Bear Canyon's Seven Falls

Temperatures have been unseasonably warm in the 80s. If we were going for a longer hike, we had to set the alarm clock for 6 am since Sabino Canyon is 45 minutes with morning traffic from where we are staying.

 

It was a perfect sunny day with a temp of 50 degrees when we started. Many people heading up Sabino Canyon dressed very warmly as we headed to Bear Canyon. We were in the shade most of the hike up and had to peel off a layer by the time we got to the top.

We crossed the creek seven times without falling in too many times. A couple of weeks ago, the creek was impassable unless you just waded through the water to get across.

Talk about a payoff for a hike. The air was cool and peaceful sounds of the falls. Of course, some crazy college students were swimming in a very cold pool and made us laugh.

The brittlebush likes the warm sunny side of the slopes and have started blooming with the warm days. I am looking forward to watching the desert bloom over the next two months.

 

Behind Mike is a shear drop and more waterfalls. What a nice place to rest and cool down before returning. As we set off back down the path, the sun was higher with less shade and many people coming up the path. It was pretty warm when we got back to the trailhead and we just sat in the shade for a bit before heading home.

 

As we travel, I find groups to practice my Spanish in conversational groups or classes. I spent time with a nice group of people this week and realize my Spanish will always be asi asi or so so.  I understand Español but the speaking gives my brain a strain. It can be intimidating but they will probably never see me again. If they remember me, it will be "that poor nurse that tried so hard".



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.