Dust Off Those Walking Sticks!

Yeah! We are on the trail again.

We went to Madera Canyon and selected 

Old Baldy Trail in the Santa Rita Mountains.

It is located just southeast from our house. 

Initially our plan was to go for an hour 

and turn around since we haven't 

hiked in several weeks. 

Bear warning! Maybe not the best choice. 

Another hiker said they haven't seen the bear 

since Memorial Day and we should be fine.

A rocky path but a beautiful sunny day!

 Great views!

Mt. Wrightson

 We live somewhere down there.

This lizard has a look that says,
 "Really, just what do you think you are doing up here?"

 He stopped to pose for us and show off his beautiful colors.

 A few wildflowers are still in bloom. 

Another lizard trying to hide.

 Interesting plant.

 We just kept hiking and hiking and hiking.

 There are always obstacles in life.

 We were not expecting to see this memorial.

I heard the author of  "Death Clouds on Mount Baldy"

earlier this year. She is the sister to one of the boys who

lost his life. You will have to read the book. 

 We made it all the way to Josephine Saddle!

 It took us three hours to climb and one hour 

and forty-five minutes to descend.

We are not fast because we like to stop, 

enjoy the views and take pictures. Okay, we are old too.

 We kept whistling and making noises

 just in case the bear was around. 

 What a hike! We did it! No bears, thankfully.

 The hot tub felt really good when we got home.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
 It will never fail you."
Frank Lloyd Wright

Texas to Arizona

It was 92 degrees with 50% humidity when we loaded up 

our things from the storage unit in Livingston, Texas.
Our shirts were soaked after two hours.
Thankfully everything was dry from Hurricane Harvey. 

We had to stop and pick up some brisket and
smoked sausage in Texas to put in the freezer. 

Sorry, we were not able to visit friends because 

of  time constraints with the trailer. 

Beautiful blue skies and mountains in New Mexico! 

Thanks to those who prayed for a safe trip!
We didn't have any trouble with wind.

After two weeks we are unloaded, unpacked, 

with pictures on the wall.  Now time to enjoy the hot tub,
 pool and sunshine on the deck!

For Scott's birthday we went to The Gaslight Music Hall in 

Oro Valley, which is just north of Tucson,
 and enjoyed an Eagles tribute band.

Since we will be in Arizona for 8 months
 I won't be blogging as frequently.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
Helen Keller

Definately Feel Loved!

We have been extra busy the last several weeks so I will get 

you caught up in the next couple of blogs.

It was wonderful visiting friends and family in Des Moines, Iowa!

We ate at several of our favorite restaurants,
some more than once, while catching up on what
 has been happening since we left.

Two family reunions, doctor and dentist appointments, and the
solar eclipse just to name a few of the things that happened
 in August. We stayed at Jester Park and Bob Shetler
Campground at Saylorville Lake which is close to Camp Dodge.

One afternoon we visited the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum
on the base with our friend Rich. A small but nicely laid
out museum covering WWI – current conflicts. Inside they
 even have a Huey Helicopter and tank!

Iowa sweet corn was something we ate about every
 other day. Yummy! I froze some to bring back to Arizona along
with ten pounds of Graziano sausage, which is Scott’s favorite.

 Duane and Sue hosted a Going Away party in September
 and we were overwhelmed with love. It was very hard to leave.
Miss you guys!
I am sorry that we couldn’t see everyone!

 Scott & Dale in front of his 1950 Chevrolet pickup truck.

After visiting family in Kansas City, we stopped in
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for a couple of days 

to see our friends Dale & Nelda. They head up the
Tulsa Cruise Night and every Tuesday over 200 cars
converge in the parking lot for fun and prizes.
Lots of classic cars and friendly people.

Check it out when you are in the area. 

Tulsacruise.net 

One of Scott’s dream cars. 

1963 Corvette Sting Ray 

Pure beauty!

 A true classic American muscle car!

Scott had a 1966 Nova like this when he was a teenager. 

Another goal that was accomplished on this trip was
a visit to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa. 

I like this quote since I just started learning 

how to play guitar.

We were amazed at how many of his instruments

 were on display.

Cool lightening.

Scott dressed for just this occasion with 

his Alice’s Restaurant shirt.

Handwritten Lyrics of "This Land is Your Land".

Look closely because it was originally written as

 "God Blessed America for Me". 

We spent two hours reading, watching videos, and listening to
audio clips at the many stations placed around the center.

"They Laid Jesus Christ in His Grave"

Woody’s art work.

If you are in the Tulsa area, it is worth your time to visit the 

center to learn more about this music icon and his influence

 on other musicians and the world.

"Love is the only medicine I believe in. "
Woody Guthrie

Colorado to Iowa

We were a little disappointed when we went into
Golden, Colorado for the Farmer's Market.
It was postponed until next Saturday because of
Buffalo Bill Days. Streets were blocked and traffic
was heavy because of the parade and all the
activities. We walked around and asked about the Farmer's
Market and there were a few vendors at a different location
so we were able buy some peaches, strawberries, veggies
and cheese curds.

 It sprinkled most of the day but it made
a beautiful sunset!

One of our favorite places to go is

Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

 Yes, we were able to attend another concert
at this amazing place.

Peter Frampton & The Steve Miller Band were great!

Here is a fabulous view at the concert with Denver lit up
in the background.

We can see Red Rocks Amphitheater from Bear Creek 

Campground where we stayed for four days. 

 We ate our way through Nebraska. Well there isn't

 much to do except see fields of corn, soy beans and large,

smelly, cattle lots. In Lincoln we had lunch at La Paz

Mexian Restaurant which has very good food. 

Then we had to stop and get ice cream at eCreamery
in Dundee-Happy Hollow Historic District which
 is located west of Midtown Omaha, Nebraska.
 

 We did a u-turn when we saw Great Harvest Bread.

 They closed in Des Moines several years ago so it
was a treat to purchase some specialty breads.

It was late in the afternoon but we still stopped at Walnut, Iowa.
 It is a little town with many antique shops that we have
wanted to go to for years but never took the time.
It is fun to wander through the shops and see things
you used just a few years ago or growing up.

We finally made it back to Des Moines, Iowa
 which we left a little over a year ago!

Our son Joel and his girlfriend Olivia.

Since we are staying here for about 5 weeks
 I am taking a break from blogging to enjoy
visiting with family and friends.

 "There's no place like home,
 there's no place like home, 
there's no place like home."
Dorthy from The Wizard of Oz