Tuesday, March 12, 2024

It's March Already...


Corona de Tucson

March 12, 2024 

Mica Trail at Saguaro NP East

After several e-mail's from our BIL who lives in Maryland reminding me very politely and patiently that we must be settled into February (our last post on Feb. 11) by now, I find myself sitting at the computer and trying to recapture the past few weeks.  I decided to take a break from blogging which turned into a much longer break than I had intended and find myself at odds trying to catch up.  Ronnie and Carol left Tucson on February 15, but not before we had some wonderful weather and one more great hike at Saguaro NP East.  We sure enjoyed our time with them...six weeks total between San Diego and Tucson.  

Mica Trail connects to Cactus Forest Trail and makes for a nice walk thru some beautiful desert and mountain scenery.  Afterwards, the four of us enjoyed a picnic in the picnic area with covered tables...sandwiches, apples (with yummy cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla dip), chips and animal cookies sure hit the spot.  We miss Ronnie and Carol and seem to be moving at a snail's since they moved on to Yuma.  



Joe and I spent one lovely afternoon at Madera Canyon.  Of course getting there on one of my favorite country roads is part of the fun.

Madera Canyon Road and gorgeous clouds...

We had no plans to hike but rather just to meander along the paths


and sit on the rocks next to the creek to enjoy listening to the sound of running water, listening to. the birds sing, while watching the deer enjoying an afternoon snack, and soaking in the warm sunshine.  It was so quiet...just the sounds of nature.




Madera Creek

At the end of February, our Mac Pro died.  The battery had swelled and popped out a few screws from the bottom of the computer.   We were told we were lucky it didn't explode!  The same thing happened a few years ago and it was repaired, but this time, there was no repair. It had to be replaced.  We decided on a MacBook Air.  Same size, but totally different.  In my opinion, if you don't upgrade often which is a never ending $$$$ then you get way behind on how to use the darn things. We attended a class last week which focused on the basics.  This week we will have to call the support help "on-line" number.  We much prefer a person to person help session, but apple does not do those.  We did manage to get our taxes done yesterday, but still can't figure out the spread sheet our budget is on...the format and formulas aren't the same.  

Joe had an eye check up and we made a stop at BK's for a dog, fries, and mostly the guacamole and chips.  Sally had a check-up and all is good.  Dr. Huang suggested Sally would benefit from a monthly injection of a medicine called Librela.  It controls puppy osteoarthritis pain.  Dr. Huang said we might not notice a significant difference in Sally's activity until after the second shot, but we did.  Our sweet little Sally was hopping around the house like a bunny within a few days and her appetite (which had dwindled down to almost nothing) returned to once again enjoying her food.  

Sally enjoys picnics too!

Another morning, Joe and I did the Freeman Homestead  Nature Trail at the SNP-E. It's an easy trail that passes by the remains of the Freeman family home built in the early 1930s. Stafford Freeman applied for a patent under the Homestead Act and was granted 640 acres to farm, graze, and mine.  In the early 1950s, the Freeman Homestead along with several home sites were purchased by the National Park Service.   The first part of the trail twists and turns thru the desert with Rincon Mountains in view. 




There is lots of information along the trail and I did learn something new...I had never thought about the thousands of spines on the saguaros before except to take note that you don't touch them.  

Saguaro skin is tough and waxy and pleated like an accordion so it can expand or contract with the amount of water taken in.  Those spines actually have a purpose too...to shade and protect these desert giants.  

And last week, we had a delightful visit with Janna and Mike.  What a treat it was to see them...its's been way too long.  They picked us up at our home and we road to Green Valley with them for lunch at Manuel's.  It was the highlight of our week with lots of conversing and laughing.  We sat on the patio for awhile when we got home...it was such a pretty day.  When they left, Sally spent the rest of her day wandering about the house looking for them...she likes company too ! 

We have enjoyed some walks...

Gorgeous weather...

The neighborhood Great Horned Owl...

A neighbor's yard...

Sunset walks are my favorite...

Back at the oasis, the Lesser Goldfinch are always busy and their feeder gets filled every morning. 





The Cooper's hawk stopped by for a visit...


and a Curved-bill Thrasher likes the butter bites.



February is peak mating season for coyotes. They have been very vocal the past few weeks.  


We keep a close eye on Sally these days...she loves lying in the warm rocks.


And I planted a pot of violas...they always put a smile on  my face.


This pretty much catches us up.  So until next time,



HAPPY TRAILS !

12 comments:

  1. I would definitely keep an eye on Sally with those coyotes around! Love all the water pictures, the sunset and the Great Horned Owl. Looks like you are keeping super busy down there!

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    1. The coyotes are very loud…we often hear them conversing amongst themselves. One will “speak” close by and the response is often far away. It’s pretty cool! If we walk mid-day, the owl is always in a mesquite tree along the path. He is never bothered by our presence. AZ skies are amazing!

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  2. I was so glad to see this post as I had my morning coffee! But sad to read that silly Mac is still giving you guys fits! Loved the photos, especially of sweet Sally, the owl, the flowers, the water in the desert. And, I'm for one, very glad you decided to blog!

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    1. Good morning Janna…and I was so happy to read your comment as I had my first sip this morning. We are making progress with the computer and both us hope the more we use it, the better we will like it. I love going to Madera Canyon…it’s so peaceful there if you go during the week. And it is especially nice when the creek is flowing!

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  3. Good Morning! The Madera Creek looks great with some rushing water in it. You've had a vests with friends and critters, your ever present flock, the ever patient owl and a beautiful coyote. You oasis is well located!

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    1. Good morning Jeff! Madera Canyon is one of my favorite places to escape to…it’s good for the soul! Speaking of flocks…we had Gamble’s Quail in the yard this morning. We have seen them out and about, but not in the yard…👏!

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  4. We, too, love just being in Madera Canyon. The sound of the water and the birds is so soothing. We haven't seen a Coyote here in a long time. When we first moved in, we saw and heard them often. Now, of course, they'll show up!
    I was glad to see your blog this morning also. We all used to blog very often but, as our lives have slowed down a bit, there seems to be fewer interesting things to write about. True but not true. Sometimes lots of things going on, lots to say, and sometimes just quiet rhythms of life moving along.....all interesting to friends, no matter.

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    1. Hi Sue! I totally agree…staying in touch with friends is the best part of blogging. I love reading about the busy times you and others have and about the everyday “quiet rhythms of life moving along”…both part of the “this and that’s” that say who we are and what we are about. Only once have we seen a coyote actually walk up to our yard and poke his nose thru the fence. I don’t mind seeing that at a distance…but their howling often wakes us up in the wee hours of the morning.

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  5. Making us jealous as you see the desert in a way that we never have.
    Glad that Sally is doing better with the injection.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Thank you Rick! Sally is a real trooper! We do enjoy walking in the desert. Hoping to see some wildflowers on trail soon.

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  6. I'm so glad that the injection is helping Sally. We're looking into something similar for our kitty, Smokey, so it's good to hear a success story. Sally is so adorable and looks very happy in those warm rocks. I'm sure she's standing guard still around your backyard, especially with the coyotes! Beautiful photo of the coyote, by the way. :) I enjoyed getting caught up with your month. It's nice to take a break from blogging, but you're right, it can be tricky to get it all caught back up. Nice job! I love you!

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    1. I love you too Jill! And thank you! Please let us know if Smokey starts the injections. Sally seems happy and content these days which makes us happy. We miss Dover and Jack everyday, but are enjoying “just Sally time” everyday too. I think coyotes are very photogenic and enjoy the challenge of photographing them thru the fence.

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