Adventure 332: Catalina State Park/Post N

Sunset over Catalina

Since it's our last night in the park, it must be time to take stock: Our fourteen day stay included two Sundays at the Krals eating, drinking, and cheering for our favorite football teams (I'm not really a football fan, but I am fond of eating and drinking). I mean, "What's not to like?", but the eating and drinking made it imperative that we kept a strict workout schedule. We managed four bike rides totaling just over 90 miles. We hiked five times totaling just under 30 miles. It rained four days, once hard enough to close the access road to the park. The weather was colder than we'd like it, but waaaaay warmer than home and I've always liked looking at snow if it caressed the mountaintops. In all, we've had a wonderful time. Tomorrow morning we pull out, and our next adventure will find us one night in the culdesac outside the Krals' home. The four of us are driving down to Kitt Peak for a night time star party. The skies promise to be clear, so we'll dress in our warmest clothes, sit atop the peak in freezing weather, and gaze in awe at God's universe. I can't wait. On our ride today, our longest yet at almost thirty, we discussed both our blessings and our future. As of now, the adventurous spirit is still upon us. Going into our retirement, we felt we had about five years of "go-go". A successful end to this year will mark  our fourth. One constant is our dislike for the deep winter months in Spokane. One option is to short term rent for four months in a place where the sun shines a lot. There are several such options in Tucson, and my guess as we baby boomers age, there will be options wherever we choose. Another thought is to turn our lives to service. The idea has been weighing on both of us for some time now. We've taken some small steps in the past with work with the Mennonite Relief, but nothing has set itself on our hearts yet. We'll keep praying. It's not that we have any guilt. We've earned this part of the American dream, but just because we don't suffer doesn't mean it doesn't exist for others. The debate is about how to be of service. Having said that, there are several thousand people we pass along the way who are doing much the same as we are, so it's not at all bad. There's much to be said for the expansion of our horizons. And everywhere we go, we add our brand of optimism, our measure of kindness, and our sense of compassion. Maybe a smile, letting another person squeeze into traffic, and waiting patiently in line have merit. Or maybe we should just waterboard those who get in our way. Just can't resist blowing my trumpet). Who knows? What I do know is that we're blessed to live a life that is good, especially today.

 The bike path system in Tucson is simply fabulous. Already, it's reached ninety percent completion of its planned 133 miles. We rode the same twenty-five out and back, reaching a little farther each time. This system makes Tucson a leading contender after our go-go years become the rent-rent years.

 As long as I have this cute, strong, and willing stoker, anything is possible.

 This interchange circles and crosses under I-10.

 Yesterday, this underpass was closed because of debris left from the recent runoff.

 Smile. You're getting stronger by the day.

 We were feeling good, but mother nature caused us to retrace our steps today.

 Bikers everywhere, even a few riding in their recumbent easy chairs.

Mr. fox, our seventh sighting, seems unconcerned, and he looks quite healthy. Judy and I had a disagreement on the facts. I double-speaked it into a pony.