October 13-15: Tucson

We experienced a cool down in weather, however, that meant that it was 65 degrees in the morning and rose into the 80s in the afternoon!  It was wonderful to have such sunny beautiful weather.  Each morning I got up and drank tea and went for a walk.  The desert is beautiful in a totally un-Michigan sort of way.  The air is dry and clear and the mountains are ever with you.  I heard unfamiliar bird calls and saw deer and rabbits but no snakes (whew!).  Because the air was so thin and dry, I tired a bit faster but still managed to get in 3.7 miles each day.

The desert flora and fauna are vastly different from what I see on my usual morning walks.  There are no large trees or green lawns.  There are saguaro, palo verde, prickly pear and barrel cacti.  And there are the mountains!  Beautiful.

 

 

We went to a delightful art museum in Tucson, the Tucson Museum of Art, and saw fabulous paintings and sculptures.  I especially loved the paintings of western landscapes in the winter - and not because I begrudge them their fabulous weather! 

Tom and Betty were fine with me wanting to cook - I can only take so much restaurant food on the road.  So it was fun to work in their beautiful kitchen and use the powerful grill outside.

On the 14th we went to a Nature Center, Tohono Chul Park, and toured their wonderful gardens.  It was educational.  In Michigan we think of cactus as one thing but there were many different cacti and garden trails that showed off each variation.  They also had a wonderful butterfly garden where we saw numerous beautiful butterflies in action.  

 

Since it was mom's birthday, we took some time to toast her in the evening.  I still miss her so much.  It was awesome to celebrate her with one of my siblings.

 

The next day one of Tom's friends called and wondered if we wanted to fly out for brunch.  He has a beautiful, powerful plane that can carry six people.  We agreed and the rain clouds did not spoil our fun.  Flying in a small plan is so different from flying in a big airline jet.  I could see how careful the pilot and co-pilot were with preparation prior to flight and during the flight.  It was exciting and I know I would do it again.

That evening my nephews, Keith, Bruce and Wyatt and their families came over for dinner.  It was great to see them all.  Tom's grandsons came running in to give him hugs and they filled the house with laughter, mischief and rowdiness! 

I was sad to leave Tucson because I don't get to spend much time with Tom and Betty.  I loved visiting Tucson and the warm sunny weather.  I think I would rather visit Tucson in the winter/early spring instead of visiting Florida.