Mount Lemmon

Hi All,

Today was our last day with Roberta & Elliot before they head for Florida then back north to Massachusetts. We were afraid they had forgotten about the snow back home so we took them up to Mount Lemmon. At 9,150 feet, we found plenty of snow and fantastic views.

From 6,000 feet we see the nearby Rincon Mountains, the distant Santa Ritas and Tucson in the valley below.

Carl took a picture of this rock formation as we drove up the mountain.He also got a clear reflection of Elliot's ear!

Beautiful views in every direction including right into the sun.

We watched these emergency services personnel practice mountain rescue techniques.

More mountain views with the roadway below.

Ski slope near the summit.

Frozen ice waterfalls on the way down.

We said our goodbyes and will not see Roberta & Elliot until we fly up to MA in March.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Casa Grande National Monument

Hi All,

Yesterday we drove with Roberta & Elliot about 65 miles NW of Tucson to Casa Grande National Monument
We met up with our Calgary, AB friends Al & Tena deJong who are wintering near Phoenix. We first met Al & Tena in 2006 on a Habitat build and we've seen them several times since.

We toured the ruins with an excellent docent and learned about the enigmatic three story structure build around 1350 and abandoned roughly 100 years later.

The roof protects the "big house" so named by Father Kino, believed to be the first non-native to see the ruins. Also visible in this picture are the remains of other one and two story ruins.

This cut-away of the big house shows the pine logs used for the floors and ceilings.

 

On the way home we had this great view of the Catalina mountains.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Jewish History Museum- Tucson

Hi All,

We had another great day touring Tucson with Roberta & Elliot. The Art Museum was very nice but they do not allow photography so we cannot share it with you. 

Next stop was the Jewish History Museum. Located in the building originally built in 1910, for Temple Emanu-El, the museum depicts the history of the local Jewish community. Tucson Jews were generally prosperous and numerous at the turn of the 20th century. It is estimated that 1/3 of the non-Hispanic population was Jewish.

The beautiful stained glass windows have been restored

There was a special exhibit of wedding gowns and Ketubot (Jewish wedding contracts)when we visited.

The docent described this lovely gown worn by Gabby Giffords at her 2007 wedding to astronaut Mark Kelly.

Along with the custom Ketubah written by the couple.

Another wedding dress worn by a Jewish hippie type was astonishingly created by the same artist that created Sandy's top.

The modern decorated Ketubot were beautiful.

The docent described with pride the beadwork she did on this, her grand daughter's wedding gown to convert it from a strapless gown to one appropriate for marrying an Orthodox Rabbi.

It was a small but fascinating museum.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Birds and Windshields

Hi All,

We led the bird walk today. Had a total of 23 people, the largest group yet for us. Folks ranged from expert birders to first time birders. We saw 46 species, though not the trogon and everyone seemed to enjoy the 2 1/2 hour walk.

This western screech owl was a big hit nestled in the willow tree.

As were these western bluebirds.

After the birding, we returned to the coach where our windshield was being replaced. The chips we got in Idaho last August had grown to 15" cracks. Even with this huge opening, ginger showed no interest in getting outside. It was amazing that two guys could install a huge windshield in the field.

Tomorrow we do four boat trips of it doesn't pour as forecast.

Love 

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

East of Tucson

Hi All,

Today we visited two sites east of Tucson, Colossal Cave and the east section of Saguaro National Park .

Colossal Cave differed from Kartchner Caverns in several ways. It is a dry cave so the formations are no longer growing, it was discovered long before the conservation ethic developed so there is a lot of damage to the flow stone features and cameras are allowed so these are real pictures from in the cave.

After the cave and a delightful lunch at Comidas Mexicanas, we went to the Rincon Mountain section of Saguaro National Park. More beautiful scenery and elegant Saguaro Cacti.

Here's the view from the visitor center

Here's the view from along the loop drive.

After four more wonderful days exploring the area with Roberta and Elliot, we drove back to Sonoita Creek to earn our keep.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Kitt Peak Observatory

Hi All,

About 60 miles west of Tucson is the Kitt Peak National Observatory. This premier astronomical observation site has 25 optical telescopes and 2 radio telescopes. 

During our visit, we toured the 4-meter Mayall telescope with one of the best docents we have ever encountered. Allen is a former National Geographic science writer who made the observatory and related research come alive for geeks and non-geeks alike.

Classy mural at the Visitor Center

The Solar Telescope

Wide shot of the many telescopes. In the distance is Babaquavavi, sacred mountain to the Tohono O'Odham.

Mayall 4- Meter Telescope exterior

Mayall Telescope: 300 tons of mirror and structure rotate to follow the stars.

Mayall and adjacent 2.3 meter Steward Telescope.

Another Kitt Peak panorama.

Definitely worth the trip if you are in the Tucson area.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Kartchner Caverns

Hi All,

We met Roberta & Elliot at Kartchner Caverns State Park. We enjoyed a great guided tour through a magnificent cave with a finale in the Throne Room with a huge 58 ft column.

Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed in the caverns so these pictures are all from the Visitor Center.

Here's the flow stone of the Great Wall

More formations in the Throne Room.

Soda straws

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

617-435-8502

Miniature Museum

Hi All,

Today the Greenbaums and Schultzs spent hours in the Miniature Museum in Tucson. This fascinating place is basically the collection of one woman, Pat Arnell, whose husband Walter build her a museum when her collection outgrew the house. Just three years old, this museum is another must see when visiting Tucson. Extensive doll houses and room boxes with the most exquisite decorations and furnishings are everywhere.

Here's a Danish Antique Shop

A nursery done in pastels

A sun room

The details of items on shelves and hand painted miniature wall hangings were astonishing

This is a study overlooking Lake Tahoe

Here's another sitting room. Check out the paintings, chandelier and moose.

A bedroom with a loft 

Carl's favorite is this rich walnut study with a painting of a WW II B-24 bomber above the desk.

Many of these photographs are indistinguishable from full size rooms. Just amazing.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone

Sonora Desert Museum

Hi All,

Great 5 hour visit to the Sonora Desert Museum. We first visited the awesome place in 1977. 

Lots of reptiles

Interesting geology exhibit including a real Apollo moon rock.

And colorful earth minerals

A mountain lion sleeping in the sun

And an ocelot in its underground den

The raptor free flight show was terrific. The birds were not in an enclosure, just constrained by the availability of easy food. We saw a gray hawk and Perigrine falcon that were hard to photograph. This barn owl was more cooperative.

As was this Harris Hawk, perched

And in flight

A great museum and must see in the Tucson area.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome

Volunteering across America

greenbaum2@gmail.com

617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone