Catching Our Breath and Catching Up

 March 24 - April 11, 2023

Tombstone, Arizona

Being back at the Tombstone property is such a relief after our fiasco-filled trip to SoCal that I thought I'd never want to leave :-)) Of course after a couple days we have a mobile tech scheduled for the electrical on the rig and we're making plans for a modified spring/summer route. Just needed the time and space to take some deep breaths. No longer dealing with any crises in the pouring rain helps a lot.

Deep breaths aside, I'm still not ready to venture out for six months and thousands of miles away. Bill's doctors have given him the green light for travel with a few "pay attention" directives. My final procedure had negative results like all the others so I'm good to go. 

We'll head north into Utah then west through Oregon and back to the south. Four months instead of six and places we've been before - and really like a lot. We're looking forward to it. After we're back for a bit we'll likely plan some Fall travels. 

Although it seems like the entirety of our time the last couple weeks has been medical appointments I have done a few fun things in between.

Jeff got two tickets from the Sierra Vista Library to take us to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. After more cold and windy days, we picked a perfect day for our visit. He and his brother and my mother went there in the early '90's, and we both have a couple fun memories from that time. Mostly about the screaming Mountain Lion playing with a rubber ball all around her habitat. We watched for a long time. 

I forgot that it was probably Spring Break nearby so I'm surprised at the number of families on this Monday morning. Although the parking lot is pretty full, we only share space with several people a couple times throughout the grounds. 

It's a bright, sunny day with a light breeze. Great weather for us, but the animals are mostly staying hidden. We see a few critters, and enjoy the beautiful wildflowers throughout. The long views are especially pretty from up on the hill.

These cute bronze Javelinas greet us at the entrance - and make me laugh when I see the "bank" slots in their backs!

Big views.

A healthy Mexican Wolf watches us watch her.

I kept picking out favorites in the gem and mineral exhibit and every one was Wulfenite :-)

I've never seen Malachite in this form.

Love Desert Tortoises!

Wall-size evolution.

The wildflowers are glorious.

Several pieces by an African artist provide fun hardscapes throughout.

A couple unique bearded cactus.

While we've been fortunate to see several Crested Saguaros, I'm glad the museum has one here for others to see.

This huge Chuckwalla is outside the habitats on top of a very large outcropping. He looks iron-plated in the sun.

The Rock Life exhibit shows reptiles and bugs behind plexiglass panels embedded in the sides of an arroyo.

The all-natural sleep space of the Lynx.

We both love these Boojum Trees - very fun!

Interesting Totem Pole cactus dance among the barrels and flowers.

We immediately recognize the habit of the Mountain Lion from our long ago visit. They're no where to be seen.

But the ball is!! 

We make a 90 minute drive to the west side of Tucson for a ten minute Dr appointment that I've waited three months for. They schedule a procedure for the following week (based just on questions that could have been answered on the phone). Bill has an appointment on the same day so Jeff brings me back. 

I get one last craft group gathering, and am hoping we continue next season - it's always fun. Tessa gets a bath and blood tests. Bill plays more Cribbage. Jeff and I go see Dungeons and Dragons at the theatre - SO good, I haven't laughed like that in a long time! We get a final tasty meal and visit with pals Rebecca and Michael. The motorhome windshield chip gets fixed.  We load up.

And then it's time to get back on the road. How the heck did April arrive already?! We're off to my 50th high school reunion - again, how the heck???

I'll end with pics of a few of the grands.......

Little M is too cool :-)

Ezra and Elliott hangin' with Easter buddies.

Reese rockin' Spring.

Beautiful Henry.