Today we set out on our North to Alaska Adventure at 9:16 am from Dickinson. Our trip should take us about five months, wanting to stay in relatively warm weather as long as possible. We plan to visit family and friends all along the way. Our first destination stop in Boerne, TX was to visit and dine with Larry's cousin, Katherine Frank (yes, there are 2 of us!)
Bluebonnets are still in bloom, especially on the west side of San Antonio and they, along with the other wildflowers are beautiful.
April 9
Travel day to Balmorhea State Park. Something amazing happened today on our way to BSP -- I drove the motorhome!! It wasn't for long, but I did it. It was extremely windy. And wouldn't you know the first thing I spot while driving in the park is a long snake crossing the road. Yuk!!
This little guy was gathering grass probably for his nest.
Still trying to identify this bird. Some type of Sparrow maybe.
April 10
Travel day to Las Cruces, NM. Attempted to go to a couple of state parks on the Rio Grande River, but there wasn't much of a river. Apparently this time of the year they hold up the water further upstream till summer.
Mountains along I-10
Welcome to New Mexico
Pecan trees are plentiful in the Las Cruces area
The Rio "Grande" River
The view of the Organ Mountains from our campsite
April 11 - Las Cruces, NM
I went shopping in Old Town Mesilla this morning and we played golf at New Mexico State University this afternoon. The weather is just gorgeous!
Gambel's Quail
Greater Roadrunner
American Robin
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
April 12
Travel day to Tucson, AZ. Today was cloudy but warm.
Mountains along I-10
Prickly-Pear Cactus
Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus
View from the back of our park
A small Saguaro Cactus
Today is all about outdoor fun - 4 miles of hiking to be exact. Our morning stop was a short drive from our RV park to Saguaro National Park, home of the Saguaro cactus.
Octotillo and Saguaro Cactus
Octotillo and Saguaro Cactus
Prickly-pear cactus bloom
When this zebra lizard runs his tail sticks straight up!
This Saguaro is getting ready to bloom
A most unusual shaped Saguaro
The Saguaro can grow as tall as 70 ft.
Another prickly-pear cactus flower
The rock art found within Saguaro National Park was created by the prehistoric Hohokam people.
Our afternoon stop was in Sabino Canyon. A trolley took us up to the top and we walked part of the way back down.
The Northern Cardinal
More of Sabino Canyon
Mallard Duck
Ouch!
Hiking down Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon Dam
Can't get enough of looking at these mountains!
April 14 - Tucson, AZ
Today we are heading south down I-19 to Tumacacori National Historic Park. Mission San José de Tumacácori is a historic Spanish mission preserved in its present form by Franciscans in 1828. Mission San Cayetano del Tumacácori was established by Jesuits in 1691 in a different location. After the O'odham rebellion of 1751 the mission was renamed and relocated to the present site on the west side of the Santa Cruz River, where this first church structure was erected for the mission. The architectural style of the church is Spanish Colonial.
This lady was demonstrating the art of making tortillas. Boy were they yummy!
What's left of the inside of the Mission
This is what it would have looked like.
The bell still hangs today
The Mortuary Chapel
We then headed on over to Patagonia Lake SP for lunch. This lake is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert.
Next stop for some wine tasting at Callaghan Vinyards.
Then to the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Mission San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish Catholic mission located on the Tohono O'odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. Named in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Kino for a pioneering Christian missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), the Mission is also known as the "place where the water appears," as there were once natural springs in the area. The Mission is a pilgrimage site with thousands of pilgrims who visit the church each year many of them walking or riding on horseback cabalgatas.
Very intricate craftsmanship
Till next week!
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