at home in Tucson

We've been back home on Tucson for a couple of weeks now. All settled back into routine. Never think anything news worthy happens at home 

  My Cerius Cactus bloomed AGAIN -- I usually miss this one as it blooms mid summer but either it waited or bloomed twice. It's pretty spectacular. And my Mexican Honeysuckle is suddenly in full bloom. Maybe because we actually got some rain!!

  And got the Jeep all settled after the accident in Montana. Insurance decided to total it so Will went shopping and got a new Wrangler. Did like that old red one, but white is ok too.

Stephanie in Shanghai!

I have made a screenshot of an "Instagram" post that showcases Stephanie!! She is in Shanghai, China at the moment-- she was invited to be one of several judges of a Shanghai city Art exhibition that is going on right now. It's called "Shining Shanghai" and it is a light show art contest composed of entries from all over Asia-- these light shows project on sides of buildings, or screens that are constructed for this purpose.  These are very large, electronic productions that are mind boggling.(We have actually seen similar art works in Asia and believe me they are quite something). She was invited because of her field of study and research and her collaboration with digital and media artists in China/Hong Kong/Shanhai over the years. Nice recognition!!!

Back to Arizona

Morning walk in my neighborhood with a view of sun coming up over our Catalina mountains. Gotta get out early because as soon as that Arizona sun gets up it's going to heat up big time. 102 degrees yesterday--cant complain to my Tucson friends--they weathered a lot worse this past summer.

Our summer rains were pretty sparse this year so the desert and my back yard looks pretty stressed. But my barrel cactus seems to love it and blooming it's head off!

A visitor to my patio.  He's looking in at us just as curious as we are about him!

Soon as this Road Runner saw us move he made a dash for the wall and was gone. Fun spot.

All the way home!!

Left Colorado, into New Mexico heading south. Long day of driving but we switched off drivers and travel was good and scenic.

Drive through Navajo lands, past Shiprock, a iconic landmark that can be seen for miles.

And slipped into Arizona before we stopped at Fool Hollow State Park for the night.

Up early for the last run home.

Salt River Canyon near Globe, Arizona is always a challenge with the RV but certainly photo worthy. Will had to concentrate on driving while I could enjoy the view.

From mountains to desert 

To our first sighting of Saguaro Cactus--we know we are home!!

 Now the unpacking, laundry, clean up RV, settling in at home. Maybe I need a nap, first!!

  Praise the Lord for a safe, adventure filled, fun, and successful summer. Can't begin to tell how many prayers were answered!

Durango

Next stop Durango! Another beautiful drive--over Wolf Creek Pass, past Chimney Rock on the Ute nation land, the Hermosa Cliffs. . .

To our camp for 3 nights at Haviland Lake north of Durango. It's a Forest Service campground that we use to frequent regularly and for some reason, just have not been back for a few years. 

Lovely lake and extra nice campsites-- just as we remember it!

Did a little fishing, I got a trail ride in--something I wanted to do all summer!

And then on Wednesday we did the train. The Durango to Silverton steam train!! Have done it several times but it never gets boring. It's a day trip to Silverton where you get time for lunch and then back on the train for a repeat trip back to Durango.

Such a pleasant day. Along the Animas River valley, sometimes along side the river and other times high above the river for extended views of the Colorado Rockies.