Beautiful Sabino Canyon watching the clouds build in mid-January.Reflections of the saguaros.Looks like more rain as we are watching from the Travato.Wow – another amazing rainbow.So much rain (and it is cold), we are working in the warehouse – prepping new boards to revitalize some picnic tables.Pre- drilling: three coats of paint to follow. The legs got spray-painted.There were large signs to paint in “Federal Brown” – these will go up Mt Lemmon.You can check out, but you can never leave!We met J & J at Starr Pass for a hike before dinner out and an astronomy lecture at UA. The day ended by seeing a 4 star cluster in Orion’s sword at the Steward Observatory. Their blog with more pictures of the hike.We took a group hike from Molino Basin on Mt Lemmon to this trailhead on Reddington Pass.It took us all day but we had some great scenery and camaraderie.We took a break to Kartchner Caverns State Park and shared a camp site with J & J – leveling was a challenge. But we now have a new leveling app from Truma that should be helpful on other sites.We hiked a couple miles to this overlook. Then back for some of Joan’s home made pizza – yum! It was great to have so many times together this month, building memories and sharing our travel stories. Joan and Jim’s Blog on Kartchner CavernsThe waters really reached a high point and even the trams could not go up Sabino Canyon.We have shoveled, then swept all the sand and debris off this bridge as part of our job to keep it safe for bikes and peds.The mile markers were looking a bit less than fresh as this one at the top of the canyon.This one was buried behind debris but we have it cleaned up and looking good.Having friends over for a BBQ and sunset. Lights under the Travato to keep away the pack rats.Hanging out under the awning – well deserved after washing the house inside and out.Our neighbors also enjoying the view at Cocktail Hour.Another full moon in the canyon.
Our hiking friends helped us snag a volunteer position with Coronado National Forest. We work three days a week in full uniform in exchange for this camp spot next to our friends.Warning – you might get tired of the sunsets!!!Or sunsets with moon rises…The full moon over Blackett’s Ridge was beckoning us to come for a closer look.So we headed out the next afternoon for our own sunset/moon rise hike up the ridge. J & J are staying in Catalina so they could partake in this adventure.Enjoying the views of Tucson in the warm afternoon light. We really enjoyed all the city lights sparkling on our way down.We made it to the top of the ridge in time to enjoy a bit of dinner with the view.The most gorgeous sunset ever!!!!! It can’t even be captured in a panorama but we had a 360 view – wow! It was so worth it in spite of the challenge of hiking down in the moon shadows.The next day we took off to hike Seven Falls while the water levels were lower for the seven creek crossing.Sunrise as we reported for our second day of work – we need to be there at 7:00 AM so we bought an alarm clock! Are we still retired?Rain brings its own beauty (picture taken from the Travato)– we got a reprieve from a day of work due to too much rain. Our duties are to keep the public areas tidy, clean, and safe to enhance the visitor experience.
We were on the road in the rain on New Year’s Day leaving Green Valley in the rear view mirror. Glad we had packed the van the day before! We arrived in Organ Pipe Cactus with some nice low clouds but the sun shining on us.We picked a great site a bit further south than last year’s but an auspicious number….maybe?
Meeting up with our full time RV friends to start the New Year on the right foot! We toasted with champagne and had a mini-quiche happy hour after a pleasant stroll around the campground.We had a gourmet meal of crab cakes from the professional chef – graduate of Cordon Blu Pasadena! Followed with a cheese platter and port. I am intimidated but the next day, we fixed our Spanish Bean Soup with fresh baked rolls in the convection oven which was well received by all. Whew!A drive around Ajo Mountain and a hike to the arches. Who is blogging about who?Looking good coming up the mountain trail.The guys ready to tackle the arch.It is necessary to walk back down on the other side to see this view of the arch.It doesn’t seem this large – the distance is so deceiving.Back in time for wine o’clock on the picnic table.We all piled into Bill – a 4-wheel drive Ram pickup truck – to explore an area we had never been. On the Mexican border, the western side of the park.The rare little pupfish were in this pond – quite a surprise that it was so large.Wouldn’t you like to know Jose’s story of how he got from Brest, France to here and why?
Wrap It Storage Straps were through bolted to the wardrobe unit with machine screws, washers, and self locking nuts. This one is to hold our 25′ water hose.Two Storage Straps were mounted to secure tire jack on the edge of the pre-formed shower base under the wardrobe. This keeps them dry and out of the way.These are the machine through bolts, and washers on the wardrobe/bath side.Wrap-It Storage Strap XLarge, 6 pack: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014ONH2EK
Overhead personal shelf was added above each bed to hold our phones, tablets, books, glasses and other misc items at night.We thought an in-basket was about the right size and height. After much research, the Staples Black Wire Mesh Stackable Letter Tray looked durable and relatively easy to mount. To order: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WKZLD7W End closest to cab was mounted with ¾” wood screws and a washer through the existing wood cabinet end brace. The speaker covers were unscrewed to make it easier to attach.End closest to bath was mounted with ½” x ½” angles. First attached angles to letter tray with ½” bolts, washer and a self-locking nut. Then attached to cabinet above with through bolts, washer, and self-locking nut. Holes were pre-drilled through wood cabinet.The front is installed a slightly higher than the back so items will be less likely to fall out if forgotten before movement. The shelf liner was added to keep from scratching our electronics.
Shoe Storage enhancement with 5 black wire mesh wall pockets to mount under long bed – we got the idea to use these file holders from walking around an office supply store.Lorell LLR84144 Mesh Wire Wall Pocket were ordered because they looked durable and the dirt could fall through the mesh. To order: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8X9WUM Horizontal 1″ x 2″ wood blocking was added in storage area and 1″ wood screws were purchased for installation.Each basket holds a pair of shoes plus depending on the shoe size.One basket added at short end of bed is used to hold small broom and small trash bag.
We found this 2-bed/2-bath townhouse with a driveway 12″ longer than the van.It has this great patio with mountain view for our enjoyment.This roadrunner wants to be fed and he is persistent but we are more stubborn. We are however keeping the hummingbird feeder filled.Beautiful sunrises with real brewed coffee! What a great way to start the day. Water aerobics at 9 if you want to venture to the pool.Or go to watch the sunset over the Santa Rita’s.We met up with our friends for a hike at Saguaro National Park West followed by a concert on the patio to watch the full moon rise.Enjoying the sunset with our snacks before the concert.It is so nice to be among the saguaros again – they are just too picturesque!And the sunsets just so spectacular! The guitar music was also very good – wonderful evening tho the moon rose through clouds.White Christmas with snow in the Santa Rita’s.We enjoyed walking around the condo development on the way to an ice cream social with the neighbors we borrowed tools from.The next day our friends came down for some fresh pulled pork BBQ sandwiches on the back patio – we had a group walk first in McGee Ranch area. See our get together from last year’s visit to Canoa Ranch http://tealsky.com/2015/12/14/green-valley-arizona/A final sunset as we finish our month here – lots of good relaxing from our month out of the van!
South Eastern Arizona in the San Simon Valley – we dispersed on BM land near the town of Safford. We did not get a storm but enjoyed the clouds playing with the sun.Gila Box was a very beautiful area! We stayed at a BLM managed campground which was excellent.View of the Gila river walking back to our camp site.We found the skeleton of an old Model T buried in the pebbles – Don’t you wonder what was the story behind how it got here?Sunset on another beautiful day.Our Thanksgiving Feast at Stockton Pass, south of Safford in the Penaleno Mountains. Pass is named after Stockton Clanton, father of the brothers known in Tombstone.It is roasted chicken but we have turkey gravy, fresh bread, and nice Colorado wine.Cochise Stronghold – our favorite dispersed campsite in the Dragoon Mountains of Coronado National Forest.Is Batman overlooking the grave of Cochise? That is one of the mysteries of this mountain range. Here is the link to photos from last year’s hike and camp http://tealsky.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1691&action=editWe hiked again to the Stronghold Divide – much better weather than last year!Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area had a lot of cranes already here for the winter. This was amazing to see and hear so many of them.The cranes fly in to spend the night after feeding in the fields all day. They leave pre-dawn so we did not see any the next morning – we were too lazy to get out in the cold before our coffee.View of Mexico from Coronado National Monument – this was a challenging 3 mile drive to the top of the pass but great views. We spent a few nights near Sierra Vista in Miller Canyon and then Gardener Canyon.
