Sunday, February 21, 2016

Life is Good!

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 18, 2016



Life is good! If you don't believe me, just ask any one of our three pups. Food, water, toys, a blankie and some cuddling goes along way with them! 


Early mornings
and late afternoons have been so nice for sitting on the patio.  Puppies love their ex-pen and freedom to play. 



As for us, life just couldn't be better. Joe had his year and half check-up.  The PET shows NO cancer and we are good to go for another six months...yippee! 


Just like our other stays here in Tucson, I have enjoyed the birds at our feeders. 

The hummingbirds continue to zoom in and out, fuss and consume lots of food. 

 The verdins also continue to entertain.  These cute little birds make me chuckle...the real "angry birds". 


A new partaker to the orange feeder this year is a Gila Woodpecker. He is a regular visitor every morning around 8:30 and again about 4:30.   

He is a medium to large size woodpecker (about 9.4 inches) and a bit tall for the feeder.  It is amazing how he compensates for his size by ducking his head down as he tucks  his tail feathers under the feeder to use them as a counter balance and clamp.  A real balancing act...

I have photographed these beautiful birds in and on saguaro cacti, but never in my backyard.  I read on www.allaboutbirds.org that the Gila is the only woodpecker in it's range with the black and white back...one of the gorgeous patterns of nature. 



































It's a good thing the feeders hang on an orange tree. There are a few oranges left at the top of the tree which I expect to be bare by the time we leave.



I have noticed new leaves and blooms about to open on the same tree.  







Up next, a walk through a saguaro forest with friends...


Until then, happy days and happy trails!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

A Town too Tough to Die

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 12, 2016



Last Friday, Joe and I rode over to Tombstone with Lynn and Dave.  We had never been and I know it sounds cheesy, but I really wanted to see a gunfight and eat at Big Nose Kate's.


Tombstone was founded in 1877 when silver was discovered. It wasn't long before cowboys, prospectors, homesteaders and gunmen filled the streets, saloons, and brothels. 



In it's early history, Tombstone survived two devastating fires. But the "town too tough to die" rebuilt and grew. It is fun to think about the legends, like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, who walked the streets there and gave this mining town it's storied history. Today, I read that Tombstone is home to only about 1500 year round residents who believe in preserving the history and heritage of "The Wildest Town in the West".



We did see a gunfight. It wasn't at all what I thought it would be.  Instead it was an outdoor theater company.  Quite comical and well done, it had everything...including
the bad guys,

the bad guy who was double-crossed and shot,

the drunken town sheriff, 

and my favorite, the crazy prospector.


There are lots of lunch choices in Tombstone, but for the four of us, there wasn't even a discussion. We were headed to Big Nose Kate's. 




So who was Big Nose Kate? She was believed to have been the first "lady of the evening" in Tombstone. But her biggest claim to fame was the fact that she was also Doc Holliday's girlfriend.  

BNK's saloon is a lively, colorful and yummy place to grab a cold brew and a burger...we all sure enjoyed it!





































What a fun day with good friends! 





Until next time, happy trails!