Leaf Peeping

Corona de Tucson

November 6, 2025 

This is the first cactus Joe and I bought when we moved in our sticks and stucco in March'21. It's called a Candy Barrel Cactus.  When we purchased the cactus there was one little barrel about the size Joe's fist which we were advised to plant in a huge pot.  It has grown and now there are three barrels.   I have followed directions on watering and fertilizing and two of the rounded barrels are much bigger than a basketball.  This is the first bloom! 

When we returned from our fall trip mid October, Joe took the doors off Pearl and put on the summer doors.  Living in Tucson I think fall doors is a better name for the tube doors with no windows. We decided to take a drive up the Sky Island Byway.  Not having any windows sure made the drive lots more fun.  The never ending views seemed to be an arms length away and it was wonderful actually feeling the change in temps as we climbed about 5700 ft in elevation.  This twisting and turning National Scenic Byway has never disappointed.   

Our destination was  Summerhaven and Ski Valley and leaf peeping was the plan.  We walked, enjoyed the breeze, sat in the warm sunshine and listened to the leaves, I enjoyed taking photos and Lucy had fun chasing leaves.  

The autumn colors weren't the only thing we enjoyed. The Sweet Tooth never disappoints either! 

The Holliday Kick-off at Gather started last Wednesday evening.  I am sure it was quite beautiful to see at night, but we waited until Thursday to make the trek to Tucson.  It is no secret I love going to peruse the displays there and November is a favorite time to go.  This time of the year is the exception and Gather will be open every weekend thru December 14th.  

 

This was one of my favorite trees.  All the decorations on all the trees are for sale right off the tree.

And this was another favorite tree...a variety of beautiful colors and owls.

So many bells...huge bells, tiny bells, and bells all sizes in between...jingle bells, sleigh bells, cow bells... red bells, silver bells...garlands of bells, single bells on a rope...new bells and old bells.

Back at the oasis, the weather has been so nice and what a treat it is to take our daily walks whenever we want to or in-between this and that. 

Lucy loves to be outside.  

A heard of five deer strolled by.

We had to relocate a big, fat, Sphinx Moth Caterpillar.

Watched the sunset.

And added pretty fall colors to the kitchen bar.  This is the vase I got at St Phillips Plaza a few weeks ago.  I have other pieces from this potter...I love his work!

So that's a wrap for this blog.  Like Janna, "Whew, I think I am all caught up!"  

I'll close with a few extra photos...

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!

SWEET DREAMS!

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!