MAY 13-20, 2012....A WHOLE WEEK OF FUN!
We anticipated this visit for a LONG time and finally they were here.....in Tucson,
Looking for us...looking for them at the Tucson Airport....kind of blurry (like the airport!) but still a valued picture! Glad to be on the ground and eager to make another chapter in our book of memories together! And we have some really good ones!
Saguaro Cacti in full bloom...it's that time of year!
We were excited to see them and eager to share our lives here with them.....and share we did. I think they got a good taste of it, despite the HOT summer temperatures here in the desert. We crammed a lot in and still had some down time to relax and visit.
Every morning we were up between 6:00 and 7:00, headed for the Voyager Resort Pool. I am committed to doing my aquasizes at least 4 mornings a week and since Jud had taken the week off, we all enjoyed the pool....it is a wonderful way to start the day!!! (and that's from someone who has rarely seen the light that early in the AM!)
We did so much that I can't give a day by day account....We went with the "flow" and the course and current were true! So... these are the highlights! Hope you enjoy! We sure did!
After Sunday lunch here in the 'Dreamcatcher' and getting them settled at their room at the Voyager Inn, we took a "short" ramble south toward Elgin, the Empire Ranch and the Hauchuca Mountains. We hoped to see some wild life and the wineries....we did!
An incredible Pronghorn Antelope startled us! Close enough to get a good look, but by the time we got the camera out...he was making tracks in the opposite direction!
And an impressive Hawk....
But even a "short" ramble was a lot after someone has been traveling most of the day and is struggling with jet lag....we are learning, slowly, maybe by the time we leave we will have it down pat.
The Desert Museum proved to be as exciting as ever.....Ray and Terrie seemed to enjoy it....
Inside we did see Javalinas....but believe me that was not the most astounding sighting....more about that later!
They put Terrie's new camera to good use and learned a lot about it in the process...made some terrific pictures!
And we always see something new at the Museum....that's why we love to go....so much so, we became Desert Museum Members!
This time.....Leopard Frogs.....
Lots of them.....(click to enlarge)
A Road Runner....
...hot, tired and seemingly very frustrated. He appeared to have gotten himself into a situation he was having trouble getting out of it!
And in the Hummingbird House.....
A teeny, tiny nest, filled with two precious babies....all mouths and big eyes!
Mom buzzed in and out with food, keeping an eye on her babies and all us sight-seers! What a beautiful miracle!
You can't come to Tucson without trying Mexican Food....We ate at Guadalahara
Ray had a Jalapena Margarita....with a "kick"!
Horseback Riding at Colosol Cave Mountain Park proved to be a challenging experience (I think....I did not go, but I got first hand accounts from Ray, Terrie, and Jud)
Terrie got along well with her little mare, "Bay Rum" (I think)
And Jud rode "Ted"....
But guess what, Joel! Ray drew "Ned"! And yes, he is still a stubborn horse from all accounts!
Plus Ray broke the cardinal rule and lost both his hat (which he regained) and his clip-on sunglasses (which he did not!) But they managed to see a Jack Rabbit....
As well as some "free-range" cows!
Mount Lemmon, one of our favorites was beautiful as always....but a different season!
Ray and Terrie near the top at the ski lift...surrounded by beautiful Aspens, showy with their new spring leaves and gorgeous white bark! (Isn't this a handsome couple!)
This Turkey Hen seemed pretty oblivious...intent on pecking out a dinner for herself....Perhaps she was one of the many turkeys we saw when we last rode the Mountain with Peggy and Zack.
And the Hoo Doos were still there!!! (Wonder just how long they have been there and how many folk they have seen come and go????)
Although "hot as blue blazes" in the valley....the crest of the Mountain was cool and pleasant!
Biosphere2.....new journey for all of us and very, very interesting!
Constructed between 1987 and 1991, Biosphere 2 is currently owned by the University of Arizona and is being used today for research, outreach, teaching and life long learning about the earth and it's systems....studies are being initiated to study the earth's flow of water. Originally, this artificial closed eco-system was built to include 5 biomes...
Rain Forest...with water fall!
(click to enlarge and appreciate)
Beach and Wave Action!
Other biomes still in place today include Mangrove Wetlands, Savannah Grasslands, and a Fog Desert.
This enclosed ecosystem, the size of two football fields, included an area for 8 humans to live and work along with an area for agriculture, where they grew a large portion of their food.
September 26, 1991, 8 people were sealed within Biosphere 2 along with 4 pygmy goats, 1 billy goat, 35 hens, 3 roosters, some Indian Jungle fowl, 2 sows, 1 boar and a stocking of numerous talapia fish. The mission....study the interaction between humans, farming, technology, and nature... to better understand Biosphere 1 (our own planet Earth). This is the largest closed system ever created. The inhabitants were required to produce their own food, maintain the ecosystem, conduct experiments and explore the possibility of closed biospheres for space colonization. Officially the group exited two years later, September 26, 1993. With both positive and negative findings. Very interesting! I think all of us thoroughly enjoyed the visit and though we learned a lot....we found we wanted to know more!
For more information see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2
Moving on to Bisbee, AZ....a neat mining town!
Though the old Lavendar Mines are closed, the unique old town has struck "gold" in tourism. A historically rich, quaint, artsy, community that's always fun to visit.
Ray and Terri remembered a friend from the past lives in Bisbee and discovered that she is now performing there....Terry Wolf....
...she was scheduled to perform at the Copper Queen Hotel on Friday....unfortunately we had previous plans for Friday night.
(Small World!)
We visited with this 91 year old gentleman in his own museum....one he established just last year...an original Bisbee building which he bought to house his own collection!
A veteran of 3 wars....a survivor of both the Bataan March and 4 years in a Japanese prison camp.
He'll be 92 in August...and takes no medication!
Amazing!
Informative and FUN!
Leaving Bisbee we ran into Jimmy's Hot Dogs....with Airstream appeal!
We couldn't pass this up....besides it was lunch time.
Ray, Terrie, and Jud all tried the dogs (it really had not been terribly long since breakfast at the Horseshoe Cafe in Bisbee...I wasn't hungry so I passed)
Truth is....(or so they reported)...they don't compare with Albany's Jimmy's Hot Dogs....they still can't be beat...
Well, almost....we all tried the Sonoran Hot Dogs in Tucson....bacon wrapped juicy beef wiener, in a soft bun, covered with a wide selection of salsas, cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, pickled onions (from an elaborate salsa bar)...so that each one is individually crafted and YUMMY! We actually tried them twice at different locations in Tucson. Sorry, no pics...too busy scarfing them down!
So much to see and do....we left it up to Ray and Terri and they made good decisions!
A trip to the University of Arizona Campus....for a tour of the Museum and their display of Basketry Treasured...featuring utilitarian and artistic pieces created by Apache, Hopi, Seri, and Tohono O'odham basket weavers throughout the ages.
Followed by an outdoor Spanish Guitar Concert at U of A's Main Gate Square....
Saturday....our last day....
We left early for Sabino Canyon....another first for us! located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, this canyon offers narrated tram rides up the canyon with opportunities to disembark and take advantage of hiking trails and exploration. Noted for it's rugged desert landscape and abundant wildlife it is one of the most popular attractions in the area....so popular in fact that it is usually far too crowded for us....we had been twice before and left due to the throngs of people
However, it's summer temperatures now...100 + degrees...hence, only the brave ventured into the canyon....It is a beautiful area, but most of the wildlife were seeking shady refuge! We captured a few neat photos though....
An inquisitive little Round Tailed Ground Squirrel!
A handsome lizard with a long, long tail!
and a family enjoying one of the several pools of water that collect when the snows melt...these pools provide watering holes for the wild life and a cool dip for visitors! It looked refreshing and fun! I was tempted....
From there we crossed to the opposite side of Tucson, past the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation to one of the four Tohono O'doham Reservations...the Sans Xavier (Wa:k) to visit the Mission Sans Xavier del Bak...also known as "The White Dove".
Ray captured a different angle...
We visited with Joel and Brandi last Thanksgiving... both times it has been impressive, reverent, and beautiful!
Founded by Father Eusebio Kino, 1692. This building was begun in 1783 and completed in 1797. Today it serves as Parish for the Tohono O'odoham.
Beautiful inside and out.....a statue honoring the first Native American Saint, lovely grounds and courtyards....all create a sense of spirituality and peace....
We managed to stay busy and see a lot...but that did not keep us from our morning swims, our delicious meals at home (a few...one or two)
Breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs and cheese, link sausage, salsa, R&T's special guacamole, sour cream, rolled in scrumptious Guerrero Soft Tacos (Riquisimas Sabor Casero)!!
Playing games....like "Apples to Apples" (a gift from Ray and Terri) and "Quirkle" (another gift from Ray and Terrie!) both lots of fun.....Quirkle especially! I won! I beat Ray by one point!!!!
Must have been the "Man Bait" lollipops (maple and bacon flavored) ! I didn't eat one.
And just relaxing, talking, laughing and watching our own birds around the table under the carport!
And that's right where we were when the BIG 'ole javalina strolled right though our back yard....biggest one I have ever seen....broad daylight...a single male! We all got to see him but none of us had our cameras out. You'll just have to take my word for it!
Sunday morning....the crack of dawn.... As bad as we hated to see them go, we had to have Ray and Terrie to the Tucson Air Port at 5:00 AM.
But we made a lot of new memories and it was another chapter in our journey....our destination. It was a great time!
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