The Street Fair, Friends, and Saguaro NP - West

Corona de Tucson  

March 29, 2024

Last Saturday was the 4th Avenue Spring Street Fair.  This 55 year old bi-annual event has become a Tucson tradition.  Artists from all over the world gather here along with local entertainment.  It's a little over a 2 mile walk...well maybe a stroll...to see everything.  Meeting Jamie and Andra there makes for a really fun time!      

We all enjoyed lunch at Caruso's.  This quaint little restaurant located in an old adobe home on 4th Avenue began back in 1938 and is still in the same family today.   

The manicotti I had was yummy and smothered in the best ever tomato sauce.  Of course, the best part of the day was sharing it with Jamie and Andra.  

Sunday dawned cloudy, wet and windy. Monday and Tuesday followed with on/off again showers and winds.  No complaints here !  The desert needs the rain and it's nice to have a lazy day or two. 

Jeff and Fran were in town on Wednesday.  They are headed to Ohio for the solar eclipse and are taking their time to explore and see a few sites along the way.  We were thrilled to hear from them and share lunch at El Charro.   

Jeff's favorite is the Carne Seca Poblano...and I am pretty sure I heard him say it was the best he had ever had.  We definitely think that is reason enough for Jeff and Fran to visit more often ! It was so good to see them and spend a couple of hours catching up.  Thank you for the photo Jeff and thank you both for taking the time for a visit !  Safe travels.  Until next time...

With the rain gone, the days warming up, and calm breezes in the forecast, we decided some fresh air was in order for Thursday.  My choice was Saguaro NP - West (Tucson Mountain District).  It's a bit of a drive to get there at about 30 miles one way, but once on Kinney Road I definitely have a big smile on my face!

We haven't hiked at this beautiful park since living in the MH and staying at Lazydays.   But we have driven the Bajada Loop several  times as it is a great place to find Saguaro blooms and other cacti blooms.  The loop is an unpaved 5 mile road suitable for most passenger cars.  

Since the saguaros are not yet blooming and neither are the cholla or stag horn cacti, our plan for the day was a couple of hikes on the loop we have not done...the Valley View Overlook Trail and the Signal Hill Trail.  Both are short, easy trails.   

Valley View Overlook Trail : 

Right from the get go, Joe and I loved this trail.  The trail is lined with huge saguaros... 

 

with interpretive signs along the way.  We had not heard of a Pencil Cholla. 

 

 

The Brittlebush and Globe Mallow add lots of color.

Did you know that the leaves on the brittlebush are covered with soft, white, matted hairs that reflect the sun's heat?  

 

We crossed several washes before gradually ascending to the ridge.  Along the way, we caught glimpses of the valley. 

 

There are several benches at the top of the ridge...

with vistas as far as the eye can see.  

We spotted one gorgeous red cholla bloom at the top of the ridge...

and spotted a stunning bloom on a tiny hedgehog cactus hiding behind a saguaro on the way down the trail.

Did you know that the Hedgehog Cactus is the first cactus to bloom in the spring?  

The down trail back to the parking lot was just as showy as the up trail to the ridge.  This easy trail just shy of 1 mile round trip might be short, but it sure packs a lot of bang for the buck.  Definitely a trail we would do again !

Signal Hill Trail : 

The access for Signal Hill Trail is at the Signal Hill Picnic Area.  There is a short road that turns off Bajada Loop Road that goes to the picnic area.  It was almost a bust as the access road was completely blocked and closes to traffic due to repairs and improvements being made at the picnic area.  Vehicles were parked along side the road and after spotting several walkers, we decided to give it a try too.  I'm so glad we did.  

From 1933 to 1941, members of the CCC improved the recreational possibilities of the Tucson Mountains.  They built five picnic sites that consisted of ramadas,  tables, benches, fireplaces, and bathrooms.  The Signal Hill picnic area was constructed in 1934 and the largest picnic area they built. There was fencing around the tables, benches and ramadas, but not around the fireplaces.  

Signage at the trail head stated that for more than 10,000 years the Tucson Basin has been inhabited by many people.  The Hohokam people lived here between 200 AD - 1400 AD.  Rock art found within the NP was created by them more than a thousand years ago and the reason for us choosing this trail.  

The trail is well maintained with switchbacks that make a sort climb to the top of a ridge much easier.   

The views were impressive...

At the top of the ridge is a "garden" of boulders covered in desert varnish which is the largest petroglyph site in the Tucson Mountain District.  Although small in size, it consists of over 200 Native American images...some can be viewed from the visitor trail.  It is believed these writings were left during hunting expeditions and there is no definitive meaning to them.  Were they made for religious purposes,  do they tell a story, do they mark a trail, or possibly commemorate a special event?  Today, when we examine these images carved centuries ago, we can only speculate what their significance was. And, stand in awe at the people who made them.  

It was hard to get photos...I didn't have the big zoom lens and the railing prevents visitors from getting too close.  A big thank you to the folks who think it is fun to inscribe modern day writings on ancient and special sites like this...I say facetiously!  It only takes a few of them to spoil it for the rest of us who really care.  

After our hikes we made a stop at the Visitor Center.  It's one of our favorite VCs we have ever visited.  I love how it blends in with its desert landscape...

has benches for "sitting a spell" just because...

has beautiful views...

and we always learn something new...

After it rains, the fragrance from the creosote bush is often called "the smell of rain" in the desert.  Did you know that the creosote fruit is a small wooly ball which separates into five segments when mature?   

We always enjoy our visits there.

We made one last stop on Kinney Road heading home...I love lupines !

Back at the oasis, things were pretty quiet.  The clouds were heavy and dark.

Mrs. C made morning visits...rain or shine.  We were happy to finally see her too.

Mr C watches her from the bush.  One morning, I saw him at the feeder and when she perched on the fence, he shelled a seed at the feeder and took it to her.  

Sally had her spring makeover.  It's a little too short, but she has to take anti anxiety meds to go to the groomers and we don't like giving it to her too often.  The shorter the better...her hair grows really fast !

Sally and I love the early morning glow.

 Until next time..

HAPPY TRAILS!

La Fiesta de Guadalupe

Corona de Tucson

December 13, 2022 

Friday morning 

This past weekend was packed full of fun.  But first I want to share good news about our oldest son James.  Last June, he made a huge move all the way from Georgia to Tucson.  

He has a job he really likes and met a very sweet "someone special".  Andra is a special ed Kindergarten teacher in Tucson.

(The photo was taken at Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival.)

We are so happy for him and way excited to have him close by.  The six months have flown by...what fun we have had sharing our neck of the woods with Jamie.  

Last Saturday, Tucson's winter street fair returned for the 53rd year.  

The fair hosts artists and craftsmen from all over the country, local entertainment, over 35 food vendors, and lots of fun ! Fourth Avenue is closed for several blocks as well as several side streets.  

This artists takes pictures of three different t-shirts all rolled up and spaced to make a complete picture...most college and professional teams were represented.  Jamie loves Navy (and Alabama) football.  

It was a beautiful day and we got an early start to beat the afternoon crowds.  We enjoyed lunch at Caruso's...an Italian restaurant that opened in the 1930s about a block from its' present location.  

The restaurant claims to have more efficient equipment than it did back in the 30s, but boasts that the techniques for making their pasta and homemade sauces are basically the same.  

I have read that Tucson has over 100 murals painted on walls all over the city.  There are several areas in town with a walking route to see some of the paintings and I keep telling myself to google them and download maps.  It is next to impossible to drive anywhere here and not see a mural.  Fourth Avenue, located near the University of Arizona, offers a variety of "hippie" and vintage shops.  There is a mural depicting Bob Marly, Jim Morrison, the Beatles and lots more music artists from the 60's...my high school days.  

Sunday morning dawned another beautiful day and we were up and out early again.  De Grazia's Gallery in the Sun Museum hosted La Fiesta de Guadalupe.  Both the event and the gallery were free of charge.  The historic 10 acre retreat was designed by Tucson's Ted DeGrazia beginning with the Mission in the Sun that DeGrazia dedicated to Father Kino in honor of the Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 1953.

 There were two new to us exhibits on display in the gallery.  First, DeGrazia's Ballet created between 1950 and 1961 is a selection of drawings, watercolors and oil paintings inspired by classical and modern ballet.

Second, Rock Talk: The Prehistoric Art of Ted DeGrazia is a series of drawings, watercolors, and ceramics, inspired by ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.   Freely combining imagery from Native American petroglyphs with pictographs from European cave paintings and his own symbolic glyphs he developed a personal hybrid version of prehistoric art. 

Between 1952 and 1956, more than 20 0f DeGrazia's textual designs were printed by Fuller Fabrics of New York.  The cloth was featured in ready-to-wear apparel and distributed to fabric stores nationally.

I always enjoy our time at Gallery in the Sun and was so happy to have Jamie and Andra there.  

 

The Fiesta (a religious festival of celebration) was held outside.  Included in the festivities were a Student Mariachi Band, Ballet, Yaqui Deer Dance (no camera allowed) and The Domingo DeGrazia full Spanish-guitar band.  My favorite was the ballet...from the youngest to the oldest.  All were students from Ballet Folklorico in downtown Tucson. 

Admiration...

Afterwards, we had lunch at Guadalajara Original Grill.  

They have an "at-the-table" salsa cart.  A Salsa Maestra makes tailored to your taste  salsa with all fresh ingredients from her cart.  

Not only that, she cuts and mashes avocados for quacamole too.  The best guacamole I have had !

Back at the oasis, it was a beautiful moon rise Thursday night.  The December full moon is the Cold Moon.

 

It had a nice glow...

After the really nice week-end, we knew wind and rain was in the forecast with much colder temps to follow for a few days.  We enjoyed one more sunrise and coffee Monday.

 And then, the skies began to transform.

 

The highlight for the day was seeing this Cooper's hawk fly in and perch on the fence...

and touches of red to brighten the day.

We were happy to wake up to sunny skies this morning with temps just below 40 degrees.  Tonight it is forecast to drop into the 20s...yikes !

It's been a busy day (Tuesday).  I made cheese crisps this morning, put on a pot of potato soup, and baked cornbread.  

I also happened to be at the door at just the right time to see three Harris's Hawks.

He was quite noisy...

They were pretty far away before they flew.  Two flew to the pine tree in the field on the right side of the yard.

And the other one perched in the pine tree in the field on the left...much closer and easier to photograph.

I have never photographed a Harris's Hawk before.  He is very handsome and much bigger than the Cooper's.  He sure stands out with his dark brown, chestnut red, and white markings.  

The most social of North American raptors, these birds nest in social units that vary from a single pair to as many as seven individuals.   They also hunt together as a team and figured out that with more than two members in their group they have a higher success and survival rate.  This hawk's social nature and relative ease with humans has made it popular among falconers and in education programs.  

The pups...

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !