Caddy Shack replacement

Our site in Phoenix is next to the golf course in Estrella Regional Park, one of three RV sites near the links. We noticed early this morning a four legged patrol next our nearest fairway. The handsome coyote walked the gopher line, stopping to tip his head and listen, then with the agility of a cat, jump into the air landing face first into the dirt. Nothing but dirt as we watched. Bill Murry would be impressed.

Before we arrived in Phoenix, we explored the mountain on the other side of the campground in Picacho Peak, only to learn that that area is off limits. Too bad, it has many interesting caves. We drove by the largest herd of dairy cows I have ever seen, as far as the eye could see, nothing but black and white and not a barn in site.

A few more days in Phoenix enjoying the warm weather and green and flowering areas where there is water. Yesterday we walked the old town area of Scottsdale, a nice stroll with lots of art galleries and eateries. On our trip back to the park we drove by Camel Back Mountain with it's high end homes and beautiful vistas.

Christmas in Picacho Peak

This morning we woke to a sunny day in Picacho Peak State Park. Much of the day was spent hiking the Sunset Vista Trail raising 1,500' above the valley floor, this trail is 3.1 miles each way. One day in the park will turn into 3, as we spend a few more days in the beautiful park with just a few other RVs. Tigger likes a few days in each place better anyway. We are always amazed that the RV parks next to the freeway are usually packed with neighbors just feet from each other and yet the State Parks are almost empty.
Happy holidays to everyone!

Christmas, Arizona style

This holiday season is a little different for us, in October we headed south, Arizona or bust. There's a few things we've traded, but we're still filled with good cheer like:

White drifts of snow for desert sand dunes this year,
The Christmas tree's not here but strange Saguaro's stand near,
Twinkling lights look like red chili's and there's no reindeer down here,
Santa looks a bit thin as he sweats in his hat, his elves are all Mexican's who seem to always nap,
A choirs is a pack of coyotes that sing every night while the campground gets dark except a few twinkly lights,
The eight tiny reindeer are replaced with a Triton V10,
This sleigh is a Monaco that steps out right quick, and the holiday we'll enjoy as the miles we do click,
Though the surroundings are different in the desert southwest, the holiday's in our hearts and will enjoy it with zest,
We'll still have some turkey or ham would be nice, but our drinks are not hot, in fact they're on ice,
While the distance is great, our thoughts are the same, have a very Merry Christmas and on New Year's stay sane!

P.S. I just learned how to make the pictures larger, starting today, if you click on the photo, it will get larger.

Cederlund trail and the ultimate Saguaro

After a few hours of hiking the Cederlund Trails, we found what is probably a record saguaro with over 60 arms. The hike was 2.8 miles out and up and 2.8 back. Need I say we were a little stiff the next day, but it was worth the hike. Along the trail are old mines and a great view of the Tuscon Park. This morning we woke to clouds and a light drizzle.

Arizona Desert Museum

This is a worthwhile trip if you spend any time in Tuscon. We enjoyed the big cats and the best rapture show we have ever seen.

Gates Motel

OK it is not a motel but it is a little picnic shack on the top of Gates Pass. We are on the far side of the Saguaro National Park west of Tuscon, the Gates Pass is the beautiful drive over the mountains into the park. As we drove through the park last evening we saw a coyote walking along the road. We hear them every night but this was the first time we actually saw a live coyote.

The Saguaro NP is beautiful with easy walking trails, winding roads, petroglyphs and the Arizona Desert Museum which is as much a zoo as it is a museum.

Tuscon retreat

We had a wonderful time hiking around Catalina State Park, Pima Canyon and Ramero Ruins. Best of all was the evening in Saddle Brooke at the home of Jim and Marilyn E... Our hosts took us for a tour of the community, Marilyn served up a fantastic meal and the conversation was light and refreshing. Our hosts home was decorated in an easy comfortable style with beautiful art everywhere. The communities facilities were unbelievable, unlike anything we have seen! Plus, Jim and Marilyn gave us some great information on what to see in the area which lead to some of the nicest hikes we have enjoyed so far.

Today we moved across the mountains to a nice little campground near the Saguaro National Park and will spend a week exploring the surrounding area. Tomorrow we head for the Gates Pass scenic drive and Sonora Desert Museum. We are very happy that we stayed to the south as Flagstaff received a record breaking 21 inches of snow last night. Our low temp's were in the 50's.

Romero hike

Today we hiked the Romero Canyon and pools hike, a beautiful 2.8 mile up the mountains behind the campground, and 2.8 miles down. We had a perfect day with cool but sunny weather. We found a few local creatures including this little lizard and a small snake I could not photograph. After the 4+ hour hike we were eating dinner and heard Wile E Cayote in the wash behind our rig. Yet to see them but you sure know when they are around with barking and howling that gets the campground dogs joining in.