Let the Adventure Continue

ad·​ven·​ture

1

          a: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks

          b: the encountering of risks

2:       an exciting or remarkable experience

Starting our Winter 2020 Adventure, we had definition # 2 in mind. However when Captain saw it (the peak he did not summit 4-years ago) he just had to try.

Picacho Peak

So, off we go on the 6-mile Sunset Vista trail

Sunset Vista Trail

Lot's of poppies along the trail.

Wisely, ABN turned around after about 2 miles and enjoyed a leisurely hike back to the trailhead.

Captain continued the 1- mile hike to the top

 

Upper Body Workout

Almost there!

View from the Top

The Details

This particular adventure concluded with a trip to the ambulatory clinic in Apache Junction and a week of rest, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, heat compresses and a slight change in our planned agenda. Feeling pleased that he made it; Captain has come to the realization that his body is older than he thought and maybe he should prepare a bit more for future challenges.

Look what pulled into the campsite next to us in Picacho State Park!

We had passed and waved/honked at this look-alike twice when we were in Texas.

Meeting folks is what truly feeds our soul when traveling and Debbie certainly didn’t disappoint.

Recently retired from the film industry in Los Angeles, she is currently exploring the country solo, full-time in her 2003 Lazy Daze, We had a delightful conversation and look forward to meeting up with her next month at the Lazy Daze Gathering in Moro Bay, California.

With our change of plans, we spent a few days in a commercial campground in Apache Junction to give Captain’s sore muscles a chance to recover. With ABN’s sister, Mary and husband, Steve,

we took a little day cruise on Canyon Lake.

Captain continues to improve so let the adventure west continue.

We never tire of the colorful Arizona sunsets!

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Greetings from the Tucson Area

Our view this week has been that of the 1500-ft. Picacho Peak. 

Since the temperature warmed a bit we hiked a trail part way up the mountain. It was perhaps one of the most rugged trails we have hiked. We don't really know the elevation or distance, but we ascended for an hour and it took about 90-minutes (and a couple of tears to ABN’s pants from scooting) to descend.

We also did an easier hike in beautiful Catalina State Park located almost in the backyard of ABN’s cousin, Lin and her husband Fred.

With Lin and Fred, we toured the “world-renowned Biosphere 2, a conceptual and engineering marvel created to better understand how natural environments generate conditions appropriate for life.” In 1991 a team of 4 women and 4 men lived for 2 years in the sealed facility. They lived off the food they grew in their garden, eggs from their chickens and a few fish from the simulated ocean. As one of the women stated, they had excellent nutrition but not enough calories. Currently the massive facility is run by the University of Arizona for environmental research.

Lin and Fred took us to their favorite restaurant in Tucson, Paco Casa. Our meals were outstanding!

Hanging out and remembering the times and people of bygone years with Lin and Fred, well it's just fun.

ABN got her creative fix taking a workshop on resin at the TucsonMineral, Gem and Bead Show. The workshop was taught by Susan Lenert Kazmer, who developed the product, Ice Resin. For ABN, it just whetted her appetite to return next year.

Next week's weather promises to be beautiful in the Chandler/Mesa area. We will wander on up there to spend some time with ABN's sister and husband and hopefully do some cycling.

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