Blooms Abound!

The weather has been wonderful! I remember many years when the start of May meant triple digit temperatures. Fortunately, this year is still relatively cool, The forecast high for today is only 70 degrees. A rare treat.

Papa and I took advantage of the mild temperatures to explore Boyce Thompson again. Yes, it is a favorite destination. And it did not disappoint. The spring flowers are blooming. In fact, the rose garden seemed just a few days beyond it's peek. Next year, an earlier April visit to see the Wallace Rose Garden.

The excitement, if it can be called that, was waking up one morning to find a weight used on the patio curtain had been an overnight meal for a critter. After investigating, it seems a mouse or rat had gnawed the ONE sandbag that had rice vs. sand. Why? It was my test bag to see if they would weight the patio curtains. Once I obtained sand, I filled the remaining bags, but didn't replace the rice with sand. My fault.

The day I found my mistake, I repaired the bag, replaced the inner bag and filled that with sand. Problem solved, right?  Nope. The little vermin returned, gnawed a new hole and discovered the sand. A couple other bags had small teeth marks as if the critter had to double check for possible rice, then gave up.

An electronic mouse deterrent has been added to the patio (I do not want to deal with traps or dead rodents). The potential entrance points have been secured. New low curtain rods have been added, better securing the curtains in the breeze and allowing for easier cleaning.  We have enjoyed a few nights with no evidence of nocturnal visitors. People are welcome visitors! Dogs, too. Little critters with long tails are definitely NOT!

Big Kachina

Just outside the town of Carefree, Arizona stands a 39 ft. tall statue of a Kachina doll. Kachina dolls are part of the Pueblo Indian culture and very popular in the desert southwest. 

Roadside America published an article on this unique attraction. There are many places to see around Arizona. In fact, we missed the giant sundial located nearby. We did drive to Bartlett Lake. I'm kinda partial to visiting lakes, beaches, water in general. It looked like a beautiful lake although a bit out-of-the-way. Guess that might be why it didn't seem as busy as Saguaro or Canyon Lake.

This trip reminded me that Arizona has so many interesting places to visit. We have the time, we need to continue to explore!

Living History: Desert Style

Pioneer Living History Museum in North Phoenix is similar to other living history places we have visited around the country. Covered wagons, old buildings, board sidewalks are similar. Still it is fascinating to visit these places and image what it was like for settlers over a 100 years ago. Add the desert to the mix and I cannot image how bumpy those covered wagon rides were over the rocks in the desert. Or how stifling the heat would be.

One of the first buildings we saw was the jail from the late 1800s. It reminded me of a primitive Mayberry RFD with the side-by-side cells exposed to the central area.  No walls, just one large room. This was one of several original buildings from the late 1800s. Some of the buildings were from the local area, a few were moved here. (see list -- click on picture to enlarge)

The entire area is quite large. On a cooler day, we would have explored more of the grounds. Instead, with temperatures creeping near 100, we did the Reader's Digest version, staying to the central core of buildings. 

Outside of the jail, the church was another beautiful building. It reminded me of some of the old country churches where I grew up. The inside was a large open area with wooden pews, floor and minimal altar area. Near the church was the one room schoolhouse and the teacherage, the single room house for the teacher. All this set in the desert landscape, very barren in comparison to the Midwest living history villages we previously visited.

On our way to the exit, we stopped by a more modern, luxurious farmhouse. The crew was busy cleaning and they allowed us inside. Since the ropes limiting access were removed, we were free to wander inside a bit to see an old, large organ in the parlor.  The cast iron stove, the main and almost only item, defined the kitchen. Oh it made me grateful to live in the time we do. 

Dolly

It was a beautiful afternoon on the lake with our granddaughter. The Dolly on Canyon Lake is wonderful. First, Apache Trail is an adventure. The curves through the mountains are so scenic. The weather was absolutely perfect: blue skies with picturesque white clouds, slight breeze to cool but not create choppy waters, and warm sunshine.

Second, the boat crew was pleasant. The narrator was understandable and noted wildlife along the shore. It was very pleasant and relaxing. And that's saying something when a pre-teen is enjoying the excursion, too! Canyon Lake is beautiful. Now I'm intrigued to kayak here sometime.

2024 in Review - Preview 2025

Another long spell without posting. 2023 ended with a major goal being achieved: visiting all lower 48 via car. There isn't much in the way of big milestones left to complete. We do stay active, locally.  Golf, walking, day trips. Nothing monumental, but we have fun. 

In 2024 we took short trips to California and northern Arizona, mainly as brief escapes from the desert summer heat. We toured several places we passed on previous trips and “hoped to revisit when we have more time." We have time now. I'm glad we went back when we could fully appreciate the locations.

When we moved here several years ago, we started renovating. It has taken a few years but we finally completed all renovations in 2024 by updating the backyard and garage. We now have space for hosting friends and family. 

We enjoyed family visits in 2024. We like to host neighborhood gatherings, including a breakfast buffet for over fifty neighbors in December and a sit-down Christmas Day potluck dinner for twenty with with great food and lots of laughter. Grateful for the space.

In 2025 we hope to continue taking small trips, especially in the hot summer months. The biggest item on the calendar for me is a final hike of the Grand Canyon. It has been fourteen years since I last hiked down to Phantom Ranch. Papa isn't going on this hike with me, but my oldest grandchild is. This is a long-held dream for me. Lots of encouragement from friends and family is needed to accomplish this feat, but I have faith it will happen.

So, it is time to be accountable. Daily walking is a necessity. Strength and endurance training. I am not a youngster anymore and I don't want to be a burden for my grandson. Here we go! 17 weeks and counting...

Grateful

 

There isn't a day where I don't experience a wave of true amazement, gratitude. Oh that doesn't mean the day is all sunshine and roses. It does mean we can find good if we just look around. One of the frequent sources of those waves of gratitude is our travels. Places shown on television or discussed with friends come alive with memories from seeing in person. How wonderful is that! That drives me to want to see more.

Which is what we did last week. After decades living in the Valley, we finally visited Taliesen West in Scottsdale. How fascinating to see the surrounding area, the unique signature style of Frank Lloyd Wright, the school, which is ongoing. We learned why the ceilings were so low and his keen interest in Chinese art. 

Yes, I did not post last week. Bad. As predicted two weeks ago, we are very busy, just not in noteworthy style. We hosted a wonderful holiday coffee and have a couple more gatherings coming so there is time devoted to preparing for those. I also have a history of making Christmas gifts and, worse, waiting until the last minute to complete such gifts. Ah, 'tis tradition? Lousy one, yes, but here we are again.

It isn't all work. We went out to dinner with friends this week. For several years, my mother-in-law and I would take a day to visit Prescott in December. We wandered the Square and did a little Christmas shopping. We didn't stick around to see the lights illuminated at night, and I have been wanting to do that. Cross another item from the wish list. Our gracious friends went with Papa and I for the two-hour drive to have dinner at The Palace along the famous Whiskey Row. What an amazing "wild west" vibe and delicious food. Walking outside after dinner to see the Square bright with lights was awesome. We even saw Olaf!

Nine days until Christmas. With the calendar full of activities yet lacking anything noteworthy, don't be surprised if the next post isn't until the last Saturday of the year as we near New Year's Eve and reflect on 2023. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Finale

A mandatory stop when passing through northeastern Arizona is Cameron Trading Post. It is a great place to stretch the legs in a section of Arizona without many opportunities. The restaurant is a draw for us. Food is good and the rustic atmosphere is relaxing. I love the tin ceilings, and there is a great view of the cliffs through large windows, what's not to like? Someday, we need to stay at the lodge so we can spend more time learning about the history of the trading post, which dates back to early 1900s. Hey, another full-circle: our first day of the trip was the Bowlin's Continental Divide Trading Post in New Mexico. The last day: Cameron Trading Post.

Today, we are headed home. I told Papa, we needed a finale, a grand event to cap off a monumental trip. Devil's Bridge in Sedona is just

Ring of Fire

When planning this trip months ago, we decided to leave the last week open, unscheduled. That way, if things were going well, we would extend our trip. Shortly before we left, we read about the solar eclipse on October 14. That became our new goal. Neither of us have traveled to see an eclipse, so we thought the coincidence of our trip and the eclipse must be a sign. We were not able to get a hotel room in the 125 mile wide path since we waited too long. The closest we found was just west of the full eclipse in northeast Arizona. It was still pretty close, so we crossed our fingers and hoped. As you can see, we were too far west. After a long day driving to get here yesterday, neither of us were in the mood to drive east this morning to be within the zone. This location worked.

To get to our hotel room Friday night, we drove all day Friday through southern Colorado. Oh the aspens were ablaze in bright yellow. It was stunning to see large groups of aspens on evergreen-covered mountainsides. Occasionally there would be reds and oranges mixed with the bright yellow. 

We took a nice break in Durango, Colorado. Starting with a late breakfast and coffee at Taste Coffee. Loved the vibe of the place, and it looked like there was rooftop seating too. The barista was very helpful and suggested a croissant stuffed with eggs, cheese, and more. Crafty!

We enjoyed a nice walk through historic downtown Durango. So many shops, restaurants and bakeries. Good thing we had a large, delicious breakfast and weren't tempted by the bakeries! There are several historic buildings. I vividly remember the red building from my very first visit decades ago. The stately Strater Hotel sits on a street corner with the mountains in the background. So grand. I love Durango. 

It is fascinating the number of things that are coming full-circle, or repeating near the end of this trip. The Strater was built in the Gilded Age (1887), like the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island. 

The drive west between Durango and Mancos was beautiful. We passed many old barns and brightly colored trees on this trip, but I couldn’t stop driving to snap a photo. Finally got one in Colorado. The horses were spotted in a field about a mile away from the farm. What a bonus. 

Monument Valley has been a frequent stop but it always seems to be windy. That means blowing dust, making it difficult to get a good photo. This time we decided to give it another try IF the weather looked favorable. It was late afternoon, clear skies and a light breeze. It also makes it another full-circle moment after seeing the Forest Gump curve on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the lighthouse in Maine. I really want a good photo of the valley from Forest Gump Hill. What I discovered this time is I need to photograph this angle in the early morning light. Too much shadowing on the Utah side in the late afternoon. But, on the opposite Arizona side, the setting sun illuminated the rocks beautifully. Another future trip.

Traffic was heavier than any other time we have driven here. Ah ha, eclipse traffic! It was late afternoon and we still had nearly 80 miles to drive in northeast Arizona to reach our eclipse spot. Few roads. Lots of curves. It was after dark when we arrived. A long driving day. 

So it has been five weeks, and we arrived home late on Saturday after the eclipse. Saturday, October 14th was our "finale" day, or so I told Papa. We started with the eclipse but there was more. Tomorrow (Monday) will be the last daily post as I document our "finale" day. Then we return to the routine of weekly Saturday posts. Thanks for reading.

On The Road Again

This is our fourth road trip of 2023. It tantalizes with possibilities. If all works out as planned, we will accomplish long-term goals, set personal records, and create remarkable memories. That's forward thinking. Today, let's just get started!

Like chapters in a book, this adventure has four chapters, or travel legs. The first leg we will be heading primarily East. Stop #1 is the town of Superior, which doesn't get as much attention as Arizona's popular tourist spots like Phoenix or Sedona. Before we reach Superior, we pass Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a wonderful spot to take a leisurely stroll and learn about native plants. Boyce Thompson is located off Highway 60 about an hour east of Phoenix. It is a favorite

day trip for us. We have been to the arboretum several times, yet we rarely continue into Superior. Today, we will explore Superior.

Superior has a population just over 2,000. It was originally settled as a silver mining town after two claims were made in the late 1800s. Those two mines together were later known as the Silver Queen Mines. In 1910, they were owned by millionaire Colonel Boyce Thompson. Yes, the same Boyce Thompson who, in 1923, established an exhibit of plants from around the world on land outside Superior. That exhibit eventually became the arboretum barring his name. 

The mining history of Superior is definitely the foundation of the community. Today, what's striking about Superior is the number of colorful murals along the Main Street.

From Superior we head to Miami, a beautiful drive. No, not Miami, Florida. Miami, Arizona. Miami is 20 miles east of Superior, "next-door" to Globe, which is another 10 miles east. The sister communities are referred to as Miami-Globe, both known for their mining history and colorful wild west stories. Miami is just under 2,000 people and maintains much of its historic character, especially along Main Street. There is the old Bullion School, now the Bullion Plaza Museum, which is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places. Another photo stop was Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Not officially a mission, but there is a Spanish influence. It is an active church so we snapped a quick exterior photo and continued on our journey.

Like most road trips, the first day is more driving than play. We did stop at a cute coffee/gift shop in Safford, The Main Bean. It is right on the corner, easy access off Hwy 70, The Old West Highway. Great coffee, despite the quizzical look Papa has in the picture. I chuckled at the little signs next to our table. Tempting! The goal is to make it to New Mexico before sunset so off we go!. 

One more stop: Bowlin's Trading Post is over a hundred years old and has ten different locations throughout New Mexico and Arizona. They feature wonderful Native American artisans, beautiful jewelry, pottery, and wonderful crafts and artwork. Papa was tempted by a coonskin cap but decided it wouldn’t work on the golf course. 

About 30 miles east and we pass the Continental Divide just outside Lordsburg, New Mexico. One could say that "it's all downhill from here." OK, obviously getting tired when the corny jokes start to happen. Time to settle in for our first night's sleep on-the-road. 

1

Healing Field

Each September 11th weekend, Tempe Beach Park is filled with flags, boots, and remembrances in honor of those lost in the 9|11 attacks. This incredible display is called the Tempe Healing Field. I cannot count the number of years we have visited this field of flags (2022 post), and it's still as chilling as the first time. 

We walk among the flags, one for each life lost. A card on the post gives information about the person represented by that flag. Sometimes there are boots of a first responder at the base of the flagpole. Or dog tags of a military veteran. The tearful ones have a teddy bear or toy at the base of their flagpole.  This year, we went very early while they were still setting up the flags. The boots and extra tokens were not out yet. The cards were there.

Saguaro National Park: Stop #4 of 4

There are many events or places where you will always remember your first time seeing or where you were when it happened. Seeing a Saguaro cactus is probably one of those times, especially when you're from the Midwest or Eastern areas. Saguaro cactus are unique to the southwestern U.S. Our first exposure was driving into the Phoenix area back in the 1990s to visit family. We pulled off the road multiple times to take photos. Now, we drive those same roads and never stop.

That said, the fascination with Saguaros hasn't ended. They still remind me of the cartoon character, Gumby. Their white caps in springtime transform into large white flowers that are so beautiful. Spring would be the best time to visit the Saguaro National Park just outside of Tucson. Did we? No, let's go in

Mt. Lemmon - Summerhaven: Stop #3 of 4

A day trip to Tucson is a good way to escape the Valley heat. Tucson is usually a little cooler than Phoenix. Add the 5,400 foot elevation at the top of Mt. Lemmon and temperatures are much cooler, up to 30 degrees. It was 100 degrees in Tucson when we started our drive, and a wonderful 73 degrees in Summerhaven, the town at the top of Mt. Lemmon. 

Yes, Mt. Lemmon is spelled with two m's. The mountain is named after a woman botanist who explored the mountain with her husband in the late 1880s. The local guide who hiked with them was very impressed by the woman's strength and determination. His reference to "her" mountain stuck and has remained Mt. Lemmon for over a hundred years.

The temperature and elevation change makes the hour-long Mt. Lemmon,

Titan Missile: Stop #2 of 4

We all remember fire drills in school, right? In the Midwest we had tornado drills. Other areas of the country, earthquake drills. And, if you were in school in the 1950s, 60s and even 70s, there were bomb drills. Schools and many businesses had designated bomb shelters where we would huddle together in sheer terror, waiting for the annihilating bomb to strike. 

In the very late 1950s, the newest nuclear missile was in the initial stages of design. The Titan II was

Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch: Stop #1 of 4

About halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, near Picacho Peak off Interstate 10, is Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.  This is a definite must-stop if traveling between the two cities. It is also a great day trip destination, especially in the spring when combined with a trip to Picacho State Park and the amazing spring superbloom. 

Granted, in the record heat we have been having, August is probably not the ideal time to make the stop. Still, when a trip to Tucson is needed for a change of scenery and some cooler temperatures,