Sabino Canyon

Tucson, AZ
Still at Davis-Monthan AFB FamCamp

Sabino Canyon
High 82'
low 56'
Clear blue skies

Today we drove out to Sabino Canyon.  A beautiful canyon east of Tucson in the Santa Catalina Mountains, almost right under Mt Lemon.  Sabino Canyon is in the Coronado National Forest.  The canyon is fairly narrow with many hiking trails, the main road has a shuttle bus that climbs up the canyon and crosses the river nine times for 3.7 miles, you can get off and on the tram at any one of the 9 designated stops.

There was lots of water in the creek and many pools of crystal clear water.

See the breaks in the rock wall by the road, this is for when the water flows over the road.

The shuttle bus will run even with water on the road up to about one foot deep.

Trails zig-zag all over the place.  Next time I'll ride the shuttle all the way and then get off , there is a great hike that climbs up the mountain and then continues along the ridge for about 2.5 miles and then back down to the road to catch the shuttle.

Another area is on the other side of this ridge called Bear Canyon, with many more hiking trails, even going as far as Mt Lemon, about 14 miles.

A very nice enjoyable day.

Nancy

Introduction to "Izzy"

Davis Monthan AFB Fam Camp
1-9 - 1-18-13
Sunny, highs in the 70's and sometime 80'
Lows anywhere from 35' - 45'

We are still here, so different that when we were at Picacho and Catalina State Parks.  Actually a little on the boring side.  But we have taken care of a few things and able to clean the trailer better since we have plenty of water and sewer.  We have plans of going to Sabino Canyon for some hiking but Joe has had an ankle problem that is slowly getting better.

One thing I have not mentioned yet is that we bought a new to us 28' 1981 Airstream Motor home, Isuzi Diesel.  We took possession of her at the end of December and visited  Oasis RV Center here in Tucson to get awnings installed.  We are getting Zip Dee awnings and they closed down for the holidays so it is taking a long time to get them, so the Moho is still sitting over at the repair shop.  Here is a picture of  "Izzy"

 
Kind of short today but not too much going on here.

Safe Travels

Nancy

On the move again......sort of

1/9/14
New Place:  Agave Gulch RV Park at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ
low this am 37.1 high abut 69'

After spending a week at Catalina State Park, which is becoming one of my favorites in AZ because of the beautiful trails, we are on the move again.  Well sort of........it was only 29 miles over to Davis-Monthan, that's not really "on the move".  We will be here at least 2 weeks and then??????  One good thing we are just a few miles from Oasis RV Center where the MoHo is getting her new awnings.

 The last of the trail pictures.  This is from the 50 year Trail.  I don't know why it's called that.
The trail starts of steep and wide and gradually narrows down to having to look for the trail through some rocks.  Beautiful trail, it hooks up to several other trails but didn't have time or energy to go more than three hrs and then turn around.  Next year I hope to go all the way around, about a 6 - 8 hr hike.

Kind of a cute guy here 

with his little top-knot

That's about it for Catalina State Park, Arizona

Safe Travels

Nancy

More exploring

Catalina SP, AZ
1/5/13, low of about 40 and high of 70'


While the rest of the country is suffering from severe cold we are still hitting highs of 68' - 70'
I'm not bragging but that's why we are "Snowbirds" to get out of the that cold and wet of WA, well, maybe I am bragging just a little.

Another great hiking day of up and down over several bluffs, at least I call them bluffs.

Fat Boy here had too 

much to drink during

the last rain.

The mountains in the back are the Santa Catalina Mountains and Mt Lemon.

Finally I made it back and found a side trail that lead right back to our camp.









This was about a three hour hike so tomorrow I am going shopping.   Need to get a few things for the motor home and be ready when we get the call.  We will be here until the 9th and then move to Aguave Gulch RV Park at Davis-Montham AFB or go to Gilbert Ray Campground out to the west side of the valley.

Safe travels and have a blessed day.

Nancy

In search of Oracle Patio Cafe

1/4/14
Camped at Catalina SP
Low 40's high 70'

Decided to take a side trip to Oracle for lunch.  Read about this little cafe open for breakfast and lunch only.  Also looked for Sue and Jerry's Trading Store.  Oracle is at about 4,500' on the north end of the Santa Catalina Mtns.

This is Sue & Jerry's
Lots of junk
Joe could have stayed
here all day

Lots of treasures 

Next, onward toward town and the search for the Oracle Patio Cafe.

It looks quiet here but there were many cars so it was not hard to find

 Many things for sale, all made from recycled material

The food here was excellent I would highly recommend it.









Kind of a slow day for us.

Safe travels to all

Nancy

Howling Coyotes

Catalina State Park, AZ
1/2 until 1/9/14
Cool at night, about 70 during the day.

1/3/14
Between about 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm we had the serenading of coyotes, the most I have ever heard.  It was dark but they sure sounded close by, they must have been roaming the campground.

I love the Sonoran Desert, it's so green.  Went on a hike today towards Romero Pools.  This is a very popular hike, especially for the dog lovers.  Dog friendly on most of the hiking trails except the higher elevations where the mountain sheep are being reintroduced to the area.

After several hours of hiking and exploring the hills I was exhausted.  Luckily, earlier I had pulled a delicious dinner out of the freezer of turkey and mash potatoes n gravy. And it was sooo good.  I love freezing dinners I can just heat up out on the road.  Thank you Brenda for the left overs.

Happy New Year 2014

Picacho Peak State Park
12/28/13 - 1/2/14
Group Campground with 4CU New Years Rally
Clear skies for the most part cool at night (about 40') and warm during the day (about 65' to 72')

Our Rally was dry camping with about 35 rigs.  Coffee every morning and a campfire every night and various activities in between.  Every one had a great time, especially making the tamales.

Getting all set up with our flags.

Sergio and Lewis were our 

fearless Hosts for the Rally......

proudly flying their flags

 on their 1962 vintage AS