Tucson Botanical Gardens

In the heart of downtown Tucson, this site was originally a home, but then became a nursery. Then the owners took the 5 acres and embellished on the gardens and plantings that were there. This is some of what I enjoyed trying to capture in the moment.

Other than the pansy and the blooms on the cacti, I don't know the names of the other plants and flowers.

I have almost OD'd on saguaro blooms, but everyone seems to present a different photographic challenge, not to mention the fun of post-processing.

I had never seen an artichoke plant, so that was a treat.

I do know this is an amaryllis.

So in the Children's Garden, which I thoroughly enjoyed, there were some bird houses made out of strange things. To the lower left is a white cowboy boot made into a birdhouse. This is an upscale mansion with a corrugated roof. There were plenty of beautifully decorated gourds turned in bird residences.

This a bit of whimsy, perhaps out of Alice in Wonderland. It was a great time and I will no doubt go back in the fall.

Cathy and Bob's Visit

These friends go back about eight years, and again, we always visit when we can and have a really great time. They pull their travel trailer back and forth from Greece, NY, outside of Rochester, to Wellton, AZ each year. That's where we became friends; we were next door neighbors and Bob's Italian was the clincher.  I took Bob to morning coffee here at the park, because that's his deal at Pioneer in Wellton. He really fit in and had a great conversation with the guys. Met someone from around Rochester, of all things. Rv people always find that it's a small world.

This gives you an idea of the saguaro cactus's role with Mother Nature in the Spring. She produces her beautiful flowers, and provides food and shelter for the birds and insects.

You can see how the birds make the holes for their nests. You can just barely see a cactus wren with his head sticking out. He's the state bird.

Desert Museum

When my friend Judy stopped to see me on her way East for her Dad's 91st birthday, we visited the Desert Museum. I became a yearly member, because I love to go out there and take pictures.They have added an aquarium. Does that make sense?  Borrowed from some popular phraseology!  One might think that strange being in the desert, but the Baja is only a few hours from here. One of my favorite places to go before it became unsafe. These are some pictures that I took before it reached 90.

An agave plume, huge and impressive!

Just another cactus bloom!

They had an enclosed bird area and the docents were especially proud of their hummingbirds, and how they helped them build their nests by providing them with spider webs.

I had never seen a yellow ocotillo bloom; I always thought they were orange.

Sometimes I get lucky with my shots.

And here's JUDY! We met in Utah about four years ago and have been friends ever since, trading visits in our travels. After this it was time for lunch at one of my favorite places in Green Valley, Los Agaves. If you caught our Facebook posts, you saw her chicken fajitas. Shared a great visit getting our exercise, counting calories and drinking wine. Thanks, Judy. Life doesn't get any better!

Sam Hughes Historic Neighborhood

A gentleman from the photography meet-up group told me about these neighborhoods scattered in the older sections of Tucson. We were going to do a joint shoot some time, but I haven't seen him at any of the meetings. One Sunday about a month ago, I heard about touring the homes. I got involved accidentally, so I wasn't really part of the tour. A few people in charge were very gracious and allowed me to wander through two or three and take pictures. The first place is actually a garage that was converted to a guest house that reminded me of an old motel room that was completely up-dated. The bathroom/pullman kitchen was the most interesting.

This is a wall grouping that I found particularly interesting, and I might try doing one of my own,

This was a little cabinet in the kitchen area. It seems more of a decoration than being functional.

This is such a clever idea. These succulents were planted in dirt and grew through the screen that is holding them in place. Then they placed the ornate frame around it. It was hanging on the patio wall: one of the most interesting things I saw all day.

It's a real live cactus even though it looks like velvet. I touched the bloom to assure myself that it was real. Same original, just two different renderings in Elements. I've since seen the same cactus elsewhere.

This is just to give you an idea of what most of the houses looked like. They were classed as bungalows, but since they are around sixty years old have had to be completely updated. The rest of my time was spent outside. Most houses had spectacular garden areas with big old trees for shade.

These trees just happen to be orange trees on the divider between the sidewalk and street.

The lady of the house is an artist and she painted all sorts of benches, walls, and other yard art in her garden. This is a real door, but she used it to frame her painting. Notice the tile around the window and flowers painted on the bench. The next time they offer a tour of one of these neighborhoods, I'm going to sign up and do it the right way. That probably won't happen until fall when it cools off.

Sabino Canyon

Before I tell you about my adventure in Sabino Canyon, I must share some sights that I encounter on my morning walks in the park.

I'm starting to notice more rose bushes, and they bloom so beautifully in the desert.

And, of course, the cactus are starting to bloom also.

A couple Saturdays ago I was looking forward to meeting up with a 55+ group for an outing in Sabino Canyon. I got there a little early to be on the look out for someone from my group. I meet the lady pictured below named Barbara sitting on a bench by the ticket booth for the tram. As we talked about the group were meeting up with I had a funny feeling that this wasn't necessarily my group. I was meeting 5 or 6 other people and there were at least 15 in this one. Oh well, maybe a bunch if people decided to come at the last minute. I wasn't carrying water, because I always feel that my camera is more important, besides there are fountains at each stop on the route. When we got to stop number 9, the group said they were hiking 4.5 miles farther, the first leg looked like straight up to me. Oh we don't go fast, and they insisted that I com along. About a half mile up they realized I didn't have any water and agreed with my suggestion that I turn back. Barbara insisted on going with me; I don't think she was really keen on the hike anyway.

This what I saw on the way down, which is a long way down.

This is where we stopped to watch some families with their kids playing in the ice cold stream. When I got home, I had email from the group I was supposed to be with wondering where I was. They sent several pictures of them hiking along the stream and playing in the water. They are scheduled for an outing at Mt. Lemon in a couple weeks. I hope I finally get to meet them.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST! That's me in 1958 in roughly the same place. Fred had to be standing in the water to get that picture. It was August or September, so I'm sure it felt good.

The Continuing Saga

Thanks to Tammy and Bob, we got my last load from Elephant Butte unloaded, set up, and pictures and bells hung. And my yard art placed temporarily. I need to work on that flower bed after the wind quits blowing.

These were my purchases from the Mes Swap Meet. I want to go back again and see more; maybe take two whole days, and do it right.

Saturday evening we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Green Valley and had a fabulous meal. The next morning we attended a standing room only Mass at San Xavier del Bac. I never tire of taking pictures of the mission, and with my iphone. What's this world coming to?

No pictures of my major players; perhaps next time.

More Adventures

Wow! My girlfriend Norma is here, but not without complications. It seems that she did something to her back on the way down, but feels she can work through it. So we relax and catch up and I make arrangements for the boyz to go to the kennel for the first time. The next day we head for the giant swap meet in Mesa, which was the one thing Norma really wanted to do on her visit. Great success as far as purchases are concerned, but Norma is failing due to the pain in her back, more upper shoulder. We check into a motel by the grace of God, because there is a Renaissance Festival going on right down the road. I dose her up with Aleve and Bengay, and then I explore and bring back food for the evening meal. Marge and Ramsey are to meet us the next morning at Village Inn. Those Canadians really know how to giggle! looking forward to next year now that I know where they live. Ramsey and I are former Rotarians.

On the trip back to Tucson, I told Norma about what we could see without too much trouble. I took her to A Mountain and she had so much fun taking pictures that she forgot her pain for a while. Here are Norma and I posing and a backdrop off the mountain.

After Norma left for Wellton to take care of her back problems, I left for Elephant Butte to sell antiques. While I'm in Walmart in T or C, My cousin Carol calls with the announcement that they are in Amarillo headed my way. What fun! When they arrive, Larry is too tired to go to the bar, so Carol and I have a girls night out with the promise of either breakfast or lunch the next day. Knowing Carol, it's lunch at Sierra del Rio golf course. Next stop was to see the Butte. Ran into a fellow rv'er who took this picture for us. Then we met later that evening at the bar. This time Larry participating. Why didn't I know this was going to be trouble. He should write novels with the stories he dreamed up about that night. His basketball team won :(

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I'm selling things. This was the family kitchen table from 1965, and if it could talk the stories it could tell. Betty Welty of the ranching family bought it. Friday Tammy came to help me load what I wanted to take back to Tucson. Cindi showed up to rachet it down, then we went to the Inn to meet Deb. Another girls night out. Is there a pattern here?

More to come; I'm just trying to catch up.