Latest Picasa web album with all our 2013 Southwest photos here
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Elegant Trogon
The Elegant Trogon spends most of its time in Mexico and migrates up to Southern Arizona to breed in the mountain islands near Nogales, and Patagonia, Arizona. Only easy place to spot it is around here at this time of year. It is about the size of a parrot and weights about 2 pounds. Hard bird to find but I really "lucked out" this morning about 1.5 mile from campground. Had to wade across some shallow muddy streams, however it was worth it to get this photo. Filled my zoom lens easily and we watched it for 10 minutes. Sraddha is really happy to see this bird for her life list.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Ananda Tucson
We visited Ananda Tucson for Sunday service yesterday. Really sweet.
Much has been done with landscaping out front both mear the street (see above) and inside the front yard. See below.
Christine lead Sunday service in the center.
We took Stanley with us. Wonderful to connect with everyone.
- blessings from the road
Much has been done with landscaping out front both mear the street (see above) and inside the front yard. See below.
Christine lead Sunday service in the center.
We took Stanley with us. Wonderful to connect with everyone.
- blessings from the road
Location:1002 e prince road, Tucson, AZ
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wandering around Catalina State Park
Most of you, Who have followed this blog for some time, already know that Catalina State Park Is one of our favorite camping grounds and destinations in the southwest.
We arrive Saturday amisdt showers and rains having experienced torrential downpours the night before. Cold weather kept us from exploring. So now as the weather warms up, We are really getting out and enjoying the walks.
Yesterday was spent shopping for some items we needed to get along the way, visiting a good friend, and we finally made it back at the end of the day To hike one of our favorite walks or more like a stroll, the Sutherland Trail.
The golden hour Of sunset greeted us as we walked up the stream bed seeing reflections off of the distant Catalina Mountains.
Hiking up the trail to the plateau we were greeted with the sunset and were able to take this picture of us and you can see It is a blissful experience.
Fortunately we had cell service and on the way back on the hike back I was able to do a FaceTime communications with one of my good friends at back home at the Village.
After all this is 2013.
- blessings from the road
We arrive Saturday amisdt showers and rains having experienced torrential downpours the night before. Cold weather kept us from exploring. So now as the weather warms up, We are really getting out and enjoying the walks.
Yesterday was spent shopping for some items we needed to get along the way, visiting a good friend, and we finally made it back at the end of the day To hike one of our favorite walks or more like a stroll, the Sutherland Trail.
The golden hour Of sunset greeted us as we walked up the stream bed seeing reflections off of the distant Catalina Mountains.
Hiking up the trail to the plateau we were greeted with the sunset and were able to take this picture of us and you can see It is a blissful experience.
Fortunately we had cell service and on the way back on the hike back I was able to do a FaceTime communications with one of my good friends at back home at the Village.
After all this is 2013.
- blessings from the road
Location:N Oracle Rd,Tucson,United States
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Catalina State Park
We arrived mid Saturday.
Set up camp and walked around enjoying the sunset.
This morning after the rains, our neighbors decided to take a ride with their Airdale dog. Cool BMW with sidecar. Spouse and dog fit in easily.
- blessings from the road
Set up camp and walked around enjoying the sunset.
This morning after the rains, our neighbors decided to take a ride with their Airdale dog. Cool BMW with sidecar. Spouse and dog fit in easily.
- blessings from the road
Friday, March 8, 2013
Marathon drive today
We made it to Buttonwillow by 10:15AM. Nice to get an early start.
After a sumptuous feast if plantains and cabbage ( pupusas) and Orchata rice drink at our favorite Salvadoran restaurant, we checked the weather radar and road conditions. Passes were open but the storm still up in Tehachapi and the Mojave. My inner voice told me to head up the grapevine. Last time we did this we got stuck in LA traffic so I prayed that we made right decision.
Slow news day in LA.
As we drove thru the grapevine across Tejon pass I noticed 3 network news trucks up on the overpass.
Whhaaatt ??
The roads were dry and 1-2 inches of snow on the hills nearby.
Noon news mist be slow. I don't have a Photo because I was driving.
We sailed thru Pasadena ( sight if last years delays) despite showers and rain. All the way out the 210. Stopped at a Starbucks thanks to their iPhone app and switched drivers.
We drove through Riverside area in a downpour, but once we entered the Palm Springs area sun came back out.
The past times we drive across this part if Mojave it was dark. This time we enjoyed the stark dry desert with creosote bushes, ocatillo and brittle bush.
Blythe, CA, along the Colorado river sports lush green fields and surprised us its size. Last year we stayed in a motel arriving and departing in the dark. Dark clouds filled the eastern horizon with the western sun brightening many surrounding features as it set in the west.
We crossed the Colorado river intending to fuel up with much cheaper gas but soon discovered a long, long line at the pump, so we decided to venture on a few more miles to Quartzite, home to thousands of winter snowbirds boondocking in their RV's.
Gas was even less on quartzite.
Light here in Arizona is so different than Cali or New Mexico. Not sure why but we sure appreciate it.
Glad we pressed on because we were treated to a lengthy series of lightening flashes on the eastern horizon as we drove on towards Phoenix. Thunder clouds gathering in the east foretold a big energy building over the valley of the sun.
Through the driving rainstorm we pressed on to Tempe to our hotel. Had to search around for last minute for a reasonably priced room since we were uncertain of how far we could drive today.
The heavy downpour continued as we arrived at 8:30 PM. Because the parking lot mostly full we had walk a bit in the rain to the room, but the room had the space to store my bike.
Whew. 13 hours on the road today. We will sleep in tomorrow morning.
- blessings from the road
After a sumptuous feast if plantains and cabbage ( pupusas) and Orchata rice drink at our favorite Salvadoran restaurant, we checked the weather radar and road conditions. Passes were open but the storm still up in Tehachapi and the Mojave. My inner voice told me to head up the grapevine. Last time we did this we got stuck in LA traffic so I prayed that we made right decision.
Slow news day in LA.
As we drove thru the grapevine across Tejon pass I noticed 3 network news trucks up on the overpass.
Whhaaatt ??
The roads were dry and 1-2 inches of snow on the hills nearby.
Noon news mist be slow. I don't have a Photo because I was driving.
We sailed thru Pasadena ( sight if last years delays) despite showers and rain. All the way out the 210. Stopped at a Starbucks thanks to their iPhone app and switched drivers.
We drove through Riverside area in a downpour, but once we entered the Palm Springs area sun came back out.
The past times we drive across this part if Mojave it was dark. This time we enjoyed the stark dry desert with creosote bushes, ocatillo and brittle bush.
Blythe, CA, along the Colorado river sports lush green fields and surprised us its size. Last year we stayed in a motel arriving and departing in the dark. Dark clouds filled the eastern horizon with the western sun brightening many surrounding features as it set in the west.
We crossed the Colorado river intending to fuel up with much cheaper gas but soon discovered a long, long line at the pump, so we decided to venture on a few more miles to Quartzite, home to thousands of winter snowbirds boondocking in their RV's.
Gas was even less on quartzite.
Light here in Arizona is so different than Cali or New Mexico. Not sure why but we sure appreciate it.
Glad we pressed on because we were treated to a lengthy series of lightening flashes on the eastern horizon as we drove on towards Phoenix. Thunder clouds gathering in the east foretold a big energy building over the valley of the sun.
Through the driving rainstorm we pressed on to Tempe to our hotel. Had to search around for last minute for a reasonably priced room since we were uncertain of how far we could drive today.
The heavy downpour continued as we arrived at 8:30 PM. Because the parking lot mostly full we had walk a bit in the rain to the room, but the room had the space to store my bike.
Whew. 13 hours on the road today. We will sleep in tomorrow morning.
- blessings from the road
Location:I-10 E,Salome,United States
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