Welcome Home

Rocco, our "grand-dog" was the first family member to greet us back in SD. He was just as happy to see us last weekend as we were to see him. Isn't he a cutie?

We have been home one week. Thursday was a day of 80+ degree temps, about one inch of snow on Saturday morning, enough to cover the roofs and make the ground white, and today it is raining. What can we say...Land of Infinite Variety!

Colorado Snow

The snow just piled up on the patio furniture Thursday and Friday of last week. There were about 14-16 inches in the area, but up to 41 inches in higher elevations. We had planned to stay two nights, so it didn't matter to us.

Curt shoveled snow off the truck. No reason to take it along to SD.


The truck was covered, but it had begun to melt and run-off when I got outside to take pictures.

The snow was about 95% water; it was so heavy and very slushy underneath.

It really was a beautiful snow, especially when I did not have to shovel it or drive in it.

Thanks for the great time, Nicci & Terry.

On our way home

We have said good-bye to our winter home and have begun a leisurely journey home. Tonight we are in Santa Fe NM. We went through the city in 1987 so decided it deserved a visit on our way to Broomfield CO. A storm system is moving in from the Pacific so once again weather is a bit of a concern. We will get out of here early in the morning.

Pictures from our trip home will come later as the camera USB cord is packed away. Sorry. I wasn't thinking when I packed on Monday.

Joshua Tree Scenic Highway

On our way to Kingman and Lake Havasu City last weekend, we drove the Joshua Tree Scenic Highway, northwest of Phoenix. I do not remember seeing Joshua tree before, but I think I have seen them. They resemble trees in that they have a main trunk and braches. They are actually members of the Yucca plant family. Definitely cactus plants.


There was also some interesting rocks and boulder formations in one area. I was driving so I could stop wherever and whenever I wanted. Thus the pictures of rocks.

The Wind

I know, I've said the wind rarely blows here in AZ. Well, I'm wrong, especially this winter. There have been more windy days than we remember from past winters. I took this last week at Kingman.

Blooming Cacti

Some of the desert cacti are now blooming. Most of these were taken at the San Xavier Mission on Tuesday. I need to take the manual for my new camera along of this weekend's trip so I can use more of the bells & whistles.

San Xavier del Bac Mission

This beautiful mission was built in 1783 on the Papago Indian settlement south of Tuscon. The active mission is currently in restoration.

"The White Dove of the South" was founded in 1692 by Father Kino of Tumacacori Mission. It is one of the best preserved and most exquisite old Spanish Missions in the Southwest.

Services are held regularly at the church. There is also an active school on the campus.

Tumacacori Mission

We drove to Green Valley today to see Lee & Jan. The four of us took a little road trip to see a couple of missions, one no longer in operation and one that is. This is Tumacacori, a National Historical Park site in southern AZ. Curt & Jan are listening to "tour guide" Lee read about the church. The mission was founded by Father Kino in 1691.


The adobe church was begun in 1800 but never finished before it was abandoned in 1848.
Some of the original painted designs are still visible in the altar area.


This is my creative attempt at "framing" the baptistry & bell tower from the window in the friar's quarters.

We were able to see remains of a lime kiln, granary, mortuary chapel, friar's quarters, irrigation ditch, as well as the church and cemetery.