Tincan Travels

The Beat Goes On

Staying in one place can have its advantages. When we leave Desert Trails we will have been here three months. That’s a long time to a stay in one place. On the plus side, it gives you plenty of time to find your tribe. We’ve met some genuinely lovely people that we enjoy hanging out with. It’s great to find new hiking and biking buddies.

We met Barry and Janice on a previous stay at Desert Trails. Both are avid hikers and bikers. We teamed up with them to take on a Sabino Canyon hike along Bear Creek to the Seven Falls. This five + mile round trip hike requires five water crossings.

It was a demanding hike but we made it.

A trail side view across the canyon toward the Seven Falls

During this year’s stay we met a couple from the state of Washington, Fred and Anne. They told us about a little known cave above the David Yetman Trail that sports pictographs. Barry and Janice joined us and we headed out.

The trail winds through desert washes and hills.

The final ascent to the cave is a hand over hand scramble to get to its mouth.

They even took a chance and went with us to our favorite downtown Jazz club, the Century Room, to hear a tribute to John Coltrane.

During our stay this year we met Lisa and Jim, a couple of full time RVers. We decided to spend some time together hiking the Sabino Canyon Dam trail.

The trail starts out fairly flat but eventually starts gaining altitude.

One of the trails near camp is the Little Cat Mountain loop. We organized a group hike and met at the trail head.

Shelley, Brian, Lizz, Anne, Fred and Pat

Doug and Tim organized a Sunday hike to an old mine opening in a part of Tucson Mountain Park that we were unfamiliar with. A group from the RV park met up and headed out.

Recent rain helped bring on some spring wild flowers.

Our goal was to work our way up a hill for a view of the surrounding desert.

Shelley, Tim, Janine, Pat, Greg, Brian and Doug

We’ve enjoyed our time in Tucson and hanging out with the terrific folks at Desert Trails RV. We are moving on but hope to return in a couple of years. We’ll miss our new friends and those fabulous desert sunsets.

We Have Options

The weather will often dictate our days activity. Too wet? Checkout a movie. Too windy? Leave the bikes locked up and go for a hike where it’s not windy.

Forty six miles south of our location is Madera Canyon in the Coronado National Forest. We choose the 2 mile Bog Springs Trail. The trail is at 5,000 feet with very different topography than what we’ve been camping in.

The Brown Mountain Loop Trail is a 5 mile hike that goes up and over Brown Mountain. The trail is located near by in Tucson Mountain Park. We’ve walked this trail a couple of times over the years and have always walked the trail in a clockwise direction. This time we approached the trail counter clockwise.

The trail starts off fairly flat and then gradually gains elevation.

As you head up the mountain you are rewarded with views of the valley surrounding the mountain.

Near the top we found these Brittlebush blossoms

While we have options away from camp it’s easy to access the desert around our RV park.

We have easy access to different labyrinths

We’re always looking for new culinary delights. This trip we discovered a popular Menlo Park (a nearby neighborhood) breakfast spot, Barista del Barrio. They are known for their excellent breakfast burritos and horchata with espresso.

The park continues to bring in local musicians for monthly concerts. This month brought Grams & Krieger, two of Tucson’s Blues Hall of Famers.

Shelly hooked up with a couple of college sports fans and went to see the undefeated University of Arizona basketball team play. It was quite a spectacle.

The spectacle of Arizona sunsets continue to delight as well.

The Beat Goes On

We’re comfortably ensconced here at Desert Trails. RV life necessitates some mundane routines: there are tanks to empty, groceries to procure, as well as cleaning up around camp. On the bright side we have easy access to the desert and a vibrant community of like minded campers. One of our neighbors told us about a nearby trail system we had not explored so we decided to make the short drive to the Sarasota Trail Head.

The trail ascends to a high point for views of the surrounding desert.

We went back New Year’s Day for our first hike of the year but had to cut it short due to rain.

Mountain biking continues to be a preferred activity here at Desert Trails. Pat has hooked up with group of women who are seasoned mountain bikers and have been coaching her to improve her skills.

Desert Trails RV Park is also a short drive to the Saguaro National Park. The park has a lovely scenic drive and lots of hiking trails. We chose the Valley View Trail for a morning hike.

A short distance from the park is Gates Pass, a popular spot for watching the sun set.

Every day brings more opportunities to watch the sun set…

…and it’s always different!

Happy Trails at Desert Trails

We’ve moved to south Tucson to a private RV Park for an extended stay. The plan is to stay here for the next three months. We’ve been here before and have enjoyed our stays. Between the proximity to the desert and the park community we feel right at home.

We reconnected with Shelley and Brian, some folks we hung out with on our last visit to Desert Trails two years ago, .

Pat and Shelley with Brian’s reflection (Thanks for the image Brian)

Shortly after arriving Pat, Shelley and Brian drove south to Tubac, a historic town near the Mexican border. They were having their Festival of Lights which featured lots of luminaries. Shelly had to stay back to sleep and fight off a cold.

We also reconnected with another old neighbor from past visits.

The park has a group of residents that gets together and invites local bands to play at the park once a month. We arrived in time to enjoy the first concert of the season, the Heather Harding Band. Heather is a Tucson blues legend who plays violin and sings. It was a terrific show.

The proximity and easy access to the desert for biking and hiking is the real draw here. The RV Park borders Tucson Mountain Park with 62 miles of trails. The park was established in 1929 and encompasses 20,000 acres. There’s a lot to explore.

One of the many washes on the Ironwood Trail

A crested saguaro is a rare mutation that occurs in 1 in 20,000 normal saguaros. The reason for this fan like mutation are unknown but thought to be from genetics, frost, or lightning damage. This one is a short bike ride from camp.

Sunsets in Arizona can be intense. This one is from this week

A Short Pause in Phoenix

With Tucson in our rear view mirror we headed north to Phoenix or more accurately east of Phoenix in Mesa.

We landed in Usery Mountain Regional Park, one of our favorite Maricopa county parks.

The recent rain has made the desert very happy and green.

We spend our days biking and hiking the desert and it just doesn’t get old.

While riding the trails at dusk we passed a saguaro with a Harris hawk at its nest.

The Harris Hawk is an interesting bird of prey in that they hunt cooperatively in packs. They are referred to as “wolves of the sky”.

We took a break from riding and flew to Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving with our son and his family.

While visiting we got a taste of the weather we’re escaping.

It was touch and go with the weather but we did make it back to Phoenix in spite of the airport delays.

On our first day back at camp we decided to take a short hike along the Vista Trail.

After our hike we drove over to the Tonto National Forest and the Salt River where wild horses can be seen. We didn’t see any horses this trip but it’s always magical to be around water while in the desert.

Phoenix has many wonderful museums to explore. This trip we stopped at the Phoenix Museum of Art. We were drawn there by a special exhibit called “Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists From Japan”.

Tanka Yu- Bag Work, glazed Shigaraki stoneware

Yes. This is made of clay. We kept returning to this piece in awe of the skill that was required to create this sculpture.

Tanka Tomomi- Dream Flight, porcelaneous stoneware

Back at camp we filled our final days at Usery Mountain Park hiking, biking and birdwatching.

These lovebirds are not native to Phoenix but descendants of escaped pet birds. Local legend holds that the birds escaped from an overturned delivery truck bound for a pet store. Regardless of how they showed up they are thriving in Phoenix.

We’ve had a lovely stay but it’s time to head back to Tucson.

Tucson Reveries

We have visited Catalina state Park a number of times. There’s an hike we enjoy near the campground that had no name and wasn’t an official trail. This year the trail has made it to the list of official park trails- the Alamo Loop. We’re not sure how this 3.2 mile loop got its name.

The trail starts in sandy wash and takes you into the Catalina’s and the Coronado National Forest.

Those are Fairy Dusters in the foreground

Though we’ve visited Tucson many times we have not visited one of its iconic cultural attractions, DeGazia Gallery in the Sun. This 10 acre Foothills retreat includes a number of adobe structures and gallery all built in the 1950’s by the artist Ted DeGrazi. DeGrazi’s work focused on portraying the cultures of the Sonoran desert through a variety of mediums.

DeGrazi decorated many of the buildings walls with murals depicting life in the Sonoran desert.

Golden Barrel Cactus in the DeGrazi cactus garden

We picked up stakes and moved spots where we had better views of the Catalina’s and the Pusch Ridge.

After moving the clouds opened up and we got to experience some desert rain.

The next morning this Sacred Datura bloomed in our campsite.

After the rain we decided to hike up the Moreno Pools, about 2 miles out and back.

The rain also got us to leave camp and visit the Tucson Museum of Art in the Historic Arts District of Tucson. We enjoyed their collection of Mesoamerican and Latin American art.

Standing Male Dignitary, clay-400-800 AD
Veracruz, Mexico

Rooftop Church-Urbano Gutierrez, Peru-Late 20th Century

These elaborate clay churches are made to be installed on the roofs of newly constructed homes. It’s understood that placing a church on the house’s roof will protect it.

Tecuanimeh Dance Costumes, Mexico -late 20th Century

Dance Mask- Pascola, Yaqui or Mayo- late 20th Century

We left the museum and wandered around the neighboring Arts District.

We love to go out and listen to music and Tucson offers plenty of listening opportunities. As we mentioned, the Century Room in the Congress Hotel is a great place to hear music. A Saturday night performance by the Premazzi/Nassar Quartet out of NYC drew us downtown. The band did not disappoint, a great set of music.

Simona Premazzi(piano), Noah Garabedian(bass), Kyle Nassar(sax), Jay Sawyer(drums)

And the sun sets on another week in Tucson.

Tucson Again

We’ve visited the Tucson area a number of times through the years. There have been many changes, increased congestion, building and rising temperatures. In spite of these negatives the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert and its iconic saguaro cactus continues to draw us back.

The unseasonably warm temperatures continued making hiking and biking difficult. We decided to drive seventeen miles north to gain 2000 ft in elevation and have the temperatures drop ten degrees at Oracle state Park. The park is relatively new in the state, it was opened and dedicated on October 1, 2001. The 1.25 mile Geology Trail Loop offers an easy and informative walk.

It had rained last week and as a result, we were treated to a number of wildflower bloomings.

Much of the trail runs along a dry creek bed and offers lovely views of the surrounding mountains.

Along the trail you can see piles of Oracle Granite, the most common rock found in the park. It is a coarse grained igneous rock which is the bedrock of Southern Arizona.

Besides exploring the desert we’ve been taking advantage of what the City of Tucson has to offer.

One of the many fine murals you’ll see as you wander downtown Tucson

While downtown we attended a jazz concert at the Century Club, as fine a venue to enjoy jazz as you’ll find. We went to see Cory Weeds Meets Chris Hazelton.

Strolling the historic Barrio Viejo near downtown is a nice way to spend an afternoon. Offering art galleries, interesting shops and cafes along with historic architecture.

A short distance from camp is Honey Bee Canyon. The canyon is surrounded by high end gated housing developments. Adequate parking is provided for hikers and as you drop into the canyon that development disappears.

While it’s been hot we have not lacked for things to do. Just being surrounded by the beauty of the Catalina Mountains is enough.

Back to Tucson

After spending last winter in Florida, we decided it was time to visit some of our favorite Arizona destinations. We left the north east later than usual due to dental and medical issues. This necessitated a quick trip across the country, Elkhart, Indiana, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. While, the trip across wasn’t relaxed, we did find time to do a few things along the way. In Nashville on a Monday we found our way to an East Nashville institution, The Underdog to catch Guthrie Trapp.

Guthrie Trapp himself

While in Santa Rosa we had time to visit their Blue Hole.

The Blue Hole is a popular destination for divers

We had one more stop before arriving in Tucson.

Site 6 at the Las Cruces KOA with plenty of views of the Organ Mountains

Mesilla is a historic town near Las Cruces. This is where the Gadsden Purchase was signed and the site where Billy the Kid’s trial took place. It also served as the capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona during the Civil War. While we were there the historic plaza hosted community alters commemorating el dia de los muertos.

From Las Cruces we went directly to Catalina State Park, one of our favorites in Tucson.

The temperatures have been high, high 80’s to low 90’s. Too hot to do much serious hiking or biking. These temperatures necessitate getting on the trail early.

While we wait for the temperatures to be more seasonal we’ll catch up on movies and reading. Not so bad.

Jeykell Island-Biked It, Liked It

Jekyll Island is a barrier island on the southern coast of Georgia. The island is 7miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide with 24 miles of bicycle trails. The island was purchased by the state in 1947 and it became a state park the next year. We booked a camping spot in the only campground on the Island.

The island was given its name by James Oglethorpe, the English general who was responsible for establishing an English colony in Georgia. He named it after his friend and financial supporter Sir Joesph Jeykell.

Apparently, there’s a place for Shelly on the island

We spent most days biking the paths around the island.

One side of the island faces the Atlantic Ocean with lots of accessible beaches. While we didn’t have many “beach” days we did make time to be on the water.

Driftwood Beach is a popular destination on the island.

In the late 1800’s, the island became a private hunting club for some of the wealthiest families in the world (1/6th of the world’s wealth was controlled by club members). In 1886 the Jeykell Island Club was built as the club’s clubhouse.

Some of the families built cottages near the Clubhouse when they felt that the clubhouse could not adequately provide for their families needs.

The entrance to Hollybourne Cottage-1890

The members also constructed an interfaith chapel, Faith Chapel, for members use.

The Chapel was adorned with a lovely signed Tiffany stained glass window

Sandwiched into the historic district of Jekyll Island is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Distressed and damaged sea turtles are rescued and nursed back to health and later released. A worthy endeavor that’s worth checking out.

When Jekyll Island opened as a state park in 1948 all of Georgia’s citizens were not welcomed to the new park. Because of segregation African Americans could not visit many parts of the island, including its beaches. In 1950 African Americans from nearby Brunswick requested a portion of the island for their enjoyment. The state designated an area at the south end of the island for their use. St. Andrew’s Beach was the only beach in Georgia open to black Georgians.

Coincidentally, Saint Andrews Beach is also where “The Wanderer“ arrived off the coast of Georgia in 1858. The ship was one of the last documented ships carrying illegal African slaves to America. The trans Atlantic slave trade was outlawed in 1807.

While we’ve traveled the south many times we have never visited one of the area’s plantations. A short distance from Jekyll Island is the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site.

The property was purchased and the plantation established in 1806. By 1849 the plantation was using 357 slaves to cultivate 7,300 acres of rice. It was through the blood and sweat of these enslaved people that converted this cypress swamp into a profitable rice plantation.

Former slave/sharecropper housing for two families

The last family member died in 1973 and left the property to the state of Georgia with a trust to preserve the site for posterity.

While there is plenty to explore in the area we’re feeling the need to move on. We hear Savannah calling.

Oceanside at Butler Beach

Most state campgrounds limit your stays to two weeks. We wanted to stay the month of February in the St. Augustine area on the ocean. Bryn Mawr Ocean RV Resort fit the bill as it is located on the ocean side of historic A1A.

Our site is next to the park’s heated pool and spa.

It’s just a five minute walk over a dune to a wonderful beach.

The beach is wide and at low tide hard enough to ride your bike for 10 miles.

This area is adjacent to the land that was purchased by local African American businessman Frank B. Butler in 1927. He bought the land out of frustration with the beaches of St. Augustine being designated “Whites Only”, with violators being arrested. Despite white opposition Butler Beach became the only beach available to African Americans between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. When Butler died in 1974 the family left the remaining parcel to the county for a park.

While walking and biking along a beautiful ocean beach is a great way to spend the day you have to change it up periodically. We searched the area and headed to the Tolomato River Boardwalk Preserve. The 1.7 mile(round trip) boardwalk is located just north of St. Augustine.

The boardwalk takes you through a large marsh of needle rushes to the Tolomato River.

One of the many tidal streams seen from the boardwalk

Gardens always attract our attention. A short drive south of our “camp” is Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Owen D. Young (a founder of the RCA Corporation) purchased the property as a winter home in 1937 and it was later donated to the state by his wife Louise in 1964.

A number of ponds dot the formal gardens

The gardens also have a number of hiking trails.

North of St. Augustine on a barrier island is the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve which protects 76,000 acres of Florida’s northeast coast. The reserve offers hiking, biking and fishing opportunities.

You never know who you’ll meet along the trail.

The bike trails take you to the convergence of the Guana, Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers where we saw a pod of dolphins.

On one of the many cold wet days this month we drove to St. Augustine for a tour of our favorite local chocolatier.

While we spent a great deal of time at the beach our goal was to spend time with our extended families in Florida.

While we did a lot visiting we still found time to wander the beaches.

You can never tell who you’ll see at the beach

Our daily walk over the dunes to the beach gave us a chance to visit with the locals.

We’ve enjoyed our time in Florida catching up with family and friends. In spite of the allure of life at the beach we’ll be moving north into southern Georgia.