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| 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.
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