Wanderings
We drove to Queen's Creek, AZ to see out friends Joe and Norma(about a 2 hour drove north of us.) They took us to the Olive Mill which is a large complex with a tour of their massive olive grove, their manufacturing process and all the wonderful olive products ( oils, tampades, soaps and wines). Who knew you could grow olives in the desert? We had a delicious lunch there too. It is good to visit friends who have moved from Kenosha to Arizona. We bought some prickly pear syrup to add to lemonade. And Jim found some new bold coffee - Superstition Midnight Coffee named after the Arizona Supersition Mountains - makes sense here in Arizona but people will really wonder about that name outside of this state.
Today we saw the Artist. What a surprising film and very well done. No wonder it won best picture.
Since there is a wind and dust storm advisory today, we're sticking close to home.
We're planning to attend a Great Gatsby play this Thursday with our new friends from Portland. It has been years since I read the book, so I'll speed read a little to see how it compares.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Catch up news Feb 25
Wanderings
The first 9 holes of golf happened!!! Jim played the twilight time on the very nice Vistoso Course. Some very good shots, he said- only 1 lost ball. He met 2 wild javelinas walking through the 8the green. This was their territory first, so they have the right of way. Besides, they look too mean to mess with.
We've been sort of hanging around our favorite spots these last days. Back to Tohono Chul Park for a picnic beside a 2 story saguaro cactus. It gave great shade. The docents next to our spot, were studying the large agave plants and trying to decide exactly which plants were reseeding new plants. It was a huge discussion about which way the prickly spine needles were directed - up, down, or out. I'll have to spend much more time looking at agave leaves before I can see any relationships. Desert landscape is growing on me, but I still desperately want to water everything I see.
I attended a great piano / vocal concert of broadway and blues tunes. A husband and wife team. The husband could play anything.
Very enjoyable!!!
If you know Jim, you know he loves jigsaw puzzles. We found this one at Bookman, a huge used books store that also has puzzles and games. He got 2 more puzzles to work on. We have to spend some time out of the sun, you know. I even put in 15 pieces. Now you know I am retired - usually I cannot stand to search and search for the right piece.
Wonderings
The first 9 holes of golf happened!!! Jim played the twilight time on the very nice Vistoso Course. Some very good shots, he said- only 1 lost ball. He met 2 wild javelinas walking through the 8the green. This was their territory first, so they have the right of way. Besides, they look too mean to mess with.
We've been sort of hanging around our favorite spots these last days. Back to Tohono Chul Park for a picnic beside a 2 story saguaro cactus. It gave great shade. The docents next to our spot, were studying the large agave plants and trying to decide exactly which plants were reseeding new plants. It was a huge discussion about which way the prickly spine needles were directed - up, down, or out. I'll have to spend much more time looking at agave leaves before I can see any relationships. Desert landscape is growing on me, but I still desperately want to water everything I see.
I attended a great piano / vocal concert of broadway and blues tunes. A husband and wife team. The husband could play anything.
 |
If you know Jim, you know he loves jigsaw puzzles. We found this one at Bookman, a huge used books store that also has puzzles and games. He got 2 more puzzles to work on. We have to spend some time out of the sun, you know. I even put in 15 pieces. Now you know I am retired - usually I cannot stand to search and search for the right piece.
Wonderings
Horacio and Olivia update - They are gone. We don't see them snoozing under the eaves anymore nor sitting in the trees. Either the snow undid them or they only spend part of Feb at our complex. The last I saw Horacio, he was Who whooing with all the gusto his lungs could manage. You know people who have to talk with their hands. Well, Horacio needs all his neck and head feathers to send a WhoWho into distance. I do hear them in the evening. They continue to call back and forth. By the time we leave, I'll have quite a chapter on these two.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Desert Museum 2-21-2012
 |
| Close up of last year's agave flowers |
Today we hiked the trails at Desert Museum. The flowers were so colorful. It was 60 degrees, gentle breezes and bright sunshine.
 |
| A pale white cactus |
 |
| Desert primrose |
 |
| Lantana - not native to Arizona, but happy to grow in the sun |
 |
| Just one of the interesting displays |
 |
| Carved wooden owl at Desert Museum |
Wonderings
Horacio update - Horacio has not been seen in a week. No Whoo, Whoo heard in the distance. I think he left for warmer climates. I even slept till 7:30 this morning!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Second Day at Tohono Chul Park Feb 17
Wanderings
We had lunch today at Tohono Chul Tea Room. Very good food. Jim had apricot ice tea and I had hot green fruit tea which was wonderful. Then we completed the South Trail and the Saguaro Trail. We still have not seen all of the park, so we'll have to come back. It was only 59 today and cloudy. Perfect hiking weather but not many song birds about
 |
| Polaskia Chichipe in case you need to know - It was huge |
 |
| This bent over saguaro looks like an elephant's head and truck. |
 |
| Looking back at the trail we've just climbed |
 |
| "Fan" shaped top on this saguaro |
Woodshade Trail 2-16-2012
Wanderings
Today we explored the Woodshade Trail which starts in the middle of a subdivision. It is a beautiful manicured sidewalk trail that leads to a gravel trail and then out amongst the wild and undeveloped areas that are scattered around different subdivisions. There are side paths that lead to playgrounds, dog parks, and picnic areas. We walked maybe 1/2 of the gravel paths. Have to finish another day.
Wonderings We are still amazed that we are here. The condo complex is completely full. This is a popular place for snow birds. There are cars here with license plates from Pennsylvania,Washington, Iowa, Nevada, and many from Arizona. Perhaps some live here year round.
Today we explored the Woodshade Trail which starts in the middle of a subdivision. It is a beautiful manicured sidewalk trail that leads to a gravel trail and then out amongst the wild and undeveloped areas that are scattered around different subdivisions. There are side paths that lead to playgrounds, dog parks, and picnic areas. We walked maybe 1/2 of the gravel paths. Have to finish another day.
 | ||
| Have to be very serious about rain run off.
|
 |
| The drainage channel runs the entire length of the park |
Wonderings We are still amazed that we are here. The condo complex is completely full. This is a popular place for snow birds. There are cars here with license plates from Pennsylvania,Washington, Iowa, Nevada, and many from Arizona. Perhaps some live here year round.
Today is Book Club. I read Longitude, The True Story of a Lone Genius that Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. Not my usual type of book, but since I'm practicing being retired,I thought I'd try this.
 |
| Always the gorgeous mountains |
 |
| Can't wait to see what these flowers look like |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Good Grief!!! It is snowing in Oro Valley !!!
Snow in February in Arizona
What an interesting Happy Valentine's surprise. First, we had some steady rain and the temperature never got below 45 Then the snow came - huge clumps of snow flakes. It was all melted an hour later. 
As long as there is no hard freeze, this moisture will help the wild flowers bloom.
As long as there is no hard freeze, this moisture will help the wild flowers bloom. Tohono Chul Park Feb 13
Wanderings
We had a lovely walk through parts of Tohono Chul Park. The Tea Room is much like the one in Seoul Korea. This is a favorite place and we will visit here often. (P.S. I have given up on Kodak Pictures web site and am now wrestling with Picasso. I'll figure out the link thing next)
We had a lovely walk through parts of Tohono Chul Park. The Tea Room is much like the one in Seoul Korea. This is a favorite place and we will visit here often. (P.S. I have given up on Kodak Pictures web site and am now wrestling with Picasso. I'll figure out the link thing next)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)