Sabino Canyon and Historic Presidio Neighborhood

Corona de Tucson

November 21, 2022 

Hiking in Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has long been a favorite for Joe and me.  Wednesday morning, we combined Sabino Lake, Creek Trail, Bluff Trail and Esperero Trail for a decent hike and some beautiful vistas at just under 4 miles.  

Sabino Canyon is located in the Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest on the north side of Tucson. There is always a view of the mountains!

  

These combined trails provide a small sampling of everything Sabino Canyon has to offer.  Desert vegetation, 

steep rock cliffs, 

This is my favorite part of the trail.  The prickly pear cactus has been growing there for as long as we have been hiking at Sabino (2014).

and a riparian corridor. 

Sabino Creek flows almost year round.

We were happy to see a little water at Sabino Lake.  The "lake" is really just a flat section of Sabino Creek backed up behind a small dam which was built in the 1930s to "make" a lake for the locals to swim in. 

We passed a few birds along the way...

Phainopepla

  

Verdin

a crested saguaro I must check on...

a few Saguaro blooms...

a small hedgehog cactus with red fruit...

and golden grasses.  It was a perfect morning !

Saturday morning we were off to Tucson for the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA) Fall Artisan Market.  There are more than 100 unique and local artists and artisans with crafts, original artwork, pottery, glass, textiles, and jewelry.  The market is located in the historic Presidio neighborhood in an outside area behind the museum.  

Also behind and in the same block as TMA is Old Town Artisans.  These colorful adobe buildings were built in the 1850s in the block that was once the stables area for the Presidio.      

Today, these buildings are used as galleries for local artists and shops with unique gifts.   

On the other side of the window in the above photo is a lively courtyard tucked inside the walls of Old Town Artisans.

It is better known as La Cocina Restaurant and Cantina featuring Arizona craft beers and an outdoor stage.  We enjoyed the guitarist as well as a yummy lunch...a smothered burrito with fresh roasted veggies and street tacos with slaw. Another perfect morning !

Back at the oasis,  I have new glasses on the way (YIPPEE!) and had my teeth cleaned.  Jack and Dover went to the vets.  

Jack sat with Dover in the backseat...but really watched to make sure we were headed in the right direction.  He needed his Bordetella Vaccine.

Dover had all her stitches taken out.

I discovered battery powered lights...now I want them everywhere !  

The White-crowned sparrow is my only bird photo from the yard this week.  

The nights have been chilly and the past two days have been windy at our house.  Not complaining...just saying !   

And that's a wrap for the week.  Happy Thanksgiving to all...we sure have lots to be thankful for.  

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !