Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and Coronado National Forest just a few miles from our temporary home in Tucson. It's always off limits to cars, and off limit to bikes except during certain hours. Prior to 9am, and after 5pm, bikes are allows to troll along the few miles of paved roads in the canyon. Otherwise, primary users are walkers, hikers, runners, and tourists riding trams up and down the main road through the canyon.

At 5pm the trams stop, the entrance fee station closes, and cyclists flock to ride the 3.8 mile road up the canyon. There are also lots of people who are just there to enjoy a nice sunset.

Visitors

It's fun to have visitors because then I go and do all of those things I normally wouldn't do otherwise. Mom and Dad were here for two weeks and we hit the tourist trail hard. Sonoran Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, San Xaiver Mission, neighborhood walks, tennis, Botanical Garden, and the Cup Cafe (best sandwiches ever). I'll let the pictures do the talking:

Chillin'

It was supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny today but instead it was overcast and a little cool. With nothing on the docket other than to study my french (done) and go to french class (tonight), I decided to check out the local scene:

pool's not heated...

...but the hot tub is. Ahhh, toastie warm on the feet

Bobcats

Taken through a screen window with my little bitty camera in low light. Out the back of our living room window.

At first I thought it was a coyote. Then I thought it was two coyotes. Then I realized it was two bobcats. In the first photo, the one is licking the other. In the second photo, one has walked away.

Pretty cool.

Desert Life

After shivering through last week (no, really) the temperature has rebounded nicely. Maybe a little too warm for these two Northwesterners. But, somehow, I think we will adapt.

Random photos from Tucson:

gosh it's hot

homemade enchiladas with green chili sauce

saguaro forest

a ride through the neighborhood

midway up Mt. Lemmon; a cold descent awaits

fries and beer

Smudge gets her bearings on the new porch

Tucson Mountain Park

Saguaro National Park (westside)

Saguaro National Park (westside)

La Milagrosa trail

hill climb, Kitt Peak Observatory

Border Patrol check, return from Kitt Peak

cholla cactus; cute, but not cuddly

big guy

end of the road for Chris on Mt. Lemmon hill climb, Saturday, 1/17