statue commenting war veterans in Prescott, and then heads for the Palace Saloon. Virgil Earp was Sheriff of Prescott, AZ before heading to join Morgan and Wyatt at the OK Corral in Tombstone, and was known to hang out at the Palace Saloon. After leaving he headed out to browse the Western memorabilia stores in Prescott.”

Seligman, Arizona

If Seligman, AZ was not the inspiration for the town of Radiator Springs in the Movie “Cars”, it should have been. A throwback 50’s and 60’s town located on historic Route 66, it literally is “the town the interstate passed by”

Grand Canyon Caverns

“Grand Canyon Caverns are 125 miles from the Grand Canyon, so until 1962, the connection between the caverns and the actual Grand Canyon went unrealized. Wanting to find the source of the fresh air constantly flowing though the caverns, men set off red smoke grenades in the ends of the cavern while teams of observers were sent out in all directions. After 2 days, no smoke was observed in the surrounding areas, so the effort ended. A week later, an Indian tribe on the rim of the Grand Canyon 125 miles away reported red smoke emerging from the rocks below. Some of Greg was left in the caverns.”

Larry’s Garden

A bit of Greg was left among the pottery in my brother Larry’s garden in Lake Montezuma, AZ.

Larry's Garden

Larry’s Garden ~ 2010  Tripled in size!  Notice the stalk coming out of the middle of the cactus; Greg’s left his mark.

The Gallo’s (as usual) really had a good time with Greg. Their friends and family were very receptive and contributed to his wonderful vacation. My hope is that they may have become educated on colon cancer, talk about it and maybe schedule a colonoscopy or reach out to someone else. Thanks Gerry and Fran for your continuing support of my “colon cancer project”

and ensuring Greg had fun.