Tucson Mt Biking

Just out the 'backdoor' - literally steps away from the RV Park, we are in the Saguaro National Forest and onto the hiking/mt biking trails.

Brown Mtn starts off gentle, twisting & winding then starts the climb up to the summit of the Brown Mtn Pass --- gets technical, tight with cactus and loose rock, some climbs and drops - fun!  All the plants seem to have some kind of thorns so armour helps to an extent but those thorns can find their way around the padding and/or thru the padding so one must ride 'carefully' to avoid scrapes & pains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH_m15r_-sk&feature=channel  (video of mt bikers riding Brown Mtn)

View of water reservoirs from the summit.

Air is very arid and when it is warm (25-30 C) you quickly realize, the 2 litres of water isn't enough and the special electrolyte/protein/salt bars and drinks are a must to prevent leg cramps & dehydration - I found out first hand with leg cramping!

En route to Browns Mtn is a State Campground - this homemade trailer with pull out caught our eye.

Curve-billed Trasher Nest (in the Cholla cactus) . . talk about protection

& amazing they can maneuver among those thorns!  Imagine being a baby bird & first opening your eyes.

TUCSON GEM, MINERAL & FOSSIL SHOW

It all started in 1955 when a group of mineral collectors and rock hounds from the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society held a free exhibition at a local elementary school, open to the public. This show was an immediate hit, prompting organizers to make it an annual event

Today, the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show attracts buyers & sellers from around the world for a two week period, boosting the local economy by over $100 million.

Giant white tents, hotels, resorts & exhibit halls at over forty sites hold seminars, workshops, and sell their wares; something for everyone from Australian Opals, glass beads, gold, diamonds, pearls minerals & fossils.



AZURITE (from Bisbee)

Azurite often occurs with malachite (green color) or turquoise in areas with copper deposits.   Intensely blue (Azurite means "blue") it has been used for centuries in jewelry.

The main show (Gem & Mineral Show) takes place in the Tucson Convention Centre - this year's theme "Arizona Minerals" to celebrate the centennial year.  

The displays of Arizona minerals and mining history were amazing.   It is incredible to see the minerals and gems from all areas of the globe.    Two hours & information & sensory overload!   I feel honored to be able to attend one of the premier gem & mineral shows of the world.

GEODES



Geode prepared for opening

Geodes are spherical masses of mineral matter that are deposited within rock formations.   Geodes form in a cavity and once the rock surrounding the cavity hardens, silicates and/or carbonates deposit inside.  Over time crystals form inside.   These crystals are often clear quartz or amethyst crystals.  Other minerals are also found.

At the Tucson Show, small geodes were for sale - you pick one & then you, or the vendor will break it open to see your prize.

Beautiful Amethyst crystals

Fabulous woodwork - Mesquite, Olive & Ironwood with lapis & turquoise.

Another blue skied day at Fred Enke Golf course - it's a course that definitely has Marc challenged as he keeps going back!

It was a first time here in Tucson for the Ontario couple Marc played with . . . they so wanted to see a roadrunner.   We have seen then on hole 15 and 11 three times now . . . on this particular day - no roadrunners seen on the front nine.   The couple quit after nine & Marc saw several on the back nine.   They are funny to watch & so like the cartoon - they way they move and the purple crest on their heads.

This past Saturday the first few holes were ugly - a few lost balls, wayward balls, zigzag golf basically (for all three of us).   Then, I got even more distracted - saw a herd of JAVELINAS.  Eight in all, I saw two adults, two juveniles.   Marc smelled them just prior to spotting them in the thick bush - they have a a strong musk gland on the top of the rump.

Javelinas (collared peccary) originated in S. American and have migrated to Arizona, Texas and New Mexico (so far, no other states).   Peccaries are more slender than wild pigs, have 3 toes on the hind feet (not four like pigs) and their short tusks point downwards.

 

Their favorite food is prickly pear cactus and they have relatively few predators other than mountain lions and bobcats (coyotes will go after juveniles).   They will hunker down in the thick bush and dirt during the day & tend to remain near permanent sources of water as they are unable to evapotate moisture to prevent overheating by panting.

They have been seen at night in the RV Parks - probably to get away from coyotes.   Last week, Marc overheard a man telling his story of a pack of coyotes panting, during mid-day, right behind his fifthwheel.   A few people have spotted a large male wandering around by the mailboxes.   So, always on 'watch' when taking the dogs out into the desert.

A great Saturday golf day (after the first few holes) with 28 celcius & quiet.  Here's Marc, working on someone else's swing!  LOL!

A pit stop for Marc during his road ride (only 58-60 miles). Grant's Pass drops back down to the Saguaro Nat'l Forest and RV Park.

A house on the hill

BRRRRR!

A short ride (behind the 'house').   Cold wind and storm quickly moving in.  About 3 degrees, moisture in the air (you can smell the difference in the air - the desert has a distinctive Mesquite smell) and there will be snow at high elevations.  Got back, took the helmet & pack off & it started to POUR.   Tried to hail at one point.   Drove to town and a few snowflakes were floating down & traffic was slowed to about 35-40 miles per hour (unlike the 55-85 on any given day).

A quick stop en route to view the Great Horned Owl's nesting sight (keeping our distance & quiet we watch the mom, watching us as her tufts blow in the wind). 

I took this owl photo last year at the Desert Museum Raptor Show (just up the road from us).  Uncaged or tethered it is amazing to watch this majestic bird.

(About the pictures;  you can click on them & at the bottom of the screen you should see the option to view in slideshow mode & view them larger if you want)