Desert life-2

OK I know you are wondering 'what in the world is that'. This is a Century plant it is in the Yucca plant family. It lives just to put all of its starch and sugar
into growing this staff. It grows several inches a day. And then it will die. But look at these pods and the close up of the flowers it produces. Amazing isn't it!

This is the tallest saguaro cactus we have seen we estimated it to be around at least 50 feet tall. Phil is standing close to it. He would not get any closer to it due to the thorney tree under the cactus. No there is no trickery in this picture, number 1 I don't know how to do it.
The arms on the cactus just above Phils head are bending downward. That is caused by them being frozen way back when. So the end of the arms are now bending back upward. The more it rains the bigger around these cactus will get.

That thing was HUGE.

This tree is loaded with Misletoe. Dosen't do the tree any good because it is a parasite and eventually will turn the tree black and ugly

This is a Joshua Tree it is also in the Yucca plant family. We could not figure out what it was at first.

It has a trunk like a tree, it has bark like a tree, and then it goes crazy, with cactus like features.

The Joshua Tree can live to be over 1000 years old.

To answer a question we have gotten about Jake and Elroy, in an earlier blog. We got lost, we do that alot even with a GPS, and we were turning around in a parking lot. Well out behind a bar we saw Jake and Elroy sitting outside in the sun. So I told Phil we had to get a picture.

We are leaving Arizona Thursday March 25 and taking a week to get back to Wichita, unless I can hurry Phil some. We are anixious to see what retirement life is really like because here I feel like I'm on vacation. Well Phil isn't near as excited as I am to get home. It snowed 5-7 inches Saturday, also first day of spring, in Wichita and here it is 82. WOW (also Happy Birthday to Ivy, she got 12" of hair cut off for Locks of Love) she is just one of the reasons we are coming home now for.

Desert comes to Life-1

I was doing the exciting job of getting our laundry done this late morning and my cell phone rings. It is Phil. He says "when you get laundry done we will go look at the Az/desert Poppies they are yellow" I said sure I have nothing planned".

WOW we drove west out of Tuscon and entered Saguaro National Preserves. It is a winding road and up hill. We drove around a curve and over the pass and again WOW. Ahead of us was a sea of yellow poppies amonst the different cactus of Arizona.


This is the Ocotillo. I call it the desert Christmas Tree. It is the brightest ever-green color in the desert. It will only leaf out if there is alot of rain and, of course, this year they have had alot of rain. It is like a stick bush. These spears go from the ground with leaves all the way up and then you see these orange flowers at the end. These were small ones about 6-8 ft tall.

I have no idea what these plants are but can you just image what the different colors bring to the browns of the desert.

I enjoyed this so much and I can only hope that you can somehow see the awesome beauty in all this.

travel 2010 #2

Our 2010 trip continued. We went thru Death Valley, Ca to see the desert. Well we thought spending a few months in Tucson, Az we had seen the desert, we were wrong. This was dry, seen little vegetation lots of rocks, sand and blowing sand. Coming down in elevation to below sea level we even saw a sign that said radiator water 1/2 mile ahead and then there was a cylinder of water for your car. The temperature at the bottom was 84 degrees. (Ks was 42)

This is the desert. Look at the mountain

So many different colors and textures. There is alot of lava rock. Back years ago there was no explosion but there was lava flow hence the rocks. Notice very little vegetation. We were told to look for the flowing cactus. Saw some yellow flowers.







This is a spring feed lake. Once upon a time this lake covered the bottom of this canyon. The mountains surrounding this area keep the heat in and the rain disapaites. The floor of the canyon looks like snow but this is salt. "Salt flats".

Back in the 1800's they mined ore and borax from here. Hauled it out with 20 mule team's 164 miles. This is "dinah" a steam tractor they replaced the 20 mule team with in 1894.





They have a board walk out to the lake,
to hot for us to walk out there, as you
can see we were actually 282 feet
below sea level.


Interesting ride thru past history. This valley was called Death Valley because only 2 families from a wagon train made it out alive and upon leaving the valley she turned around and said "good-bye valley of death.

travel 2010 #1

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately I have
several excuses, but, the one I counted on is going away. I have my arm out of the sling but I'm still in therapy trying to rebuild the strength which I haven't had for almost 3 years. I am doing better but arm gets tired.

You know how I have always said Phil talks to anyone well now I have proof. Saw Jake and Elroy just sitting in the sun minding there own business and then there is Phil in the middle of them. We make alot of wrong turns in our travels and this was one of them. We were making a u-turn when we saw them.

We saw Hoover Dam last year and the new bridge going up so we wanted to go this year and see the progress. I guess we doubted that the arch going up from both directions would meet in the middle. Well it met but we got no pictures because we saw it at night. This is Las Vegas's Treasurer Island. We like the lights and the activity of the "strip" but not to interested in sticking around for very long.


We both decided that maybe if we had the money to gamble with then maybe we would actually enjoy Las Vegas. So until we win the lottery we will continue to drive up and down the "strip" and watch the people. This was spring break and there we ALOT of young people there. This is Caesar's Palace. These white buildings go
on and on and on.




Evidently no one has told Las Vegas that the country is not doing well. Look at the building cranes in the back ground. I think we counted 4 new buildings going up on the strip. Could not believe it.


Neither Phil nor I had been to California so here was our chance to go into the state but not get involved with the cities. We weren't ready for that yet.

Headed to Death Valley,Ca. WOW that was a site to see. We thought we had seen the desert but after seeing Death Valley NOW we have seen the desert.
Look at this mountain and the ribbons of color. Picture dosen't really do it justice.

Read on to the next blog about Death Valley

our park

This is our home away from home. Prince of Tucson RV Park. We have a hamburger feed every Wed noon. They are cooked good and cheap. This is just one of many things to do here. We have potlucks often. Yesterday I went to the "Red Hat Society" salad lunch. They furnished the lettuce and we each brought something to go in the salad. Gosh you can't imagine the items on the table. While I was there Phil went with the guys to a "bar" and had hamburgers. Next week the park will cook a "pig" and it is really good we attented it last year.

These are some of the birds that Phil feeds. This is a Dove and Cardinal. Several doves come and eat but only one cardinal comes We hear a Wood Pecker on the pole behind us and we see a Road Runner on the fence but they usually will not join the others and eat.

This is a Gramble Quail. There are usually about 6 of them that come over the fence for a bite to eat. They are real fun to watch. They have a little "tuft" of fuzzy stuff on top of there heads.

This little bird here is a Red Breasted House Finch. We have several of them that come around and then we have the usual sparrows and occasionaly we have seen black birds. Phil has had a good time feeding them and "talking" to them as well as just watching.

I have finally gotten my pillow sling off during the day at home. I have to wear it when I go out in a crowd and still at night I have to sleep in it. yuck. My shoulder hurts, but, I just need to get use to using it again. My therapist, Jessica, has given me exercises for my whole arm because I haven't used it for 6 weeks also. Flying home 2-26 for my 6wk dr appt and I'm beginning to do strengthening exercises still have a ways to go. I am starting to drive alittle now too YEA.

I attended Ash Wednesday with my Aunt Easter and cousins Linda and Bev. We went to the 1:00 service. I miss the quietness of the evening service, but going with this group I don't think there would be quietness then either. I enjoy going with them really. I gave up FB for Lent. (and that is all I'm going to say about that)

sites around Tucson

Last week after my physical therapy appointment we went driving around Tucson to see some of the buildings. I usually have my camera out of the bag and at hand, but I did exceptionally well on this one. I have to take it left handed and reaching across my body but I did it.

You have seen guys driving around town with there dog in there truck bed. Welllllll this beats all. If you look real close these are not dogs these are GOATS!!!!!! We laughed our heads off.

These mountains we can see from our Park and is the scenery as we take our walks twice a day. This night you can see the rain strorm moving in across the mountains I just had to go back and get my camera. Usually we watch the sun set. But this sky brought in rain and cooler weather last week. Didn't last long thou.

This is the sun setting while we were "lost" in the desert. Well really not lost but not really sure if we were on the right road let alone a road. It wasn't showing up on our GPS. We left a paved highway to see the mountain and soon the road was just a "one way" and then just "dirt" with big holes. We did have a couple of cars behind us so we felt safer and hoping that they didn't just think that we knew where we were going. After all this was a "State Park". There was alot of neat scenery and we saw a few birds and one jackalope. But I was glad to see paved highway.

Here is Old Tucson Studios. If you look at some of my other blogs you will see this phrase often "It was closed, got here to late, after hours". Well no exception here. haha This is where alot of cowboy movies or shows were made. I'm sure it was interesting. Oh well I'll well I will just turn on a cowboy movie on TV.

We have enjoyed the weather the last few days alot and have even turned on the a/c in the truck a couple of times. Still missing family back in Ks where the snow flies and the coats are buttoned tight.

Thombstone, Az

Took a road trip together in the truck. Last year Phil came down this way on his bike and really enjoyed the ride. Lots of curves and hills and not so much traffic. The country side was so different. You would go thru dry desert land where nothing would grow and over the next hill you would see cows grazing. This windmill picture reminded me of a Kansas field almost.











Finally got to Thombstone. Phil let me out while
he went and parked our truck. They were just
beginning to set up the street gun fight. The "ladies" of the town were walking around, the sherrif and his deputies on one end and the "bad" guys gathered at the other end.




When the smoke cleared there lay two dead in the street.

These are all volunteers. There are alot of people there dressed in the time period dress. These were not cheap clothes either and it was a little
chilly too for the ladies. The stores of course
were expensive tourist traps. I was pretty much
unimpressed.















This impresses me though. Lots of border patrol
guards around. Some on horses, in trucks, and the dogs and then there is the one that stops you. "Are you a US Citizen?" "Anyone el se in the truck?" "May I have a look please?" Then you see a car pulled over and they are really giving it a thourough going over inside.









Our last stop was Karrachter Cave State Park.
Really interesting. We missed the last tour, of course, but we do want to come back and go through it.






Was a great day, good weather and very nice drive.

Cambree and Rosie

When I asked Cambree what she wanted for her birthday she told me a horse. She said the horse could stay in the back yard and she would feed it and let it sleep there too.,
I know I couldn't get her a horse but, I could find her one to ride.
We went out to C-Arrow Stables and she found Rosie.

She asked her mom if she could feed Rosie so they took some carrotts and feed her.





Cambree was in 7th heaven. She enjoyed just
leading her around. Sometimes Rosie would go where she wanted to go and not stay out of the mud but Cambree did not mind. Nor did Cambree mind the cold, wet day. She was with HER Rosie.







Rosie didn't mind Cambrees hugs. I got the feeling
that Rosie knew Cambree was her friend and not
hurt her but, give her lots and lots of hugs and loving.











Rosie was hungry thou. It was so funny even when walking thru the mud and a sprig of grass peeked through you better believe that Rosie was going to stop for a nibble.

We thought maybe we could walk her in the grass so it wasn't quite so muddy. No that wasn't happening. Rosie saw lunch and that is what she wanted. Cambree was not strong enough to pull her away. I guess you could say she lost the game of tug of war with Rosie.



Becki was wonderful leading her around for an hour in the muck and mud. Don't they both look happy!!! Cambree would say "Run momma" so Becki would run but be fore she could get very far Cambree said "Don't run momma" as Cambree bounced up and down.

Cambree wants to be a doctor for animals. She asked me one day if she could live in a castle on a farm so she could doctor animals and have a horse. She is our Princess on a horse.
God love her. Just look at her face and you know she had a great time.

Audrey, our quiet funny one decided to try out for the basketball team. Would she be aggressive enough, could she keep her grades up, would she enjoy it. Only time would tell. We are so happy we got to see her begin her journey.

She attended the practices and did the drills,ran, learned to shoot and ran some more. She injured her knee doing "butt kicks" you'll have to ask her about that. After seeing Drs an MRI she decided to play. Her she is watching the game and waiting for her chance to play.

She is ready and on "her spot". She was suppose to get the rebounds, which she did, but she is not a fighter (sorta reminded me of her mom a little). Still she 's on the court.

Look here. Is she pushing that girl out of the way?


We are so proud of her. When we left town I gave her a big hug and whispered into her ear "Audrey you kick butt on that basketball court". I had been sideline coaching her, along with her mom and dad, so I decided since I wasn't going to be able to anymore I'd just go for it.

Now everyone is wondering where did the quiet Audrey go and who is this girl wearing Audreys jersey. Becki says she is playing serious basketball. She played the whole game Monday, made 3 points and got good rebounds and Valley Center girls WON there first game.

That's our girl. GO AUDREY GO You show them girl

plants from the desert

Phil is fascinated, as am I just not as much as he is, with the height of these Yuccas.

He is standing next to them, no trick camera work, as if I could.

This is a brushed tail yucca, that is what Phil tells me.

The one that is leaning is like the yuccas we have at home only TALLER. The trunk is as big around as a small tree.

This flowering plant is my contribution. It was growing along side the road.

Another form of yucca, we think. These get very tall never have seen them bloom but i'm sure they do. Pretty cool looking.

We seen this mountain in the distance and seeing

this "thing" going in and out of sight. Got closer and it is a person on a glider. The glider kept going higher. Phil said he had caught a thermo and he was riding it. I was worried about him going to high, but, we went on and I will never know what happened. But he definently had a great place to see the desert scenes

Moved on towards our destination Tombstone,Az

Asa Boy Scout Derby

Asa is our Boy Scout, OK I know he isn't a Boy Scout yet but I have a hard time remembering which animal he is now. When we have been home we always go to his functions. And have enjoyed them.

Asa enjoys being a Boy Scout and learning and therefore earning his badges etc.

He is our source of pop corn!!!

This is his pine wood derby. The boys are to make there own car. They all have to weigh the same plus other regulations. Here he is placing his car on the track (He has his hat on)

This picture is also him placing his car on the starting line. They have 2 out of 3 heats. He won his first heat.

Asa did his own car with help from mom and dad,which is the way it is suppose to be. But, you can sure tell who has done most of the work on some of these cars. Which is so unfair. Not just for the derby but what is it teaching the boys.

Grandpa told Asa to be sure and put his car on the

track right so it will get a clean start.

He is waiting so patiently. What a young man.

He lost his second heat.

Here he is watching the finish line. This is the tie breaker. The third heat. He won. BUT, the guy in charge called the other boy the winner. Was I wrong, was I watching the wrong car? I asked others but they weren't watching closley. I asked Asa and he too thought he'd won. But, he is such a quiet boy at scouts and he wasn't going to argue an adult.

We left knowing we had a winner in our grandson maybe not the fastest pine wood derby car but definently a WINNER in our book.

GO ASA GO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE