Linda Vista Trail in Tucson

I wanted to go out for a hike one more time before foot surgery scheduled for the 11th, and our friend Bev told us about a trail at the base of the Catalina Mountains in Tucson. The hike is rated moderate but we felt we wanted to do this hike regardless.  We chose the path strait up, about .75 mile going straight up into the Pusch Ridge of the Mountains.  Very stunning.  We would climb for awhile, turn around then look back into civilization, amazing that we were climbing so high and see so far into the distance.  After climbing and looking - we could see Picacho Peak - where we live, in the distance.  We figured we were about 35 miles from the peak. The brittle bush was out in bloom, different cacti showing buds of flowers coming soon.  Ocotillo in full bloom, we are jealous since ours are not blooming at all.

Once we got to the top you have an option of going either left or right back down, or, just return on the path we came up on.  We talked to a hiker who said that the path on the right was more level, less rocks, a tidge more in length.  The path on the left - well, quicker but more strenuous.  Maybe some other time we will do that path on the way down.

Lots of people hiking up and down, well traveled and the path was well marked.  Good hike.  After completing the hike we went to one of our favorite places - Cadillac Chapparel - for dinner.  And then was treated to a beautiful ride back to Picacho along Park Link Road - an 18 mile stretch with no homes, no civilization, just saguaros and all types of cacti along the roadway.

Sign at entrance to hike

Wide, maintained trail to top

Top of trail - Pusch Ridge in distance

Picacho Peak in distance

Ocotillo plants in full bloom

Visit to Phoenix's Desert Botanical Gardens

Last week we traveled to Phoenix to see the Dale Chuhily Glass Exhibit displayed within the Desert Botanical Garden of Phoenix.  Chuhily is world renown for his very distinct glass blown art work.  We were not disappointed in what we saw.  The exhibit will be at the Garden until mid May but we wanted to see this before it got too hot to walk around.  We watched a video which explained how Chuhily got interested in glass blowing, how his education and travels inspired him.  The movie also showcased some of his art which he has shown throughout the world.  Very pretty, very interesting.

Of course seeing the artwork was a great experience, but seeing all the different cacti and succulents - all labeled with name and where to find it in the world was an added bonus.  We paid attention to the cacti shown for the SW area of the United States and also Baja California/northern Mexico as to what is native to those areas since we are part of this area.  Gave us some ideas of cactus to add to our little garden going on in front and behind our park model at Picacho.

It had been many years since we have visited this Garden, even think we will try to come back in a month or so to visit when the cacti should be in full bloom.  Lots of people, in places actually crowds staring at the art exhibits.  Here's a flavor of what we saw.