Twenty-Four Years of Service

Erick completed 24 years of service and has officially retired! We are so blessed that God watched over him during his various assignments and that He saw fit to bring us together. As we begin the next chapter of our lives, we thank you, our family and friends, for your support and love. We'll let you know where the adventure takes us!

Ski Valley

Our journey this week took us up over 9000 feet to Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon to start. Four of us (Katie, Kay, Carol, and I), along with our three canine companions (Tucker, Zona, and Kiernan), hiked upward to over 10,700 feet and reveled in the scenic views of the Tucson Valley to the south and the towns of Oracle and San Manuel to the north. We could see Mount Wrightston way down south -- that was our hike last week, and it didn't look nearly as daunting as it felt last week when we were hiking it!

It was sad to see the burned out areas with only silhouettes where tall pines used to be, but cabins are in various stages of rebuilding and the mountain was not wanting for more tourists this week! We sat on the ski lift chairs at the top drop-off point as we shared our snacks and took a bit of a break from the steep inclines until the lift operator showed up to start things moving. Small birds aplenty and wild turkeys kept their eyes on us as we made our way along the 8+ mile trek. Two horned toads were as surprised to see us as we were them, but boy, were they incredible looking! Haven't seen one of those since I was a youngster. Tucker's pic shows how rough life is as a dog when you hang out with a women's hiking group. He is such a good dog!

A quick stop on the way home for a little frozen yogurt treat put smiles on everyone's faces for the last 20 minutes home. It was a perfect day!

Almost Outnumbered!

Okay, picture this: the Desert Southwest, four women, three dogs, and a 7-mile hike through the Santa Ritas following the Super Trail up to Josephine Saddle (near Mt. Wrightston), then the Old Baldy Trail back down. It's been windy for three days, so the city is coated in dust and barely visible from way up high. At the start, winds are fairly calm and the temperature is about 60 degrees. We're at 5450 feet elevation to start and we're lightly layered. As we hike along the gentle switchbacks, we find alligator juniper with the coolest bark (it really does look like alligator skin!) all around the trail. Little groups of wildflowers are few and far between because of the lack of rain, but we manage to find a few to brighten the brown hues of this desert we live in. The stream beds are dry now; the snow melt is long gone. The air chills a bit and the winds pick up the higher we go; the backpacks empty and the jackets and vests go on. Those gloves I left on the desk at home were talking to me this morning; I should have listened because my hands are FREEZING! By the time we reach Josephine Saddle (1700 feet higher), all of us agree that the workout we got on the way up (which left our clothing damp from exertion) is going to be our enemy as it provides instant (and unwanted) air conditioning to our bodies on the way down. The good news: the winds relax and retreat the lower we go. The layers come back off at various stops and find their way back into our packs. The downhill trail is only half as long as the one we took up, but you know what that means: it's twice as steep as well. Hello knees! Our canine companions cannot figure out why we've slowed down, and as herding dogs, they nudge us along to pick up the pace. With only one slip of the foot on the slippery slope, all of us make it down unscathed. It's now 80 degrees down below and Dairy Queen is sounding awfully good as a reward for our conquering of nature's offering of the day. (They sell mini-Blizzards now, you know!) Another breathtaking day for four fabulous foxes and our loyal canine companions.

(One of the folks we met on the trail warned us that we'd better be careful or the dogs will soon outnumber the women. Well, that's NEVER going to happen because each of the fab females only has one dog, and I have none, so that can't happen! Whew!)

Easter Eggs?

Though it may look like Easter arrived early, these are really the 111 golf balls pulled from the snorkeler's cove (also pictured) during my snorkeling expeditions. This does not include the 30+ that Nini found nor the near 40 that my 12-year-old friend Matthew and I found together during his week-long visit here. Not a bad haul, if I do say so myself, and we still get to have Easter eggs in a few more weeks! We'll have to try for a new record next year. Meanwhile, the unique blues and greens in the water continue to soothe the soul and calm the mind. This is my favorite view of all times, and it's why I keep coming back to the Bahamas!

A glimpse of Paradise...

This is the view each morning outside of our little piece of Paradise: the soothing colors of the sea, the sound of waves lapping at the beach, white beaches with sand so fine it's a delight to walk upon, a hammock luring you into a morning of reading, and the sight of the tip of the cove where snorkeling brings you nose to nose with the underwater world. No clocks, no schedule, no worries -- just rest, relaxation, friends, laughter, and rejuvenation. God has truly given us Paradise and we are thankful for it.

Don't worry; be happy!

Disguised as two Bahama Mamas, Nini and I made the most of her 8-day visit by packing in as much as we could while still resting, relaxing, and reading. Junkanoo, a conch salad-making demo, swimming and birthday celebration with Betty and the kids, a *#@&!+!% jigsaw puzzle from --ll, and a visit to The Dig at Atlantis were among the many activities that occupied our time. When we weren't doing that, we were shopping on Bay Street, snorkeling in the cove, soaking in a little sun, or looking at impressive yachts in the marina. Nini found a Queen Conch that easily wins as the best find ever in our little cove! Thanks, Nini, for the fun-filled week. So glad you made it and hope we'll get to do it again!

Just over 9...

What a day! Six feisty ladies took to the Powerline and Sutherland Trails and soaked in the beauty of the desert, listened to the rush of the snow runoff stream through the canyon, and dodged the rocks along the way as they clicked off 9+ miles of climbs and (a few) descents in perfect weather. Our three canine companions (Tucker, Gus, and Kiernan) scouted ahead, chasing each other to see if pups or oldtimers would be king of the desert today, and then they rounded us up to be sure all made it up and back without losing touch with the group. If you've never challenged yourself to take on life and what it has to offer, it's about time you did! You don't know if you don't try, and trust me, you won't regret it. These Thursday morning hikes are a real blessing. When I walk on my own, it is peaceful and fulfilling. When I walk with the Thursday hiking group, it is challenge and chatter and adventure and giggles and aches and a renewal of life. I hope it goes on forever!