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!

Catalina Highway, Sky Island, and a Rainy Day

Corona de Tucson

October 21, 2023

Just look at that beautiful blue sky...

Catalina Highway, also know as the Sky Island Parkway National Scenic Byway and/or the Mt Lemmon Scenic Byway, is the only paved road that climbs Mount Lemmon which is the highest peak (9100+ feet) in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range. It is a gorgeous curvy drive with lots of switchbacks, numerous pull-outs and vistas as far as the eye can see.  The climb begins with giant saguaros, followed by manzanita scrub bush which then gives way to the ponderosa pines at about 7,000 feet elevation gain.  At the end of the drive aspens, maples, oak and Arizona walnut trees are included in the many broadleaf tree species found there. I read the biological diversity on this highway is equivalent to a drive from Mexico to Canada in just 27 miles...from desert to a shady conifer forest and everything in between.  

Exposed granite in all directions and Ponderosa Pines along the byway...  

 We had a goal of reaching the top so we kept our stops at pull-outs to a bare minimum with only one.  We just had to have an up close and personal visit with the Hoodoos. Hoodoos are abundant around mile marker 15 with a large pull-out parking lot (and restrooms) to better see and enjoy these eye-catching rock columns and interesting formations. 

 

What we saw when we parked...

A short climb and up close...
There is a small plaque in memory of Frank Harris Hitchcock whose sincere interest and unceasing efforts made this highway possible.  

While we were stopped here, I took this photo of Mt Lemmon Marigolds and Lodgepine needles and a cone.  This might be a good time to mention that Mt Lemmon is named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon who trekked to the top of the mountain with her husband and a local rancher by horse and foot in 1881.  She was the first woman who dared to climb the mountain.  She was taken aback by the beauty of the mountain's plant life and kept a journal with drawings and descriptions of the plants, trees, and wildlife she encountered along her journey.      

Mt Lemmon Marigolds just pop up all along the rock and tree debris. 

Our second stop of the day was Ski Valley.

The first ski lift installed at Ski Valley was in 1955.  The top elevation of Ski Valley is 9,157 feet above sea level and has 200 skiable acres with 21 runs.  Today, it is the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States.    

We don't ski, but there are several other notable "claim to fame" reasons to visit Ski Valley...fudge, cookies, chili and cornbread with honey, pie and fall colors come to mind.  We successfully indulged in all of those notables except the cookies and thats only because the cookie store was closed.  

The Iron Door, charming and quaint, has an awesome patio perfect for this time of year.  What a treat it was to sit among special guests...they were all giggles and whispers conjuring up things only they know about.  

But we did hear mention of cauldrons with fur of bats and eyes of newts.  

For us it was a simple decision...

with pie to carry home.

The pies are little whole pies.  
We chose Mt. Berry and Peach with crumbles.  

The lift is across the street with shops for fudge and cookies.  We also came home with chocolate fudge after several samples which included s'mores fudge and German chocolate fudge.  We didn't ride the lift, but decided next time, we would bring a picnic, ride the lift and have lunch at the top.  

Even though I read we were maybe a week early for fall color, we did see some beautiful trees.

The loop ride to the SkyCenter (Stewart's Observatory public astronomy outreach program) was the end of the climb.

Back at the oasis, we had a wonderful and much welcomed rainy day. 

The flowers were happy...

Joe and I were happy...

This little ladder-back woodpecker was happy... 

She had the yard and feeders to herself...

And we enjoyed a pretty sunset at the end of the day. 

 We logged in a few miles...

Sally looks forward to outside and morning sunshine.

The regular visitors stay busy...

And for a couple of weeks now we have had real snowbirds.  The White-crowned Sparrows have arrived. 

They fit right in with the House Sparrows.

 Sally had a much needed cut, bath, and nails trimmed.  

And just like that, another week is in the memory bank.  Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS...