Monday, March 31, 2008
I have acquired a sun hat.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
I Believe I Have Achieved the Rank of "Professional Nerd"
Today, I went to Biosphere 2.
I know!! It was totally fantastic. And, the tour actually takes you INTO THE BIOMES! I’m not kidding. It was wicked awesome. I can not imagine living there, though. Apparently the second ‘human mission’ in the ‘Sphere was abruptly cancelled due to interpersonal drama. I guess you lock up 8 scientists for 6 months, and it gets all Real World up in there.
Another Hatless Walk Through the Desert at Noon
It wouldn’t be a weekend in Tucson without discovering something else that can kill me. Today’s discovery: Africanized Bees. Much like Gob, I’m not down with the bees. The National Park Service’s advice should you find yourself under attack: "run away as fast as you can. Bees don’t like to get too far from the hive, so after a half mile, they’ll stop attacking." I doubt I could run a half mile under the best conditions, the bees would surely win that one.
I still am amazed at how blue the skies are here. The cacti set against the sky are gorgeous, the photos don’t do them justice:
Well over 100 years old:
"Baby saguaro", probably 15 years old.
Birds and other animals live in saguaro, seeking shelter from the heat and water stored in the cactus. Here's a close up of an entry point:
Tohono Chul
I decided to go in anyway. It was lovely, lots of pretty things. Mercifully I saw no snakes on the trail. Pictures below.
I then went to Zinburger for dinner, and it was fantastic. I should have pushed the car home to work off those calories, but it was totally worth it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Enemy, thy name is "Woodpecker"
At least he's a lazy woodpecker, just pecks a little then leaves. Guess that's the good kind of noisy bird to have attacking the house.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
This Week in Tucson
Saturday I went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Not really sure what I was expecting, but I clearly didn't plan the trip well. I went on this walk through the desert at high noon (84 degrees in the strong sun), without a hat, wearing black. Way to go! It was lovely, despite the "watch out for snakes!" signs. Pictures below. I'm already sick of all the clothes I have with me, so last night I headed to the Tucson Mall. Please insert your Jersey girl/mall jokes in the comments.
Today I went to Kartchner Caverns. Photographs aren't allowed, which is too bad as the caves were beautiful. That link will take you to some lovely shots.
Being a northeasterner, I'm always shocked when things weren't discovered hundreds of years ago. Half the towns I lived in in Massachusetts were founded in the 1600s. It was shocking to learn that this cave system wasn't *discovered* until 1974, it didn't become protected land until 1988, and, it didn't open to the public until 1999. 1999!! It just shocks my Yankee sense of history. Also shocking my Yankee self? Signs for what to do if you encounter a mountain lion. Apparently I was in "cat country". One of the tips was "if attacked, fight back". Good grief.
Photos from the Desert Museum. First the animals, or, 'Things that could possibly kill or maim me on the walk back to the car':
Lizard/Iguana/something on the rock (apparently I wasn't paying much attention at the museum). When I turned a corner, I looked back and saw a squirrel perched atop the rock. Popular place.
Billy Goats:
Prairie Dogs with a Road Runner:
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Message Received, Universe!
If there were any doubts that I wasn't in the right place for me right now, they have been erased:
I mean, come on. Are you kidding me?!?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
New digs in Tucson
So long, Shangri La
Moving to a new place for the next two weeks later today. I'm sure it will be lovely, it just won't be a palace in the hills.
The other night I went out to dinner. Found a place that sounded great, although it seemed a bit far away. I figured it will be a good way to see that part of Tucson. Well, saying that restaurant is in Tucson is like saying O'Hare is in Chicago. Bit of a haul, is what I'm saying. Very oddly, as the restaurant was kind of hip, it was filled with seniors. I was the youngest one there by at least 25 years, and it was 7 pm, not the early bird special hour. So, kind of a bust, athough it did give me this lovely scene:
Monday, March 17, 2008
"45, feels like 39"
It was odd, there were literally pockets of snow, but otherwise skies were blue and sun was shining. I'm guessing high altitude and mountains created this phenomenon.
Things did clear up at sunset, so hopefully tomorrow will be sunny and warm. Although, it was pretty funny to hear everyone complaining about "all this rain!!"; I think they got an inch total. Perspective is everything.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Weekend in Tucson
This is the town hall:
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dude. Seriously.
And construction. All the interstate roads seem to be under construction. They must have a senator who's getting all the tax money for some reason this year. Anywhoodle...
I haven't really seen any of Tucson yet, so no thoughts on the city, but I'm sure of one thing: I love this house. When I showed the on-line photos to Jill, we both agreed it looked a little like something you'd see on MTV Cribs (is that still on?). Well, the reality does not disappoint. If anyone would like to join me this week, get a ticket and head on out, plenty of room.
I should say I ended up here because it was basically the only property available in Tucson this week that wasn't booked, oh, 9 months in advance. Most people plan ahead, more than three weeks ahead of their trips, so beggars could not be choosers. It is so much more than I need, but I totally love it. I may park in all *three* garage spaces, just because I can. Word.