A Hike with John and Pam

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 5, 2016

What a treat to join the nimble hiker and her better half last week on a hike in the Robles Pass section of the 20,000 acres known as Tucson Mountain Park. TMP was established in 1929 and today is one of the largest natural resource areas owned and managed by a local government. There are about 62 miles of non-motorized shared-use trails. 





John and Pam's blog (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com) caught my eye about 3 years ago. Hmmm...hiking? My memories of hiking go way back to Girl Scouts. I think I managed one hike up Blood Mountain (Georgia) when I was in Junior High with a back-pack that weighed more than I did...at least I remember it that way! Anyway, our first major hiking was in Bryce National Park and Kodachrome State Park back in May of 2013. We were hooked! And Joe wears the backpack in the family...

The trails are well marked at all the intersections.










There wasn't a cloud in the sky. 

 Saguaros lined the trail as we climbed.

Anyone who follows Pam and John's blog know that Pam has an eye for finding crested saguaros. They had done this trail before so this one was no surprise to them, but I was excited. 





A close up shows a feathered friend.

A tiny white fishhook cactus

Fishhook Barrel Cactus with fruit

Saguaro Cactus arm

An abandoned mining house

None of us could find any information about the old mining house. But one thing is for sure, someone had a beautiful view to wake up to!



This was our lunch spot...thanks John and Pam!

 FYI:  We discovered a great new place for produce in Tucson.  A neighbor down the street stopped by for a "puppy play" and in our conversation they mentioned City Wide Produce which is close to Lazydays.  It opened a year ago this March.  The store is spotless with great bargains on fruits and veggies.

It is a family run business and Joe and I enjoyed visiting with the owners son Jeff. 
They have a website and Facebook page which share what is available for the week and the price.

Perfect for our morning smoothie!






Take care and until next time...

happy days and happy trails!

Tubac, AZ

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 5, 2016

Last Friday, we headed south about 40 miles with Lynn and Dave to enjoy a little history, art and lunch.  Our destination was Tubac, AZ which is the first European settlement in Arizona.  It has one of three presidios in Arizona...the only site where the story of New Spains's presidios can be adequately told (tubacpp.com). 

Arizona's second oldest school house

Our first stop was the visitor center at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park.  There we watched a quick informative video about the history of the area

followed by a self-guided walking tour.



The park maintains the second oldest school in Arizona (listed in The National Register of Historic Places) and was the first Arizona school supported by public funds.  The first teacher was hired in 1878 and earned $30.00 a year.

The presidio was built in 1752.  An under ground archaeological exhibit showcases the original adobe foundation, walls and floor of the officer's quarters.

The museum offers a timeline of human settlement in the Santa Cruz River Valley dating back to the Pima Indian settlement in the 1500s.

 The Spanish mined this area for copper, gold and silver.  Th pictured arraster is a primitive system for crushing ore.   

I also had the opportunity to grind cocao beans (native to Mexico) on a metate (a heated, slanted grinding stone) to make chocolate which I enjoyed on almonds the museum furnished.  It is important to note that all state funding has been cut off for the Tubac Persidio Historic state park and all workers are volunteers.

Our next stop was Tubac Jacks Restaurant and Saloon for a yummy lunch.  I had a Vegetarian Calabacitas (a Mexican specialty which combines sauteed yellow squash, onion, green chili, corn, and cheese) flatbread pizza with mushroom, black olive, artichoke heart and shaved parmesan...a wonderful combination of flavors! And I ate every bite!


Tubac advertises that it is internationally known as Arizona's only true artist colony.  There are many galleries and studios featuring sculptors, painters, potters, and jewelers.





It is very touristy...
but I did fancy all the color.

And I especially took a liking to the natives...

...who graciously led us to all the local favorites.

Until next time, happy days and happy trails!