Rodeo finals

Got'en to be an annual tradition with us. We do enjoy a day out at Tucson's Rodeo "Fiesta de la Vaquero." Sold out crowd, lots of noise and exciting events. Not always sure how they figure the scoring and penalties but it's a hoot. And those people are out there on their own, it's a long way back to the shoot if they don't score well or worse yet get a no-count! 

This is first outdoor rodeo on the PCR cercuit for the year ending with 

the finals every year in Los Vegas in December.  This was 97th annual although it was canceled last year like everything else.

Actually we come not so much for bronc riding or calf roping but for the Kettle Corn!

A day out of town with the Jeep. Down to favorite location for a day trip near Patagonia. We found this old cemetery near ghost town of Harshaw. It's old and broken down and not well maintained but certainly not forgotten as there were obviously family who left flowers.

And a few stones amoung the 19 century ones from this century.

A Violet Crown Hummingbird that is only found in the US in this small border location. Often there is one at the Pattern Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia. He gave a good show for us.

And a bright woodpecker

Plus a kinda dull Yellow Rump Warbler. Maybe first year bird.

We were actually out scouting camping spots as we plan to spend a week down here very soon and since we are late making reservations, the State Park where we like to go is already full so we  checked out other options.

Whitewater Draw and Tombstone

Made a day of it and drove out to Whitewater Draw to see the wintering Sandhill Cranes. Arrived in time to see them come back from morning feeding in the surrounding agriculture areas of Sulphur Valley. Never get tired of the sight and sound of thousands of these beautiful birds.

It is quite a site when the sky is suddenly filled with chattering birds from every direction. Wonder what the noise is all about because soon as they settle the flock is quiet.

A flock of Snow Geese take refuge here also.

Was told there is something like 40,000 birds here. The sky was filled with them for an hour as they flew in,  circled the area, and finally floated down to rest on the water's edge. 

Stopped in Tombstone for a late lunch at Big Nosed Kate's. Great ambiance for lunch.  Walked the main street to see the store fronts and spent an hour in the old Court House museum. Just a nice day out with Jay.

Jay's in town.

Brothers enjoying some time together and a beer on the patio. Jay came from Washington state for a few days getaway and escape northern winter 

We had to show off the Arizona desert and drove out to find this amazing saguaro cactus.  Can't even guess how old this cactus must be.

We took a late afternoon hike out at Catalina State Park. Was a nice sunset walk. Desert is starting to wake up.  We found one little blooming poppy. A taste of things to come.

I am featured in our church art gallery with a display of my work. It will be up for the next 5 weeks.

Blooming plants

I don't have many house plants, trouble enough to keep things watered and tended outside since we tend to be gone for long periods of time. But I do like living things and occasionally I buy flowers or blooming orchids, which last a very long time. But when they are finally spent, I have not had much luck with getting them to bloom again. Am not sure what I am doing now but have a bunch of things blooming, including buds on the orchid. I did fertilize and they get morning sun!

This odd little dish garden plant sent this very long stalk out with a bunch of white blossoms

Someone gave me a little Christmas Cactus at Christmas with a few nice blooms on it that promptly dropped off. And now that plant is starting to bloom again and this time looks really healthy. I guess I am doing something right but it is purely by luck!!

Tohono Chul Show

Warm sunny day in the Park, great start of two day Clay Artists show and sale. Admission to Tohono Chul Garden was waived during show, that helped bring people in. And there were lots of people shopping. . .see how empty my table is by end of day.

Gem Show

It's Gem Show in Tucson. Big deal for this town and everyone hoping for a successful one after being mostly cancelled last year, or certainly scaled back.  It lasts for 2 to 3 weeks into February with venues all over town. We ventured out to the Kino Gem and Mineral show--its a favorite location for me. 

A vendor from Thailand

Immense warehouses full of rocks, minerals, gem stones, beads, jewelry, silver, precious metals, tools, carvings, and anything related (or not) from around the world. I just love looking at it all. 

Interested in torquois? 'Raw" stones of every imaginable color, grade, or mine origins.

Day 30

One last early morning beach walk in San Felipe. . .we are always the first ones up in the morning. Some of our group has yet to see a sunrise!! But then they are up later at night than we are.

And we are out of here!!! 120 miles to border crossing at Mexicali.

Tom and Sharlene in line.

Actually it was a pretty easy border crossing. Through in maybe 30 minutes. We have waited in line at Nogales crossing a heck of a lot longer. Sailed through with no hassle.

We had all eaten up or cooked up our meats and boiled our eggs as you can't bring fresh meat and eggs across the border. But nobody even asked. Met up as a group one last time to say goodbye and then we headed for Arizona.

We just kept trucking and as I write this we are coming up on our exit for home.

Probably sleep a little later tomorrow. Maybe won't see the sunrise!

Wind and more wind

We have been several days with only intermittent cell or internet service. Hard to go without, just feel lost without it. . . can't look anything up, plan ahead, send emails. Should be use to it but we are spoiled and don't like the feeling of being out of range.

Also weather changed. It has gotten cold and these past two days have been very windy. We spent two days at Bahai de Los Angeles which should have been a beautiful beach spot but was so cold that we couldn't really enjoy being outside so much.

Did manage some beach walking, birding, found some nifty shells, and a couple of good restaurants. If we can't lounge in the sun we can surely gorge ourselves in local seafood!!

We left Bahia de Los Angeles headed for San Felipe. A long 200 mile day that was no fun. Wind continued to blow straight out of the north--we we're driving straight into it on narrow, no shoulder roads that had everyone nervous. About 100 miles into the day we came across a new stretch of hiway and although it was still windy, it wasn't so dangerous and we all could relax our white knuckles a bit. And the last while we were driving up coast of Sea of Cortez and was dramatic landscape. Dry, arrid desert on one side of the road and all that water off the other side--what a wierd juxtaposition.

Will and I walked the half a mile from RV park to downtown San Felipe and walked the "Malacon" and checked out the shops, ocean marine bay, and restaurants. Our last chance for Baja style fish tacos, and a Mexican shrimp cocktail.

Tomorrow we get up and make a run for the border. . .and home.