Madera Canyon 2017

Jim and I visit Madera Canyon at least 3 times a month.  We love the cooler temperatures, the lovely mountain views and the bubbly little stream.


Here's the view of the Santa Rita mountains from our patio.  There is low lying fog on the valley below.

The canyon road winds up to this view.  Snow on the mountains.  

This is my favorite view of the stream as it tumbles down from the highest point that we can easily hike to.  There are lots of hiking trails.  We only go to the easiest trails.

 We've never seen this stream during the monsoon season.  Even though there is lots of snow high up in the mountains, it must be a very slow melt.  This shows all the rocks that have washed down the creek bed.

This is a view of the stream lower in the canyon.  The rocks along the side of the stream have been smoothly polished by rushing water.  

This view is from the lowest trail in the canyon.  The stream crosses a gravel road.

Off it goes into the valley below.  Yes, that is snow along the side of the stream.

I wish my pictures could do this view justice.  We love this canyon because the twenty minute drive to the top, provides desert cactus views, grassland for cattle grazing and evergreen forests.  If you come to visit us, we'll take you to Madera Canyon and you can see for yourself!!!

La Posada Community Park

La Posada, translates to The Inn, is about 5 minutes away from us.  It is a very large multi housing complex with apartments, garden town homes, single family homes along with assisted living and a memory home facility.  The large campus includes a swimming pool, exercise room, physical therapy, medical clinic, coffee and sandwich shop, community room, and lovely grounds.     

Walk with us around the park.  It has a very serene and restful atmosphere.

Jim and Seamus ( his Irish Shillelagh backthorne wood cane)

There are four of these displays each with favorite quotes 

I loved Erma's books written in the converted garage her husband built for her.

The stained glass inserts are labeled as Minstrels with different musical instruments.

The glass tile mosaics reflect the sun and sparkle magnificently.

It is hard to explain this sculpture.  It is an abstract shape but it has another function.  The strings catch the wind and provide a soft hum that can increase to a louder tone depending on the strength of the wind.  

There is also a meditative circular walking  labyrinth

The statue of a little girl with a bird in her hand in labeled

"Joy"

" Storyteller"

Colorful tiles "in memory  of ...."

Here's a giant chess set or...

for the serious chess player, in Arizona, you need shade for those long chess games.  There are 2 beautifully tiled tables here.

Whimsical characters

All kinds of decorations donated in memory of someone.  These large metallic flowers will bloom all year long.

And even a small nine hole putting green.

Must try this out!!!

I loved this little guy, named "Scotty."  Can you see he's wearing his Dad's shoes on the wrong feet and has a band aid on his knee.  It must be a very accurate representation on someone's child

Even the solar panel array has metal Mexican decorations.  The electricity here heats the water and powers the community room and swimming pool building. 

Residents can plant their favorite herbs and lettuce here.

Peace and Tranquility Garden

It is hard to see these two cranes.

Gentle water fall

Bonsai plants

Bamboo grove

Butterfly Garden

A very colorful stained glass butterfly.