On the Road to Washington- Joshua Tree

We left Desert Trails on April 1st with about half the park.    The weather was lovely (why are we leaving?).

Our first stop was Joshua Tree National Park and the Cottonwood CG.   After over an hour we finally found a site that was long enough and level enough to set up.    It is dry camping and the weather was just right.   About 80 degree highs,,,,, not too hot.   And 50 degree nights.... not too cold.    After a long day driving, we had a quick dinner and a quiet night reading.    The next day we were up and out fairly early but got stopped with some road construction.    About 10 am we finally made it to the north end of the park.    Just before the trailhead to the 49 Palm Oasis hike, John spied a desert Tortoise along the road.   They are rare and endangered so it was quite a lucky sighting.    We kept our distance in order not to disturb it too much.    When we got out to take pictures, it took off under a bush.    I was surprised at how fast that guy could move.

 
It was a fun start to a great hike (recommended to us by our own ex park ranger, Cline.   Along the way we saw flowering beavertail cactus and pretty views of rock formations.    The trail was rated moderately strenously but was just right, not too steep or too easy.   At the end was the palm oasis which was a nice place to stop for a rest before heading back.

Stopped for a good lunch at Santana's in 29 Palms then a fun drive through the boulders and Joshua Trees to the Hidden Valley Hike.   Another fun one up and through the rocks to a hidden valley that was used by rustlers in the old days.   More blooming cactus to add to the views plus huge old Joshua Trees.    Great fun, thanks Cline!

The rest of the drive back to Washington was pretty normal.   Interstate 5 is mostly boring after so many trips up and down.   We hit rain in northern California and new we were close to home ;-))

End of the Season at Desert Trails

2012-2013 was a different year at Desert Trails.   I'm still trying to figure out if that was due to the part time job we had or the less than stellar weather or the fact that it was a bad flu and allergy season.   Probably all of the above.    It still was a great time with lots of hiking, biking, entertainment, and socializing.    And as we said goodbye to our friends there, I realized I was torn because I was anxious to get "home" to family and friends but still a bit sad to leave.

Before we left, we did our favorite Tucson hike, Cochise Stronghold.   Walt and Francie went with us and we had a fabulous time and fabulous weather.

 

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.

We have new neighbors

John got some good pictures of our new neighbor and neighbors-to-be.   They are in the cactus right outside our dining area window.   Mama and Papa keep an eye out for trouble while caring for the pretty blue eggs.    I think we have Walt to thank, since he kindly has multiple bird feeders right next door.    Mimi thanks Walt too as she now has new material for her "bird TV".   In the cactus garden on the other side of us we have another resident who is not quite as cute but still interesting.

Update: 3/10  

this last one is hard to see but it is of one of the baby birds.   The second one is underneath.