Auto Hikes and Monsoon Skies

Corona de Tucson

June 30, 2024

Sunset photo taken from the cart path behind our home...

Joe and I enjoyed a quiet week around the oasis.  Sunday, Sally had an appointment for a summer cut and pedicure.  it was a 4:00 appointment time and we ran into a storm on the way...tis the season and we are not complaining !

Joe and I do not like the shorter cut, but Sally loves it and as much as she doesn't like going to the groomers, it's just easier for her and us.  Monday, was dentist day for Joe...he had a root canal and a temporary cap put on and that was the last of the appointments for the week.   

This time of year, auto hikes and adventures go hand in hand.  It's nice being surrounded by beautiful nature and not sweltering at the same time.  We had errands to run...the library, Petco, groceries, etc. so we decided on a drive close to home and close to places we had to go to.  I wanted to see the saguaro with all it's gorgeous red fruit so we headed for Saguaro NP - East to do the loop drive. 

 

Pictures from the jeep don't really show how glamorous the saguaro are dressed in red fruit, but there were a lot of ooohs and aaahs as we slowly made our way on the loop.   

  

We only saw a couple of other vehicles so it was easy to get out and walk some too. 

Saguaro fruit ripens in the summer and provides moisture and nutrition to animals and insects.  I read that there is an average of 150 fruit pods per saguaro making it a veritable fast food drive-in for insects, birds, bats, coyotes, and other mammals.  For centuries people also depended on the saguaro fruit in the hot, dry desert as a food source as well.  When the fruit ripens, it splits open showing the juicy red pulp and small black seeds...up to 2000 small black seeds per pod !  I have not tasted the saguaro fruit, but read that it is very sweet and the seeds, which are high in protein and fats, have a nutlike flavor.  

Nesting White-winged Dove in the Sonoran Desert are a major pollinator for the saguaro blooms enjoying the nectar and pollen.  And when the fruit splits open, they feast on the seeds and pulp from the fruit. 

  

On Saturday, we headed up Catalina Highway for another adventure.  

Our destination was Rose Canyon Lake.  At about 7 acres, this lake sits at 7000 feet tucked away in a stand of ponderosa pines on the slopes of of the Catalina Mountains.  There is a paved road thru the Rose Canyon Campground that leads to a small parking area (with bathroom facilities and a small store with ice cream, ice, fishing supplies and camping supplies).  The lake and campground are maintained by the Forest Service and we paid an $11.00 fee for day use activities.  Tall trees and rocky slopes line the shore and a trail (Rose Canyon Lake Trail #37) traverses the waters edge and provides access to the water for fishing.  

The narrow two-way road thru the campground (tents only) and picnic areas...  

Rose Canyon Lake...the right side of the lake has a paved walk (wheelchair accessible and the left side is a packed dirt trail. 

Serious fishermen...the small lake is well stocked at all times with rainbow trout, catfish, carp, crappie, and walleye. A permit is required for bank fishing, casting, and fly fishing.

It was a nice walk...overcast skies, a slight breeze, 82 degrees and the wonderful scent of pine trees! 

Back at the oasis,  we are loving our monsoon storms and skies.  We have had a couple of storms and a couple of teasers this week.  It rained during the night  and as I write this post, we are under a flash flood advisory for this afternoon.  

Summertime mornings are the best ever and I look forward to our early walks !

We aren't the only early birds...

Summertime sunsets are also the best ever and I look forward to those walks too !

No editing needed on any of these photos !  

 

 My idea for keeping the birds out of my pots did not work...

so the pots have been replanted...fingers crossed !

A new to me plant...Gaura and it takes full sun. 

We found an egg on the metal plant shelf that is on the patio...we are pretty sure it is a mourning dove as a pair of them made several trips to the shelf one afternoon.  After laying the egg, they did not return.  Joe carefully moved the nest...although not much of a nest...and the egg to a nearby spot.  The egg didn't last long.

This very cute juvenile male cardinal put a smile on our faces...great entertainment with morning coffee.

We squeeze in walks with Sally when we can...

and spend lots of time in the mornings and late afternoons on the patio.

This morning as I was walking thru our bedroom with an arm full of sheets that I was taking to the washer, the puppies photos and my cross-stitch caught my eye in the early morning light.  Sure brought a tear or two or three to my eye.  We love our time with Sally, and at the same time, we sure do miss Wrecks, Dover and Jack.

We flip the calendar tomorrow...I can hardly believe it is July already and 2024 is half gone.   In case I don't post again, Happy Fourth of July.

Until next time,

Catalina Highway

The sunset glow behind our home...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Oh, I almost forgot...isn't the Desert Willow tree so pretty with its blooms?  These two little trees we paid $15.00 for (from Tucson Electric) are growing fast...