Thursday 7th March 2019...into the mountains!!!!

I was up around 7 am and enjoyed a cup of tea in bed checking stuff on the Internet...

Then packed up lots of drinks a sandwich and headed out on my big hike in this park...

As you can tell by the photos perfect hiking weather overcast and not too hot....

My destination was Romero Pools about a seven mile round trip hike...but the first obstacle is getting onto the trail.....so off come the shoes and socks to get across the stream!!!

Then a relative flat and easy trail with some great views...

Next on the agenda was a left turn and then all up hill!!!!

Great scenery..

Looking back at the trail....

Desert blooms..

At this point on the hike I heard a noise and right in from of me this cute Javelina crossed the trail ....wasn’t moving fast but fast enough for me not to get my camera on him..so this shot is from the Internet but it is what I saw!!!

I later asked a Ranger if I was just lucky or are they a common sight and he told me of course they are always in the mountains but you should consider yourself lucky to see one!!!

Also taken from the internet..

Javelina (Tayassu tajacu) also known as collared peccary, are medium-sized animals that look similar to a wild boar. They have mainly short coarse salt and pepper colored hair, short legs, and a pig-like nose. The hair around the neck/shoulder area is lighter in color giving it the look of a collar. Javelina have long, sharp canine teeth which protrude from the jaws about an inch.

Click to hear a variety of Javelina sounds

Adaptations

One major adaptation for survival is the fact that javelina live in large family groups. The average group size is 10 or less, but a few herds have known to number up to 53 animals. Each group defends a territory which includes their sleeping and feeding areas. They communicate with their own family group and other groups using sounds and smells.

Habitat

Javelina live in desert washes, saguaro and palo verde forests, oak woodlands, and grasslands with mixed shrubs and cacti.

Range

They can be found in the deserts of southwest Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, southward through Mexico and Central America and into northern Argentina.

Wild Status

Javelina are doing well and are not currently listed as threatened.

Diet

Javelina are classified as herbivores. They eat a variety of native plant foods such as agave, mesquite beans, and prickly pear, as well as roots, tubers, and other green vegetation. However, if the opportunity presents itself, they will also eat lizards, dead birds and rodents.

Predators

The main predators of Javelina are mountain lions, humans, coyotes, bobcats and jaguars.

Home

In the heat of the day javelina will rest in the shade of a mesquite tree or under rocky outcroppings. They have been know to rest in the shade under mobile homes, causing damage to the structure as they push their way in.

Life Span

In the wild, javelina live to be about 10 years old although some live longer. Captive javelina have been known to live over 20 years old.

Size

Javelina stand about 2 feet tall and can weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. They are 3 to 4 feet long.

It was a tough hike but the views were rewarding and even better when I got to the pools..

The water is clean even though it looks otherwise..

I went about 100 yards down stream scrambling over some high rocks to find this great lunch spot!!

My long time and regular readers know I really enjoy the hike in SMA to the slot canyon which in the rainy season has waterfalls....this place so reminded me of that..same desert terrain...same small slot canyon and waterfall!!

The hike down was easy and it was fun to rest my feet in the very cold water!!!!

It was a wonderful hike enjoyed every uphill minute!!!

I then went and bought myself a pair of tennis shoes..I have decided to stick with my favourite New Balance brand!!!

Then went to Linda’s and used the hot tub for about 30 minutes and then took a shower and took Linda out to a lovely restaurant and we both had a fantastic home cooked turkey dinner!!!

Now home relaxing with tea and going to watch another episode of Designated Survivor on Netflix..if you have not seen it...riveting stuff well written and acted!!!

My last full day in Tucson..I have a special surprise so stay tuned!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Wednesday 6th March 2019...an easy day!!!

Had a good sleep..the first one since I left so that is good news for me.....

I relaxed over breakfast and this morning was a shopping morning....I planned my route and my first stop was at at a factory outlet for Skechers shoes...a friend put me onto them and I was amazed how comfortable and the selection Eve from croc type shoes to tennis shoes. Hiking shoes and casual dress shoes..I will go back and get some they have a sale too...buy one pair second pair half price!!

Did more shopping and then Linda told me about an event happened get at her church that she thought I would like and she was right...

Drove to the church...

Ashes to go..like a drive through...never heard of such a thing.....

For over twelve hundred years on the dies cinerum (day of ashes) faithful followers have approached the altar and received ashes upon their foreheads. These ashes are made from the burnt palm fronds that were blessed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The ashes are sprinkled with holy water, usually fragranced with incense and blessed using four prayers that are thousands of years old.

The use of ashes for repentance and penance can be traced even further back and is practiced throughout the world. On Ash Wednesday ashes are applied to believers’ foreheads in the shape of the cross.

So I drove up and the minister came to the car and I got the ashes on my forehead and we had a nice chat!!!!!

Them met Linda and another couple who wanted to ask me questions about SMA as they are going there at the end of this month....they were a nice couple and the lunch was great and I told them to contact me when they arrive and maybe I can help them some with their plans!!

Then went back to Linda’s where I worked out in the gym for a while and them swam some laps and finished off with the hot tub!!!

So a good day!!!

Stay tuned a long hike planned for tomorrow!!

Yashi Kochi!!!!

Tuesday 5th March 2019..quite a road trip!!!

Again woke up early not sure why this is happening...anyway I had a shower and did some trip planning...

Left the Motel around 6.30 am and let me tell you it was very cold..I had brought some sweat pants and a hoodie never thinking I would use them but I did!!!!

Then  took the smaller back roads to the start of this drive.....

Regarded as one of the most scenic drives in southeast Arizona, the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway takes travelers to the upper reaches of Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Range. Aside from the arresting canyon and mountain views, the nearly 60-mile round-trip byway offers visitors the biological equivalent of driving from the deserts of Mexico to the forests of Canada (the road begins in the lower Sonoran vegetative life zone and ascends to the high forests in the Canadian zone).

Recent visitors highly recommended making the drive, which many described as "spectacular" and a "must-do" when in Tucson. Along with the stunning vantage point, the ride up also provides a reprieve from the desert heat; travelers said the temperature drops as you climb higher along the byway. Take advantage of the scenic overlooks and rest areas by bringing along a picnic – another recommendation from past visitors.

The road is drivable year-round, but winter weather may cause restrictions. To reach the byway, take Tanque Verde Road east from Tucson to the Catalina Highway, which becomes Hitchcock Highway at the Forest Service boundary. From there, the highway leads to the top of Mount Lemmon. 

All I can say it was an amazing road trip...

 So many changes in a relatively few miles..from vegetation..weather.....altitude....vistas...

..enjoy the photos!!

Noticed that somewhere on this last journey I lost my rear hub cap!!!

As I drove higher the white stuff appeared!!

I think this is too much for Little Bluey!!!

Top of the mountain 9000 feet...

Truly a wonderful drive if you are ever in this neck of the woods!!

Later on in the afternoon I went to visit my friend, Linda, in her beautiful town house in a lovely gated community...

We have know each other for many years and always good to see her and catch up on her busy family life.

Then we went out to the pool...

Where I swam laps..

And then soaked in here for twenty minutes!!!

As today is Shrove Tuesday I had offered to take Linda and what family members could make it out for pancakes......why pancakes??  Read below!!!

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the “Pancake Bell” and is still rung today.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between February 3 and March 9. In 2019 Shrove Tuesday will fall on March 5th.

Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.

A pancake is a thin, flat cake, made of batter and fried in a frying pan. A traditional English pancake is very thin and is served immediately. Golden syrup or lemon juice and caster sugar are the usual toppings for pancakes.

The pancake has a very long history and featured in cookery books as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old: “And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne.” (Pasquil’s Palin, 1619).

Only the four of us Linda..her daughter Teri and her smashing grand daughter Muri...

Seen here enjoying herself with loaded pancakes!!!

Then tonight I went to my Airbnb casita where I am staying for 4 nights...it is small but very cute and has everything I need!!

So a busy and enjoyable first day in the States!!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Monday 4th March 2019...Back in the USA!!!

Had some trouble sleeping last night so was prepared and ready to leave this morning at 5.45am and it was just getting light...first stop to get a bag of ice for the cooler and then on the road...

I was surprised the roads were very quiet and mainly all toll roads in good condition...not too much for sights!!!

There are by passes around all the big towns with the exception of one so that was good.

It really was a good and easy drive not as hot as yesterday.....

No problem stopping and turning in my Mexican tourist visa and car permit..

the wait at the border was only about twenty minutes....

 and my Inspector was a young man who asked two questions and wished me a safe journey!!

This was taken from the Internet....no sign or anything welcoming me to the good old US of A!!!

Found my Motel 6 hotel about five minutes from the border and my room is very clean and comfortable with fridge and micro and I am parked right outside!!!

I went and bought a few groceries and had a light supper.....

Now a long hot shower and then going to watch a show on Netflix!!

Today’s route...

Tomorrow I head to Tucson but before that a mountain drive so stay tuned!!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Sunday 3rd March 2019...heading north!

So I was out of the door at 6am....stopped at the gas station to buy a bag of ice and then on the road.......the route today!!!

Really a very uneventful drive with nothing really in the way of scenery...

First this..

Then miles of flat agricultural land..

I got excite when I saw a slight rise in elevation!!!

I know some of you think I am nuts doing these long drives..but I do so enjoy them.....Little Bluey is easy to drive.....I have music....drinks...food....and my brain going into overdrive!!!

It was 770 Km when my trusty GPS put me here at 3pm......this was a small motel recommended by Amy, the birthday girl from last night...only ten rooms all around the courtyard 

The room is small and basic but very clean...a good bed..quiet and very clean....AND.....it was 450 pesos...convert that in your own currency!!

Different from the big hotel...all I did was sign my name..no address required..no passport to be shown.....

There is no fridge or micro so I still have in my ice box....

After walking around and getting sorted I found there was a Walmart super centre about a km away..so I enjoyed the walk there..looking down every aisle and I brought back some milk, yogurt, strawberries and OJ...for supper and on the road tomorrow...

The internet is Ok not great but I hope I can post this and be able to watch Netflix later on after my shower!!

This is my route for tomorrow so another long day and I have a motel 6 room booked in Nogales Arizona!!!

Stay tuned!!!!

Sorry unable to download the photos..will do it manana.....

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 2 Nd March 2019...second post today!!

Still no internet access for me at the house so doing this at Gail and Larry......up at 7.30 am this morning and off to the tennis courts....stayed three hours and enjoyed every game...took lots of water and wore sun screen as it was hot!!

Came home and relaxed a while and then went into town did a little shopping and then went and had lunch with G and L and then off to the beach...did a long walk

Had a great last swim...

Next it was back to the house for Amy’s birthday party...it was pot luck drop in and about 24 people showed up and I did know a few of the folks from previous visits here!!

I leave tomorrow morning early and this is the route..

I hope to get a motel room in Los MOCHIS and spend the night and Monday reach the border in Nogales...not sure about wifi on the road but will post tomorrow night if I can!!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Saturday 2nd March 2019...what can be better tennis and beach!!!

Had a great sleep and had a light breakfast and at 8.30 am walked two blocks to the tennis courts.....Doug had arranged with a friend of his for us to play a singles tennis match...you all know that I so love my tennis but I had not played a singles game for many years but when I got to the courts there were a few players so I was invited to join in a doubles game....the courts are hard courts and being at sea level makes a difference...BUT..it was great fun and I played three sets with different guys..all good players and very friendly.....and it was HOT!!!

Good news I am able to go back tomorrow morning and play again!!!

Came home and took a nice cool shower and had some breakfast with Arelene and Doug and their two daughters who are visiting for a while staying at another house in town....relaxed a little in the afternoon on the patio by the pool ..

And saw this woodpecker in the yard..

and then went into town and walked around a bit and took photos of the local Central Park...

This area used to be very run down but they have made a really fabulous job of the space..

The local church is colourful and very lovely inside!!!

before going over to Gail and Larry’s....

Glad to report that Larry is feeling much better and we sat out on their patio and just chatted...always nice to reminisce and we realized we have been friends for 39 years.

Larry and I then went and sat at the front of the property that is right on the beach and just took in the sights and sounds and both talked about lucky and blessed our lives have been.

Gail always accommodates my strange and simple food likes and today was no exception..we enjoyed a home cooked dinner of mashed potatoes..fresh carrots and mince!!!!

Let me tell you how good it was.....I am going back for leftovers tomorrow for lunch!!!!

Again we just sat and talked and around 8.30pm came home ..the family were all outside by the pool and we chatted for a while.....what a pleasant day!

Spoke to Gracie today she is doing well and had friends over for cocktails tonight..way to go!!

Yashi Kochi!!!