Pena Blanca National Forest 2016

Jim recalled that there was another lake closer to Nogales.  So we took Rte 289 to see if we could find it.

No cactus at this elevation.  Hills leading into canyons with towering mountains all around

A squiggly sign is a sure indication of switchback turns

It still surprises me that this is prime grazing land for cattle.

We can't see the lake yet.  We're not deep enough into the canyon.

Pena Blanca is Spanish for white rock.

The lake is absolutely beautiful.  The rock formations that surround the lake were so impressive.

There were several fishermen in boats on the lake.  We talked to one fellow who caught a good sized trout.

We figured we could handle the Children's Forest Trail.

It was so peaceful and serene.  There was not a sound.

Amazing rock wall formation

The smooth stones indicate that this lake was once much higher.

Those towering mountains rise above the lake

This rock is named the Thumbrock

We discovered a path that circles the lake.

The fishermen that we talked to said they could not find the origin of the spring that feed the lake.  This is the swampy end of the lake

We were surprised by the well maintained paths.  These stairs lead up to overlook areas.

More of that reddish rock

This is the shady side of the lake

Looking up at the rocky side of the path

Hold on tree, there's a giant rock trying to fall down behind you!!

A duck convention gathered on a sunken log.

We decided to have our picnic lunch here.

Organ pipe like rock formation on the mountains across the way.

Our picnic spot

A large blackbird complained that we did leave any crumbs.

The road back out of the canyon.  

 Remember the phrase, "before the hills got dusty" or "older than dirt."  These mountains remind me how insignificant we are, how new our civilization is on this planet we are,  and how magnificent God's creation is.  Then I remember the Mexicans who try to climb through these mountains to get into the United States.  Before the border wall went up, I am sure travelers came to this lake because water is so rare here.  Now, the border is locked up here.  It is easier to cross in Texas.  The ancient history of these mountains............

Around Esperanza Estates

Quails wander all over our complex.  These guys were munching on something in the flowerpot.  Quails usually hang together with a group, a covey or bevy ( google says).  If one ever gets separated from the others , it calls in a panicked tone that sounds like, "Where are you?"  If there is no answer, the tone escalates to a higher pitch, "Where are you." Finally, the sound approaches a really painful tone "WHERE ARE YOU?"  Funny little birds/

There's a two new pretend owls as yard decorations

Mr RoadRunner and I were on the same path.  

He refused to stand still for a good picture.

We found out that our Silver Sneakers cards ( from AARP) work at the Green Valley Gym

Gorgeous sunset

2016 Tubac Art Festival

Tubac is an artist "colony" type of small town with many specialty shops and good restaurants.  Early February the town hosts an art festival.  My pictures do not show all the booths or the other 500 shoppers wandering about.  Lovely day, but plenty warm - 84.

There are really only 4 streets with stores but the booths lined both sides of all the streets.  These free rides helped to see everything.

Same free ride but an open wagon.

Super sized cowboy or maybe El Caballero

Another very large decoration

Someone dedicated this to us snow birds!!

First time I've ever seen an Owl southwestern style flowerpot!!

Madera Canyon

This is our favorite our picnic place, about 20 minutes from Green Valley.  It combines incredible mountain views, rocky outcroppings and a merry little stream.  Snow on the mountain top.

 It's an ear popping drive up 5400 elevation.

 This is my favorite little stream.  There's not too much water running now, but when the snow melts....

 The snow will have to melt before we try this trail.

 This is the view of the "Old Baldy".

That's Green Valley down there in the valley.

 Madera Canyon is a wonderful bird watching destination.  These are Mexican Blue birds

A red headed wood pecker wandered in for a snack.

Wild turkeys on the right hang out for anything that spills on the ground.

Esperanza Estates hiking trail

One of the best parts of this complex is the hiking trail that runs behind the town homes.  It's a sunny day, but windy.  I still need a jacket.

 We have retention basins in Illinois and Wisconsin to control rain run off.  This is the "wash" that will handle a lot of water during the monsoon season in Arizona.

 Shady areas with benches are placed along the hiking trail.


The real mountain view.

 Serious prickly pear cactus patch.

 This is the newest addition to the trail, a pizza oven and new trees - Flowering Plum, Chinese Elm, Bonita Ash, Arizona Hybrid Ash

This home owner can't wait for desert flowers.  These metal ones will have to do.

"Ever Changing Brain " Humanities Senimar University of Arizona - 6 sessions

Some of our snow bird friends recommended seminars here in Tucson at the University of Arizona.  This seminar, the Ever Changing Brain was completely booked in 1 hour.  Registration began on Nov 23 and I signed in at 7pm on Nov 23 only to find that registration was closed.  Silly me.  I forgot this demographic would call, not sign up on line.  Still I took a chance to email if there was a waiting list.  So did about 100 other people.  Luckily, the professor had an open Wed morning and agreed to schedule a second class.  We left Kenosha Jan 21 so we could get here for the first class on Jan 27.

Sunny day but still only 40 degrees.  The campus is lovely. This is the parking garage located across from the Humanities Classroom

Here's our classroom.  Not to worry.  It fills up.  We always arrive early to get a good seat although the front and side screen are very large and easy to see. Class starts at 10 and finishes at 12.

We have a syllabus with recommended articles to read and 2 books. Last class is March 2.

“Rethinking the brain: How the songs of canaries upset a fundamental principle of science,” by Michael Specter. The New Yorker, July 23, 2001. Available at https://www.msu.edu/course/psy/401/Readings/WK6.Supplement%20- %20New%20Yorker%20Article.pdf . 

 “The challenge of connecting the dots in the B.R.A.I.N,” by Devor et al. Neuron, Vol. 80, pp. 270-274, October 16, 2013. Available at http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0896627313008064/1-s2.0-

The 2 books are wonderful - and encouraging.  There are so many new advancements in how the brain works.  

Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind, by V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D., and Sandra Blakeslee. HarperCollins Publishers, 1999. 

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, by Norman Doidge, M.D. Penguin Books, 2007.

After lunch at Panda Express we caught the 1:35 showing of Spotlight, about the newspaper The Boston Globe's investigative reporting on child molestation by priests.   Very sobering and disturbing, but reassuring that the issue was finally brought into open and criminal behavior is no longer covered up.