good-times-rollin

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Blackett's Trail Ridge

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 14, 2016

One of our favorite hiking spots in Tucson is Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. So yesterday we headed that way full of excitement and energy to hike up to Blackett's Ridge. The nice volunteer who gave us our map said we could see the peak we planned to hike from the center. Joe very calmly said "We are going there !" to which I quickly replied, "Sure, it's not that bad." We actually did this hike 2 years ago and all I honestly remembered about it were the most amazing views.

The first 0.4 mile of this 6.2 mile (round trip) trek was fairly level on the wide path that leads to and from the parking lot.

From there we connected with the Phoneline Trail and hiked 1 mile which has a slight elevation gain of about 350 feet.

Then we made a right turn onto Blackett's Ridge Trail. This part of the trail packs a great punch ! 1.7 miles with nearly 1,700 vertical feet of climbing.

The terrain is rocky and rugged...a full-on cardio workout !

Going up...

We saw buds...lots of buds !

And a few blooms too...

and with all the buds on the saguaro they will be flowering soon. In fact, it looks like a white bloom on the back of this one, but it was too far away to go see.

Yippee! I can hardly wait to see these beautiful blossoms.

We love the colors in the desert this time of year. I only included a sampling of the wildflowers we saw.

(Note how short Joe's trekking poles are)

Stopping to take it all in slowed us down a little bit. But we were in no hurry.

Bear Canyon

Sabino Canyon

Tucson

The last little bit of trail as you walk out to the point is amazing. The terrain and vegetation is so different. I enjoyed the golden desert grasses.

End of trail...

This trail is an in and out...sooooo, what goes up must go down !

Joe was very happy that on our last hike with John & Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com) Pam reminded him to lengthen his trek poles when going down. For some reason, he had strayed from the proper length setting on them from last year and Pam's reminder got him back on track (ha! ha!) just before we started the down hill trek. A huge thanks to Pam ! It made a big difference.... no more leaning over when taking the big steps down !

It's always fun to run into locals.

And another sign that spring is just around the corner...

Until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Sunday, March 13, 2016

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.