It's a Birthday !

Corona de Tucson

November 6, 2021

Joe had a birthday...we had a party !  Just the two of us with truffle cake and ice cream !

The rest of his week was not so much fun. Joe had 4 more MOHs surgeries...one on his shin (half way between his knee and ankle) and the other three on his neck.  

We've had to take a hiatus from morning walks and desert hikes.

All stitches come out on the 15th.  We can't wait !

This morning we drove about 20 miles south to Empire Ranch.  It's a historic ranch established in the 1860s as a homestead ranch of 160 acres.  We first visited the ranch site, located in the Las Cienegas Conservation Area, back in March 2017.  If you are interested in the history, you can read about it in the blog I wrote then...just click on the Featured Post - top right side bar.  Today's visit was all about cowboys and celebrating Arizona's western history and culture.

It's also an effort by the BLM and the ranch foundation to raise money to support the preservation of the ranch for future generations.  

The "main event" in the arena while we were there was a demonstration of how the Arizona Correctional Industries and the BLM, are working together to provide inmates with hands-on-training to care and train animals.  It also trains the wild horses and burrows that have "never been touched by human hands" to be working animals so that they can be adopted into a forever home.  It's a program called WHIP...Wild Horse Inmate Program.  A state of the art facility in Florence, AZ employs a staff of professional horse trainers and at any given time there are up to 30 wild horses and 20 wild burrows being trained.

As with most festivals, there were a variety of vendors. 

Maybe you are in the market to be personally fitted for a pair of handmade boots, about $800...

...or maybe a pair of slightly used, worn just enough to be comfortable pair of boots is what you need, best price offered accepted. 

There was fun music, BBQ, cowboy hats, a silversmith, a leatherworker, a potter, and little cowboys in training.   

And yes, I was all smiles... 

...even though I haven't found "just the right cowgirl hat" for me...yet.  

What a fun goal to have !

Back at the oasis, Jack has enjoyed the sunshine,

Sally and I have enjoyed the sunrise,

Joe enjoyed birthday cake,

and Dover sits close by.

That's a wrap.   So until next time, enjoy the day and...

HAPPY TRAILS !