Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
December 23, 2016
There is alot of history in Sabino Canyon. Flat grindstones, stone points, and other tools found in the Sabino Canyon date back to the Cochise culture which hunted small game and food about 8000 years ago. But even before them, the Clovis culture visited the area some 13500 years ago to hunt large game.
Its no wonder visitors since, including the Hohokam people, made this oasis their home. The peak of their culture occurred around 1100 AD. The Hohokam were farmers and built villages along the rivers. There is evidence of early dams to store water and collect soil as well as farming tools left behind from them.
Jump forward to the 1930s when plans were made to build a dam to provide a lake for swimming and boating. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) along with ERA crews built bridges, campgrounds, picnic tables, outhouses, and retaining walls which are still used. Today the dam is a popular attraction although the lake has long since been filled in with silt and plant life.
Our second hike in Sabino Canyon on 12/22 took us close enough to the dam to take a picture from an overlook. Not much water flowing over the dam that day.
Our third hike (12/23) was on the Sabino Lake Trail, Creek Trail, and Sabino Dam Trail. A nice easy loop ! What a difference a day of heavy rains made.
We had planned to connect to the Phoneline Trail, but Sabino Creek stopped us. We weren't prepared to get wet.
This is the section of creek after the dam. We have never seen it this high...it was even flowing over the bridge !
Looking left...
...straight ahead...
...and to the right.
It couldn't have been a prettier day. The birds were singing...umm...some were fussing !
We could hear the distinct loud sound of this Cactus Wren. It's the largest wren in North America.
Cloudy gray skies quickly gave way to clear blue skies.
The cacti were showy with fruit.
And the best part, I was with my honey !
We will be busy our last week here. I have a hair cut, Joe gets stitches out, Sally gets a hair cut and a bath, and we hope to get in another hike.
Until next time,
HAPPY TRAILS !
Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
December 20, 2016
Tucson wasn't our first choice to spend the month of December, but it has turned out to a good spot for us. The second cooling unit Jeff Fisher (Fisher's RV Repair) installed did the job and we have a fully stocked refrigerator once again. Since we were here, Joe made a visit to the dermatologist. Two biopsies were taken and both turned out to be positive. He now has a nice incision on his cheek...the 7th one his face and neck...and another one on the top of his left shoulder. Stitches will come out on the 27th just in time for us to pull out and get to San Diego for the month of January. Thats the plan today !
The weather has been perfect. I have been longing to visit the desert and yesterday turned out to be the day. Our choice for the morning was Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. It's my favorite place to go in Tucson ! We meandered so I can't say we hiked, but man oh man did it feel good. With camera in hand, we oohed and ahhed for a few hours just soaking it all in. I was so excited, I had to remind myself to breath.
Black-throated Sparrows are beautiful little birds that forge the desert floor in groups.
The deep blue and rusty color of the Western Bluebird makes for a nice contrast against all the greens and browns in the desert.
And it's always fun to spot a Greater Roadrunner and be quick enough to snap a picture. I will never forget the first Roadrunner I had the pleasure of photographing. It was also at Sabino Canyon back in March 2014. See the Featured Post (top right hand side of our blog page) to enjoy one of the most special photo shoots I have ever had.
Of course it wasn't all about the birds. The cacti were full of fruit,
the deer were playing hide and seek,
and the backdrop was spectacular.
Well, Joe just finished grilling salmon and I'm off to make a salad so that is all for now. Until next time, let the good times roll !
Happy Trails !
Our second hike in Sabino Canyon on 12/22 took us close enough to the dam to take a picture from an overlook. Not much water flowing over the dam that day.
It couldn't have been a prettier day. The birds were singing...umm...some were fussing ! 
And the best part, I was with my honey !
