Wilderness in the City

It feels like we are way out in the desert here at Catalina State Park, and yet, out the entrance of the park is In and Out Burger and Walmart.  There is not really any highway noise, either.  Pretty perfect for a city stay.

catalina state park, tucson, arizona

Since it was a short drive day, we got set up and then headed off to Sabino Canyon, a National Forest Park.  It is beautiful there, and you can take a tram in a couple of directions to hiking stops, small beaches on the river and other sights.  We got to use our Annual Access Pass once again, so we are very pleased with the decision to spend the $80 for a years' pass.

Tomorrow we have a couple of ideas of places to see, but we'll decide in the morning.  And here's today's bird photos:

Mr. Cardinal hanging out at Sabino Canyon Bird Identification Display, Yep.. he's on there!

Thanks Kevin and Ruth!

Kevin and Ruth did some more research for us, and have found out why we were refused.  ( Thanks, guys! )Yes, we did not know it was on an active military base, however, we were encouraged to visit the museum, bowling alley, cafe, etc on the Yuma base so thought this would be no problem. Our mistake.  We were encouraged by the brochures and tourist offices to visit the Fort.  End result: we perhaps should have been informed by the tourist information places that we would not be able to visit and also, there should be some sort of information at the bottom of the many pamphlets about the Fort about who is eligible to visit.  Enough said, no worries.  ( it also would have been helpful if the main gate attendant had not said "welcome, please pull up ahead to get your day pass"). It was the second guard who stopped us, and was annoyed at the first one. Well, it was interesting for sure.

We have looked ahead and there are wind warnings of 55 mph gusts for New Mexico for the next few days.  We have amended our travel plans, which are flexible anyway, to travel to Catalina State Park in Arizona to enjoy some further things around the Tucson area.  Looking forward to that.

I also finally go around to registering for the Boomer group of Escapees.  I can't understand why I have no time to do these things!!!!(ha)

Checking out Chiricahua

What a great day again.  It is too bad the pictures of the rock formations do not do justice to what they really looked like.  Isn't that the case with most 'scene' pictures, especially of mountains?  You just cannot seem to get a sense of the magnificence of what you are actually seeing with your own eyes.

This little Jay was trying to drink at the water fountain near the Visitor Center.  A very pretty blue.

We took the 8.5 mile drive to the top of the lookout summit called Massai Point and to a further lookout, Sugarloaf. 

Tonight's entertainment at the clubhouse is Pizza, Burgers and some music group called the Elliotts. We don't know what that is about.  We might have to have a little snooze before the wild times begin.
Of course, the calm weather has left and another howler of wind is beginning. Whooooooshhhhhh.

A Six Things Day

Today we were up and at 'em early:
 1. Amerind Foundation and Museum. It was ok only.  A small collection of artifacts.  The Foundation studies American Native Cultures and apparently has an extensive library, which we did not see.  WE were very disappointed as the Museum starts its' exhibits with the "alaskan" eskimos, which we know as Inuit, then the Haida, Tahltan, Tlingit and Gitksan people.  This was all good, except from the Gitksan people to the Shuswap people, there were apparently no First Nations.  I am sure that the Wet'suwet'en peoples would be upset to find that they have been neglected. No pictures were allowed at the Foundation.

2. Elfrida for lunch at the Round Up Cafe.  Mmm Mmm.

3. Hike at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.  We would have been thrilled to have seen the 20,000 Sandhill Cranes that winter there, but alas, they left a couple of weeks ago.  We looked in the mud for any tracks of their feet, but we could not find any.  We did however, see a few lovely Vermillion Flycatchers and a gorgeous Great Horned Owl. The cranes pass by our house in Northern BC in early May on their way to the Arctic.

Are you looking at me?

  4. Tombstone walkabout.  The town that never died.  We had an afternoon 'refreshment' at Big Nose Kate's Saloon.

For our US friends and readers: the Canadian government dissolved today in a vote of non-confidence. We are facing an election in 5 weeks, and now we have to find out how to vote from afar.

6. Fish Fry at SKP Saguaro.  We met Doug and Joanne, fellow bloggers,at the Fish Fry, and enjoyed the company of the gentlemen at our table. Please send good thoughts for Doug and Joanne.

After all that, we walked back from the clubhouse to the television in the fifth wheel, to catch any news with today's vote in Parliament.  To Paulette: Yes indeedy, I did spend some time in the 'Cowgirl up" quilt shop in Benson.

Saguaro SKP Co-Op

We are enjoying our time here in the SKP Park even though the 'season' is winding down here, along with the activities.  Happy Hour is every day at 4:00 PM, and there has been about 15 friendly people in the couple of times we have attended. This park is extremely well organized and we look forward to the Fish Fry tomorrow evening and maybe pizza the next night before some entertainment.

With many members leaving to go to home bases further north, we have been able to rent one of the leased lots.  It is a lovely corner lot with a casita and a view over the valley.

A phone call home to BC today relayed the information that there is still lots of snow!!! I think we'll take our time yet before heading north.  It was good to talk to our friend and RV buddy, Lorne, though.  We are checking out some railway sites for him on our travels so that he can check them out  - hey Lorne are you ready to trade next winter's snow for trains and depots of the Southwest?  Today in the Benson Tourist information building we saw a picture of a fabulous looking old depot in Douglas, Arizona.  Does anyone know if this still exists?

Tomorrow will be a longer day adventure.... stay tuned.