Catalina State Park

Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 27, 2019

After a complicated series of land trades, leases, and purchase of land which took over 10 years, Catalina State Park was dedicated and opened to the public in May, 1983. 

Today, this awesome park...5,500 acres of foothills, canyons, and streams... is a haven for desert plants and wildlife.

We have enjoyed Catalina SP many times, but this was a special day.  We had birding plans with Sue and Dave who were camping there.  We met at their campsite,  loved on Lewis a few minutes and then headed out to the Trailhead parking lot to walk the Birding Trail.

Following Dave and Sue to the Trailhead parking lot...

We all knew in advance the streams had water which means if you want to do the trail, you must cross the wash.  Crossing with this much water was a first for us.  Sue was prepared and handed out trash bags to cover our feet and legs.

Dave and Joe went first...

As prepared as we were, the water was mid-calf deep in spots and flowing fast.  Everyone had wet shoes and socks when we reached the other side of the wash so we ditched the bag idea.  We wrung the water out of the bags and Dave packed them away in his backpack and we were on our way.     

The Birding Trail is an easy loop that begins in a mesquite bosque.  Bosque is a Spanish word for woodland and is used in the Desert Southwest to describe an often closed-canopy of mesquite trees that develops near streams.  

Dave and Sue

From here, it's a small climb up as the trail winds along a ridge.  Time flew by enjoying the company, the birds, and the views. 

All together, we had four stream crossings. Sue and Dave were the smart ones...they removed their shoes and socks, held hands and walked carefully.  

Joe and I on the other hand crossed the not so smart way...wearing our shoes and socks !

Yucky, squishy, squeaky and cold, wrinkled toes...









We heard and saw several birds, but two sightings were especially sweet as I was able to capture a few photos.  Sue and Dave spotted a female Ladder-backed Woodpecker. 

A pretty cool action shot!

Back at the parking lot while we were loading up backpacks, we all spotted a Vermillion Flycatcher about the same time...it was the red glow in the sun that got our attention.

We watched him for a few minutes then he flew over to a post. 













Back at Sue and Daves we enjoyed more conversation, lots of  laughs, kisses from Lew, happy hour, pizza with the yummiest roasted asparagus (Thank you Sue!) and a variety of sweets...the lemon bar was my favorite !  

We didn't even notice the time until it was half past dark o'thirty.  We bid our good-byes to get home to our pups with hopes to see Sue and Dave in a few weeks in Moab.

In real time, we have new curtains in the cab.  


The old curtains were a shiny, satiny looking fabric...not at all our (well, maybe my) taste.  The new fabric is a nice linen blend.  


Luckily we found Chavez Since 67 located on Campbell Ave...a family owned business for over 50 years.  Eddie (son of the business founder) was great to work with.  The quality of workmanship and attention to detail in making these curtains was OUTSTANDING !

They specialize in anything fabric from custom drapes, bedspreads, etc. and complete upholstery services including indoor and outdoor furniture.   

I'll close for now...so until next time, take care and

Jack is patiently waiting for his carrot treat. He has learned he will be given one as soon as I break out the peeler. 

Sally always brings us the purple dinosaur when we get home.

Dover doesn't really want to share...

Happy Trails !

Madera Canyon

Tucson Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
February 9, 2019

A great place to go when in Tucson is Madera Canyon.  We have been there several...well, make that many...times and have enjoyed lots of hikes.  When Carol and Ronnie were here, it was high on the list for a place to go as they had never been.  The weather wasn't the best for hiking the day we went, breezy, chilly, and with cloudy skies. We decided on the Proctor Trail with a turning around point at the Madera Picnic Area which is about a 3 mile round trip.

Most of the trail follows Madera Creek with nice bridges to cross the creek.  

Despite the cloudy skies, muted shades and bright colors made for a great camera day.  We can always depend on the birds for pops of color although we have not had the great fortune to see the Elegant Trogon...not yet anyway.

The Acorn Woodpecker with his bright red cap is always busy and easy to spot.    

These busy birds are so much fun to watch!

Each fall, acorns are stored in a single tree (called a granary) by jamming them into specially made holes.  One tree may have up to 50,000 holes in it, each of which is filled with an acorn.  Over time, the acorn becomes "locked" in its hole.  A group member is always on alert to guard the hoard from thieves.  That is just so cool !

 The Mexican Jay is another common bird we see at Madera Canyon.  

A beautiful blue adult Mexican Jay...

This is perhaps a juvenile jay since he is paler blue although I did read that the jays in Arizona are typically more pale than jays from other states.

After our hike we rode up to Santa Rita Lodge.  There is always a flurry of birds there.

 If you are not in a hurry to return to Tucson, taking the Box Canyon Road is a fun way to head home.   It's a sandy, gravelly, well maintained 12 mile (approximate) road that ends at Hwy 83.  

There are no saquaro here...just beautiful desert grasslands. This is cattle country.

 In real time, things are going well in Tucson.  Joe and I have had lots of appointments.  Joe is starting his fifth year cancer free...WAHOO!  On the other hand he has been hammered with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.  He had his 10th MOHs surgery last Wednesday with 2 more to go making a grand total of 12 surgeries since mid October.  His doctor says it is common for these to come in batches.  

Well, I'll close with a few more pictures...so until next time,

  

 

  

     

HAPPY TRAILS !