Tucson, Arizona February 21-28, 2021
The next day we took off to purchase a Vespa Scooter that Larry had been eyeing online for several weeks. We both fell in love with this little gem. Larry rode it back to Tucson with a big smile on his face.
We have been looking for the infamous Javelina....We spotted one in Texas but haven't seen one since.
We took a break from the motorcycles and hiked to the top of Javelina Rock.
I enjoyed spotting all the Saguaro Cacti that appeared on the way back to our Tucson home.
The day ended with a wonderful sunset .
Kim, Jay, Kay and Larry on the way to Mount Lemmon
One of the many hoodoos in the area
We rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain.
Yes.... that was snow on the ground; however, the mountain was closed to skiing due to the grass exposed spots.
What a view coming back down the mountain!
Tucson had a beauty of its own with big blue skies, prickly Saguaro cactus and tall palms....
and lots of brown desert too.
On the first day of riding our new scooter, Jay led the pack while Kim followed us.
Our first stop was the Mission San Xavier Del Bac (1783).
It was interesting to see many signs posted along the roadways, informing the public about Covid.
The right side tower of the mission was still unfinished.
Cacti Garden at the Mission
Before leaving we enjoyed watching this little prairie dog who appeared to be begging for food.
Next we headed to the Eastern Saguaro National Park.
The park had of lots of twists and turns....a great ride.
Off we go!
Jay was the first to reach the top!
Our next stop....Sabino Canyon.
Unfortunately the park was closing up for the evening.
The next morning we set off for Mount Lemmon. What a ride!
The ride was extraordinary!
The views were stunning!
The road was full of twists and turns.
At the top of Mount Lemmon we stopped at Ski Valley.
Isn't this the cutest little roadster?
Yes.... that was snow on the ground; however, the mountain was closed to skiing due to the grass exposed spots.
It was pure joy to see the evergreens on top of the mountain...what a change from the desert cacti!
It was good to be back in the warm flatlands of Tucson.
We spotted a Road Runner ....
eating a dead mouse.
Although we could see the Observatory sitting on the hillside from the road below; unfortunately, it was closed due to the Covid.
Kim and Jay tried out the Vespa on the observatory back road.
We took off to a new destination....
the Tucson City Park and the Western Saguaro National Park.
The Saguaro seemed to be even more plentiful in this part of the park.
We enjoyed a fantastic final ride on our last day in Tucson.
Each evening in Tucson we played music with Jay and Kim....what a wonderful way to end each day!
After a week in Tucson we parted with Jay and Kim. They planned to visit some family in northern Arizona while we visited the southern part of state.
Why, Arizona
Organ Pipe Cactus National Park.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, Arizona February 28-March 1, 2021
It wasn't long before we started spotting the Organ Pipe Cacti.
We enjoyed walking to the top of the mountain to see the historic hotel that had been the town hospital at one time.
This one...a Pierce Arrow....What Classics!
The view from the hotel down in the valley!
Back into Sedona one more time before heading back to Cottonwood.
The drive into the park began with mostly Saguaro Cacti.
The sun set quickly over the hillside our first night in the national park.
What a wonderful campsite...very scenic!
The morning daybreak was gorgeous!
The morning sun was extra bright!
Prickly....Ouch!
Hiking in Organ Pipe Cactus National Park was fun!
Organ Pipe Cactus grow only in this part of the world.
Under the green Saguaro Cactus is a wooden body that looks like this.
Heading south to the Mexican border.
The Wall between Mexico and the United States
Cottonwood, Arizona March 2,2021-March 6, 2021
We stayed in a a sweet little Airbnb in Cottonwood, Arizona where we met back up with Jay and Kim.
Jerome, Arizona
We rode the two wheels up to Jerome, an old mining town.
The State Park outside of Jerome
The quaint town of Jerome
The House of Joy
An old saloon
Wheeee...we took a break on the swings!
Jerome Grand Hotel
We enjoyed walking to the top of the mountain to see the historic hotel that had been the town hospital at one time.
The hotel owner also had these two beauties that are still in working condition.
This one...a Rolls Royce.This one...a Pierce Arrow....What Classics!
The view from the hotel down in the valley!
There were lots of interesting things to see in Jerome.
After walking the streets of Jerome we took off across the mountain toward Prescott Valley.
What a ride!
The wind was so harsh that we turned around once reaching the valley to head back to Cottonwood.
Montezuma Castle, Arizona
We enjoyed a morning jaunt to see Montezuma's Castle.
What a sight! Can you imagine living in this structure?
Sinagua farmers built this five story 20 room structure around 1100 to 1300.
It is 100 feet above the valley.
Several ancient homes were made within the tiny caves that remained on the side of the steep rock wall surrounding Montezuma's Castle.
Being so high up, a safe spot was provided for the occupants to live.
Occupants found reliable water in the creek and fertile land on the nearby terrace.
Sedona, Arizona
We continued on from Montezuma's Castle to Sedona.
What beauty approaching Sedona!
Bell Rock
A little picnic lunch before hiking to the base of the Bell Rock
Next....up to the top of the mountain toward Flagstaff...
We stopped to view Oak Creek Canyon
We passed Sliding Rock State Park....oh how I wish it was warm enough to try out sliding down the river rock. Our motto....save something for the next time....comes to mind!
We hiked up to the Birthing Cave on another day.
At the top of the Birthing Cave
The view was stupendous....so clear!
The belly button of the birthing cave.
Kim climbed up the steep wall of the birthing cave.
There was a need to hang on to something once we arrived at the top, the climb had been very steep.
Lunch was at the state park followed by at hike by a babbling stream.
A wedding was taking place out in the wilds of the state park
Route 66 Seligman to Kingman March 6, 2021
We stopped for a picnic lunch at Hackberry. The store had a large collection of memorabilia.
London Bridge
Lunch time
Lots of water activities were going on
The next morning we went hiking in Sara Park.
Taking a break
Our first peek at Sara's Crack, a slot canyon
Yes, there was a ladder over both sides of a boulder.
A break climbing back over Sara's Crack
We followed the blue trail back...it lead us to another part of the park.
The trail back to the Penthouse (campervan)
Our final sunset in Lake Havasu and Arizona
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