Saturday, September 27, 2025

Hello Autumn


Corona de Tucson

September 27, 2025 

A very pretty and rainy sunset a few days ago.



Hello Autumn!

A sweet surprise from Andra...thank you!

 Isn't it fun to change seasons?  I love them all !  Today, fall colors are my favorite!  

It has been quiet around our house since I posted last.  We are not complaining and are enjoying a simple life these days.  I  posted 591 posts while we lived on the road.  When we bought our home we were so happy, but I was concerned about what I  would post. But since that time, I have posted 234 posts.  There aren't as many comments and followers these days, but I so appreciate my blogging  friends ( some I have had for 12 plus years),  my non-blogging friends and my family who all stay in touch. I also appreciate having blogs to read.  That number has dwindled down as well, but it means a lot to know how all of you are and what you have been up too...the big adventures and the little joys! 


September has been rainy.  That is a big YIPPEE at our house.  We need every drop we get. Desert rains are the best.  Neither of us mind the pounding rain (sometimes with hail) and the wind gusts that come along with these wonderful storms both day and night. Beautiful skies, the fresh morning air, and the bits of color here and there add to the enjoyment.   

A late afternoon storm...

Sunrise after a rainy night...

Desert Marigolds are blooming...

Circles...

One morning last week, we decided to take the Catalina Highway up to Rose Canyon Lake.  It's a nice little lake at 7,000 ft above sea level just before you reach Mt  Lemmon.  It is a popular spot for fishing, hiking and camping.  We have yet to hike the trail that meanders around the lake. It is a nice easy walk along the banks and under the ponderosa pines that all three of us would enjoy.  We left under nice clear skies only to find the one dark cloud in the sky that morning was right over Rose Canyon Lake.  

Our walk around the lake will have to wait...

It is a short walk down the hill from the parking lot to the lake.  We felt a few drops, but didn't give them any attention.  Just as we reached the lake, it began to pour.  The three of us were soaked and cold by the time we got back to the SUV. Sweet little Lucy handled it much better than Joe and I did.  

We used the towel to dry Lucy off.  Joe and I rode home wet!

The wildflowers were happy!

The morning was not a loss without the walk because we do enjoy this drive...going up the mountain and back down. 



We went to Jamie and Andra's for lunch last Saturday.  Lucy and Ozzie had a great time.  Neither of them have " puppy friends" to play with so they were non-stop action.  They were never still long enough to get a good photo.


Jamie grilled fresh corn on the cob and filly cheese steak (which Andra had prepared with seasonings) sandwiches.  Both were yummy!  It was a fun day with lots of laughter and conversation and our time just flew by. 




We didn't hear a peep out of Lucy all the way home!


And lastly, Joe had the first of his radiation treatments...SRT...at the dermatologist.  It was the first of 16 treatments.  It's good that it is not a rigid schedule and we have the next six appointments on the calendar. 

Back at the oasis, the cool, fresh morning air has been awesome. It actually puts a little more pep in our steps. 






Lucy continues to be all puppy.  We wouldn't have it any other way.



 



I have had fun adding a little fall color here and there.  Two of my favorites...

I love Mr. Scarecrow.  We purchased him a few years ago at the St. Phillips Plaza Market. He has a special perch on the hutch in the kitchen.


We saw Spooky Owl at Gather on our last visit.  He puts a smile on my face and for that, I think I will leave him out all year!   

The ever changing skies do not disappoint.  





Late Friday afternoon we had a visitor.  Joe noticed a Cooper's Hawk perched on the wall beside the patio.  I tried hard to get a decent photo thru the blinds.



What an awesome treat to have him perch on the birdbath. Their long tails act as rudders that allow them to be extremely maneuverable.


He enjoyed several drinks of water.


Copper's Hawks are known for soaking their feet in water.

They also clean their feathers which is essential for maintaining their flight capabilities.

Cooper's Hawks are medium sized hawks with a wing span of 24 to 37 inches. The females are larger than the males. This might be a male as they raise their wings high above their back to fly. 

I'll close with a few photos.





Until next time,



HAPPY TRAILS!

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Wrapping Up Prescott

Point of Rocks RV Campground

Prescott, AZ

August 26, 2025

Prescott Courthouse Square

You may have guessed that Prescott is a favorite place we like to visit.  We have visited several times now and we always find something new and very much enjoy old favorites.  I am just now finishing this blog for our last trip when we visited at the end of August.  

Walking the square and enjoying the park-like mood with locals and visitors is something we both enjoy.  The four acre public space was established in 1864.  The focal point is the stately granite Yavapai County Courthouse built in 1916.


 But there is so much more.  

Cowboy at Rest : 1904 
Artist : Solon Hannibal Borglum

The sculpture depicts a cowboy stretched out on a rocky hillside.  There is a slight smile and pensive look on his face as his horse stands over him.  

Lady Ermintrude arrived in Prescott from New York in July, 1910.  The beautiful fountain graced the plaza for more than 60 years.  Over time, the fountain was showing signs of wear and in 1960 was removed and placed in storage at the Sharlot Hall Museum.  

In 2016, as the Centennial of the laying of the cornerstone for the Courthouse was approaching,  surviving components of the fountain and statue were discovered and restoration began.  Research was found that Robinson Iron, a foundry in Alabama had the original patterns and the missing and broken pieces of the fountain pedestal were replaced and restored. 

Lady Ermintrude stands elegantly today just as she did in 1910.  
Ermintrude is a femine German name derived from irmen  meaning "wholeness" and traut
 meaning "beloved".

In 1912, this Deodar Cedar was planted on the northeast quadrant of the plaza to commemorate Arizona's statehood.




We made return visits to a couple of favorite places to eat in Prescott.  

Brunch and take home pie at Berry's is yummy.  The biscuits and gravy are the best and deciding on which pie to take home is a fun choice to make. 

Somehow we manage to eat every morsel at brunch and leave with melt-in-your mouth slices of fruity goodness over a thin home-made crust and topped with a layer of lightly toasted meringue.

Date night at Papa's is a real treat.  We had reservations for 6:30.  Friday and Saturday nights are busy.  The locals have gathered here for authentic, home-cooked Italian food in this warm and friendly atmosphere for over 30 years.  

We both enjoyed the "not on the menu" special for the evening.  Crab and shrimp with a variety of cheeses wrapped in a house-made lasagna noodle topped with Papa's marinara sauce and cheese and baked to a golden, bubbly delicious smelling melt in your mouth greatness.  Served with Papa's freshly baked bread and a house salad with Mama's Italian dressing.     

And we could not leave without a piece of cheesecake...made fresh every morning. 

Back at Belle and Point of Rocks...

Afternoon playtime...

Firethorn...
The berries will ripen and turn red, yellow or orange in the fall.

Watching the birds...

Woodhouse's Scrub Jay

Back at the oasis it was a quiet week.  Our only outing was to go to Gather.  September and November are my favorite times to peruse this once a month, four day market in the Barrio Historic District.  


  


And today we had an errand at Home Depot.  Lucy went with us. 


And on the way home we stopped  at Dairy Queen.  We each got a Blizzard and a senior discount! Wahoo!


Until next time, I'll close with a few photos from the backyard and our walks this week. 













HAPPY TRAILS!