Feb 9 - This is our friend from the Desert Museum, south of Tucson. We visited him as part of a long visit to this park, which is one of the best anywhere. Wonderful place, full of interesting creatures and desert vegetation. There's an aviary, a hummingbird enclosure, and very good desert animal areas. It was a great time. Filled my camera's memory card.

We then drove along highway 85, a generally very nice little two-laner, through the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation, and on to a little town called Ajo (Ah-ho). Thought we'd stay for one night, but after we took a look around and learned more, we decided to stay for 4 nights. Perfect weather, small town, middle of the Sonoran desert, and a very nice r.v. park. Tomorrow night the Tucson Symphony will be here for a concert called "Fiddle Faddle", so we bought tickets yesterday. We'll wander about, do a little hiking in the hills, check out the old silver mine that had 7,000 people living here until the mid-80s. Now it's a slowly recovering tourist town, quiet, nice place to spend a  few days before we head to Yuma and California. Stay tuned.

Feb 6 - We didn't freeze up in El Paso, and we didn't freeze up here in Tucson, despite the evening temps being below 32. Today, we bask in sunshine and temps that are well into the 70s. So no more worries about frozen waterlines. It's been a gradual improvement this week, so far as weather is concerned, so we look forward to some fine days for the next week.

We're in an urban r.v. park, so space is at somewhat of a premium. The biggest rock and gem show probably in the world is on at present here in Tucson, so getting a space is not easy. We lucked out, as we're not cramped where we are, and the facilities are good. Many have been turned away since we arrived, so we were fortunate to get a place this close to downtown.This rock thing goes on for about a month, as well as many other events...big rodeo, golf event, and all sorts of things. Point of interest....One of our neighbours is from Surrey B.C. He's a hobbyist with the gem business, buys and sells. He told us of a beautiful 400 pound piece of jade, much admired on display. Must have been unguarded, because overnight, it was lifted by some crooks onto a flatbed, by means of a crane, and hauled away, never likely to be seen again. They figure some Chinese guys were behind it. Audacity on a grand scale.

The writer has had a pretty heavy head cold since we got here, so our activities have been a little less than normal. We did a 4 mile walk to the Tucson Mall...nice, but who likes malls? Yesterday we rode our bikes 8 kms down to the U of Arizona campus, and toured the Center for Creative Photography, which was excellent, and then the Arizona State Museum, which had an excellent display depicting the various local native groups and their history, culture, wars, and the wrongs done them. Very interesting. We lunched in the university cafeteria with the young folk. Wonderful campus, by the way..

Today we set off on our bikes to go downtown to have a look around (most main streets have bike lanes, so getting around is very good). Halfway there, the writer had a flat tire. Fortunately, buses have racks on the front, so I was able to get home by that means. Gail rode back, and was home before me. So a little misadventure to remind us that things aren't always the way you would like on these trips. Tomorrow we will head for Yuma. We're giving Phoenix a big pass, and may stay in Yuma for a few days before crossing into California. We are well, the r.v. is good, need to get a flat fixed.on the bike.More aadventures await. Stay tuned.

Feb 2 - The little person mentioned occasionally by the Rambling writer would like to have her say...notes of a more practical nature than the usual observations here recorded. For instance, how have we survived 70 days in our little space, specially since winter short hours of daylight and cooler temperatures mean we aren't really camping, but truly living in our space?

Very well, actually. Larry has it to himself while I have my morning nap, during which he puzzles or writes and has a cup of tea, and lays out bagels, cereal etc. We are out and about during the day, or driving, and evenings are spent reading, cards, writing, slide shows, lots of planning, and very seldom t.v. I love the days we can stay set up and go hiking, biking, or sight-seeing, and I love moving days when we head out for some place new. I love the life, when Stony cum Mr. Sociable does all the work. Not only chatting up strangers for stories, but also for all-important information. He does all the driving, 95% of the planning, all the set-up and break-down (which is pretty darned easy, but still)....I do the challenging job of levelling the rig, I must add, and push the button for the slide-out.

We do all of the shopping together and share laundry duties. With all that, he still thinks that washing the dishes is his job, so I have to be quick to keep him out of the sink after dinner. Which brings me to my job- cooking. Since that is pretty minimalist, it is no big deal, other than trying to be creative and learn how to not-cook. The oven igniter doesn't work, but we have 3 burners, micro and BBQ. Each area sells its own specialties to spice up our menus, so we have muffeletta mix, Cajun and creole spices and sauces, Tobasco and pecan rice from New Iberia, sausages and spatzle from Fredericksburg, and mustards from everywhere, and fresh fish and shrimp when not in the desert.

Best buys? Whole bbq'd chickens for $5., 2 for 1 packages of  Caesar salad, russet potatoes and yams, and spicy rice mixes - just add shrimp and-or sausage. And go out for local specialties and beer.

That is all the little person has to say. Mr. Congeniality will be back with more esoteric ramblings and worthwhile reading in the next instalment. Or below.

OK! I can add that we came to Big Bend Park of mountain and canyon and desert for 3 nights, extended for 2 more, and lucked into 2 more on the other side of the park from where we were. Terlingua, to Rio Grand Village for those familiar with the area. Aside from the fantastically interesting landscape and hiking opportunities, we have found a little pocket of perfect weather, and are staying until it ends.

Tuesday - It ended. Mr. Congeniality here. We did indeed have two great days in the east end of the park, hiking a canyon, climbing a ridge to watch the sun set on the Sierra del Carman (on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande), and doing a 6 mile hike to the hot springs. The latter was great going there, especially when we found the hot pool right on the Rio Grande's edge. Had a great soak beside the river, looking at Mexico only a few yards away. Then hiked back in 90 degree heat. Nearly did me in, although not so the 'little person', who coaxed me along. But we made it, and enjoyed a cold beer as a reward. Next time I drink more water. It was a struggle.

Later yesterday, two things happened. First of all, a major dust storm...high winds threw dust into the air, fine dust that even invaded our little nook, while wiping out any view of the mountains we had viewed the night before. The wind howled, putting us in mind of how it must be in Beijing in their dust season. Then, our power disappeared. I went to the camp store, and found out that a major power transfer station had caught fire at Panther Junction. No power left in the entire huge park. Not only that, but the fire spread, so that people had to be evacuated out of Panther Junction, the site of park headquarters. People had to be escorted along the road to get away from the fire, which we saw this morning as having been quite extensive across the desert in that area. Still smoking in places this morning, and still no power in our area.

So we did the candle and lantern thing last night, still had our water, and survived quite well. Even the furnace continued to work, which was good, as we went from 90F to about 34 last night. Good time to make our way along the road to new horizons. So here we are, just outside of El Paso, awaiting the temp to drop to 27F, and hoping it won't freeze up our water system. Stay tuned.