Lunar eclipse

It doesn't look real, but it is!  Thats the moon rising over the mountains in Tucson already starting its decent into total eclipse.  Awesome sight.  Also a Harvest moon meaning closest path to earth right now.  Also called Blood Moon because when it was totally eclipsed it had this dark red coppery color.  Very cool looking.  We were at an outdoor concert so watched the whole thing. . .with orchestra accompaniment.

Concert in the park

I am blogging from Reid Park near downtown Tucson about to enjoy "Music Under the Stars" outdoor concert by the Tucson Pops Orchestra.  Everybody gathers early with their lawn chairs to get a good spot and then enjoy a picnic super (and watch this amazing sunset) waiting for the music to begin. A Tucson institution in late Spring and again in September on Sunday nights. This is thier 61st year of doing this in this city park.  This year they have added food trucks but we packed our own picnic.

Breakfast at Hacienda del Sol

Went out for breakfast this morning at Hacienda del Sol,  a local historic guest ranch and hotel.  We had a Group-On that was almost 2 years old, about time we used it, huh. Well, the deal of course had expired but we had to get our money out of it.  It was a lovely and yummy breakfast.  Next time you are in Tucson we'll take you there.

Steph ' s year in Asia

Steph is currently on her Sabbatical and right now she is enjoying being in Hong Kong. This is a picture that she sent taken from Hong Kong City University where she is presently affiliated. That's a high school in foreground with Hong Kong skyline in the background.

She's busy working hard but has taken time to play with a hike to Shek O which is a beach village on the southern end of Hong Kong Island facing the South China Sea. Does that look inviting or not!!!

New washer

New washing machine just delivered.  Been saving up laundry for this!  When we moved 12 years ago I left my old one behind thinking I would buy new here but the house we bought had all appliances in it. Thought it might last a year or two but hung on until now until it clunked  out--(that is the noise it made.)
  I finally got my new washer. I'm happy.

Rain in Tucson

Raining in Tucson! Haven't seen a day like this in Tucson in years.  Long hard rain. We got the yard cleaned up after a summer of neglect and got rewarded with a fresh washing. 

Home

We left Sedona and next stop -- Tucson!  Wasn't long and we began to see Saguaro and we knew we were close.  Funny how we don't think much about home until we start home. And then we are anxious to be there!

    Found all in good shape. However it appears a family of Owls had taken up residence on our patio. This has happened before but this year they really made a mess.  Kinda neat that we can host such an interesting family, just wish they were better housekeepers.

   Wasn't the summer we planned but it turned out to be (mostly) great. 

Sedona

Stopping here before we make a last run for home. Hiked a trail to Eagles Nest in Red Rocks State Park. Little warmer hiking conditions here than Colorado but also less strenuous. Always beautiful.

We are staying at a casino RV resort for the amenities. Nice to have a pool and hot tub for once.

From Telluride to Mesa Verde

Figured out which one was Lizard Head.  Do have to use your imagination.

We spent yesterday driving back roads of Telluride area and also checking out this town.  So many Victorian houses here, neat little village. Telluride Film Festival starts this weekend--too bad we won't be here. 

We both had so much fun with a very friendly hummingbird. She was fearless, she followed us as we carried the feeder around. I held the feeder in one hand and camera in the other and she posed nicely. I had red nail polish on and she actually took a taste of each fingernail.  I am pretty sure it was a female Rufous.

It was raining when we woke up this morning so we decided to leave a day early and move out of the mountains.  Not a good day for hiking, thought it would be more fun to go to Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park.

We took a Ranger led tour of Cliff House. The guide was very good and although we have been here before, we learned a lot of new stuff.   Was quite a climb down into and out of the cliff dwelling but we managed.  There is a new Visitors Center at the beginning of the road into the Park that wasn't there the last time we were here. Several new amenities.

Near Telluride

We found a super campground between Rico and Telluride in the San Juan mountains. Nice setting and this one actually has electric hookups.  No phone service here at all.  So we drove into town so we could at least check email and get a pizza at the same time.  Slowest service ever, but I guess we are in no hurry. We will be here for 3 more days.

We hiked a trail this morning that began at 10,000 ft and got as far as this view of a waterfall in the valley. We didn't get any closer as it would have meant going down into the valley. . .which meant hiking back out and we had hiked UP enough already. 6.5 miles was plenty for today. Was gorgeous hike in Lizard Head Wilderness --which is also a fun name.  Also a mountain of same name but couldn't decide which peak it was. Interesting that we saw more birds today at this altitude than anywhere else on Colorado. 

An old abandon wooden railroad tressel still standing.