Dear Cousin,

Boy, do I have lots to tell about Phoenix! We went hiking, and I got carried up mountains. In one photo, you can see a mountain range behind me. In the other photo, you can see the city of Phoenix below the mountain. (Notice the smog in the right background above the city!)

The hiking was great, but then it got really hot. By the end of the week, it was 99 degrees! I was so hot that it was suggested that I take my tee-shirt off. I was going around nude like those naturists (except for my bow-tie). I decided to stay inside the flat which had air-con.

On our way home our bags got lost. It took a day for them to arrive. Naturally, I traveled in the cabin, so I wasn't late. We had a little incident with the TSA at the airport, but they had no problems with a stuffed monkey. They objected to some anti-itch cream. Next time you come to the States, be sure you don't have any tubes of cream or liquids unless they're in a small, self-sealing plastic bag.