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!

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...