Adventure 118: Valley of the Sun/Kralazona Hotel/Post G

We are about to eat this willingly.

Holy Wiebe Jeebie Heebie Freebie! She's done it again. We've taught our hosts, the Krals, to play cribbage (Wily Cagers vs Innocent Bystanders), and low and behold the cager pulled a new one: after the fact peg grabbing, a new low. She batted her baleful eyes and cooed sweetly as she grabbed two points, "You remember that Jack of Hearts Ginny turned over on her last deal, don't you?" Really??? But of course, the Mauser is tucked safely away in Douglas' garage at Priest Lake, and even though every one here in Arizona owns at least three guns plus the pea shooters they save for coyotes, I don't know any of them well enough to ask them to become accessories (Maybe after the Super Bowl party I'll endear myself to some to some of my newest red state friends). As for now, I was left (As usual) unarmed by the wily one. Nonetheless, I lead the Tucson series 8-3 (No wonder she's pulling out the stops). So it goes.Today marked a change in the desert weather. A cold front edged itself in with strong winds which raised warnings of Habooks (Dust clouds) from here to Phoenix. Tomorrow, they even predicted a possibility of rain. That remains to be seen, but we've become accustomed to twenty degree temperature changes on this trip. Regardless, we enjoyed another splendid day with Ginny and David. This morning Judy and Ginny attended a women's bible study while David attended to some errands. I drove out to check on Frac. We then enjoyed a true Tucson culinary experience: the Sonoran Hotdog. Imagine a truly beef hotdog encased in a soft warm bun smothered with onions, relish, mayonnaise and mustard accompanied by smoked jalapeños, pickled radishes, grilled green onions, cool cucumbers, all washed down with Coca Cola imported from Mexico (Sugar vs corn syrup). The rumblings in my stomach (We ate at 1 P.M. It's now 9 P.M.) resemble the threat of Vesuvius, which as we know erupted before seismographs. This is not to say I wasn't warned. I chortled in absolutely delightful glee as I willingly smashed the luscious dog into my face (Unfortunately, one of many things I regret). Maybe I went over the top when I bought the bag of "Churros" (Deep fried dough sticks smothered in sugar). Who knows? I just feel like a plump piñata, and I'll stop now lest the imagery scare the women. Tomorrow, Ginny and Judy will spend a day together without the 'boys'. We'll be at a men's retreat at David's church. And after we cheer for our team in Sunday's Super Bowl (Go Seahawks), we'll move onward, thankful for every moment. I often glibly say, in some non philosophical way, that I enjoy every day because there is no guarantee I'll get  a tomorrow. I'm reminded right now of my mindset in the aftermath of my wife's death, the ordeal of my daughter's chemotherapy, the sudden death of my mother due to post surgical complications, and any or all of the sufferings my friends, close relatives, and even the injustices done to strangers. Well meaning people would ask me, "How are you doing?" My mind (An amazing thing) would instantly dart down fifty billion or so dark tunnels (Mostly dead ends), and then I would consider whether they really wanted to know, or if they were just following convention. Mostly, I would give the short answer: Life is good, especially today. But some times I'd give the long answer…. Neither answer changed reality, but I'm not one to say, "Why me? Instead, I've always said, "What now?" Not 'What now?' as a wail against misfortune (You know-Oh, Shit, What Now?), but 'What now?' (You know, What are my options with what is left now?) as a response to the gift of life because despite the inevitable sorrows and the depths of helplessness we  all encounter, I truly believe life is good, especially today.

 This Mexican restaurant, famous for its Sonoran Hotdogs, is busy all day long.

 Outside the restaurant, this cutie and her husband (Third generation) were selling Churros as out of their food truck.

 These are basically Mexican donuts, but they're shaped like French Fries, ribbed like Saguaro Cacti, and smothered in granulated sugar like pollen on a flower. Best eaten hot: $5 for a bagful.

 This Saguaro has the most limbs I've seen. 

 Y is a hard question to answer.

 Upon examination, most things are prickly.

 The desert has a bit of a Zen feel.

 There are repeated patterns, beautiful to the eye, harsh to the touch.

 There is symmetry.

 It's almost as if there is safety in numbers.

 There are outliers.

 There is the complete absence of continuity.

 There is mixed media.

 And there is a sense of sameness, the inexplicable beauty of conformity.

 There are variations on the theme.

 And divergence.

 And succulence.

 And there is always the promise of yearning, the reaching, the grasping, the clenching. What else is life if not the holding fast (Langston Hughes)?

Adventure 117: Valley of the Sun RV Park/Kralzona Hotel/Post F

Up, up!

After a restful night in the Hotel Kralazonia, we enjoyed an early breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice, Costa Rican stye coffee, scrambled eggs infused with herbs, and whole grain toast (The Hotel serves better fare than the thin gruel we're used to). After breakfast, we readied ourselves for a hike up Sabino Canyon, a National Park area on the eastern edge of Tucson. Sabino Canyon is a popular hiking venue for people of all ages. They have shuttles similar to the big red cars (Jammers) used at Glacier National Park, but without the flare. The Jammers look like  big roadsters, complete with leather seats. These shuttles are like big trains with a passenger car hinged to the cab so it can make the tight turns up the canyon.Nonetheless, many of them were all full on the four mile ride to the top, which allowed the passengers a leisurely downhill stroll through the beautiful mountainous desert terrain. After our hike of more than 25,000 steps, we made our way to Mi Nidito, the best Mexican restaurant Tucson has to offer (Or so the locals say). They were right. Both Ginny and David as well as Judy and I, enjoyed the President's plate, which is  little bit of everything the restaurant offers. It was made famous when President Clinton ate at the restaurant while he was in office. The service, cleanliness, and quality of the place was top notch, and while it was excellent, it isn't the best we've had on the trip. That honor still resides with the Mexican fare we enjoyed in Albuquerque. Don't misunderstand. I would go back tomorrow, but we do live in a world of rankings. The weather today was exceptionally warm (80), but we had enough water and sunscreen to suffer no ill effects. The weather is a cause for concern. I wonder what it will take for the world to react to the undeniable fact of Global Warming. Given humanity's penchant for not doing anything unless coerced or motivated by self interest, I fear our response will be too late. Here in the Hotel Kralazonia, Ginny and David practice conservation in as many ways as possible. They compost, use their gray water to water plants, grow their own food, recycle, and encourage everyone they know to do the same, if only by example. I wish more people had their level of awareness. God works in wondrous ways, and this is just another learning point for Judy and me on this adventure. We're lucky and life is good, especially today.

 An example of Ginny's art work. She hand built each of the stain glass windows in her home.

 Notice the soft morning reflection. It makes us feel warm in the light of God's grace.

 I love that the visitor center at Sabino Canyon is built to blend in with the desert. Nicely done, Uncle Sam!

 Ginny giving us our marching orders. No stinking shuttle for us!

 Miss Arizona 2014 (Look but don't touch).

 I just can't get enough of these Saguaro Cacti.

 The paved trail ends about five miles up. Not quite at the top of this peak, but close.

 Even in an overcast day, the sun casts a strong reflections.

 Our guides, the Krals.

 A guy wouldn't want to be out there unprepared.

 It's amazing that the Saguaro's grow on such a steep slope, and some grow right atop the precipice of the mountains.

 A couple of babes competing for Miss Arizona.

 The last cactus shot, I promise.

The wall just inside this place is full of photographs of famous the people who've eaten here: Justice O'Connor, Julio Iglesias, President Clinton, an assorted gaggle of movie stars. Today, however, right next to us was an eighty-two year old Hispanic grandmother escorted by her family. She was the dignitary (It was her birthday).

 The place is so popular, there is almost always a wait. The Bunny was reading reviews of the place as we waited.

 Do they look hungry?

 Fresh, warm and endless. The service was excellent.

 Can you see President Clinton eating this?

We had no trouble.

Adventure 116: Valley of the Sun RV Park/Post E

Even in the Dim Light, Life is Good.

Five games to two, and the lead lessens. Need I say more? I can hear the footsteps of the wily cager not so lightly treading toward my backside like the marines of Iwo Jima fame, expect I'm not looking forward to her planting her flag. Because the tandem was in the shop getting some new chains, we took the single bikes out this morning. The wind was a bit stiff, but nonetheless we rode the Santa Cruz River trail for about an hour and a half. Halfway through the week, we're up to fifty miles. Quality bicycling in Tucson is organized, accepted, plentiful, and nurtured. It makes the place pretty attractive as a winter destination. We arrived at the Kral's in the early afternoon. Ginny warmed some of her famous vegetable soup, which is so thick, rich and flavorful that I'm sure they could use it as a medicinal body rub (Sort of like cucumbers on the eyes). We didn't waste it like that; instead, we slurped it like we hand't eaten in the last month. After that little nosh, Ginny and I painted for awhile in the shade of the back patio. About four, David served tea. Around dinner time, Ginny and Judy created a tasty concoction of fresh greens, quinoa, and black bean burgers. To top that off, David create some whipped chocolate yogurt, topped with home grown raspberries, whipped cream and pistachios. I guess this is what we retired folk have become accustomed to. After dinner, we taught the Kral's to play cribbage (Boys against the girls). The boys were victorious. Then the Kral's taught us to play RummiKub, an addictive (And also mind numbing) tile game that involves numbers and a factor of about a billion possibilities. We heard from three of four children. Libby called to say Steve was rear ended. Steve texted with a picture to say he was  OK (I called him to check), and Leticia texted to show us the winter wonderland in Spokane that created all the excitement. Having lived in Spokane most of my life, I know there are times when the conditions are untenable for automobiles. Any sane judge or insurance adjuster, for that matter, should realize the same thing. Thankfully, Steve says he's alright (Though very sore). As for us, what can we say other than life is good, especially today.


 Not a bad shot considering the guy said he couldn't see a thing. He said, "Fire me if it's bad." (All retired guys like to say that.)

 Miss Kitty was glad to see some action that didn't involve rust or seeping air.

 The little Trekster thought the same.

 Good by Frac. We're off to Hotel Kral.

 Fresh blackberry juice cut with ginger ale next to the most luxuriously rich soup you can imagine.

 Judy went crazy and added brewer's yeast as a topping on her soup.

 If an artist can't be inspired in this light, I'm not sure what it would take.

 Really? Judy and Ginny giggle constantly.

 It's like this every time they're together.

 This is the way out of Hotel Kral. What that old Eagle's lyric: "You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave."

 Art shot of the day: The power of three.

 Ginny added stain glass windows throughout the house. With the desert light at play, it's quite warm and pleasing.

 David had to do a little searching for a new dentist. Yesterday, he lost a crown to a tough crust of bread and such.

 Simple elegance at the Hotel Kral.

 Yogurt blended with sugar, rich chocolate, a little strong coffee, and half and half.

 Thirty-one for three!

 The girls giving themselves the "nice try handshake."

This game is fun, but Oh, my, it can make a guy's eyes glaze over.