A Sunday Stroll

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 26, 2016

What a lazy, happy day...  

HAPPY TRAILS !

Hike to Josephine Saddle

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 23, 2016

Yesterday, Joe and I headed south of Tucson to Madera Canyon for a hike to Josephine Saddle in the Santa Rita Mountains.  Two trails take you to the saddle, the steeper 2.2 mile route up the Old Baldy Trail or the longer, less steep 4 mile route up the Super Trail.  Either way, it is a cool mountain hike and well worth the effort.

Madera Canyon Road.  

Both trailheads are located at the end of Madera Canyon Trail.  





After climbing the hill from the parking lot, Old Baldy tucks into the hilly forest.

Joe and I find it is much easier on our knees going up steep climbs than down them so we started on Old Baldy.  Yes, it is steep, rocky and strenuous...a 2080 gain in elevation.








Most of Old Baldy is well maintained, but there are areas " just a few hard rocks away from mountain climbing".  

Sometimes the trail looked like this...

sometimes it looked like this...

and sometimes we climbed rocks like this.

As we climbed, scrub bushes changed to ponderosas, oaks and sycamore trees.  Beautiful giant trees protecting the forest floor...

On occasion, these giants opened up to share views as far as the eyes could see.  

Looking out...

and up.

At the top of Josephine Saddle is a memorial that marks the place where three young Boy Scouts died during a sudden snowstorm in 1958. 





Here, we connected to the Super Trail for our route back to Madera Canyon.









Even though Super Trail is longer, it is much easier with wonderful vistas and a few surprises.  

I think this is a yellow lupine.

Our trail...

This manzanita has already flowered making these red berries.

The first of two spiny lizards we saw.  

We saw lots of Indian Paint Brush blooming.

A few spots of snow left...

The second spiny lizard...what a beauty.

A tiny waterfall...we followed this creek the last 2 miles.

Either direction, Joe and I would recommend this 6.7 mile hike if you are near Tucson.  It's a great way to spend the day !  Until next time...

happy trails!

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 12, 2016

One of the things on my to see list in Tucson has been the Tucson Botanical Gardens.  Joe and I have passed by it many times on our way to various other places.  Today was the day.  

These beautiful gardens are located on what was once the home of Rutger and Bernice Porter.  The young couple married in 1931 and started Desert Gardens Nursery.  


Rutger was an up and coming landscaper in the small town of Tucson.  The home they bought dates back to the 1920s was constructed with adobe bricks made on sight.  

Through the years their family grew, their home was expanded and the gardens evolved into a wonderful landscape of winding walks, adobe walls and fountains.

In 1968 (4 years after her husband's death), Bernice wanted the beloved property to become a public garden and donated it to the City of Tucson.  

Today, the Historical Garden contains many of the original plants from the Porter estate including citrus trees, roses, privet, pomegranate, jasmine and many other plants. 

It was a delightful morning.  As we strolled along the walkways we enjoyed listening to the birds chatter and sing.  






It was a challenge to find any of them as the trees and shrubs are so thick and green. 

Broad-billed Hummingbird

The colors were rich and plentiful...

The gardens included a wide variety of cacti and succulents from Mexico, Arizona and some from Texas. 

Bishop's Cap

Everywhere we looked, there was something beautiful to see...

The gardens are a sharp contrast to the busy city...a quiet and peaceful refuge most unexpected.

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS!