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Be sure that you click that Where's Myx? link over there --> when you're done reading my posting. Dave has posted pics of Myx in various locations in and around Tucson! And he is characteristically funny in these postings.
I found the charger for my Nikon D70 camera! And so I used it to shoot a couple of pics of my new steel agaves outside the front of my cottage. What do you think? The deck that you see here is not my new one, and it'll be painted taupe to match the new part.
The agaves are steel and are made by an artist in Tubac. The one on the left side is not as rusty as the one on the right, but it'll get there. I "planted" them in white marble rock from Home Depot. My friend Kathy spotted the pots, which seem to change color, depending upon the time of day.
I'm really happy that y'all like my Sedona photos! In answer to "Anonymous," ;) I use a Sony Cybershot for most of my photos, including any hiking photos. That's because the camera is small. While its photos are far inferior to those of the D70, the D70's weight is measured in pounds -- not something that I'm likely to carry hiking. I suppose it would get me into better shape to carry more weight, but... The Cybershot's photos are just fine for my blogging purposes, anyway.
My advice for you, buying a camera, is to buy something that you'll carry and use. The worst photo is the one that doesn't get taken, because you left your camera behind. I started out with a small low-pixel Nikon Coolpix, back in 1999. I got bigger and bigger, finally ending up with the D70. And I wasn't carrying it. So that's when I got the Cybershot. I use the D70 only when I'm going out with the goal of shooting photos. I don't always take it when I travel, and I never carry it hiking.
We reached a high of at least 83 today, and I spent part of the day at the pool. Our pool is always 87° so you just climb right in, with no "getting used to it" time necessary. The hot tub is 105° which is hot, but I can do it, as long as I limit myself to about 10 minutes. I'm actually getting a little bit of a tan! How unlike me!
I went today and replaced my walking shoes, too. I wear Asics, and these are a new model of Asics. I like them because they are very comfy... and lime green.
Sedona was fantastic! I drove up, with passengers Lois and Ted. I drove last year with Lois (and Michael and Jack), but last year, Lois had not yet met Ted! We had lots of laughs and the 4.5 hour drive was very pleasant. We caravaned behind Jack and Kathy's RV. Lunch was at Byerly's Amish Cafe, the same place where we ate last year on the way to Grand Canyon.
The trip was with the hiking club, so of course there was hiking involved! Our first day, Tuesday, we hiked around Bell Rock, with a nice detour up Bell Rock. There was a vortex on Bell Rock. Sedona vortexes (yes, that is the correct plural in Sedona) are locations where spiritual energy is said to swirl, making prayer, meditation, and healing more effective.
There were parties around the pool, board games, shopping expeditions, fine dining, and the drinking of many margaritas.
Oh, and the hiking! On Wednesday, the Hardy Hikers did a 9-mile hike on the Munds Wagon Trail and connecting to the Schnebly Hill Trail.
The first part of the trail was a gently undulating and beautiful walk, which crossed and paralleled some stream flows, and was troublingly close to a jeep road. After we got onto the Schnebly Hill Trail, the gentle part was over. The trail took a sharp upward turn, finishing our altitude gain of 1500 feet. We didn't make it all the way to the top before we turned back.
There were rock baskets along the way, marking the trail. They are serious about their cairns in Sedona! In the rest of the world (that I've seen), the cairns are just a short stack of rocks.
And, since you've been so well-behaved, here's a panorama I shot of some of Sedona's red rocks. This was done in Photoshop CS3 using 4 photos:
I love your photo feedback! Thank you! Robert, the sunsets here are frequently uncommonly beautiful. And when you put in a saguaro, how can you lose? Glad you like that one.
I have been busy for the past few days since Dave left. We did have a wonderful time, and I have a few photos to share with you from our time together. I still have photos from the first part of his visit. These are from the last couple of days.
We went on Monday to Tubac and Tumacacori, in southern Arizona. This is a tile display from one of the stores:
We then visited the Titan Missile Museum. This was a real working missile silo at one time, and we got to see all the security systems in place. The tour was interesting and fun, and .. guess who our guide chose to "turn the key?" :) If you know me well, you know how anti-war and anti-missile I really am, so this was kinda funny:
This antenna is sometimes available for amateur radio users:
A photo of Dave and me reflected in the glass over the missile silo:
Shot through the glass:
On Tuesday, we took the hike up Blackett's Ridge. Everytime I do a particular hike, it's different. The sun is always different, the clouds, the plants, and this time... flowers!
I love hiking, and this day was wonderful! I somehow didn't get any photos of Dave, but he got a few of me!
And here's one of Ione and me talking in my living room. Notice how intently I'm listening, Ione! ;)
I'm about to enter a sort of blogging black hole. I'm going to be going to Sedona for a 4-day hiking club trip! We leave tomorrow at 9am and I'm not taking the computer. I'll be back on the blog on Thursday (or maybe Friday!)
Here we are on Friday again. Dave left on Wednesday, after a whirlwind 10 days of touring, hikes, good eats, morning walks, and afternoon swims. Actually, not counting travel days, we really had just 9 days together, with 2 of them ending in performances of the play and parties afterward.
Here's a list of some of the things that we did: Sonora Desert Museum, drove and hiked in Saguaro East, hiked Ventana Canyon, hiked Blackett's Ridge, drove to the top of Mt. Lemmon, watched a sunset over the Pantano Wash, rooted for the Colorado Rockies at a Spring Training baseball game, went on a photo shoot to the San Xavier Mission, visited Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Phoenix, went to Cabela's in Phoenix, visited the Hall of Flame firefighting museum in Phoenix, went shopping and eating in Tubac and Tumacacori, toured the Titan Missile Museum, and drank wine and sang along with "I just don't look good naked anymore" at the Michigan Party.
Nearly everyone who met Dave loved him, and the ones who didn't, didn't understand him. ;) Seriously, we had a really fine time, and everyone liked Dave.
Now that my deck is finished, I'm ready to stain it. John and I drove over to Home Depot and picked out stain. They didn't have it in stock, though, so I have to return there tomorrow morning to get it. I'll stain it this weekend.
Today I went for a swim. The day was warm, but breezy enough to make it feel just perfect. Several of my friends were over there, and it was fun, as always.
We had a good meeting of our Foto Fun club yesterday. A gentleman from the community came to critique our club members' photos and we all enjoyed this. Here are my photos that he critiqued. I have improved them, based upon his comments:
... At least that's what it feels like! Dave and I have enjoyed splendid weather for the past few days, and have taken full advantage of it. We have been swimming, we ate at an outdoor Mexican Cantina in Phoenix yesterday, and we went to a Spring Training baseball game today! I slathered on the sunscreen, so sustained no sunburning, and we drank plenty of water.
Jack put some finishing touches on my deck today, and moved his tools back to his own house. I still have to stain it, which I'll do soon after Dave leaves. I have to choose a color and just do it. Jack made some great little portable tables that hook onto the benches, and I was surprised and delighted by these, upon our arrival after the game today.
Dave and I visited Phoenix ydy, going to three destinations: Poisoned Pen Press, where Dave touted his now "star-reviewed" novel, Miracle Myx; Cabela's, where I got some cute new clothes; and the Hall of Flame -- a firefighters' museum full of fire engines and other fire-fighting paraphernalia. It was huge, and we both loved it!
What a fine few days I've had! On Tuesday, Dave and I began the day with a hike with the Hiking Club. We hiked up Ventana Canyon in the Catalinas, as far as the pools. We went pretty fast, too fast for my tastes, but we made it in fine shape. It was a hike with pretty "big up," as I like to put it -- about 1400 feet in elevation gain, according to Jack's GPS.
Dave and I hit the pool and hot tub, and then returned here so that I could get ready for the play.
The play went very well both nights (Tues and Wed), with plenty of laughs, many compliments for all the players, and tons of fun for all of us, too. On Tuesday, we did forget how our arrangement of "Clementine" went, but people laughed anyway, and we seemed like a group of happy hillbillies, which was what we were supposed to be.
Wednesday, Dave and I took in the Sonora Desert Museum. We saw no javelinas, but the coyotes were active and I got some of what I hope turn out to be good pictures. We dined at the Ironwood Cafe and saw the Free Flight raptor show with the graceful and beautiful Harris Hawks. What a cool place, and such a beautiful day it was!
Yesterday (Thursday) we went with the Foto Fun club to the Mission of San Xavier, southwest of Tucson for a photo op. While the left side is still in scaffolding, there were still nice photos to be taken. Fun day indeed!
We had supper last night at one of Michael and my favorite spots -- Sweet Tomatoes! We reminisced about Michael and shared some tears. It's great to have Dave here -- a real friend who knew Michael and loved him too.
Today Dave and I got an early (for me) start. We went walking and then Dave showered while I went to my play rehearsal. The rehearsal went well.
Then I gave Dave a choice of a city tour or a Saguaro East tour, and he chose the Saguaro East option. We did the Loop Drive, taking time to get out and read placards, take pictures, and even went on a short hike on the Cactus Forest Trail. Dave took a few photos of Myx for his blog and even had to pick cactus needles out of Myx's pages! Yow!
We went to the Visitor's Center, and verified that the little creatures we saw running across the road were ground squirrels.
Our tummies were rumbling, and Dave wanted a hotdog! Where better to get a hotdog than LaMesa RV? Darrin and Rich were there offering hugs and tickets to the lunch, which was just as good as I'd promised Dave.
We got back in time to get ready for the pool party. Janet and Pete had invited us earlier in the day. Although it was just in the low 60's and cool, we prepped for swimming!
The pool was grand -- 87° -- and we enjoyed our swim before soaking for a time in the hot tub. After that, we listened to music and ate some snacks with my friends. What fun!
Dinner was In-and-Out Burgers, and then we went to Target to get some supplies. Computer time and then bedtime! Great day!
Far Horizons "An Evening in Paris" was a wonderful night of dinner, wine, and dancing. My date was Matt, who is a dancing instructor extraordinaire from Casa Grande. What fun we had! We danced nearly every dance, even dancing one in the parking lot, when the dance floor was too crowded and I was too warm.
Dress rehearsal went pretty well tonight. Full makeup, costumes, and props were all in use. Just about everything went off without a hitch. My first hillbilly scene was good, but the last one needs work. We will be rehearsing again tomorrow.
Dave is here! :) He arrived this evening while my dress rehearsal was going on. His flight, while making for a long day, was easy and uneventful. I gave him the rundown of the play, showed him around my cottage, and we just caught up a bit. I'm a happy girl tonight.
I'm glad that you are all enjoying these photos! Today Jack and I worked to get the electrical connections for the RV completed. I did a part of it that was for me a big deal, and I have to give you a little history here:
Back in June of 2007, Michael and I were heading out to go to the east coast in the little Navion. We stopped at Camping World in Greenwood, to get the wheel covers with their braided valve stems, and we were very happy with these.
Well, while we were there, we shopped around at the Camping World store and I found a plug replacement for the 30 amp plug that is on the RV. The problem with the one that was on there is that it's hard for me to pull it out of the box, when I'm leaving a campsite. Click this link and you'll see that the one that I wanted has a handle, making it far easier to pull out!
Well, Michael told me that I couldn't get it, because I wouldn't be able to install it, and his hands were too shaky at that point. I still wanted it, but held off on getting it.
Fast forward. I was down at Camping World here with Jack and Kathy a few weeks ago, and asked Jack if I'd be able to install that plug. He looked at it and, with a "sure you could, heck yes" expression, asked me why I'd ask that. I told him that Michael had said that I wouldn't be able to do it. I bought the plug.
And today, while Jack was working on other things, I read the directions and did the installation of the plug.. all by myself. I cut off the old plug. I cut back the black insulation. I stripped the wires to the appropriate lengths. I wound the wires around the appropriate screws and tightened them. I put it all back together. I plugged it in. And it works! :)
I feel like Michael reads my blog; he always did read it. I hope that he is reading this and sees that I actually DID that. Of course, I feel like Wonder Woman!
Guess what? I've done many things which I have not talked about! And I've taken probably a thousand pictures which I have not posted! Some of the things that I've done have been amazingly fun, and a few of the photos are actually good.
This posting is an attempt to catch up a little on just a few of the photos.
Eric took these at the Desert Museum on 2/3:
These were from the Agua Caliente Hill hike on 2/5. That, recall, is the hike when I became dehydrated and sick:
I shot these at the Reid Park Zoo on 2/7. This is an anteater and the 2nd picture is of an otter:
These were from the Rodeo Parade yesterday, on 2/23. There were 900 horses in this parade, and this 2nd photo shows just a few of them:
And here, at long last, are photos of the deck Jack and I have built. Note that the top of the bar is not done yet in these pictures, and it is not done yet in real life, either. The RV will be moved up from where it is here, so it'll not be quite as close to the deck:
Yesterday I went up to Casa Grande and spent the day with Matt. He's going to be accompanying me to the big dance here next weekend. We had a great day, with him teaching me some dance steps (he's a dance instructor), going on a tour of "his" little lake, having lunch, and then doing more dancing. What fun! I hope that more dancing is in my future!
Today I went with a group of friends to the rodeo! We saw bucking broncos, women riding horses standing up, bull-riders, calf-roping, and lots more. This was my first rodeo, and I hope not my last. I bought a cowgirl hat which I'll show you in a future photo show.
Our weather the last couple of days has been delightful, with highs in the 70's, blue skies with high cirrus clouds, and lovely sunsets. Ok.. now I'll post this!
The agaves are steel and are made by an artist in Tubac. The one on the left side is not as rusty as the one on the right, but it'll get there. I "planted" them in white marble rock from Home Depot. My friend Kathy spotted the pots, which seem to change color, depending upon the time of day.
