Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

We finished our visit with Ed and Bunny by taking a two day trip to Organ Pipe National Monument.    The campground doesn't have any hook ups and we enjoy going there to completely disconnect.    We had great meals, great hikes, and great card games.  The weather was warm especially the first day but we had a bit of shade and stayed outside.   We probably won't see them again for a year or more so we made the last couple days count.  On the scenic drive we stopped to see the arches.   Our favorite hike was Estes Canyon which has amazing views up the canyon and down the wash.

 

More Fun with Friends

We had more fun with friends in March.   This time it was Trina and Ken (Trina and I have been friends for 40+ years and I have known Ken almost as long).    They stayed at Cat Mountain Bed and Breakfast which is very cute and about 10 minutes from our place at Desert Trails.    We had 2 jam packed days of fun.   First we started at Saguaro National Park and watched the video before heading out for a hike to the Gould Mine and around to the hike through the wash to see the petroglyphs .   Ken took lots of pictures as the rest of us enjoyed the perfect weather and spending time with each other.

  

All that exercise made us hungry so we drove to the Brown Mountain picnic area and had a yummy lunch under the ramada.    Once we had our stamina back, we drove to the San Xavier del Bac mission for the tour and film and to see the 250 year old church.   The video was great but the tours are only in the morning (darn it).    Still is is a lovely place with a small but interesting museum.    We were on a schedule that day because John and I worked at Desert Trails for the entertainment that night.    After a bit of a snafu getting there, Trina and Ken joined us for the Mariachi de Atzlan.    These are high school kids who put on a very professional show.   The orchestra is excellent and the music is energetic and fun.

The next day we headed to Sabino Canyon for the tram up the canyon and a very pleasant walk down.   Sabino is one of the few places you can hike along the water.   The creek is made up of snow melt and babbles along.   Very nice

 We stopped at the Jasper Cafe for lunch then headed back to our respective places for some R & R and painting for Ken.    We finished the visit with a picnic of wine and snacks outside on the patio at the B & B.   By 9:00 it was time to say good night and see you in Portland this summer.    Wonderful visit, wonderful friends!

Nana and Curious George at the Festival of Books

Kirsten and I have volunteered at the Festival of Books for the past 2 years.   This year we were assistants to Curious George at the U of A bookstore tent.    As every child knows, George doesn't talk so we helped him greet the kids who want to say hello.   The weather wasn't the best but we had a great time anyway.   And Nana bought books for 3 of the 4 grand kids and even had them autographed by the author.

March Madness / Fun with Friends

March is a fun month in Tucson.   Lots going on in the city plus it is a great time to visit.  We took a trip to Sells with Kirsten & Cline to see the Tohono Oodam museum with lovely views of their sacred mountain, Baboquiva.   Then  Ed and Bunny came to stay at Desert Trails and to see the sights with us.   Our first hike was to the many armed Saguaro.   The raptor show at the Desert Museum was especially exciting with the Red tailed hawk soaring with two wild birds and not wanting to return for the end of the show.   Nature always puts on a better show.   The day at Sabino Canyon was perfect, great weather, lots of water in the creek, and a nice stroll downhill all the way.   Not much time for text this post, but the pictures tell the story better anyway.