Sahuarita Trail

Corona de Tucson

April 20, 2022

Last Wednesday, we woke up to rather chilly weather.  

In fact when we went out to feed the birds and put fresh water in the birdbath, the water in the birdbath had a thin layer of ice.

One good thing about being in Tucson is that on the these chilly spring mornings, it usually warms up quickly.  Our plan for the day was to explore a new trail just down the road from our home.  

Sahuarita Trailhead is at the end of Hwy 82  (Sahuarita Road) at the intersection  where we make a right turn onto Arizona Scenic Hwy 83 towards Sonoita.  We noticed the sign and trailhead when we were driving home after the Gabe Zimmerman Trail.  

Just like Davidson Creek and Gabe Zimmerman trails, Sahuarita Trail is also a part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The trail can be hiked from either side of Hwy 82.  Randy stopped by to pick us up as the trail is only 6 miles from our driveway.  There is plenty of parking and we only passed a couple of other hikers along the trail.    

We chose to head west towards the Santa Rita Mountains.  

It was an amazing clear blue sky day with cool temps and no wind...perfect !

The fairy dusters were blooming...

  the cacti were blooming...

and the ocotillo were blooming.  

I thought these ocotillo buds were pretty.  I have never noticed them before.

We saw lots of sparrows.

And the bunnies were busy.  After all, it was the week before Easter.

The trail offers enough ups and downs to make it fun.  

And one section had lots of rock outcroppings.

Wednesday night I tripped over Sally. I was checking my phone for the time when I stood up and stepped forward.  In my effort to not hurt Sally, I found myself on the floor.  I bent my big toe back or forward...I'm not really sure which.  It hurt like crazy and started to swell quickly.  Joe made an ice pack, but Thursday morning, I could not put any weight on it.  I hobbled around the house for a couple of days.  Now it's only a little swollen and all shades of blue, gray and yellow.   Talk about a sudden halt to morning walks and just when we were on a good routine.  Oh well, this too shall pass and the quicker the better!  

After sitting at home with a propped up foot, we were getting a little stir crazy.  Randy called to ask if we wanted to go to Tubac on Saturday and we jumped at the chance.  

Tubac is a small community situated on the Santa Cruz River and nestled between the Tumacacori and Santa Rita mountain ranges. 

It might be a small community, but it offers a rich history and an artistic experience.  

Randy joined us for a nice visit and dinner on Easter Sunday. 

I made the recipe Janna shared on one of her recent blog posts...creamy tuscan chicken.  It was amazing Janna and thank you for sharing.  

Back at the oasis, we have two new cacti.  After living in the desert for a year, it was time to have something desert worthy with lots of prickles.  

Our yard is mostly a clean slate and we have not decided on what "the big picture" is so we are taking baby steps and using pots.  At some point, we hope to transplant them.

Trichocereus grandifloras or Torch Cactus

Three fireball barrel cacti

I have never planted cacti before and it does look a  little intimidating.  Jay at Desert Bloom Garden Center gave us lesson 101 and was so helpful.  A pair of gloves is key, but you don't wear them. You hold them in your hand as you shake the cactus out of the "growing pot" so you don't get stuck or break any spines.  

 
  

The puppies are enjoying picnics...  

the Gamble's Quail have discovered the peanut butter bites...

the entertainment comes at no extra charge...

and we still pinch ourselves to make sure this is not a dream !

And that is another week in the memory book already.  Life is good.  

Thank you for the photo Randy!

Until next time,

 HAPPY TRAILS !

Gather

Corona de Tucson 

April 12, 2022

Gather is such a useful word.  We gather information, flowers, ingredients for a recipe...the list is endless.   But the best gathering is with friends and family.    

The first part of the week we had lunch in Green Valley at a favorite Mexican restaurant with Randy and Terri.  And, later in the week the four of us spent a morning perusing a unique and fun vintage marker.    

Gather A Vintage Market is on St Mary's Road in downtown Tucson near Fourth Avenue.  It is only open four days a month.  It is not a consignment shop as the owners buy just about anything vintage/antique and then sell it in one of their several shops.  It's like a little alley of things from days gone by and a walk down memory lane in the middle of downtown Tucson.  I didn't find the night stands I was looking for to use in the guest room, but there was plenty there to catch my eye and it's all very reasonably priced.

Each shop had a theme...baskets, knick-knacks, furniture and accessories, clothes and anything outdoors including doors, windows and shutters.  

Sunday, Randy and Terri hosted lunch at their home.  Stacie, Kevin and their two teenage sons along with Mike (Randy's son) and his wife Cynthia and us all gathered for a wonderful afternoon full of laughter, conversations, and yummy food.  My favorite was Stacie's fruit pizza for desert.  

The rest of the week, Joe and I found ourselves taking our daily walks and puttering around the house.  Thanks to the warmer temps,  we are walking earlier and earlier these days.  

Walking 3 miles at a fast clip for exercise is not always something we look forward to doing, but something we are always glad we complete.  And the earlier in the day it's done, the happier we are.  

  

Saturday, as I was photographing the Great Horned Owl,

Joe was busy transforming Pearl.  Pearl now sports her patriotic summer doors (and new shoes...size 37).  Actually in Tucson, they are more like spring and fall doors...not so good for summers here.  We don't go topless so this is the next best thing and makes for a fun outing...especially those desert drives.

Saguaro NP East is one of my favorite desert drives.

Back at the oasis, it has been windy,  the birds have been thirsty, the peanut butter bites quickly disappear from the feeder and we keep a watchful eye out for Jack.

 

Check out that beak...

and check out those legs.

It was another fun week !  Happy Easter.

And, 

HAPPY TRAILS!