Tucson bike trails

 Pima County is developing The Loop around metro Tucson with links to Marana, Oro Valley, and South Tucson. More than 100 miles of shared-use paths that have already been completed. If it doesn't have a motor, it's good to go on The Loop.

Work is ongoing to add more miles of paths. When completed, The Loop will total 131 miles and connect the Rillito River Park, Santa Cruz River Park, and Pantano River Park with Julian Wash and the Harrison Greenway.

 The RV park has a gate to access the trail. When we returned to Tucson, we decided to check out them out 

For two weeks near the start of every year, Tucson becomes playground number one for the world of international gem and mineral trading, buying, bargains and bragging rights.  We stopped along our ride at one of the tents.

These amethyst are from Bolivia

I believe this is tourmaline from Arkansas. The people exhibiting the gems and minerals were good to explain about the mining process and where they were found.

Good thing I bring my own bike mechanic along. Mike had the flat changed in no time.

We saw Bob and Ann riding along the path and joined them and some of their friends that had also moved to Tucson from Colorado. They were like Pied Pipers gathering Colorado friends along the way.  They were on a burrito ride to El Pueblita Taqueria which served wonderful Jalisco style food.

The next day they took us south on the Julian Wash Trail and ended up in another great place with a total of 82 miles of riding. We are here for another 2 months and are looking forward to the places these paths will take us. In all of our travels, this has to be the best trail system we have experienced in the US other than Anchorage, Alaska. 

Old Town Artisans had a great feel and featured local musicians that were quite entertaining.

My shock wore out in McDowell

As we finish our time here is Mesa, AZ, we have to get one more ride in McDowell Regional Park.  Everything was so green and the cacti fat after all of the rain this winter. We took the Pemberton Trail counter clockwise.

 

 

              

A nice place for a stop about 8 miles from the trailhead.

Looking for lunch?

 About 5 miles into the ride, I started having achy wrists and elbows but couldn't figure out why. My bike started making a funky noise, so I stopped to make sure the front tire was not loose. That could be ugly if it came off. After 8 miles, it was worse so I had Mike check it out and the front shock was worn out. When I would hit a bump, it would jar down but not spring back. He suggested that we head back so I wouldn't get hurt.

 

We had just gotten to the good stuff and after all of that uphill, I wasn't ready to give up. I tried to keep loose and hit the dips slower to avoid the jolt. This made for a little more work up the dip instead of just flowing.

Why do guys have to climb up on something for a rest stop? Climbing with clips in my shoes is a bit slick on granite. Maybe, he is trying to ditch me.

Looks like he is thinking about the good time we have had here in AZ or maybe what's for dinner.

The lounge chairs were calling us when we got back. Nothing like a catnap in the sunshine after a 16 mile desert ride and picnic lunch. 

It snowed on us in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is made up of the  Colorado Desert which part of the Sonoran Desert and Mojave Desert. The vegetation is very different without Saguaros.

Grinding was done here. I could imagine the ladies working away.

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The amazing geological formations were formed by molten liquid, heated by the continuous movement of Earth’s crust, oozed upward and cooled while still below the surface.

They grew some interesting rocks out here.

Skull Rock

A wealthy rancher from Montana, J.D. Ryan's ranch to supply food for the workers for his gold mine.

I had to put the coyote in after Mike followed him determined to get a picture.

Looks like it might fall if I kick the rock holding everything up.

There were so many short interesting  hikes. We would imagine being "back in the day" as we walked.

Cattle grazed throughout the park from the 1870s until 1945. The cattle companies located springs, dug wells, and developed rainwater impoundments called “tanks,” which can be seen today at places like Barker Dam.

The cattle's water troughs.

Petroglyphs

I have a hard time being the driver as we go through the wind farms. They were all moving and mesmerizing, I was watching them instead of the road. Good thing I was off driving duty.

What a year

What a year of changes we have had . We thought that we had reached the point in our lives that we would settle down in one place, have part time jobs and save for vacations. Our home was very but a bit too big with lovely neighbors to watch out for us and our house  when we were gone skiing or somewhere.  

 I realized that my job sucked. I usually like being a nurse but the dynamics were not the way I wanted to spend my only real currency in this life, my time and I dreaded each day I had to go. I saw that I was working someplace that made me stressed because the house we had was nearby. We had the house to keep our stuff that we acquired in our past. It was nice stuff but really didn't give us as much as it took from us. We started going thru our stuff and if we hadn't used it in a few years, it might as well go on to a new owner. No sense in living in the past even if it was good stuff.

It reminded me of George Carlin and his "stuff" monolog. You can see it by clicking below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

You know how the story goes. We sold our things and house so we could explore and have an adventure while we can. So far it has been so much fun meeting new people, doing  and learning new things. We can say that this little adventure has exceeded our expectations as we get ready to leave to our next stop. 2016 is looking pretty good from here.

Indian Canyon

Fifteen miles long, Palm Canyon is one of great beauty. Its indigenous flora and fauna, which the Cahuilla people so expertly used and its abundant California Fan Palm are breathtaking contrasts to the stark rocky gorges and barren desert lands. A moderately graded, foot path winds down into the canyon near the stream. 

While walking through the oasis, we would get lost in our thoughts and imagine the natives enjoying the cool breezes through the canyon.

After hiking along the stream, we returned on the Victor Trail on the ridge above the canyon.

Still plenty of snow in the mountains after the Sunday storm.

A scenic foot trail leads through the canyon passing groves of  palms, unusual rock formations and the perennial Andreas Creek.  could still see bedrock mortars and metates used centuries ago for preparing food.

Had to try out the Carne Asada and green chili. Two thumbs up from us.