Trunk 'r Treat at St Andrews

We participated with about 40 St Andrews friends in a very successful  Halloween Truck or Treat in the church parking lot Sunday afternoon. We figure we had  at least 350 kids come through--by counting candy given out, minus what we ate ourselves! It was a lot of fun to see those kids in costume--lots of whole  families dressed up

Our "friendly" spider was a big hit!

Let me introduce you to one of our pastors--"Super Grover" ( from the Sesame Street Grover.) Now what makes this rich is that his name is Matt Grover!!

We were at the end of a row which gave us a great view of sunset--now a spectacular sunset in Halloween colors!!

Just as an add on here--Lia sent a picture of her costume. 

"Who am I? I am a Thracian. I was in a battle against Marcus Lionius Crassus. I died in 71 BC at the age of 32. " ( I don't have a clue who this is either--but she is cute!!)

We saw it!  Driving home from dinner at a south Tucson restaurant, on I-10 I took this picture out the side window of car. Amazing site!! Friend posted the next pic on Facebook. It was just getting dark and the setting sun caught the Space X rocket followed by the erie looking condensation trail.

It was Space X 49th Falcon 9 Rocket launched at 6:14 pm from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 53 Starlink Satellites. Was visible all across California, Arizona and southwest. Such an amazing site as it shot over a clear crescent moon.

Wrong time of year

This cactus blooms in early summer--  about June.  In fact we are usually gone in June so most years I miss it. I know it blooms because a dried up bud awaits us in the fall. But recently I noticed a fresh bud forming-- now in October--and this morning it opened in full glory. 

Just to see how big the blossom is!

By mid afternoon the hot sun withered the bloom. Like a lot of Cerius cactus, the blossom lasts one day. Only in the desert.

Jeep ride out to Ironwood Monument

Thought we might enjoy this nice cool fall weather we are having and take a walk in the desert to find some known petroglyphs out in the Ironwood National Monument west of Tucson. So we hoped into the Jeep and headed out past the Desert Museum to where the pavement ends and onto the dirt roads that take you into the Monument. There is not much out there in the way of infrastructure, no visitor center, no improved roads, a few designated dispersed camping spots and some unmaintained hiking trails --pretty much desert, but is a preserve to protect the Ironwood trees that thrive there.

Unfortunately we didn't make it to the mountain where the petroglyph are located because the road began to deteriorate pretty fast. Apparently they had a lot more rain out there than we did because the road, got muddier and wetter --and even with our 4 wheel drive we decided not to go any further. 

We will wait for dryer winter conditions to try again. Instead we just found some other dry routes and enjoyed the desert views, spent the morning seeing what we could see and exploring. Found "Ragtop", the most recognizable mountain in the area.  Nice day outing 

Cotton fields on the way back, ready to harvest in Arizona.

This guy waiting for us in my back yard. He can clear out my bird feeders faster than anything!!

Sunrise to sunset

An extraordinary desert sunset over our backyard!

We also saw the sunrise this morning on the Linda Vista trail in the Catalina foothills. Up early for a two hour hike followed by a "First Watch" breakfast. Great way to start the day.

The trail climbs up the foothills for a sweeping look of Tucson. Actually I think that is Oro Valley as Tucson would be farther south.

AND we voted today. Got our mail-in ballot and turned it right around!

Coronado National Monument

Little detour on the way home this morning to visit Coronado National Monument. Don't think we have ever been here before. Right on the border with a nice visitor center and a dynamite view of road up to and surroundings from Montezuma Pass.  Also Arizona hiking trail begins here and ends at Utah border.

San Rafael Grasslands to the west

Day of the Dead is coming up in a few weeks and this board in visitor center helped explain why we see so many skeletons during this celebration!

Lunch in Mexico

Naco, Sonora, Mexico is maybe 15 miles from Bisbee.  Parked the car on US side and walked across to a recommended restaurant that did not disappoint. 

Really good traditional Chili Rellenos. 

A rainbow to take our breath away! We had scattered rain showers each day but not enough to interfere with our outing.

Interesting critter department. Will had a Walking Stick insect suddenly climb up onto his leg while hiking. Confused little guy thought he was a tree.

Arizona Sisters butterfly

Walking around Bisbee and visit to Slaughter Ranch

Bisbee's historic district was built on the side of a hill and even today the houses sit on some pretty precarious spots. And there are stairs all over town that take you up to the highest streets. Look closely at the picture, those stairs go on forever--up--151 steps.

Bisbee hosts the "Bisbee 1000" every October (coming up next weekend) which is a race set on a designated course up and down these staircases--assuming a 1000 steps! Guess it draws tons of people, I personally can't imagine!!

We drove out to visit the Slaughter Ranch. Is now a Conservation area and open air museum and restored ranch but at one time it was the ranch headquarters of a 100,000 acre cattle ranch owned by the legendary John Slaughter. Now the ranch museum is only a few acres and the Conservancy land about 2000 acres but in early 1900's it stretched throughout the valley and well into Mexico.  It remained a cattle ranch for another 60 years after the Slaughters left in 1921. It has a springfed lake on the property which added to the value and esthetics of the ranch. The major outbuildings and the home have been restored to showcase ranch life in Southern Arizona.

John Slaughter was a legend even in his time as a Texas Ranger, rancher, gambler, sheriff and politician who aquired a reputation as an iron-nerved, deadly accurate gun slinger.

The ranch is right on the border, in fact the new border wall runs right along the ranch and on across the desert. Makes me sick to see the monstrosity scar the landscape. We had an interesting discussion with the caretaker about the wall that was built here in 2020. According to him, there never was a problem with illegals coming across the border thru the ranch. Apparently this land has a reputation of being haunted and Mexicans folklorists won't come near it  because of John Slaughter's legacy and other death stories that are part of the legends of the ranch.

Stopped in town of Douglas to check out the historic Gadsen Hotel with it's very impressive lobby.

The Hallmark of the lobby is the huge stained glass Tiffany windows across the front. Who would expect these windows in a dusty little town in Southeast Arizona!

Hanging out in Bisbee, Az

Decided we weren't finished celebrating our Anniversary so we checked into the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee for 3 nights.  Interesting historic old mining town with lots of shops, galleries, antiques, restaurants, historic architecture (as city is absolutely built on a hillside,) narrow streets, stories to tell, fun places to ding around in. The Copper Queen was built in 1902 and renovated a few times.  Honestly, it's time for another make-over as it's just a tad tired and worn. Rooms very small and breakfast buffet less than we'd hoped, and pool closed for maintenance ( looks like it will be a while)-- but bed was comfy, good location and staff got the popcorn machine in the lobby fired up for us, what could be better!! Plus it's suppose to be haunted, haven't seen a ghost yet!!

Like I said, interesting architecture.

Murals abound

Seen parked on the street.

Sunrise

Officially our "monsoon" season is over, but the sky is still pretty dramatic and we continue to get occasional shower of rain. But our clouds have given rise to some amazing sunrises and sunsets.  This was early this morning on my walk-- but you just have to be there at the right time to see it. These pics are only 10 minutes apart, how fleeting.

This guy out early too. Just to remind us where we live!! He was really small but his banded rattles left no doubt who he is!