beluga

beluga

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Moving on to Arizona

 

Our site at the Springs at Borrego

When we last spoke we were enjoying our last few days in Borrego Springs.  


  We drove up and over the mountain to pick up our last pies for the trip.  Three for the freezer!


As we pulled into the parking lot we heard a helicopter circling and then watched it land a little way from us.   The folks inside climbed out and went into the pie shop for their fix....evidently we're not the only ones addicted to these pies!

We played one last round of golf with Pam and John.   I kept my camera on the natural surroundings around the course,  Golf is not always an easy game......




On the afternoon of our last day Pam and John followed us out to Fonts Point (socially distant Jeeping) for what has become a tradition with us....Happy Hour high over the Badlands.    Sometimes we wait to watch the sunset but this time there were beautifully clear skies, so no dramatic sunset.


We hiked a short way up to the point, fairly close to the edge (gasp) and set up our chairs and tables.   Silence surrounded us.     After we were there quite awhile a few others came along, but they walked to another overlook and left us to our views and conversation and snacks.


We did have one couple settle nearby, but they were quiet and kept to themselves.   See the rocky point in the distance between Pam and John?    That was the couple's choice of spots.



Pam and John headed home the next morning and we started our move to Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson.   We broke the drive into two days because we've decided not to travel more than 200 miles in one day.   Why hurry?

As we passed by El Centro we saw evidence of the Blue Angels practice routines.

Surrender Dorothy?

 I love to see the smooth tan sands of the Imperial Sand Dunes along the way.


We stopped for a lunch break at a rest stop in the middle of the dunes and had fun watching buggies race up and down the high sand mountains.



We ended our day at Copper Mountain RV in tiny Tacna, Arizona, along I-8.   I have never had to sign as many pages of disclaimers and campground rules as I was presented with there, however it was an extremely inexpensive and quiet overnight spot.   Our pull thru site was very large and the park was easy in and easy out.

We're now in Catalina State Park, a favorite place for us all.   Lots of space for hiking, for walking Lewis and for enjoying the birds.

site 73 at twilight



The bosque is just beginning to leaf out and the delicate leaves shimmer in the bright, warm sunshine.



busy day at the feeder

We broke our self imposed (Covid imposed) restaurant avoidance the other afternoon.    A few years ago Laurel and Eric introduced us to a wonderful Italian restaurant in the nearby Catalina Foothills area and Dave immediately fell in love with one of their signature dishes.      We decided to treat ourselves and order it for a take out dinner at home.    Dave was a very happy man....

Cioppino

We also treated ourselves with a springtime favorite - a fragrant purple hyacinth.    As an added bonus, it serves as a daily Covid test for us.   It's beautiful aroma greets us each morning and we're delighted to know that we still have our sense of smell.



Yesterday was a day of firsts for us.    We finally received our first Covid vaccine at Walgreens in Tucson and on our way home we bought fast food at a drive thru window - something we've not done before!


We're here for another few days, then on to Wickenburg.  The Daytona 500 race heralds the beginning of Spring for Dave and he looks forward to watching it tomorrow. 



    





16 comments:

  1. I've also seen helicopters there, not sure what if they are inspecting the power lines or what they are do.
    Dave's seafood look like a very good reason to break your self-imposed isolation.
    Stay safe in your travels and enjoy your pie!. we picked up the Apple Mountain Berry

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    1. we're metering out the pies carefully!

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  2. Nice that you were able to spend more time with Pam and John.
    You should stay in the area you got your first Vaccine making it easier to get the second.
    Be Safe and Enjoy the quaintness of Wickenburg.

    It's about time.

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    1. We were able to schedule our second vaccine in Phoenix so we're all set!

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  3. Jim got his first vaccine yesterday. I am still not booked for anything. The new state site opens Tuesday for reservations, so I suspect I will be trying there. I may put Jim on the other laptop for Walgreens and see if anyone can score.

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  4. The hunt for vaccine is frustrating for sure....I'm so glad I was able to get into Walgreens - the experience was seamless and easy. Good luck!

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  5. Two of my favorite things in Arizona: Catalina State Park and that amazing Cioppino. Glad to hear you got the vaccine. Hopefully it'll be available in much larger quantities in the coming weeks. It does seem to be smoothing out a lot now, so, fingers crossed! Enjoy the sunshine!

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  6. Finger's crossed indeed....it can't be that hard!

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  7. So lovely to spend a warm evening at Font's Point with good friends! And cute neighboring couple :-) That Ciopinno looks well worth a run in for pick up. Lucky you to find vaccines. We're hoping Walgreens will be able to get Bill in this week as they are supposed to be opening up for Phase 1C. I must be COVID free as I can smell the hyacinth from here!! Enjoy Catalina and Wickenburg. Sure wish circumstances allowed for us to visit - hopefully soon.

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  8. Yes, soon we'll be able to visit. All I know about getting in to Walgreens queue is to jump on it immediately, if not before!

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  9. But of course you would come up with a lovely and creative covid test! :-) Your post brings back such good memories of birding with you guys on the trails at Catalina and dinner together at Vivace. So glad Dave got his cioppino fix. On New Year's I made Apalachicola style cioppino with fresh Gulf seafood (shrimp, scallops, and grouper cheeks). It was yummy!

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    1. we just did that walk today and talked about you two, as we did pulling into Vivace!

      Grouper cheeks, tee hee

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  10. Hyacinth is one of my favorites, too, and this makes me wish I had one in the moho. I would imagine those pies have the added benefit of the Covid taste-test. You are an inspiration! Happy hour on the bluff with friends is as good as it gets. I am envious of your upcoming (current?) time in Wickenburg, not only because we're freezing here right now, but because of the warmth of the friends we share there. So happy for you all!

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  11. I never thought about those pies being a good Covid taste test! Perhaps we'll have to liberate one from the freezer til we get our second shot!

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  12. What magical places! I am so happy to see the small birds here but we are a long way from hummers so thanks for sharing that. You two really have been busy, even if you don't think so! Sherry in MT

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