Three Trails and Three W's...

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March, 2019

If hiking is something you enjoy, the trails around Tucson definitely have a lot to offer.  But, between appointments, MOHs surgeries and winter weather in February, we didn't have much time to enjoy them.

We experienced freezing temps and snow...the first snow in ten years according to the locals.  







March roared in like a lion with strong winds and hard rains.  The weather finally turned with lots of wildflowers and mild temps.  The desert was calling !  

Here are three great trail choices with wildflowers, water, and wildlife ...

Linda Vista Loop Trail

Linda Vista Loop is a trail located in Oro Valley at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains.  The map at the trailhead shows several choices to go.  Joe and I hike the loop in the counter-clockwise direction.  It was especially pretty this year with the wildflowers blooming and as the name implies, there are vistas in all directions.

We saw our first Desert Cardinal.

Bluff Trail

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains featuring outstanding scenery, beautiful desert flora, and riparian corridors.  This day we chose to hike the Lower Sabino Creek Trail, connect to the Bluff Trail and finish the loop on the Esperero Trail. 

Just getting started on the Lower Sabino Creek Trail...

Thank goodness for rains and snowmelt...

Love the tannin-stained water...

Bluff Trail...

I love the Cactus Wrens.

A crested Saguaro on Bluff Trail...

Loma Verde and Squeeze Pen Loop Trail

We haven't hiked in Saguaro NP East in a couple of years. 

Loma Verde Trailhead starts off Cactus Drive.  It's a one-way drive and the trailhead will be on the left. 

 I don't now why because it sure is beautiful and maybe a little less congested than the west side.  At least this day, we had the trail almost to ourselves.  We had not done this trail before and the loop can be little tricky.  There are a couple of right hand turns...first on Pink Hill Trail and then on Squeeze Pen Trail...to make a loop just over 4 miles.  

So many trails...so many choices...

Curved-billed Thrasher.... and what a pretty song they have !

 We only passed a couple of hikers, but we did meet Leigh Anne and Jasmine.  Jasmine is a Jerusalem Donkey complete with the markings of a cross on her back.  Jasmine has been a park volunteer with Leigh Anne (her owner) for 13 years.  

We also thanked park workers for the great job they do.

On a different note, I wanted to share a couple of pictures from Mission San Xavier del Bac.  We have visited a couple of times including last February.  It is beautiful both inside and outside.  After visiting Ted DeGrazia's studio (see our last post) it has even more meaning.  The mission was one of the 24 missions founded by Padre Kino 

 

Fiesta at San Xavier, 1960

FYI...if you are in Tucson and need repairs on your RV, Cameron's Reliable Mobile Repairs is awesome. 

 Kenneth and his wife Rachel make a great team.

They fixed a hot water issue, installed a Gen Start (In case the land power goes off and it gets 85 degrees in the MH, the generator will start and run the AC.) to keep the puppies safe, 



and we have two new house batteries. Kenneth and Rachel are so totally knowledgeable, thorough and honest. We are very fortunate to have them as our primary MH repair providers !

Joe had his last two MOHs surgeries...one Monday above his elbow and one Tuesday on his shin.  Instead of sitting here three more weeks, we will have the stitches taken out in Moab.    

So, that's a wrap on Tucson for this winter.  Today we will pack and Friday we pull out bright and early...both of us healthy, happy, and thankful for the good doctors and care we have been given.  

Up next Moab.  Until then, 

  HAPPY TRAILS !