Snow today. Mostly rain and cold wind here at 3000' during today. Temperature to drop into low 20's the next 3 days and high of 40.

Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum

I spent the day yesterday at the Sonora Desert Museum and Chet spent the day at doggie day care 1/4 mile down the road from my RV park. I had a grand day walking the desert trails and Chet had a fun time at day care.

The Sonora Desert Museum is more than just a museum. It is a zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. There are a couple miles of trails where you can see animals and plants. A highlight of the day was watching two free-flight shows with birds. We watched and learned about ravens, owls, falcons and hawks as they flew around overhead and landed near the trainers. Most of the birds that fly in the free-flight show are rescued and being with and fed by humans is the only life they have known. They are free to fly away, but don't.

Mammals that were awake and moving about were: deer, mountain lion, black bear, raccoon, ocelot, javelinas and a colony of prairie dogs. There were snakes, scorpions, spiders to see in replicas of their natural habitat. One of the learning displays explained how the fake boulders are made. There were covered netted areas to view a variety of birds and a separate area to view hummingbirds.

The museum provides sheltered areas with benches and drinking fountains along the trails that people can use to rest and get out of the sun. Sunscreen (spf 30) dispensers were in the restrooms.

A link for more information about the Sonora Desert Museum is: http://www.desertmuseum.org/

Went to see a Museum of Miniatures today in Tucson. Fascinating to see the craftsmanship that created all these pieces. Chet stayed with my friends who live in NE Tucson at the foot of the Catalina mountains. We are overnighting as we may hike tomorrow (depending on weather) and it is 60 miles from my RV park.

Happy Solstice my friends! Watched the Total Lunar eclipse last night. Fascinating. Had been cloudy during the day, but cleared. Cloudy now.

Sunset last night and my weaving set up inside van. I can weave standing and peek around the edge to watch TV. :-)

The rain has come and gone and it is warming again. Temperatures are above normal for this time of year. Day temps average 65 or so and we are getting mid-70's. Night temps in the 40's and good for sleeping..................I don't need to use that super-warm sleeping bag anymore.

Since clouds have moved in there have been gorgeous sunsets with bright pink and orange highlighting the clouds and mountains.

Got out one of my weaving projects yesterday to work on while I am here. Am weaving a "Firebag" using Ravenstail techniques. The bag is woven with fuschia and black yarn. There will be a black Celtic knot design with a fuschia background. I have a piece of fuschia colored leather to use for the finishing.

Chet has many friends here. Both dogs and people. He gets treats regularly at the office. There are some dirt roads beside the RV park that wind thru the desert and Chet can be off leash there. His joints seem to feel better in this climate. He has begun to prance again on his desert walks. Go Chet! He will be 14 in May.

What a pleasant smell in the air this morning! It rained last night. First rain since I have been here. Am doing Sudoku, coffee, Chet napping.

San Antonio Riverwalk photo

I posted a brief comment about the San Antonio Riverwalk November 1st, but no picture. Now that I am using my laptop rather than phone I can post photographs to my blog.

View of Superstition Mtns

I took a drive thru the Superstition Wilderness Area, but neglected to show the mountains to you. Here is a picture of the Superstition Mountains as seen from the State Park Campground.

Superstition Mtns

Spent some time in Apache Junction near the Superstition Mountains. Took a drive to see Canyon Lake, the State Park Campground and Tortilla Flat. Pictures of me at Canyon Lake, Winter Raven parked at Tortilla Flat and the Saloon at Tortilla Flat. What you see is about all there was at Tortilla Flat. Maybe 4 buildings in all. One of the buildings is a teeny tiny museum. There had been a landslide that closed the road beyond here so I was unable to drive the loop to Roosevelt lake and back to Apache Junction.

Saguaro National Park East

Did a couple hikes in the Saguaro National Park East.

Three of us are standing on the top of Pink Hill looking out over the Tucson basin.

Two Pictures of a "perfect" saguaro. It does not look broken, bent or filled with holes.

This was taken another day when a group of us hiked to the Limestone Kiln and falls. Here we are taking a lunch break on the limestone falls. Just rock.............no water here today.

The Teddy Bear Cholla forest near Mt. View RV Ranch where we are staying. This type of cholla is the predominent plant growing in this spot. It is a magical spot. The plants have a golden glow in the sunshine and they seem to be taller than usual here.

The "forest" continues for an half mile or so, but turned around here as Chet was getting hot.

Two border patrol jeeps passed us on our walk and a couple helicopters overhead.

This is a picture of the Ultra Van #504 on way to Florida. Cute, isn't it?

Florida friends stopped by in their 1969 ultra-van purchased in CA. Google it. It is a Cool van. Met them on ferry last Spring.

Have been sightseeing around the area. To Patagonia Lake and State Park and Patagonia today. Had an excellent pizza at the Velvet Elvis.