June so Far

Corona de Tucson

June 15, 2025

June is a time when summer is getting into full swing and summer solstice marks the longest day of the year.  The end of June is also the end of the first half of the year.  Time really does have a way of flying by.  Did you know that no other month in the year begins on the same day as the first week of June?  This year June 1 was on a Sunday.  It was a glorious day of dark clouds with on/off again rain showers.  The only rain we have had this month.  

Anglo-Saxons (who lived in Britain between 410 - 1066 AD) called June "Sera Monath" which translates into "Dry Month".  Not much has changed in all these years...it is still a dry month.  Fingers stay crossed for a good monsoon season which officially begins today, June 15.   

And let's not forget Father's Day with calls and texts from the east coast and a visit with Jamie, Andra, and Ozzie who spent Saturday night.  Grilled burgers, homemade baked beans with molasses, and fresh corn on the cob for dinner at the big table !  

The first week of the month, we had appointments with the dermatologist. 

And I had an appointment for a hair cut on the north side of town.  So many choices for lunch and we decided on Tucson Tamale.  

Yummy green chili and chicken tamale, black beans and cheese tamale and a house salad with made in house sweet and tangy vinaigrette.  

Another day, the three of us enjoyed an auto hike thru Tucson Mountain Park with a stop at Saguaro NP West.  

 

Blizzards...a Butterfinger for Joe and a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup for me...hit the spot on a hot summer day before heading home.

Last week we headed to the city.  It was the summer market at Gather.  I can't pick a favorite season for visiting this unique vintage market as it is always dressed to perfection in whatever season we go.  

 

We enjoyed a nice lunch at Cafe a la C'arte afterwards.  It was too hot to sit on the patio, but we did have a nice seat by the window inside.

Salmon BLT with a side of fries...a new twist on BLT and I ate every bite! 

Back at the oasis, we walk a couple of miles every morning sometime between 5:30 to 7:00 while it is still cool.  Lucy is still learning.  The sidewalk with its vehicle noise and other walkers with/without pups makes for good experiences.  The noises don't bother her so much anymore, but she can not ignore the other pups.   

Joe and I prefer the cart path.  It quiet with the exception of birds singing and an occasional puppy barking from their backyard.  We did upset a pair of Ravens one morning...what a racket they can make !

I'll close with a few favorite photos from the oasis.  We are so enjoying our little garden of pots and flowers, the birds visiting the yard, and playing with Lucy.

An African Lily

Gardenia...my first Arizona gardenia...not as big and with fewer petals than their Georgia cousins, but it smells heavenly.

Globe amaranth...nickname is "bachelor's button" 

Wingpod Purslane...a perennial succulent.  It blooms during the day and at dark the flowers close up. 

A mid morning water break...

Hoping for a sweet morsel...

Caught in the shadow...the pressure is on!

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !

Fall in Tucson

Tucson Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
Oct. - Dec. 2018

Joe and I made what we thought was going to be a quick trip to Tucson back in early October turned into a three month stay.  Joe needed to see the dermatologist for a spot he had on his left temple.  We spent weeks trying to get him in to see a dermatologist in Grand Junction, but it was just not meant to be.  


As it turned out, Joe had 5 MOHs surgeries (one requiring a skin graft) during the month of Oct.




In addition, he had 2 cataract surgeries...one mid November and the other mid December.  In-between, we found a few fun things to do.

Tucson Village Farm...Harvest Festival
TVF is a working urban farm built by and for youth in the community.  It is a program of the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona.  The goal is to connect and teach youth how to grow and prepare fresh food.  

A 4-H member helps a child plant wheat.

Local 4-H members were on hand to answer questions and help with the events during the festival.    

Volunteers picked corn and shucked it. Lots and lots of corn for popping !

Madera Canyon 
Translated "Lumber Gorge" the canyon is located about 25 miles south of Tucson in the Santa Rita Mountains.  We have hiked here several times over the past 6 years years.  

We chose the trail that begins just past the entrance station and followed Madera Creek to the Whitehouse Picnic Area...a little over 3 miles in and out. 

We were surprised to find water at the waterfall.

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area 
Sabino Canyon, located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, offers some of our favorite hiking trails.  On our first visit this trip we hiked to the dam via Bear Canyon and Sabino Lake Trails.  

Fairy Dusters were very showy !

Sabino Creek Dam,bridges,and picnic tables all built in the 1930s.

It was lunch time for the Roadrunner !

Sabino Creek

 Our second visit this trip to Sabino was on Christmas Eve.  We meandered the Esperero and Rattlesnake Trails enjoying the gorgeous weather.    

 Wreaths Across America
Each December The Wreaths Across America program is carried out at various cemeteries at over 1500 locations across our nation to honor our deceased military veterans.   A short ceremony is followed by volunteers placing wreaths by each headstone in the cemetery.  Joe and I attended and volunteered to lay wreaths here in Tucson.  It was a moving ceremony which included all branches of our military being represented...including two WWII veterans.

We helped many other volunteers lay about 2000 wreaths.  














Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There are 8 trails in the park varying in length and difficulty.  Joe and I have enjoyed them all.  This visit we chose the Canyon Loop Trail.  The trail is pretty flat but close  to midway you reach about 90 steps.  This time we chose to  go counterclockwise so as to go down the steps rather than climb them.  The rim offers amazing views of the mountains. 

And the canyon follows a creek... 

with lots of green...

 a sleepy tree...

and a crested saguaro.

 Tucson Botanical Gardens
The Gardens is an urban oasis not to be missed when visiting Tucson.  This beautiful gem is located on the site of the historic Porter property on Alvernon Way.  We have strolled the walkways during the day several times so we decided on a night visit to see the Christmas luminaries...     

 and over 30 illuminated silk sculptures.   

 Tucson Mountain Park
The Brown Mountain Loop Trailhead can be accessed from Brown Mountain Picnic Area or from McCain Loop Road.  We lucked out and parked at McCain Loop Road.  Lucky because the climb up the mountain had lots of switchbacks and some pretty big rock steps...we'ed rather go up steps like this and not down them.  This was a new trail for us and what a beauty it was !  What we thought was a 3.5 miler turned out to be  5.5 miles (oops !). We both had very tired feet when we finished, but it was so worth it !  

 We only have a few more days in Tucson.  Next up, San Diego for the month of January.  I'm really looking forward to some ocean time and seafood !

Until then, take care and ...

P.S.

Sally 

Jack

Dover