good-times-rollin: Chivo Falls

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 22-29, 2015

Our week has flown by with visits, yummy meals, and a few outings. Dave and Lynn and their son Richie moved in last Sunday right next door for a whole week.

Days have been rather warm...OK, hot! But after sunset, a nice, cool breeze danced across our space giving us a reprieve from the heat of the day.

Don't you just love the meals when "We'll bring..." becomes the menu? And the infectious sound of laughter as stories and memories are shared?

Richie and Sally

Sally has a new BFF. She waited patiently everyday...tail a waggin' when she spotted him...for her tummy rub. Spoiled or what?

One of our outings was to find Chivo Falls. I am happy to report that after only one wrong turn and directions from locals enjoying their 4-wheelers, we found the falls.

The creek beds Joe and I had crossed a couple of weeks ago were all dried up on this ride so I wasn't expecting any water at the falls. Nice surprise, though, as this 75 foot falls was more than a trickle...

...in fact, we could hear the water from where we parked and had to walk in. Not your typical sight right smack dab in the middle of the desert!

Having a jeeping buddy sure takes the level of fun and excitement up about 100 knotches...

Dave and Lynn's jeep, Rokhell, is a beautiful jeep. It's the jeep everyone wants a picture of no matter where it is parked. As pretty and as bright and shiny as it is, Rokhell is NOT all show! No siree...it IS all go! About mid-way down the hardest obstacle, the back passenger fender was chewed right off by the tire...no worries...it's part of the risk and I am sure the next time we see Rokhell, it will be as good as new... or better!

For a change, the color of the day was not yellow! It was purple!

New Mexico Thistle...popping up all over the place.

Dakota Verbena in all it's glory enticing butterflies of all colors.

Sunset at Gates Pass

Gates Pass for the sunset was also on our list...not the most spectacular sunset we have seen there, but lots of fun waiting in the stillness and quiet as the sun made its way behind the horizon. There weren't any clouds to add interest and color...but I found the sky and silhouettes picture worthy.

Richie flew his drone and did get some really cool pictures...

About 1,000,000 people cross Gates Pass each year.

One of the old stone buildings that dates back to the 1930s.

If one has not lived with a pup, then it would be difficult to understand the love between a human and a canine. One day a puppy comes into your home with tail wagging uncontrollably and from that day on, they become your loyal friend. Love grows...and one of the hardest aspects of your relationship with them is the difference in our lifespans. When you open your heart to a pup, you do so knowing that chances are you will outlive him/her. The joy that pups bring to our lives is worth the pain we feel when loosing them...

Allie, Lynn and Dave's pup, passed away on her 15th birthday.

I took this picture of Allie in February, 2015 when we were in San Diego...

One more thing I have meant to mention, but keep forgetting is a change Joe and I have made...back in San Diego we bought a NutriBullet. Our youngest son has been juicing since last July and said it has been life altering for him. His energy level has greatly improved...of course he is an avid runner and visits the gym for weights as well.

Anyhow, our fridge has taken on a whole new look these days as we have added lots of greens, fruits, and veggies, and nuts for the juices and removed processed foods. We now drink breakfast and lunch. We even bought a lunch cooler from Bed, Bath & Beyond that we freeze so we can take our lunch with us if we are on a hike or etc. Life is good!

Ahhh...California dreamin'...