Hieroglyphic Trail

 Here are a few shots from our hike last Wednesday up the Hieroglyphic trail.  Its a short trail but gets pretty rocky up towards the top.  Great views is the reward for the climb.

Not unusual to see a cactus at the top of a rocky outcropping but where this deciduous tree gets its nourishment from is a mystery.  

Seen better days. 

Love this shot with all the different layers in the background.  The haze in the distant mountains makes for a very mellow feeling.

Don't do a lot of B&W but this shot seemed to call out for it.  

Took today off to rest the weary body and hoped to get caught up on the blog.  Still have pictures from one more hike to edit but its time for bed and another hike tomorrow morning so it looks like getting caught up will have to wait.  

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

 Our reno project is coming along and the outside should be complete by Tuesday or Wednesday.  Then we can move inside.  We are hoping the flooring will be installed by the 1st week of January and furniture delivery shortly after.  Will keep you posted.

A few weeks ago we went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum for our first time this year.  We got memberships so we will be making a few more visits before the winter is over.  The following pictures are just a few shots from our brief visit.  

BTA sports a little rose garden which is 
pretty much at its seasons end.
Still a few good blooms left.

A crested Saguaro in the background.

This tree seems to shed its bark.

This tree has a very smooth bark the colour of copper.  

Eucalyptus trees are massive with very smooth white bark

There seems to be a theme: BARK.  Or perhaps more accurately the texture found in some of the trees found at BTA.  

I've got pictures from a few hikes we have done so those will be coming up next.  

Till then. 

Picket Post Hike

 A little 9.5 km hike today plus a trip to Superior for lunch.  

Picket Post is one of our favourite hikes as it takes us through a canyon with beautiful views when looking up the canyon walls plus a stream running through the canyon floor and lots of large trees.  Unfortunately the fires of this past summer took its toll on this area plus the river bed was bone dry.  While not as lush as usual it was still a great day shared with friends. 

Lunch after a hike at Porters in Superior is always a favourite but in January Porters was bought out and is now a smokehouse.  Food was still great and they fixed the place up a bit but I did miss their Superior hamburger and the atmosphere wasn't quite the same.  We did notice a Porters sign down the street so perhaps they have moved to a new location.  We will check it out on our next trip to the area.  

No progress on the construction today as I was plum tuckered out after our hike and the beer at lunch had me ripe for a nap as soon as we got home.  Hoping to get some of the siding up tomorrow and then things should start to take shape.

Here are some shots of our walk today. 

The sun rising behind the mountains made for excellent light.  

Our motley crew

The fire did a number on this saguaro.  
The ones higher up the canyon seem
to have fared better

The fire burned hot and fast.  
The bark is black and crispy but the inside
trunk looks untouched. 

In the midst of a burned out section this plant is thriving,
complete with beautiful white flowers. 

The foreground would usually be filled with
shrubs and small trees blocking the view.

A few pools of water fed by underground streams provided Chewie
with his favourite activity.  Brings back memories of Charli, sob.  

So glad the fire didn't take all the large cottonwoods and ash trees.  
The small shrubs and grasses will recover in a few years but
these beauties would take decades to replace

Met this group near the end of our hike.  
They are all from different states and bring their
horses with them for the winter.

First hike under our belt.  Many more to come.  In fact we have one scheduled for Monday and possibly a visit to Boyce Thompson Arboretum set for Tuesday.  

Till then.