along the way

Along the Way

A few side trips while in the Catalina area included a hike in Sabino Canyon, one of the most frequented and well know hiking areas around Tucson. Since dogs weren’t permitted, Marsh and Mo stayed around the base area, scouting out the neighborhoods and houses for sale. She found a nice one next to a preserve area with a hot tub!! She likes the warm weather here.

A chilly ride up the canyon on the tram allowed us ample time to hike the nearly 2.5 mi. down – giving us (Larry, Barry and me) full view of the environment, some exercise and less stress on the ankle which is still slightly misshapen from the pre- election date sprain. A rio runs within the canyon and during wetter times, there were lots of nice sandy beach areas along side the swimming holes - picnic tables and ramadas were strategically placed here. At one point on the way up the canyon, a cluster of AZ live oak trees covered with golden leaves glowed in the sun light – like fall in NE.

A side trip to Ted DeGrazier studio included an eventful GPS excursion in itself. Marsha has a map while Barry is directing Larry with my iPhone GPS. Need I say more?

This studio is a historic sprawling complex. DeGrazier is a legendary AZ artist whose ubiquitous painting of Mexican children most everyone recognizes and is seen everywhere. Most probably don’t realize his place in art history since much of his work is so duplicated on plates, cups, magnets, you name it.

DeGrazier got so angry at the thought of the IRS taxing his heirs once he was gone, he took thousands of dollars worth of paintings out into the desert and burned them.

The third exciting side trip for Barry and I was going to the sports bar to see the Patriots beat the Jets. No one minded my cheerleading either. Barry has tried in vain to get CBS and other networks on our “computer set” but no matter of additional equipment and trips to the hardware store have proved successful. His has sent for a more advanced program and discusses with all the local rig owners the problems while jealously admiring their equipment.

The 4^th side trip as we were leaving the area was to check out the Air Stream. We like it!

December 10 – Its going to be hot today 80 degrees We’re leaving the Saguaro area for Patagonia – not South America but AZ.

On the way there is an opportunity to observe a little of the Spanish history. Stopped at the beautifully restored Mission San Xavier (1692), widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial archtitecture in the US. The town of nearby Tubac is the oldest European settled city in AZ; a Spanish Jesuit outpost since 1691 with a well established and thriving art colony. The historical district has original adobe structures and ruins. Tubac was the staging site for Juan Baptiste Anza whose expedition to CA eventually ended in founding of San Francisco.

Patagonia State Park has a man made lake, apparently a few ranchers hoped to have a resort around it but that never materialized so the state made it into a park. Lots of ducks, blue herons and several species of hummingbirds live here. If fact, one of the non-migratory hummingbirds came to Marsha’s recently purchased feeder. While hummingbird feeders are okay in the desert parks, they ask visitors not to feed the birds – Seeds etc. – because they become gourmet delights for all the pack rats and mice around.

Collectively, we are starting to rank the campground restrooms:

Catalina – 9.5 – great showers (just like home), tile stalls, soap and paper towels

Gilbert Roy – near Sugaro – 3 – cold water, no showers, no soap, spider webs but

clean enough

Patagonia Lake – 6-7 – Nice hot water in shower, tile around, foot bath sink –

good for washing Mo who ran in the lake and had black legs and chin hair

Karchner – 9.2 Great showers, very clean, no soap

The desert night sky is ablaze with stars – its so clear and silent without a breath of air stirring. Barry is reminiscing about the celestial navigation he used in the olden days of sailing. He wishes he had his sexton with him.

We are in Kartchner State Park near Benson, AZ. A well designed and thought out Discovery Center lets visitors wander virtually through this World class cavern before taking a guided tour. So special is this place that it remained a secret with the two men who discovered it for several years while they kept exploring it and would finally quietly get a bill through the legislature to preserve is as a state park.

The route here from Patagonia Lake seemed like we were going through a gigantic caldera with miles of long golden grasses. Not at all like the desert environment closer to Tucson. Almost like California with golden hillsides and much more green vegetation.

Will join up with the Welchers who are in the city of Benson at the RV park today to do laundry, watch the Patriots and maybe swim in the pool then back to Catalina Park and the Tucson area to celebrate my birthday – out to dinner. Barry and I are planning to go to Biosphere 2 Marsha and me to a spa?