The Ups and Downs of Life.

After church on Sunday we noticed some smoke at the 

base of the Santa Rita Mountains.

In just a few short hours the whole mountainside was engulfed.

This is the view from the deck across the street looking east.

 As of today 47,000 acres have burned. The firefighters 

have been working so hard for days but with the dry 

conditions and strong winds it has been very difficult. 

We are safe but the fire has traveled over the mountain

 into Sonita where there are several vineyards and ranches. 

Please pray for the safety of everyone.

We left Green Valley and stayed overnight in Yuma, AZ 

on our way to California. Our spot was next to a cactus 

garden and we found two more unique varieties of cactus.

Paper Spine Cactus
The spines do bend and feel like paper.

Pine Cone Cactus

Stunning sunset.

 One of the fun things about retirement, if you see a sign that 

intrigues you just turn and check it out, like The Peanut Patch.

We walked out with peanut brittle, fudge 

and butter toffee peanuts. Great traveling snacks?

A beautiful purple blooming Jacaranda Tree.

 I read they are a love-hate tree. 

Love the blooms but hate the sticky mess they leave behind.

Right after crossing the border into California you see the

 Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Too many 

power poles and lines for a good picture. 

Then you go from sea level to over 4,000 feet! A crazy

drive up and down and then into San Diego's 6 lane traffic all in 

about two hours. Did I say life is interesting?

I missed the welcome to California sign but I think this works.

 We enjoyed walking the beach in Carlsbad.

Visiting Julia & Stephen, Scott's daughter and son-in-law, 

in Carlsbad warmed our hearts!

We enjoyed dinner at their place on Thursday and on Saturday

 we joined them working on a service project for church. 

"Thank you for life, and all the little ups and downs 

that make it worth living." 

Travis Barker 

Biosphere 2 & Beyond

Do you remember Biosphere 2?
Nestled just below the Santa Catalina Mountains

the world-renowned Biosphere 2 is one of the

 50 must-see wonders of the world. 

It is a unique research facility used to study ecosystems. 

Azurite & Malachite weighing 2,015 pounds.

 

There are 3.14 glass-enclosed acres. 

Biosphere 2 has been owed by several different groups 

over the years but currently the University of Arizona 

assumed management and was then gifted the facility in 2011. 

Upper & Lower Habitat

Rainforest Biome

The air lock entrance.

The Rainforest Biome

 contains over 90 different plant species, 

some more than 60 feet tall. 

Don't miss the waterfall!

Ocean Biome

You can even take classes here to become
 a certified scuba diver. 

On the other end is a beach and they have a 

wave machine to simulate an ocean.

You also can go downstairs to see below the water.

Desert Biome

You even get to go underground!
Part of the Techno sphere is the massive water deliver
and filtration system. All water is recycled and reused.
It is hard to image all the miles of wiring and tubes.

Down, down, down to the lung area.

The black park is thick rubber so the lung can move.

Our guide opened a side door to show us how the
 air pressure raises and lowers the lung.

Tours are not allowed in the energy center. 

The kitchen is part of the Upper Habitat and living quarters

during the sealed human missions of the early 1990's.

Experiments in the lab.

Plants growing in tubes.

Here is where they tried to grow their food to sustain the crew.
This was one of the many problems they encountered.

Biosphere 2 is a very interesting place.

Back home a Road Runner
on the wall in the back yard.

 Playing Aggravation with friends.

As we look ahead to our summer travels we also have been

 reflecting on our time here in Green Valley. 

  We will miss the great weather, water aerobics, Quail and
Road Runners zipping across the road,
the beauty of the desert and mountains. 

We also have been blessed to find a wonderful church 

and a friendly community that will welcome us back this fall.

 Saguaro's are staring to bloom!

Ask me about this beautiful sunrise and what was I doing 

up at 6:00 am. It is a great God story.

Make new friends, 
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other gold.

Part of an old Girl Scout song.

Back On The Trail

Scott is feeling much better so we went on a hike

at Catalina State Park in Tucson.

The trails were wide and sandy.

Beautiful views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Cacti and flowers were blooming.

This little critter stopped to posed just long enough

 for a picture. 

We hiked the Canyon Loop Trail

where you have to step aside for any horse traffic. 

Stunning views with the mountains, Saguaro, and stream.

We tip-toed across the rocks a few times on this trail.

Wow, look at all those arms! 

This is an old Saguaro.

Next we drove to Oracle State Park about 25 miles 

north of Tucson. It is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge and more.

Kannally Ranch House was constructed between 1929-1933.

This four level adobe house is a unique Mediterranean style 

with Moorish influences and is listed on the 

National Register of Historic Places.

We relaxed on the patio and enjoyed a great view. 

It was a windy day but we didn't mind.

Interesting painting on the ceiling beams.

We didn't get to see much of the house inside because 

there was a photography class in session.

1,100 head of cattle used to graze in this area.

Great view of the Galiuro Mountains range and 

Santa Catalina Mountains.

Another great day in Arizona!

Happy Easter!

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."  

John Muir