Snow on the Four Peaks

It has been a busy couple of weeks.  I came down with a head cold which mimics some of the Covid symptoms so I decided to go get tested.  Figured Lori should get tested as well since we are living in a pretty small space.  Went to Walgreens and got the rapid antigen test courtesy of the American government.  I came back negative but surprise surprise Lori came back positive.  She was feeling fine.  No symptoms, nothing.  After a bit of research we did our 5 days quarantine and, as we have been doing for 2 years, we wear our masks when out in public.  My cold disappeared and except for seasonal allergies we are both doing fine.  

We might go back and get retested and this time get the PCR test.  I'm thinking if Lori was positive then I probably was as well just the test, which is notorious for showing false negatives, didn't pick it up.  If we get the PCR tests and show positive we can use that test to get across the border and won't have to bother with the antigen test within 24 hours of crossing the border.  The testing and border crossing requirements are all very complicated but a positive PCR test, providing you have no symptoms, can be used from 10-180 days after the test to cross the border.  Im hoping the government drops all testing requirements but Im not holding my breath.  

So what does one do if your quarantined.  Well if you have renovation projects its a great opportunity to get them done.  If you've seen either my or Lori's Facebook posts you have seen some pictures of the completed Arizona room, Bathroom and Bedroom projects.  I will try to get some pictures out at some point.  Next year we have the kitchen and living room to do which should be pretty straight forward after what we did this year.  

We are now back to our usual hiking routine.  Did 7.5 miles on Monday and have a 9 mile one scheduled for Friday morning.  Its going to be chilly as the last few days have seen cold wet weather set in with highs around 10C and down to 0C at night.  Rattlers have been sighted however the recent cold weather will send them back underground at least till next week when its supposed to get into the 80'sF.   

Another bonus of the cold wet weather is that we woke up this morning to snow on the mountains.  Not a novelty for anyone back home however it gets everybody pretty excited down here and not hard to take since its all gone in a day or 2.  

JC and I headed off to get some pictures of the white stuff on Four Peaks which is one of the highest mountain ranges in the area. 

Here are a few of my shots. 

Got plenty more but its time to get some shut eye.  Over 9 miles with 1500' elevation gain is going to be a grind.  If we survive I'll have more pictures in a few days.  

Oh, by the way,  I won my second silver medal in the second of our photo contest.  This one had to be a shot taken in our RV park.  This is the back of the 9th green.  Wasn't overly happy with my entry but the judges seemed to like it and it allowed me to practice with my neutral density filters that I just bought.  Boys and their toys.  

Another shot from our Zoo trip that I just got printed in acrylic is my Three Amigo's picture.  Its hanging in our Arizona room and it ranks up there with my favourites.  

 

Full Moon tonight y'all!

 Full moon tonight.  Taken from my back yard in Gold Canyon.  

Old Town Scottsdale

 About a week ago Mark, Jan, Lori and I took a day off for some retail therapy.  Old Town Scottsdale is located in, you guessed it, Scottsdale.  Lots of shops with old west type storefronts with a few authentic old buildings thrown in.  We each go for different reasons.  Me to snap some pictures, Mark to check out the jewellery craftsmanship (he makes jewellery in his spare time, Lori and Jan to search for that ever elusive can't be beat deal on something they don't really need.  What we all have in common is having a great meal at a favourite Mexican restaurant followed by dessert at the Sugar Bowl.  Picture a 1950's soda shop and you have the Sugar Bowl.  We all came home overfed and with surprisingly few packages from our shopping trip.  I got comfy in the back seat and slept part of the way home. 

All in all a great day with some great people watching thrown in for free. 

Old west facade but modern tourist traps once inside the front door. 

Only $49.99 for a genuine cow skull.  How can you pass this up.  
If only they were from a longhorn which can
 frequently be seen grazing in the desert. 

A little original metal artwork

A few authentic old buildings.  Most are closed and contain piles of antiques.  
Not sure what the plan for them is.  

That's it for today.   The Photo club and the RV Park have set up a photo contest with a different theme twice a month.  I won second place with my picture of the Blue Heron spearing a fish.  I posted it a few weeks back on the blog. 

This time its any shot taken in the Park.  I have a couple of so so pictures that I have to edit and decide which one to print.  Next up I have about 600 horse pictures to cull and edit so that's what I'll do between watching the superbowl and a nap.

Hieroglyphic Trail

On Wednesday the photography club went for a little hike up the Hieroglyphic trail plus a little side trip to check out a large Saguaro which usually houses a great horned owl nest.  

Greek to me but meant something to the ancient civilizations.
The rocks at the end of the trail are covered. 

A few of our intrepid photographers
getting ready for the trek back down

A little retail therapy, a Mexican restaurant and some ice cream at the Sugar Bowl is scheduled for Friday.  

Bulldog Saddle and Pass Mountain

 Monday a few of us tried out a new hike recommended by our neighbour.  The hike was 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1158 feet which we got to do twice as there were two peaks with a valley in-between.  The second peak was tougher.  Not because it was more difficult but rather because the boots were getting a little heavy by that time.  The treks down were actually more difficult as the trail had lots of small rocks and pebbles which made sliding on the tail very easy.  Something like walking down a hill on ball bearings. 

Some nice scenery as usual. 

A very confused Saguaro

We have started work on the bathroom and bedroom renovations.  Neither of these were originally planned for this year however we are on a roll.  Bathroom cabinets and the uppers in the bedroom have now been painted.  This week we do the lower cabinets in the bedroom and then start on the walls.  Hopefully all done by end of February and that's it for this year.  I'll post some before and after pictures when we are all done.