Tohono Chul Gardens, Sabino Canyon and In-between...

April 1, 2023

Corona de Tucson 

This past winter when I was googling things for Joe and I to do around Tucson this spring, Tohono Chul Gardens was added to the list.  It was moved to the top of the list when Jodee posted about the gardens back in February. Tuesday, I had an appointment for a hair cut at a salon on N. Oracle and the gardens is just around the corner.  

Tohono Chul Park is a botanical garden, nature preserve, and cultural museum located on the north side of Tucson.  "Tohono Chul" translates as "desert corner" and is borrowed from the language of the Tohono O'odham...the indigenous people of southern Arizona.  

The story begins in 1966 when a couple began piecing together patches of the desert  that would eventually become a beautiful 49 acre park.  The park was formally dedicated in 1985 with a purpose "to keep something natural in the middle of all the development so that people could come easily for a few hours, get out of the traffic and learn something at the same time".  

The newest garden exhibit is The Desert Palm Oasis.  It features native palms species and includes a stream.

The Exhibit House is the original structure on the property built in 1937 for $60,000 when the average cost of a new homes was $2,000.  The expense was due to it having an in-ground pool...one of the first homes in Tucson to have this luxury.  

Other highlights for the day included the succulent garden, 

 the butterfly garden,

the riparian habitat,

the nature walks,

Lots of Brittlebush in bloom and lining the trails.

the courtyards,

the ramadas,

Vines make nice shade at the Pincushion Ramada.

and the many sculptures displayed throughout the gardens.

It's a beautiful garden, and we had such a peaceful time there.  We didn't have lunch at the Bistro...saving that for another visit.  Both of us had a hankering for a Sonoran Dog (It's been months !) and fries so we stopped at BK's on the way home.

Friday we were up early and headed northeast to Sabino Canyon.  It's 29 miles from home, with travel time about 45 minutes.  It doesn't matter, as it is well worth the time and effort to get there.  We have lots of great hiking/walking places to go, but Sabino Canyon remains at the top of my list. 

We were looking for color...wildflower color...and it was a smile around every corner! 

I love how the cacti and wildflowers often mix and mingle.

The cacti have suffered the past few years due to lack of rain.  Everywhere we looked, we saw new growth...definitely put a smile on my face.

Sabino Creek was flowing over the dam...

and well on its way to join the Colorado River...linking Tucson's watershed to the highest peaks in the Rockies and the coastal delta in Mexico.  

Looking left from the dam...

It has been years since we have seen this much water there.

Looking right...it was even flowing over the bridge!  Wahoo!

It was another delightful day in the desert !

Back at the oasis, and in-between wonderful walks and wildflowers, we had sad news.  Dover has lymphoma.  Lab results tell us there is no cancer in her bloodstream and we are waiting more lab results to figure out what to do going forward.   If thats not enough to process, the blood test Jack had done to measure damage to his heart muscle is elevated.  He is scheduled for a CT Scan, EKG, and a blood pressure test to fully evaluate his heart function.  This will tell us what we can/need to do to slow down the progression of heart disease.  

The good news is, we are all enjoying the patio and the sunshine and our feathered friends.  Jack and Dover think naps in the sunshine are the best. 

Sally likes the warm rocks.  She says they are good for arthritis. 

The Dove gather late in the afternoons.

The Cardinals are enjoying the Nesting SuperBlend seed we added to the feeder.  I'm happy when they and pose just long enough for a photo op.  I saw two males at the feeder together.  That was a first !

We have a yard full of Gamble's.  So many that Joe added a short fence around the feeders just in case Sally gets a notion to chase them out of her space.  

  And the Broad-billed hummingbirds have returned.

Stay tuned...I counted 16 buds !

Our Torch Cactus...

We continue to enjoy walks on the cart path...and it's not all flat ground !

Joe's mom always said, every room needs a touch of red...I agree !

 

And that's a wrap on the last week of March.  Yellow was a favorite color this week.

Lots of Brittlebush at Sabino Canyon

Gorgeous Mexican Sunflowers at Tohono Chul Gardens

Amazing Arizona poppy

And the glow in Thursday's sunrise

Until next time, 

Happy Trails !

Oh the Clouds !

Corona de Tucson

March 26, 2023 

A pretty sunrise on March 21...

It's just been one of those weeks.  I wasn't even going to write a blog post as there isn't that much to say, yet it was a busy week.  On Tuesday, Joe and I had appointments with the GP to go over our annual blood work.  All good there !  But the day was cloudy, rainy and windy.  Not much fun to be out and about so we came straight home. 

Jack had a spa day on Wednesday.  He was not happy, but he sure has a cute hair cut !  The girls had their nails done.  

Riding home from Cynthia's (the groomer)...

Our third appointment for the week was check-ups for all the pups at our vet's in Green Valley.  We were up early on Friday morning and arrived promptly at 8:25 for Dover's appt. at 8:30.  By the time Dr Huang was done with all three it was going on 11:00.  Dover had swollen nodes in her neck so a sample was taken and sent to the lab.  Jack and Sally had senior blood work done and sent to the lab.  All three had heart worm tests and tests for parasites. And all three had a full "hands on" exam by Dr. Huang. 

Dr. Huang measuring...

Jack's heart murmur was louder than usual so he had x-rays and extra blood work as well.  We love Dr. Huang.  She is thorough, offers practical and good advice, and she is so kind to our pups.  Jack's x-rays were read on the spot and there are no signs of an enlarged heart.  

Jack insists on ball play everyday.  A few minutes won't do.  Most days I throw and he retrieves for at least an hour.  

Dr Huang says Jack's heart is perfect !  

I just love this picture of Jack !

On the way home from the vets, these three were definitely sticking together ! Jack has his head on Dover's leg and Sally will not ride on the seat.  They are the best of buddies !

In between all the appointments, we got in four walks (2.7 miles each) on the cart path this week.  I did give myself a pat on the back and a wahoo after each walk.  

A little color, 

  busy birds...cactus wrens I think, 

 and a view of our world is really all the motivation I need !

We don't have many places on our side (the west side) of the interstate to shop..  There is a convenience store for milk and gas which has a deli and cooks up yummy pizzas made to order. 

And we feel quite fortunate to have our very own go to place for things we need around the house.  Corona Ace Hardware is well stocked and best of all convenient for quick trips.  Joe needed a fitting for the hose pipe one afternoon.  Of course while he shops, I peruse.   

Aren't they just the cutest?  

Back at the oasis, we have enjoyed the early morning clouds...

the late afternoon clouds...

and all the clouds in-between.  

And Thursday's sunrise was especially pretty.

We both are in awe of the blooms on the torch cactus.  There are three blooms on the top.

Looking down on them...

And a side photo...

And there are lots more buds !

Jack plays ball inside.

The cactus wrens are very busy.  

And the coyotes have been on the prowl.

An early morning photo as the sun was coming up.  

And look who came to spend the week-end.  Ozzie and he brought Jamie and Andra.  Yippee !

Saturday the four of us went to Tucson for the annual Spring 4th Avenue Street Fair.

I added one more basket to my collection.  Akua's Boutique, founded by Theresa Fenn, is one of my favorite booths at the fair.  The baskets are crafted by artisans in Madagascar.  It is made of 100% natural Madagascar Raffia.  The raffia comes from palm trees that are native to tropical regions in Africa.  I have one other basket from her...it is very durable and the colors are beautiful.  And I love my new basket...it has a unique shape.  

My new basket...

Also, a new to me booth was Vinyl Record Art.  Vinyl records are turned into pieces of art with a clock.  I didn't get a photo of the pieces that represented the artists on the record...Elvis, Chicago, Pink Floyd, etc.  They were way cool.  

This side of the partition was for hobbies and sports.  Seamstress, gardener, golfer, cyclist...the list goes on and on.  

We always enjoy our time on 4th Street. 

We always enjoy our time visiting with the kiddos too.  Sally wanders about the house after they leave looking in all the rooms for them.  And often we find her sitting in the hall by their room.  

Well, that's about it for the week so until next time, 

Early morning light...

Fluffed up feathers on a Curve-billed Thrasher 

HAPPY TRAILS !