Rain and Hiking the desert

Rained for two days last week. The desert smelled so wonderful after the rain. Seemed like a lot of water fell but am told it was less than an inch.

Sunday morning joined my daughter and an interesting group to view some rock art. left the house about 8:30 met the others around 9:15, and 3 four wheel drive vehicles full of men ,women and children proceeded slowly, along a windy dirt road, around the cactus patches. Arrived at a locked gate,with hardly enough room to park the cars, ( really wondered how they would turn them around without dropping into the valley below, but they did manage .)

With backpacks,full of water and of course our lunch we all walked about half a mile down into the valley bottom. Under a barbed wire fence and onto the rock strewn river bed. Heard lots of birdsongs and the bird expert in the group did tell us the names, but as I was so busy looking down so as not to trip on the rocks only got to see a few. Finally came to a side canyon with the rock art in a sort of cave. The river bed would have been flooded during the rains , and could see evidence of that a long way up the walls of the canyon. Early Southwestern Native People wouldn't have lived here all the time. The rock art looks like it was hammered into the walls of the canyon and cave.

This is thought to be a panther Not the best picture. Not sure what the one below is. I thought it was a rabbit, others didn't think so.

I think the others are a snake, turtle, circles,,there where many more. The bottom picture of Jacquie's foot and two holes or depressions in the rock is thought to be called bedrock mortars.

We ate our lunch at the site and thought about the lives of the people who lived here centures ago.

The walk back up the hill wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We arrived home about 2:30 tired but satisfied with our outing.

Finished at last

The side fence is now all painted brown., took four days,but looks good. Of course the dogs tried to take a short cut right through the fence slats. Have wired it back together ,can hardly be seen.

Also painted the fire pit the lovely bright colour of the shed. Seems a shame to start a fire in it and dirty it all up.

Cloudy today and windy. Still very warm though. Supposed to rain in the next couple of days.

Sunday A day of rest

Yesterday and today have been very hot... like 80. Tried judo again Sat. morning. I'm still pretty pitiful but I gave it the old school try. Come away so relaxed that nothing gets done for the rest of the day. Mainly sat around and watched Paul and Jacquie work. Did go to the neighbours place and help (???) Jacquie feed and water the three horses and two donkeys . One followed us home and checked out what Paul was loading on the truck.

Slept in this morning and missed the morning feeding, but I did let the hens out. A very important job as have to lift one hen , Goldie,down off the roost. Not sure what is her problem, At first thought it was because the rooster really chased her and pecked her head. She stopped laying eggs . He was getting very aggressive to people as well. The rooster has gone to another home along with 4 hens. He attacked the new owner so last we heard the rooster was in "time out". In the run next to the hens, but not in with them. Back to Goldie , she still wouldn't come off the roost after the rooster was gone. Maybe she is afraid of heights? Also not laying eggs either.

Thought I'd add a picture of the great colour I painted the shed.

Bumpy ride.

Wednesday drove the van to Tucson. This is more of an adventure than it sounds. Ten miles of dirt road that seems like 30, over bone shaking , dusty, rocky, branch scratching, rough cattleguards and blind curves. Add a few stray cattle , mangy dogs and the chance of some wild animals running across in front of me.. Well, it was some trip. Everything in the van vibrates , and I mean vibrates, at any speed on that road. Top speed was 30 mph. but most time it was 10. Not a fast trip. Stopped in Benson at a tire store. On their advice , changed the air pressure in the tires. Really didn't make the return trip any more comfortable but maybe it will save the tires.

Went through the drive -through coffee hut after that. By then, really needed a strong drink , but since it was 9 in the morning had to settle for coffee.

Did some shopping ,checked out cameras . picked out a simple to use one, after much thought and then wouldn't you know, it was out of stock...

Went to lunch at a new Greek restaurant,with Jacquies in laws. Food was great except the greek salad was mainly lettuce. Don't think a real greek salad has lettuce in it. What happened to the onion, peppers,tomatoes ,and olives?

On the way out of town stopped at another store and bought a camera. The same one I had decided on at another store. Took pictures of cattle on the paved road on the way home.

Was so busy trying to keep the van on the dirt road didn't get to look around for the wild animals , but another day when I'm not driving am sure will see lots to click at.

The donkeys were at the top of the lane way , but they had enough sense to get out of the way as I roared up the hill .

Yesterday the coyote was up to the hen house twice. Just looked at me as he lopped off down the gully. Of course I didn't have the camera with me... Next time....

Sun and heat

Wonderful warm sunny day today. Perfect for sitting outside in a deck chair, reading, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Which I did. The two donkeys came alone for a visit. Really looking for carrot treats. Tried to take the clothes off the line on their way across the yard. The roadrunner came up on the patio, and this time I did get some pictures of it. Could hear the coyotes howling down in the wash. Talking to each other. I didn't see them but the dogs tried to chase them and Jacquie said she did see one. The young chickens laid another egg. Makes 2 this week. The ravens are hanging around trying to get into the chicken run for the eggs now.
Going to Tucson tomorrow morning shopping and for lunch. Supposed to be 70 degrees. What a lovely lazy life...

Paint

Have started painting the fence at the side of the house. Really needed a bit of freshning up,so part of it is a nice chocolate brown now. Great weather for working outside. , sunny but not too hot. It got windy as the afternoon wore on. Good excuse to quit. I want to paint before it gets too hot as don't want to be out there among the rocks when the snakes come out to bask in the warm sun..... Ugh , I really detest snakes...The guineas were around picking at grubs on the ground, so thought I was probably safe from snakes or they would have chattered.. I hope...

Painting and Yoga

5 days have flown by since I arrived here. Tuesday was a nice warm sunny day. I painted the shed all day. It is a nice bright yellow ochre called "sun canyon" Was supposed to be the colour of the house but Jacquie chickened out and decided it was too bright.. See the painted shed at longrealty.com mls#20900834 The shed is a nicer colour than the house. Right.
Jacquie went to work in Tucson on Wednesday and I was in charge of the property, The real estate agent came out and took pictures of the property. , Check it out at the address above.
Thursday I painted the fire pit the same lovely bright colour. It was still pink in the pictures .
Friday drove into Benson , Jacquie took her truck in for service, also had the drivers door handle repaired. She was getting a little tired of having to get in the passenger door and crawl over the gear shift. We shopped and had lunch out. Paul came home from Yuma as well .
Sat. went to yoga at the community center in the morning , Well I tried to do most of the positions I really am old and very out of shape.... Sat around and read a book the rest of the day while Paul did some repairs around the house. Amazing how once a place is up for sale,everything gets repaired finally... The donkeys came to visit me and a road runner came by but I didn't get the camera in time and it took off running down the laneway.
Tomorrow we are going to Tucson,to Pauls family, so he can watch a football game with his brother. Hopefully , Jacquie and I will go shopping during the game. Keep you posted.

Made It

Have had an interesting few days. Went to post last night and the computer crashed. Don't know why, but it did. Jacqueline worked her magic on it and seems to be working now. So, I didn't get to tell about the snow in the mountains,on the way to Albuquerque,New Mexico, from Amarillo Texas. One tractor trailor jack-knifed in the median, but most of the snow had blown off the highway. The long and winding road down into Albuquerque was well sanded so guess they really did have snow stay on the ground. I stayed the night in Los Lunas , New Mexico. Basic hotel. Could hear showers running and doors slamming till midnight. Also after the 80 degrees on Sat. was a real shock to wake up to below freezing weather again.
This morning was cool but not freezing. Hit the road about 830 arrived in Benson at 230. Jacqueline's road hasn't improved any . The grader was working on the first 4 miles of unpaved road. so could get top speed of 30 on it but then hit the part the grader hadn't reached yet. My goodness , top speed there was about 15 .and most of the time was crawling along. Everything shook, Followed a truck and it wasn't going any faster than me. At least it wasn't dusty, as it has rained a little for the last couple of days.
The lane way has been leveled and was a breeze to get up. No donkeys standing in the middle blocking the way. In fact haven't seen the donkeys since I got here. Expect they will make an appearance tomorrow, as they are really very inquisitive animals. The rooster greeted me with some loud crowing.
Am looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight,with my own pillow and blanket. Don't think I will miss the highway noises.
We are watching the hockey game. Canada aginst Sweden. We are searching the crowd for Janice as, she and Carl are in Ottawa watching the game.

Hot, but I'm not complaining

Wow what a difference 2 days and 1,200 Kilometers south make. Today it was foggy in the morning and by 11.am the Van was recording an outside temp of 22 degrees C. thats 77degrees for the rest of the world. At 1 it was 25C. (80 degrees F.) and that was with a terrific wind blowing which should of make the gauge register cooler. It sure seemed hotter in the Van. Of course I still had on winter style clothes. Had shed my boots but not my long t-shirt and warm winter vest. Seems like a long drive today, but did stop often. Guess it was because I drove through 3 bigger cities, and even though it was a Saturday there seemed to be a lot of traffic. Springfield Missouri wasn't too bad. Tulsa Oklahoma , was a little more complicated with major roads coming and going off the I 44. Tulsa is the second largest city in Oklahoma. Didn't much like Oklahoma City at all. All my off ramps were on the left side . Except the last one which was on the right to get on I 40 .Have stopped at a Comfort Inn in El Reno Oklahoma. Don't let the name fool you. It is just a small speck on the map. Will pass nthrough Amarilla Texas and Alberquerque New Mexico, tomorrow. I think the last one is a little more complicated as well but with my trusty Martha (GPS) And a Sunday to make things easier, it should be a breeze. Well I am off to find some supper than to bed after a quick dip in the hot tub and pool.

Sun , wonderful sun

Here I am in Sullivan Missouri. Thought I was hitting the road at 9 this morning but with the time change it was 8. What was I thinking.? Stopped often , don't remember Indiana and Missouri being so flat, and all the farm land seems to be corn fields. Made a little error in St.Louis, well, I couldn't get over to the right lane fast enough and missed the turn. But never fear, Martha redirected me and all turned out well. Martha is the G,P,S. I try to pay attention to her cause what ever she says is a good thing.. Am living it up tonight , staying at a Comfort Inn, with a pool and hot tub. It is a little farther away from the highway, than the super 8 one and its only $10. more. Have just filled myself up at the cracker barrel. Going to get in the hot tub and hit the sack early. Oh forgot to mention the sun shone all day and it is getting warmer all the time. Took my snow boots off and stored them in the trunk. Temp about +15c. thats almost 60 f. yahoo.

On The Road Again

Left London in -12 weather, this morning. Crossed the border at Sarnia ( Port Huron really ) No line up , passed right through. Turns out my Mom had put an orange in "care package" and Robert told her I couldn't go through with fruit. She worried all day thinking I would get a big fine, or worse. I didn't know she had put it in the lunch bag, but the customs agent didn't ask if I had any fruit.. He asked what I was taking down with me. and I told him only clothes and a packed lunch from my Mom. He laughed and said have good trip. Mom was relieved when I phoned her to say where I was. I had a good run down so far. No traffic at all. No snow. just kind of dull and temp got up to -4 by the time I crossed from Michigan State to Indiana. No snow on the ground here at all. Am in a town called Auburn, about 10 miles north of Fort Wayne. Goingto the restaurant next door now. Am in a super cheap,Super 8 Motel.But it is clean and warm.