We headed south of Tubac to visit this historic Mission on a cool crisp morning.Founded in 1691, followed by a continuing 157 years of history, this site is very picturesque. This photo seemed to capture the many layers of history.The adobe walls were wonderful!The textures inside the storage building, The missing roof letting in a lot of light.Really fun to photograph.From this site we headed north to the Tubac Presidio, the first State Park in Arizona and definitely worth the time. We learned that the Spanish used the Canary Islands to base all their longitudinal calculations on in their map making. We also enjoyed the art galleries of Tubac. Finally a stop at the current Mission San Xavier de Bac, where we also enjoyed some fresh fry bread!
Beautiful Sunday afternoon stroll. It is wonderful this acreage has been preserved with all the development closing in on it’s boundaries.The cloud trail adds to the beauty of this scene.Foreshadowing of things to come at the Denver Botanic Gardens: “The nature of Horses”. The white cups are to protect the cactus tips from frost damage.Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! Taken from the parking lot of our condo a culmination of 20 minutes of photographing.
Vistas – it feels like you can see forever. Lucky Saguaro!Our neighbors from Denver surprised us by coming to Tucson for the weekend. We thought this trail was worth doing again because it has so much diversity. We are no longer in the Rocky Mountains!These barrel cactus are so cute! I really did want to hug one but I only carefully pretended.It is hard to get a sense of scale until you humanize the plants.We lunched by this stream and enjoyed the fabulous…snow free day!Ready to finish the trail.This scarecrow really fanned out against that blue sky. too poetic to resist capturing.A sunset panorama of the Santa Catalina Mountains from the Westin Paloma Resort. Really fun to watch the light and shadow movement.
This is Christmas Day but it feels and looks more like fall. Who knew the cottonwoods would still have their leaves.The CCC created the road with bridges that are also dams. So the road crosses the creek several times creating these wonderful, inviting pools. Today was perfect for reflecting.It is about a 3-mile walk down the road to this relaxing spot, behind Tram Stop #8.Laying on our backs, we watched the clouds skipping across the mountains.Henry was fascinated with the smooth rocks, how the water had worn them and was pooled in pockets.Small water falls today and the water level is fairly full.A Road Runner came out to say hello and created a nice distraction.Our volunteer friends said to stop by so we did for some fresh cookies. This Saguaro had all clouds pointing towards it saying LOOK AT ME!
Pima Canyon trailhead was near our condo and a lovely trail following a stream.Such sparkling sunshine.Looking the other direction. The rock formations are a gneiss – like an Oreo cookie with the black and white layers.We saw this beautiful sculpture and wondered how many others had been observant enough to spot it.Little islands growing in the rock. The “moss” plant only greens for a few days after it receives moisture.An evening stroll at the Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort led us to this natural waterfall above the resort. It is kept flowing year round with pumps.We enjoyed this fabulous sunset there overlooking the infinity pond – such a calm evening produced the mirror like conditions.
We motored the MINI on fine morning up Mt Lemmon through Santa Catalina National Forest, just North of Tucson and Saguaro NP East.Views across Tucson were a bit hazy but very scenic. We were loving the Saguaro forest!We thought this looked like a blindfolded duck…interesting to see all the Lime Green Lichen.And here is the same rock formation from above.Enjoying the views from Windy Point with the last sips of coffee.Really really interesting geography!On top of the World!Snow near the top in Summerhaven – lots of kids sledding and playing.In the afternoon, we hiked the Babad Do’ag trail (Tohono O’odham for “Frog Mountain”) off the Catalina Highway.
Iris blooming in the Japanese garden around the 4th of July. The colors are repeated in the Chihuly Ikebana boat. Iris are believe to have the power to purify and protect.Lotus are also a very important Japanese flower. There is usually one plant flowering in the garden to show the season. The Sho Fu En (Wind in Pines) is dominated by 135 character Ponderosa Pines, native plants originally from Arapaho National Forest.Floating Walla Wallas by Chihuly to give homage to his native Washington State.The snow lantern was a gift from Takayama, Japan – Denver’s sister city.This stream leads to the Japanese tea house (constructed in Nagano, Japan), surrounded by fall color. Reichenbach Balls, mirrored inside are like bubbles.It is docent time. I was awarded a national Presidential pin for volunteering over 250 hours in 2013. The real reward is spending time at the gardens surrounded by good friends and mentors as well as fascinating visitors.A beautiful summer evening.Do you have a favorite? The fascinating aspect is that the sculptures change with the light, with the surrounding plants and with all the other climate factors. The sculptures were usually always fun to photograph. I would treat myself by arriving early before leading a tour to have the early morning light and the solitude of the garden to prepare myself.Consistently the Rock Alpine Garden was captivating with the changes of blooms. These Neodymium Reeds seem to meander like a stream through the garden.Outstanding: rising above the pink muhuly grass! I had to take this picture in the middle of leading a tour.The bee resting on the cone flower seems oblivious to the reeds.Niijima floats was the most colorful installation. For me it evoked smiles, beach balls and summer fun. The reflections were fantastic and the water lilies added so much interest.A picnic dinner with wine and friends in the garden made for a perfect and memorable September evening.Poppies and Perennial FioriOrnamental Alliums and Perennial FioriPolyvitro Crystal Tower seemed to change colors – this time to mimic that Colorado blue sky.The Polyvitro reflectionsThe Red Reeds in the Porter Plains Garden seem to evoke the vast distances of the prairie and sky in this photo.The Red Reeds with native Mexican cone flower. This garden is burnt every 3 or 4 years to rejuvenate the seeds. The Red Reeds represent that to me.Love the color contrast!The new Ellipse Garden by the Waring House with the cattails, reeds, and floats.SerenityBlue Icicles before a summer stormAs long as we are looking up – the Yuccas were looking so magical.Yucca Rama with Chihuly glass Saguaros and reeds.Yuccas and Summer Sun go together!This was my post for the opening night gala and I could not believe my luck…I only had the phone but still got the coveted picture: Dale Chihuly and his wife. Gotta love the boots!
This sun really glowed at night! Over 1900 pieces of glass, 14 foot diameter, over 20 feet tall and weighs more than the MINI.White Tower in the Romantic Garden with the conservatory. Chihuly loves glass houses – well he loves glass!Turquoise Reeds mounted in Douglas Pine from Baily and Marlins in between. The long vista, reflections, and shadows on the Luis Barragon style red wall were always interesting.Persians in el Pomar WaterwayReaching for the sky…What will the future bring?
We discovered Conchy Joe‘s quite by accident but have made it the stop for lunch in each direction. It sits on the Indian River inland waterway and is Old Florida charm in its best. Plus the salmon is incredible…blackened with some sweet plantains in mango sauce…Seriously mouthwateringly good!Beautiful day in Orlando for a walk to the lake.These sisters can seriously cook! Lucky Lucky us!We wandered over to Cocoa inland waterway area and found this pleasant Irish Pub to have a meal.A very calm Atlantic for sunrise in October. There is not much better of a way to start the morning than riding the elevator to the beach with some fresh brewed coffee.
