Desert Bloom

Saturday morning sunrise hike in the Catalina's. We were at the trailhead by 7am and got to see the sun come up over the ridge. Stunning light plays on the landscape!

And the poppies are blooming. Interesting that the petals are closed up tight when we first saw them but soon as sun hit them they relax and open up!

A first of season Primrose

This noisy guy was enjoying sunrise too.

Granddaddy of the Saguaros. Wonder just how old he is!

Susie Melton

Enjoying having Susie here this week. 

We've been out traveling around, enjoying Arizona sun,  meeting up with old friends, eating a lot together, just enjoying having her back in Tucson. Back to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin tomorrow.

Tohono Chul Ceramic Show

Two day Ceramics Arts Show of SACA (Southern Arizona Clay Artists) including 30 local clay artists took place this weekend. I was excited to be a part.

 Turned out to be well attended, amazing pottery, great time enjoying all the potters who participated. And sales were gratifying! 

Desert Bloom is happening!

Took a delightful hike this morning on the Southerland Trail in Catalina SP. Gold Poppies surround!! 

Third Day in LA

Totally fun trip thanks to this guy's pre-planning, navigating around the city, and suggesting we take the Amtrak train to LA in the first place! First thought we'd rent a car but then realized we were centrally located in a vibrant, fun neighborhood and Metro trains and buses could get us anywhere we wanted to go probably faster and certainly less stressful. Worked great and a $7 - 5 day unlimited pass on the Metro for seniors was just the best bargain!

We literally ate our way across the city! From Japanese Ramen and Mochi to Chinese to food stalls at Grand Central Market to "real" fish tacos to killer donuts and street foods to McDonalds. 

We had several hours to fill between checking out of our hotel and train departure so went to a movie. "Crime 101" was a great movie. I usually don't particularly like detective/cops-and-robber movies but this one I highly recommend! And you are going to love the ending!!

Santa Monica to Chinatown

Took the "Metro" to Santa Monica 

and to the Santa Monica Pier and Beach!

Fish Tacos for lunch at the Beach!

Then onto Chinatown late afternoon 

Chinese New Year is this next week. 

the ultimate Chinese general store. Absolutely everything a shopper could want from souvenirs, gifts, hardware, kitchen tools, paper products, cosmetics, fine ceramics, small appliances, etc, etc, inventory piled to the ceiling!

the Broad and Tokyo Town neighborhood

Morning was spent at the Broad Museum of Contemporary Art. It's an amazing museum with collections of the most iconic Abstract Expressionists of modern art like Wharol, Rauschenberg, Rothko etc. 

Will enjoyed it too!

An installation by Japanese artist, Kusame, using mirrors, lights and illusion was mind boggling 

Our hotel is in "Tokyo Town" neighborhood with all the Japanese shops, bakeries, restaurants. The bakeries are amazing--pastries in animal shapes, like these puppies!

And I found my personal favorite, tapioca rolls with black sesame.

Dinner at a Ramen shop. Will ordered a pork Katsudon while I enjoyed the shop's signature Ramen.

Japanese ceramics for sale.

On the train to Los Angeles

Union Station

Angel Flight tram

Bradbury Building

Frank Gehery's amazing Music Hall

Gen BBQ

We have a new Korean BBQ in Tucson. Opened with rave reviews so our "culinary friends" accompanied us for a great time!  Interesting model--one price, All you can eat, limited to two hours, and you pay extra if you leave food. Just keep ordering meats and grill your own, order sushi, other things we couldn't pronounce, japchai, -- good time, good friends, will definitely go again.

36 hour Adventure

We decided literally on the spir of the moment to take off on an overnight adventure. First stop was Wilcox, AZ. home of Rex Allen of cowboy fame from years ago. Found a delightful independent hotel that included a served breakfast in the morning.

Then a drive toward the Chirachaua Mountains, yes that's snow on the highest elevations!

Then a great "walk around" the dramatic land formations at Chirachaua National Monument.

turned out to be a cloudy, cooler than expected day but clouds just added to the dramatic landscapes!

Then a long, interesting drive through the Sulpher Valley thru the agricultural areas, grasslands, and desert vistas--eventually ending up in Bisbee. We stopped for a quick hour walking thru the electic main street shops.

Then on to Sierra Vista for dinner at a yummy German restaurant.

Jagersnitzel for me with warm German potatoe salad and best red cabbage ever.

Then onto our real destination! The Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Western Music festival!!

Sue Harris and Sid Masters and the Swing Masters were headliners. Great show, great time, not to be missed.

We were surprised when Sid Masters came on stage. We recognized him immediately but had to think a while to remember where from. We saw this group last summer at an event in Red River, New Mexico. Enjoyed it then too.

 Got home back in Tucson by 11pm and pretty quickly fell into bed! Great fun, all!!