Tanque Verde Canyon

The Tanque Verde Canyon trail provided us a wonderful vantage point to enjoy an Arizona sunset.



The canyon is reached by following Tanque Verde Rd. east to the end where it becomes a dirt and turns into Reddington Rd., leading to Reddington Pass. The trail was bit too steep and rocky for us to hike to the Falls, especially with the dogs. But Duncan and Roxie enjoyed a short romp. We loved the mountain views as the setting sun bathed the desert cactus in golden light with dark skies in contrast.



I found this piece of Saguaro skelton along the trail. The ribs of the cacti can be used to make wooden walking sticks for hiking.



The setting sun lights up the clouds.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Sabino Canyon lies north of Tucson in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. The park is part of the Coronado National Forest and is a wonderful refuge for hiking, biking and picknicking. The road is closed to traffic but tram tours run every half hour, making several stops at which visitors can get off and pick up a later tram. The road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and included nine bridges criss-crossing Sabino Creek. Sadly, severe flash floods in 2006 washed away several bridges so the tram can only go halfway up the canyon.





Sabino Creek runs as a trickle through the canyon during the winter. Can you imagine the raging torrent that it becomes during monsoon season?



These boulders shook loose from the canyon walls during an earthquake in northern Mexico in 1887.



The tram made its final stop at this mid-point.



Ed and I enjoyed this panoramic view of Sabino Canyon facing east. After living on flat desert land for two months, it was a refreshing change to be in the mountains. We look forward to climbing Mt. Lemmon and visiting the ski resort. No, we won't hike and we won't ski - but we'll drive up and visit snow!

Desert Blizzard

The term "blizzard" doesn't usually refer to 2 inches of snow, but it does in Arizona. The morning commute was a mess, roads were icy, bridges had to be closed, schools were cancelled. No sand, no salt, no shovels, no snowplows. Here's what we woke up to. This is our street at Cactus Country RV Resort. Ed's van is the white one on the left.



This morning's view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Cactus Country.



All I wanted to do was take pictures this morning. But, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go. This is Freedom RV in Tucson. I've never seen snow on RVs and (shudder) I hope it's the last time!

Desert snowstorm

Well, I think the title about sums it up. I never bargained for snow in the desert but it's here. We're supposed to get 1"-3" tonight. These were all taken in and around Cactus Country RV Park, where we are staying in Tucson, AZ.



This is where I normally take the dogs for a walk in the desert where they can run off leash.



Prickly pear cactus in the snow just a few feet from our motorhome.



These cows look none too pleased to have snow on their backs! They graze in the open range land around our park.

Hola Arizona!

We are beginning to get settled at Cactus Country RV Resort on the outskirts of Tucson, AZ. Nothing but desert surrounds the park. We have mountain views and are just a few miles from Saguaro National Park. Yet stores and restaurants are just minutes away. I think we'll be very happy here. Here's a photo of our new homestead for the next four months.

Our mail will be forwarded from Florida each week on Wednesday. But if you would like our mailing address here, let me know.

We plan on doing as much sight-seeing as possible before we go back to work full time. I'll still post news and photos here, so check back soon!