Winter Trip 2023 - Tucson, Last 3 Weeks February

 We pretty much lost the last week of January and 1st two weeks in February to Gary coming down with Bronchitis.

He was better so we went to Govindas, a Vegan/Vegetarian place for lunch with friends on Valentines Day. 

Interesting place. A vegan/vegetarian buffet at the ISKCON Temple a non sectarian community promoting unity and peace. 

There is a koi pond

And some exotic birds

Think this guy is fat and happy to be living with vegans!

Next we're off to the 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade.  7 Winters in Tucson and this is our first time.

It is the largest Non-Motorized Parade in the country.  In all, there are over 120 entries – made up of over 500 horses, approximately 2,300 people, 85 wagons and buggies and 8 marching bands.  It was a beautiful morning!

Next, I head to Patagonia with the girls while Gary went with one of the guys shooting in Sonoita.

Then we all met up at the Copper Brothel Brewery for lunch

Gary is ready for a hike, so we head to Saguaro National Park East to walk the Freeman Homestead Trail.  A 1 mile loop.

There's nothing left of the home.  Gary is standing in the center of the foundation, you can see part where the sand has.been cleared away.

From here the trail goes into the wash.

There are hills in the desert

A Saguaro Cactus Skeleton.  Inside the tough way skin is a woody skeleton.  The trunk and arms of a Saguaro are pleated like an accordion.  This allows for expansion and contraction depending upon the amount of water taken in.  When fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200 and 4800 pounds.

It was fascinating and learned a lot about his life.  He was colorblind and mixed his own colors.

The best part of the exhibit was the immersive room.  His art was displayed in constant motion on the walls and floor.

Thoroughly enjoyed 

We do another hike

The Ridge Trail

A teddy bear cholla cactus, doesn't it look cuddly?

The Ocotillos have sprouted leaves after the rains and some have flowered

It was a cloudy day so it was quite pleasant hiking up the ridge

We figure this is the end of the trail

But the trail seemed to go on

Then disappeared 

So we headed back

A great hike.  It was supposed to be 2.2 miles but we went 3 miles.