Tuesday, May 30, 2006
We are very pleased with the Red Ledge Campground. It is quite small and quiet. We had not even finished setting up until the owners came over to invite us to a cookout they were having that evening. We had a great time visiting with the other guests and eating. Nearly everyone brought some food to share. It was a great evening. On Monday we went to Cedar City, about 10 miles away, to Walmart for groceries. This town of about 21,000 is very clean and has about every kind of business any could need. This is a very nice area with temperatures averaging in the 80’s in June. We are enjoying it. Tuesday, May 30 we drove to Zion National Park. Immediately upon arriving we boarded a shuttle bus which takes visitors up into the canyon. There are several stops along the way leading to walking trails to view the canyon walls which rise to more than 10,000 feet. Some of the trails climb to the top and others just to viewing points of interest. We walked about 4 to 5 miles total. Our praises to God for the beauty He has created for everyone to enjoy. Zion National Park is viewed from the canyon floor and Bryce Canyon, which we will see in a few days, is viewed from the mesa, the top of the cliffs.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
May 28, 2006
We are on the road again heading for a very small town, just a little bigger than Keats, KS, where Sue grew up and we lived in the area for several years. There are no businesses in this town other than a post office and the campground we are staying in. It is again a cool day which we are enjoying. The drive to Kanarraville was not particularly scenic until we passed into Utah. We went through one section of mountainous road which was a high altitude with beautiful scenery and very winding roads and steep grades. The new motorhome just buzzed right along. It rides so smooth and quiet with the diesel engine in the rear.
We are on the road again heading for a very small town, just a little bigger than Keats, KS, where Sue grew up and we lived in the area for several years. There are no businesses in this town other than a post office and the campground we are staying in. It is again a cool day which we are enjoying. The drive to Kanarraville was not particularly scenic until we passed into Utah. We went through one section of mountainous road which was a high altitude with beautiful scenery and very winding roads and steep grades. The new motorhome just buzzed right along. It rides so smooth and quiet with the diesel engine in the rear.
Friday, May 26, 2006
May 25, 2006
At 12:30 pm we finally were ready to leave Tucson. The RV dealer finished with the work they needed to do. It again is a very hot day. We are so glad to be leaving this area. We stayed at Camp Verde, about 4 hours north of Tucson. On Friday we drove through some unusual scenery after we passed through Flagstaff. We are staying in Fredonia, Az. and plan tomorrow to go to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We have not been there. Tonight the temperature is down in the 70's and the weatherman says a cold front will be moving through this weekend. The high in the area we will be going to on Sunday is 70. We will try to soak it up.
At 12:30 pm we finally were ready to leave Tucson. The RV dealer finished with the work they needed to do. It again is a very hot day. We are so glad to be leaving this area. We stayed at Camp Verde, about 4 hours north of Tucson. On Friday we drove through some unusual scenery after we passed through Flagstaff. We are staying in Fredonia, Az. and plan tomorrow to go to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We have not been there. Tonight the temperature is down in the 70's and the weatherman says a cold front will be moving through this weekend. The high in the area we will be going to on Sunday is 70. We will try to soak it up.
Friday, May 12, 2006
May 12, 2006
At Saguaro National Park we watched a short film telling about the deserts vegetation and animals. A demonstration was shown about the Native Americans harvesting the seeds of the giant Saguaro cacti. The Saguaro Cactus are in bloom now. The blooms set on in the evening after temperatures cool some. By the next afternoon the blossom has wilted and the brief period of blooms is over. This period of short blooms continues for about 4 weeks. In June and July the fruit from the blossom of the saguaro ripens and each fruit contains 2000 seeds. The Indians harvest this juice and make jelly, wine and use it for other foods. Out of all the seeds produced by the Saguaros few make it into adulthood, only about 1 per year per tree. At one year the tree is only ¼ inch tall. After 15 years it is barely 1 foot tall. At about 30 years they begin to flower and produce fruit. After about 75 years they began to produce branches or arms. Saguaros can grow to around 50 feet and can live 150 years. Many roads and walking trails are in the park. We did enjoy learning about the majestic Saguaro but since we have been in the desert for some time we really did not find much else new or different there.
At Saguaro National Park we watched a short film telling about the deserts vegetation and animals. A demonstration was shown about the Native Americans harvesting the seeds of the giant Saguaro cacti. The Saguaro Cactus are in bloom now. The blooms set on in the evening after temperatures cool some. By the next afternoon the blossom has wilted and the brief period of blooms is over. This period of short blooms continues for about 4 weeks. In June and July the fruit from the blossom of the saguaro ripens and each fruit contains 2000 seeds. The Indians harvest this juice and make jelly, wine and use it for other foods. Out of all the seeds produced by the Saguaros few make it into adulthood, only about 1 per year per tree. At one year the tree is only ¼ inch tall. After 15 years it is barely 1 foot tall. At about 30 years they begin to flower and produce fruit. After about 75 years they began to produce branches or arms. Saguaros can grow to around 50 feet and can live 150 years. Many roads and walking trails are in the park. We did enjoy learning about the majestic Saguaro but since we have been in the desert for some time we really did not find much else new or different there.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
May 11, 2006
We found Biosphere 2 to be quite interesting. It was created to better understand Biosphere 1, the Earth. September 26, 1991 Eight crew members, the Biospherians, who had undergone a two-year training program, entered Biosphere 2 shortly after sunrise for the initial two-year experimental to test the first physical model of Earth's biosphere. Biosphere 2 had been designed for a hundred year study of complex ecological systems interactions. They overcame problems along the way and a second experimental group followed later but cut their mission short due to problems. For more information please link to: http://www.biospheres.com/experimentchrono1.html Experiments are still being done there but it is no longer a closed atmosphere and it was opened to the public in 1990 for tours conducted daily. Biosphere 2 covers 3.15 acres. It is 91 feet at its highest point and is sealed off from Earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner. A host of instruments constantly monitor the air, soil and water. Biosphere 2 contains five biomes—a rainforest, desert, savanna, marsh and ocean. The 25-foot ocean contains a million gallons of salt water and has a coral reef, ocean plants and animals. Biosphere 2 houses more than 3,000 species of living organisms. Two spherical buildings, called The Lung, were constructed to control the air pressure/ heat in the Biosphere. The ceiling is a rubber bladder when deflated lies on the floor and rises as the pressure/heat in the biosphere rises. The buildings are huge as you can tell from the picture.
We found Biosphere 2 to be quite interesting. It was created to better understand Biosphere 1, the Earth. September 26, 1991 Eight crew members, the Biospherians, who had undergone a two-year training program, entered Biosphere 2 shortly after sunrise for the initial two-year experimental to test the first physical model of Earth's biosphere. Biosphere 2 had been designed for a hundred year study of complex ecological systems interactions. They overcame problems along the way and a second experimental group followed later but cut their mission short due to problems. For more information please link to: http://www.biospheres.com/experimentchrono1.html Experiments are still being done there but it is no longer a closed atmosphere and it was opened to the public in 1990 for tours conducted daily. Biosphere 2 covers 3.15 acres. It is 91 feet at its highest point and is sealed off from Earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner. A host of instruments constantly monitor the air, soil and water. Biosphere 2 contains five biomes—a rainforest, desert, savanna, marsh and ocean. The 25-foot ocean contains a million gallons of salt water and has a coral reef, ocean plants and animals. Biosphere 2 houses more than 3,000 species of living organisms. Two spherical buildings, called The Lung, were constructed to control the air pressure/ heat in the Biosphere. The ceiling is a rubber bladder when deflated lies on the floor and rises as the pressure/heat in the biosphere rises. The buildings are huge as you can tell from the picture.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
May 9, 2006
Our next trip was to Mt. Lemon. This was a beautiful drive with vegetation ranging from the giant Saguaro Cactus in the lowland desert to pine, fir and spruce trees in the highest elevations. There are many vistas along the way with gorgeous mountains and very interesting rock formations. Near the top is a ski resort and many hiking trails.
Our next trip was to Mt. Lemon. This was a beautiful drive with vegetation ranging from the giant Saguaro Cactus in the lowland desert to pine, fir and spruce trees in the highest elevations. There are many vistas along the way with gorgeous mountains and very interesting rock formations. Near the top is a ski resort and many hiking trails.
Monday, May 08, 2006
April 28 to May 8, 2006
April 28 we received a call that my brother had fallen and broken the bones in his heal. He is looking at a long recovery and we pray he will recover so that they can join us some time this summer in a cooler climate. The dealer did have to order some parts for our “new home” so we are still here on May 18 waiting for some of the parts to come in. We have had time to visit some of the attractions here. While it was not quite the same without John and Neva to join us, we did go to Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemon, Saguaro National Park and Biosphere II. These are all in close proximity to Tucson and in the desert. The temperatures are near or above 100 degrees each day. Spending time outside is not a whole lot of fun!! A shuttle bus took us 3.7 miles up into Sabino Canyon with 9 stops along the way where we could get off to hike the trails, take pictures and view the wildlife. Outstanding scenery abounds, featuring steep rock cliffs, and foothills covered with unique desert vegetation. During the rainy season (June and July) water runs through this canyon. Now it is dry, dry. It was quite hot so we did not do any hiking. However we did see some energetic people who hiked or ran up the entire way.
April 28 we received a call that my brother had fallen and broken the bones in his heal. He is looking at a long recovery and we pray he will recover so that they can join us some time this summer in a cooler climate. The dealer did have to order some parts for our “new home” so we are still here on May 18 waiting for some of the parts to come in. We have had time to visit some of the attractions here. While it was not quite the same without John and Neva to join us, we did go to Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemon, Saguaro National Park and Biosphere II. These are all in close proximity to Tucson and in the desert. The temperatures are near or above 100 degrees each day. Spending time outside is not a whole lot of fun!! A shuttle bus took us 3.7 miles up into Sabino Canyon with 9 stops along the way where we could get off to hike the trails, take pictures and view the wildlife. Outstanding scenery abounds, featuring steep rock cliffs, and foothills covered with unique desert vegetation. During the rainy season (June and July) water runs through this canyon. Now it is dry, dry. It was quite hot so we did not do any hiking. However we did see some energetic people who hiked or ran up the entire way.
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