Author: Lisa

Today’s adventure took me to Saguaro National Park.  The ranger at the Visitors Center suggested a couple of trails, gave me a paper map, and directed me to my destination.

The road, Bajada Loop, is unpaved, so Addie went bumpity bump for several miles.  My bike and bike rack held up fine, although they are both quite dirty.  The first parking lot was full, so instead I parked at Signal Hill, saw petroglyphs, and hiked the opposite direction for my out-and-back.

My biggest bummer of the day: no ice cream! Haha!  While hiking – in the desert heat – I kept thinking about ice cream.  However, the nearest ice cream location is over a half hour drive each way… I decided it wasn’t worth it.  🙂

Petroglyphs

 

 

View of Addie from Signal Hill

 

Blooming saguaro

 

One of many shade structures built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930s

 

Golden Hour selfie – Gilbert Ray Campground

 

“Alpine Glow” on the nearby mountains

 

Sunset

I started with 200 photos!  Culling them to something manageable challenged me.

So…I’m breaking up today’s post into three sections!  This section has general photos…and the next two will have flora and fauna.

Leaving Catalina State Park relatively early – for me! – I drove some of the back roads to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Luckily, their Lego display, set to stop on May 1, was still active.  The detail and size of these sculptures surprised me!  Also cool at the Gardens: a photography group, led by a talented woman, snapped photos alongside me.  I enjoyed talking about photography with various members of the club.
After the Gardens, I had a delicious ice cream – and bought a scone for later – at Decibel Coffee, a shop where a good friend’s daughter works.

My next big stop was the oft-recommended Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  Before this trip, everyone I asked for trip suggestions mentioned the Desert Museum.  And they were right!  Vast, varied, intriguing.  A simply amazing experience!

Here, then, are what I call my “general” photos…

First up:  A word from Robert Frost

 

Next: Lego sculptures – lots of detail and color!

 

 

 

 

 

A woman sketching Lego sculptures…

 

Cave at the Desert Museum!

 

Butterfly Project: Remembrance and Hope
https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/

 

After two long driving days, today was a big hiking day.  I hiked over seven miles throughout Catalina State Park, seeing saguaros, dry river beds, mountains, a creek, birds, flowers…so much to see in this Sonoran desert!

Following my hike and lunch, I fixed a minor electrical issue with Addie and then took my bike for an ice cream treat at the park gift shop.

All in all, a terrific day!

Note: I love state parks!  I’ve been to many in several states across the country.  They are all gems!  The people are friendly, the facilities are topnotch (including showers), and the scenery is terrific.  National parks have an aura of magnificence – and the ones I’ve been to have met that standard – but as far as camping goes, I love staying at state parks.

The trails at this park are marked for hiking, equestrians, mountain bikes, and dogs

 

I took many photos of saguaros – this is one of my favorites

 

A big grove of saguaros

 

So much flora to see…

 

 

 

 

I saw the swirling “S” shape in the trail dirt, looked to the right, and saw this critter slithering away

 

One of a gazillion lizards

 

A river (well, a creek) runs through it

 

Mosaic at the trailhead

Day 2…another LONG day of driving.  It didn’t help that I had a tough time sleeping… I woke up early, made myself a cup of coffee, and started driving.  Once I got to Blythe, I pulled over, got gas, and made breakfast. 

On my way to Catalina State Park, I visited Biosphere 2.  What an engineering wonder!  Although the history of Biosphere 2 is a bit muddled, its current environmental lab the facility provides many opportunities for study and research.

Biosphere 2 – the tall part is the library, which was seldom used due to the tall circular stairs needed to access it

 

Staircase up to the library

 

Tropical plants

 

Rainforest with a “waterfall”

 

Tree reaching to the ceiling

 

More Biosphere space

 

Alpine glow, Arizona-style

 

Addie enjoying the sunset

Smelling the barn.  A phrase I had never heard before my BIG TRIP, the cross country trip I took nearly two years ago.  However, the closer I got to home, the more “ready” I was to be home – with my peeps, in my own home.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love traveling in Addie.  I relish exploring and traveling and adventuring.

AND by the time I got to Arizona, I was DONE.  I wanted to be home.  The smell of the barn acted as a magnetic pull.

So, I decided to take time this May to return to Tucson and its environs since I drove straight through this area two years ago.

I started by reaching out to friends who know the area.  Wowza!  So many fabulous recommendations!

Today, I drove from home, through LA (yech!), and into Joshua Tree National Park, where I camped at Cottonwood Campground.  I also bought my Senior Lifetime National Park pass!

After setting up camp, I ventured out for a hike – the Mastodon Loop trail.

Addie – happy to be on another adventure
Note my e-bike.  This is the first trip I have my bike with me.  It offers an additional level of mobility!

 

Totally cool rock formations

 

Flowering plants – the desert during springtime

 

Lost Palms Oasis

 

Abandoned mine

 

Moonrise – it’s almost full

San Luis Obispo’s rainfall this year topped 175% of average.  Although the rain revealed a roof leak necessitating a garage makeover, the precipitation resulted in a superbloom of wildflowers throughout the state.  Thrice, I ventured out to enjoy nature’s splendor.

I shot these first few photos on March 27 on Shell Creek Road when the superbloom was really just a bloom.

 

 

 

On April 19, I returned to Shell Creek Road where I found a virtual carpet of flowers.

 

 

 

 

On our way to Joel’s cabin on April 20, we visited the Carizzo Plain National Monument where I captured wildflowers and Soda Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait photography requires good lighting, calm background, and a willing model.  For the most part, I usually capture travel and hiking photos, interspersed with candids of family and friends.

Wanting to experiment with portraits – and enjoying spending time with my 13 year old grandson – I asked Greyson if he’d like me to take some photos of him with his saxophone.  He picked the location (beach), and I picked the time (golden hour).  What a delightful, creative, and fun time we had!

With his parents’ and his permission, I share these photos (all selected by Grey) and information about Grey, his love of music, and our photo session.

Grey is an amazing young man, quite accomplished for a thirteen year old.  (Hey, and I’m NOT biased!  🙂 ) He has been playing the saxophone for only two years, starting in sixth grade when, to be in band, he had to choose between the alto saxophone and the trombone.  With alto sax in hand, he honked out his first note, much to the disbelief and surprise of his band teacher.  Wanting to improve, he taught himself how to play sax, relying on YouTube videos to guide him. Fitting practice into his packed life demonstrates persistence and focus! 

Fast forward to seventh grade, when he picked the tenor rather than the alto sax, and Grey successfully auditioned for the County Junior Honor Band.  One of only four students from his school, Grey along with the other 60 members of the band rehearsed for only about one month to perform five songs at the honor band’s annual concert, held at Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center.  The Honor Band was a terrific experience for Grey!  He loves meeting new people who share his appreciation for music while developing new techniques and growing his playing skills.  He hopes to play in the honor band next year and, perhaps, add baritone sax and trombone to his musical portfolio.  Music will forever be a part of Greyson’s life.

For Greyson, playing sax is an art.  Just as I feel about photography, it’s wonderful to learn something new, improvise, improve, create!

Music is not Grey’s only passion!  When not playing the sax, Grey enjoys basketball, baseball, LARPing, videogames, hanging out with friends and family (including his little brother – and his nana!), archery, Boy Scouts, fishing, backpacking, and many pets (such as a bearded dragon and hermit crab!). Wow!  I’m exhausted just thinking about how busy Greyson is!  So proud of you, Grey, for all you do and for who you are!

When I decided to move into my condo almost ten years ago, being able to walk out my door and hike a hill was one of my “must haves.”  Islay Hill is my walk-out-my-door hike.  A few years ago, the big field across the street from me began sprouting a new housing development.  What I looked forward to was not the additional traffic and changed scenery but the ability to hike Righetti Hill.  The trail was cut last fall…just before our mega-rains started!  Today, between the ground drying up a bit and the next downpour, I decided to hike Islay Hilll AND Righetti Hill. Of course, I ventured out with camera in hand!

A view of Righetti Hill in the foreground with, from the left, South Hills, Cerro San Luis, and Bishop Peak in the background

 

Approaching Islay Hill

 

Turkey vulture (I think!) flying over Islay Hill

 

“Moo With a View,” showing some wear, hangs out atop Islay Hill

 

Righetti Hill with its new trail

 

View of Islay Hill from Righetti Hill

 

Panorama photo of Islay Hill

 

Pano of South Hills, Cerro San Luis, and Bishop Peak at sunset

 

Sunset from Righetti Hill

 

Another sunset pic!

 

For my final full day in Fairbanks, I took the bus (seniors over age 60 are free!) to the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska.  Afterward, the bus returned me to downtown where I wandered around capturing some final photos. 

Yesterday, I bought trekking poles to help me walk without falling.  At Chena Hot Springs Resort, the snow wasn’t as packed as it is in Fairbanks, so I felt safer walking without poles.  In Fairbanks, the streets and sidewalks are slicker; poles give me a sense of security and, in fact, helped me avoid falling.  They were quite useful to me as I meandered around town.

I have loved my time in Alaska!  Although I’ve only seen a tiny part of this state, with the primary goal of seeing the Aurora Borealis, my interest in returning – especially when I can hike in the summer and not deal with the cold weather – increases each day I’m here.  The Alaskan people – natives, locals, and transplants – are rugged, competent, and friendly.  The scenery is awe-inspiring!  I can’t wait to experience more of this fabulous state!

Museum of the North

How about this outhouse?!  It’s a touchable sculpture!

 

Next to the outhouse is a Roomba!  🙂

 

Raven: In the Pink (1984) [Carved wood panel, paint by James Schoppert]

 

Bowhead Whale, harvested on September 26, 1963

 

Flipper of the Bowhead Whale

 

View of the sun through the museum’s window

 

Murals of Fairbanks

 

 

 

 

From the airplane…

Just after takeoff over Fairbanks, Alaska

 

Before landing over Morro Bay, California

A few questions and answers…

1) Where is Chena Hot Springs Resort? It’s about 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks.  It’s at the end of a long desolate road with little traffic except to and from the resort.

2) Why am I at Chena Hot Springs Resort?  Quick answer: because it’s here!  Here as in a great location to see the Aurora Borealis, here as in my 50th state to visit, and here as in a friend stayed at the resort last year and highly recommended it.  🙂

3) Why am I here for five days?  When I was in Iceland for a week, I didn’t see the lights.  This time, I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to see the lights.  The recommendation is three nights and I initially thought about seven nights, so I compromised on five nights.  Little did I know that I would see the Aurora on nights #1 and #2!  The next two nights were too cloudy.  On my fifth night, I thought for sure I wouldn’t see them.  The day had been very cloudy with low predictions of Aurora sightings for that evening.  I sat in the Activity Center, which has relatively good WiFi, to work on my blog.  While sitting there, someone ran in and told me the lights were visible.  I grabbed my camera and tripod and snapped away!  The photo at the top of this post is from night #5.

4) How have I spent my days?  In addition to trying to learn Spanish on DuoLingo, reading The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, and chatting with lots of amazing and diverse people, I’ve enjoyed many of the activities at the resort.  These include the hot springs pool (AT LEAST ONCE EVERY DAY!), a magnificent massage, the Ice House with appletini in an ice glass, dogsled ride, and snowshoeing.  Yes, ten months after snowshoeing in Bulgaria, I strapped on shoes and once again trudged through snow!

 
Hot Springs Pool

Those who felt comfortable bringing their phones into the pool would take photos of others and text the pictures to their new “friends.”

 

Strands of frozen hair.

 

Looking into the pool.

 
Ice House

Appletini in an ice glass.

 

The tradition is to break one’s ice glass while making a wish! (Click on the photo for an eight second video.)

 

Ice sculpture.

 
Dog Kennel

Petting the dogs after the dogsled ride.

 

Snowshoeing

Wearing army surplus gloves from the resort – they worked well at keeping my fingers warm!

 

Moose tracks on the trail.

 

Caribou tracks.

 

Monument Creek.

 

A tunnel of snow-covered trees.

 

Mottled sky!

My 63rd birthday started at midnight watching the Aurora Borealis!

While photographing the lights, a fellow traveler took a picture of me taking photos and sent it to me.  🙂

 
At breakfast, I finished my delicious omelet and my server brought me a slice of cheesecake!  It was sent over by a lovely couple I had met the day before at the hot springs pool.  They were here celebrating their 40th anniversary, and I mentioned that my birthday was the following day.  Seeing me at breakfast, they surprised me with cake!

 
Following breakfast, I wandered around the resort, snapping pics of whatever caught my attention.

 

 

 

 
Next up was dog sledding! Although it was a short ride – about 10 minutes on a 1.5 mile trail – it was fun sitting in the sled and having the musher guide the eight dogs on the trail.  No photos of the actual sledding since my camera was tucked away!

 

After the sled ride, I enjoyed meeting and petting some of the resort’s 80 dogs.

 

To top off the day, three friends (whom I met at the yurt on the previous night’s Aurora Tour) and I had a few drinks and long conversations about a variety of topics including travel, languages, and spirituality.  What a nice way to end a terrific day!

I am so excited! 

Five years ago in Iceland, we tried to see the Aurora Borealis – and never saw them.  One of the BIG reasons for coming to Alaska – especially this part of Alaska for this number of days at this time of year – was to see the Aurora – and I did!  Tonight!

Not only did I see them, I captured them on my camera.  I started off with a rookie mistake:  I left my lens cap on!  Ugh!  A few other people were taking great photos with their iPhones, and I was getting NOTHING! 

Then I took my lens cap off and VOILA!  Amazing photos!

 

 

 

 

My second night at Chena Hot Springs Resort, I joined an Aurora Tour.  About 40 of us rode in Humvees up the hill to see the lights.  To keep us warm and comfortable, we hung out in a yurt – by a heater and drinking hot beverages.  The tour started at 9:30pm and ended at 2:30am.  The best part?  Hanging out and chatting with some wonderful people!

At first it was clear…

 

 

 

…then the clouds moved in.

 

 

 

Surprisingly, the lights were out on my fifth night!  I thought for sure I wouldn’t see them due to the clouds!  While sitting in the Activity Center, using the relatively good WiFi, someone ran in and told me the Aurora was visible.  I grabbed my camera and tripod to snap these photos!

 

 

Yes, I’m now in my 50th state! 

After completing my big road trip, I realized I had traveled to 49 of the 50 states.  With one remaining, it was time to visit Alaska.  Add to that: 1) I would love to see and, if possible, photograph the Aurora Borealis – which I missed when I was in Iceland a few years ago; and 2) my birthday is in a few days, so I thought I’d treat myself to a birthday trip.

So, here I am!  Is it cold?  YES!!!!!  Game changers:  Karen’s long down coat (thank you!), hand warmers, and a balaclava!

By cold, I mean…it was -4° in Fairbanks last night when it was 45° in San Luis Obispo…

I spent the morning relaxing and getting up the resolve to face the cold.  Well, and I’m having fun “learning” Spanish on DuoLingo, so I did quite a bit of that while delaying going outside into the cold air!

My first stop was a terrific coffee shop, McCafferty’s!  I have a feeling I’ll see quite a bit of Alaska through windows like these…

 
I walked around a bit and enjoyed the views of Golden Heart Plaza.

 
In addition to visiting the Cultural and Visitors Center, I wandered over to the Ice Museum.  The ice sculptures demonstrate amazing creativity!

Now, to stay inside and warm…unless I decide to venture out for the lights!

I went out for a little bit to try my camera at night.  No success with the Aurora, since downtown Fairbanks has too much light pollution. 

Here’s a photo I took of trees beyond a snow berm.