Back to the rain

On Saturday we decided to take advantage of as much of the sun and heat as we could.  We got up early and breakfasted at the Hampton, then switched to swimsuits and headed for the pool.  Jeff wrote on the blog while I soaked up the rays and finished my book.  When we were both hot enough, we went in for a last swim.

Vitamin D Junkie

Mr. Happy

Then, sadly, as Jackson Browne said "all good things, they gotta come to an end",we went back to room 105 to pack up one more time.  We hit the road, stopping only for fast food and last souvenirs and enjoyed one last drive under the hot Arizona sun.  The temperature was about 92 when we said our fond farewells to Laurie and Dennis.  May we all be together again soon. 

Mesa Airport was crammed with end of spring vacation travelers, many of whom were glumly waiting for flights that had been postponed for hours.  The unlucky fliers who were headed for Las Vegas had already waited over an hour and a "rescue plane" was at least a half hour away.  We got snacks and finally got on the plane to Eugene an hour late.  I never heard so many crying babies or saw so many restless children for such a long time as that 2 and a half hour flight. Jeff took a nap and I did a crossword to try and keep my sanity. It was a real pleasure to deplane in Eugene and smell that fresh moist air as we waited for Max to pick us up.  We were glad to be home.

Even with the current Oregon liquid sunshine we now enjoy, we have our memories and future plans to keep us warm.  The southwest was definitely a respite from rain and cold in March, and being with Laurie and Dennis just enhanced the warmth.

3/30/12 Dessert at the Desert

Morning arrives and after breakfast at the Hampton next door, (included) it's time to talk turkey as to the plans for the day.  Kat leans towards another day of stocking up on Vitamin D around the pool, Dennis and Laurie favor a trip out to the desert and I am Switzerland.  The vote 2 - 1 goes to my esteemed brother/sister so we pack the cooler/camera equipment, first aide kit and head out into the heart of the beast.

We jump on I - 10 to Speedway and here is about where my words become a distant 2nd to my ability to express the beauty that we were to experience.

The road winds between steep hills and rugged mountains covered by 10 - 30 foot cactus charged with sentry duty guarding a Kingdom of ancient volcanic flows with a surprisingly wide array of flora and fauna.  There was a wide palette of colors' as cacti were approaching full bloom.  Around each bend of the road was the sounds of ohhhh's to greet the postcard that was revealed to us.

I got so excited over a particular flowering cacti that I demanded my brother stop and let me get out to capture this beauty.  Well, there I am practicing my photo skills while 4 cars are calling a lively tune with their horn section.  Let's just say I had to cash in a few credits of my good will stock with my brother.

We stopped at a pullout with a great view of the desert with the mountains framing the horizon.  Kat and I climbed a 350 foot rocky hillside to reach a small stone hut that had a wonderful view of the desert below.  I was amazed at the amount of broken glass and graffiti that covered the trail and the hut.  I was ticked until I realized a conversation that probably took place 10,000 years ago, "...and Org, stop drawing pictures all over the damn cave, can't I leave you alone for a minute without you ruining the feng shui?"  Now we view these ancient  attempts at art with reverence and regard.  So with that in mind, Happy birthday Thelma who was here in 2010 and has a birthday coming up in April.

So close but we had a rocky start

A room with a view

View from the hut

So much to write, so little to say...

We then headed to the"Sonora Desert Museum" which at $14.50 each was the deal of the day.  The large Southwest style building exits out to miles of meandering trails covered with the widest variety of cactus in the world.  Shapes and colors that could give my mind a cramp trying to take it all in.  Strewn about the trails are various exhibits and information boards that teach us flatlanders a new respect for the desert.  There was the Hummingbird pavilion that housed thousands of multicolored Hummingbirds, flying past, feeding and sitting atop their nest warming the next generation of these frequent fliers.  The only sound to be heard was the hummingbird chatter and the clatter of a thousand shutters trying to capture this spectacle.

Home Sweet Home

Truly amazing colors

There were raptors, tortoises, big horn sheep, mazes, butterflies, caves, ancient forests, bird atrium and more then I can even attempt to convey.  If interested in this must see, go to www.desertmuseum.org  to check it out.

That's some tall flower

More then just friends...

Big Horned Sheep

The only negative to the day was that my battery died in my camera and I will just have to rely on the warm emulsion of my mind to bring forth the images that we feasted on.

We had a wonderful dinner at Miquel's which is attached to our hotel.  We sat on the veranda and sat mesmerized by the view of a verdant green expansive golf course with the Tuscon skyline framing the picture.  Dinner of a seafood bouillabaisse was excellent and we all had smiles over our various selections.  A DQ sundae for dessert capped a perfect day.  My face muscles have had a true workout with all of the smiles and grins that have been given me.

Dining was a real pleasure