We're rolling right along

A red tailed hawk spied on the way to the North Rim

The Grand Canyon is still grand...despite increased haze

The cliffs of Zion are vastly different from the Grand Canyon

CEDAR CITY, UT - - We have zipped from seeing condors to checking out vast formations of Mother Nature.  The structures at North Rim of the Grand Canyon haven't changed, but the views are now somewhat dulled by more haze than we remembered.  Of course the last we were at the NR is when we worked there in  the summer of 2010.
     Zion NP is more than ever inundated with vacationers.  It's a shame as we really like the park.  If we ever go back it will be later in the year when school is back in session...for obvious reasons.
    We left Zion this a.m. and headed to Cedar City where we know a Forest Service campground well above CC where is supposed to be 40-degrees tonight, not the 60+ nighttime temps at ZNP.  On the way we were happy to find that a firewood supplier (2 hefty bundles for $5) was still in business in his small town.  We discovered this family business in 2010

Intrepid photographer, California condor and more

Photographer sees neat photo;  condor sees next meal

Tripping on the Colorado River..mineral deposits give the water a greenish hue

SPRINGDALE, UT - - Here is another chapter in our photography how-to.  This California condor seemed used to humans sort of close.  The condor got plenty of views of (nearly) "stupid human tricks" from others who were determined to see how close was safe.
       The two rafts on the Colorado were full with day-trippers probably hoisting a cool one while dangling their feet in the water.

California condor...Ugly, ugly

KANAB, UT - - We've been on the road through scenic high desert country with no cell reception and no wi-fi.  On of our first stops after leaving Flagstone was Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River.  In about 12 previous visits we haven't spotted any California condors which hang out in the area.  Tuesday, we saw three with one either used to people who cruise the walkway OR it was scouting out a nice snack.
     In any event, the bird sat on the bridge railing eye-ing us as we eyed the huge vulture.  The condor can sport a 9.5-foot wingspan and is considered endangered along with his Andean relative.   And talk about being ugly...

Sunday Flagstaff images

Sunflowers...Flagstaff Community Market

Veggie color

If you're thirsty

Is that a nose print on your lens??

Try a little Mexican food

A banana crepe

Waiting can be a big part of your life with up to 40 trains per day

Warning!!

In case you hadn't noticed

Goodbye to Tucson

6:15am and we're nearly loaded up

Cooper, a Cairn Terrier, couldn't believe we were leaving

Bud, usually somewhat aloof, had tears in his eyes

On I-10 wide load means wiiide load. Careful when you pass

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - - Tuesday morning at 6:30 we were ready to say goodbye to Tucson and head North to cooler climes.  We camped at a favorite campground in Flagstaff.  Cooler?  Oh yeah.  It was 37-degrees last night....and we loved it.
     This was our third time house sitting in  Tucson for Bud and Cooper.  And when we left they were sad to see us go.  Cooper will look around at 'walk time' to see who is going to take him out.  But then it's right back to normal routine.

If it's Saturday it must be farmer's market day

Not all farmers markets are huge

Roasted fresh veggies....and plenty of chili

Breakfast anyone??

Disbudding...sounds just as bad as having your horns ground off

The Magic Bus..the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Oro market

Up on Mt. Lemmon

It's a 26 mile drive up a very winding road to the top

Suffering is a popular pastime on Mt. Lemmon

So is rock climbing

Some photographers go to the top (of this vantage point)

Some of us are a bit more cautious

TUCSON, AZ - - Mt. Lemmon tops out at 9,156' and is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina mountains.  Tucson, at about 2,500', appears flat from vantage points heading up the sinuous road to (nearly) the top although it is quite rolling in fact.  We've been to the top before so the drive was more to beat the heat than anything else.  It was mid-90's as we started the 26 mile trip up and 73 degrees at the final parking area.

Browsing at The Happy Saguaro

Flowers...

...flowers...

...and more vibrant colored flowers

Add a few quail...

...some bold pottery...

...and maybe a frog to your decorations

TUCSON, AZ - - Bold colors, neat designs and flowers you can't kill with neglect.

A day in the desert

The javalina grunts a lot, but no oinking

This coyote came pretty close before camera clicks spooked it

Break time at the prairie dog exhibit

A rufous hummingbird zeroes in on a flower

In flight refueling

TUCSON, AZ - - A cool spell has been going on in Tucson.  That's cool as in mid-90s and not the normal triple digits.  So Thursday we ventured out to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  It's a good choice, not only because of the great displays, but because it opens at 7:30am so you can beat the heat for a while.
     About 50% of all my shots were taken in the hummingbird aviary.  And about 95% of those shots were blurry because hummingbirds almost never remain still enough to get a good shot.  A bit down another trail,  the porcine javelina  (ha-va-LEE-na) broke cover for a drink.  The prairie dogs were out for an early lunch and the coyote were ambling around. Plus,  the entire museum grounds are covered with various types of cactus including plenty of saguaro. 

The winding route to Tucson

Don't cross the border without it

Catholic church style in Ajo (AH-ho)

Close but no cross-over for us

The U.S. Border Patrol had signs and many vehicles patroling

Self portrait with van...in Organ Pipe Cactus NM campground

TUCSON, AZ - - Here's a few pics from the trip before arriving in Tucson.  For all the details read Lydia's blog at:   inthewind.blog.

Arizona gold, silver and a memorial in Sonoran desert

A tribute

BNSF rolls through Wickenburg

TUCSON, AZ - - It's been a couple of days without internet on our swing through the 'out there' of southwestern Arizona.  Thursday along AZ 85 we encountered a Memorial State Park dedicated to the Granite Mountain Hot Shots.  On June 30, 2013 tragedy befell 19 individuals trapped while fighting the Yarnell Hill Wildfire.  A trail with 19 separate granite plaques, based on rank and tool of the individual, recounts their story.  Additionally, hikers can visit the fatality site with 19 gabions (wire mesh filled with rocks and linked by an unbroken chain) to pay their respects.
     Wickenburg, a former gold mining town was down the road.  Henry Wickenburg didn't find gold in the 1848 California Gold Rush.  But he struck paydirt (1863) while prospecting in AZ.  The Vulture Mine became the largest gold and silver producing mine (ever) in AZ...so they named the town for him.  After about 80 years, the the mine became unprofitable.  The town survived as the unofficial "Dude Ranch" capital of the U.S.  The railroad continues to rumble through with about 15 freights a day.