Friday in Tucson

This is my sixth post today so check them all out because I have spent most of the day downloading, selecting photos, and compiling posts...just for you! teehee

Yesterday, we went to Tucson with Bill and Deanne. It's about 130 miles from here so it makes for a long day...but there is a huge Ace Hardware store there that has anything you could want from housewares to hobbies to hardware so it was well worth it! Seriously, I am the only one of us who bought anything there...are you surprised?

After having breakfast at I-Hop we drove on down to the Pima Air and Space Museum on the east side of Tucson. Rich and I have been here before with our grands so I relaxed while they walked for two hours through the many planes on exhibit.

The next item on our list was Tucson Mountain Park and we also drove alongside Saguaro National Park for a short distance. The scenery was breathtaking!

The tall, spindly Ocotillo is my favorite cactus and they are in bloom now! I love this bokeh shot of a bloom.

Here is another Ocotillo and one of its blooms.

Gates Pass Trailhead

 

Tucson in the valley below

Before going to the Ace Hardware store, we struck out on our search for a place to sample a Sonoran Dog. Deanne's brother had told them about these famous Tucson hot dogs but we settled for a quick sandwich at a market inside the old train station downtown. The downtown area of Tucson is experiencing a revival with lots of building construction and street realignments. It will definitely be worth a return visit when completed!

The evening sunset colors were glorious on the drive home. As we drove into Chandler on Arizona Blvd, I got this shot of palms against the sunset.

Searching on my phone on the way back, I discovered that Sonoran Dogs are featured at Moreno's Mexican Grill in Mesa and in Chandler so we still had an opportunity to try one. Bill wouldn't touch it with a stick and Deanne complained about the soft bun but Rich and I recommend that you try one for yourself...totally different and quite yummy!

Again this evening, the guys gave Deanne and I a drubbing at Farkle. We just can't beat them; if we win one game out of three we're doing good.

Lovin' Life ~~ Exploring!

The Beginning...of March!

Friday, March 1

Now this is more like it! Even though I had such a drippy cold, on Friday we went to Canyon Lake for a picnic! Bill expertly grilled the lemon-pepper chicken breasts that were accompanied by pasta salad and chips...a simple, perfect picnic.

There was much relaxing that went on throughout the afternoon.

Bill and Deanne brought their canoe this trip and the guys took it out on the lake.

We were highly entertained by birds too. None of us were stealth enough though to get a photo of the long-tailed grackles that would land on the table and peck at the photo of potato chips on the Lay's bag...so funny! There was a Cardinal and a Gila Woodpecker...

...as well as a pair of Mallards who kept us company and enjoyed eating the popcorn we threw out for them.

It was a perfect afternoon although I couldn't help but reflect on all that I lost this winter since this is the first time we've taken the breathtakingly beautiful drive up there and spent time just sitting by the lake.

Saturday, March 2

This morning my chest was tight with congestion; when will this curse lift? There was no stopping us though because this was the final week of flag football. Here are shots of both Dylan and Jackson carrying the ball.

During the game, these World War II era planes flew over from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport near us. Held here this weekend, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) AirPower History Tour features an ever-changing combination of CAF historic warbirds at each of its eleven stops throughout the southwest United States. Its mission is to tell the story of World War II military aircraft and to honor the men and women of America’s Greatest Generation.

The boys never lost focus on the game but most of the parents and grandparents were certainly distracted. The players and coaches continued on to yet another mercy win, with the final game of the season being called when the score was 34 to 0.

Our Saints! Division Champs and Tournament Champs! What a team of great guys and their most able coaches too! We have enjoyed watching them work together so successfully this season.

After collecting their trophys, we all met at Barro's to celebrate with pizza!

That evening we went to dinner again with Bill and Deanne. After we ate, the guys continued their season of Farkle victories...WTH, can't I win anything this winter???

Sunday, March 3

This morning, while I continued trying to rest my way back to health, the three of them went to Usery Park to ride bikes again. Deanne took a different trail so she's not in this photo of the guys with the Superstitions in the background.

Ever since they got back, the guys have been sitting outside on our patio planning a trip to Alaska...in 2014. Deanne, I hear, is relaxing with a book at their place and I have now caught up with all the news I'm willing to share as of today...giggle!

Lovin' Life ~~ Cough, Sniffle, Cough

The End...of February!

Well of course I'm sick. This winter has certainly been challenging. What started as a head cold has morphed into bronchitis which I'm staying home and trying to rest away today. With Bill & Deanne here, PT appts, and kids' activities life is happily busy, in spite of my cold. Here goes the last of February...

Saturday, Feb 23

It was Sandee's Saturday to work so we picked up Shelby so that she wouldn't have to go to football an hour and a half early with the guys. While exploring, we dropped into a cool, funky furniture store where Shelby fell in love with this couch that would nearly fill her bedroom.

The Saints lost, their only loss of the season but here is a photo of both boys in action and one of them and their friends, the Vlamings, leaving the field.

Sunday, Feb 24

Rich, Bill, and Deanne hiked up the base of the Superstitions out of Lost Dutchman State Park. They had perfect weather and here are a few shots Rich took.

After Rich got back, we went to Dylan's hockey game. His hockey team is not having a great season but I always love watching them. Among the shots I took of Dylan in action, these two are my favorites. He is wearing teal and gray, controlling the puck and battling for the puck.

And yet the day wasn't over. We went to the kids' house and had so much fun watching that evening's installment of their days' long Monopoly game.

The drive home facing a full moon above the dwindling glow from the sunset was so lovely. I wish I could capture moon detail but haven't been able to with any camera I've had.

Mon, Feb 25

While I went to PT then did laundry, Rich and Bill took a 22 mile bike ride and Deanne shopped. What is wrong with this picture? We do, however, go out to eat fabulous restaurants nearly every night.

Tues, Feb 26

This was yet another hiking day for the three hikers. This time they took a different trail out of Lost Dutchman State Park that led them up to these fabulous hoodoos that we have always admired from afar.

The last two days of the month were spent going to PT, working on Rich's and my latest project, meeting the kids after school so that Shawn and Dylan could get an early start driving into the city for the Coyote's game, going to dinner and playing Farkle with Bill and Deanne...btw, we girls are getting slaughtered at that game night after night so the guys are insufferable.

Lovin' Life ~~ Sniffle, Cough, Sniffle