Wednesday, April 12, 2023

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.


18 comments:

  1. So glad to hear that all is well and that you're heading to some of your favorite places for a spring/summer trip. It sounds like you have a wonderful loop planned.

    I love the desert museum and it's fun to see it with the lush greenery and spring blooms. And of course, your grandkids always steal the show with their cuteness. :-)) You guys take good care and have a great time!

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    1. It is a great time of year for the blooms!

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  2. Good to hear that you are both A-OK and planning some travels. The pictures of the grands are always fun ... and they are all in the sunshine! Is it finally Spring?

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    1. We may have jumped spring right into summer here in Nevada!

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  3. So glad to hear that everything is working out including Bill's health, and you will be able to do a shortened version of your trip. Sorry for all the doctor appointments. Aren't they so irritating. But those grands are absolutely darling and your comments are perfect for those pictures.

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    1. The grands are all growing up so fast and developing such unique personalities - lots of fun!

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  4. There are many irritating things in the medical world these days! Glad you two have been cleared to go--enjoy your travels and may they be without incident! How did we get old enough for a 50th class reunion?? Mine is in late September.

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    1. I'm glad to have a calendar ahead with no medical appointments :-)) I don't think we are old enough, it's an evil plot !

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  5. Good news! It has been years since we have been to that museum, so much to see there!

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    1. I was surprised how many things I recognized after so many years since our last visit. It is a special place for sure.

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  6. Happy to read all is good and you both are good to go. Looking forward to your adventures! I love the Desert Museum and will definitely add it to next years wildflower adventures. Gorgeous photos Jodee. The Boojum Trees are so cool! (They have a couple at the Botanical Gardens as well.) I’ll be looking for the javalina sculpture next visit….I want one! Sweet photos of the grands…beautiful smiles!

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    1. I didn't think to look but I wonder if the gift shop has little javelina banks?? The botanical gardens are on my must do list for the Fall!

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  7. Glad to hear you're all A-OK and ready to travel again. It's scary to be ill on the road but the sharp memories fade a little and are replaced by excitement to get on the road. Take care and enjoy the new plans.

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    1. The more fun days we're having the more the not fun ones fade away. It's so much better to be traveling :-))

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  8. I must say that I do feel better that you three aren't venturing too far from home (like Alberta). I guess the fact that you couldn't get reservations there was an omen in a way. So glad to hear everyone's check up went well, including the MH and that you off to your reunion! Too bad we weren't planning together for the Torrey stop. But we'll check out the roads and let you know how things are mud wise. We both really enjoyed the Desert Museum. A place not to be missed. You have the cutest grands!! I love that you share the photos.

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    1. I agree the omens were there!! Yes do let me know how things are as you venture into the area before us, bummed it wasn't at the same time. It's fun to read past posts and see how much the grands have changed.

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  9. The desert museum is awesome! So glad you're getting to go, at least some. I haven't gone home yet from the south but also hope to go north this summer.

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    1. Hope you get the opportunity to get north this year - going some is better than not going at all!

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