1-21-15

Martin: Inside the tapas bar - 'Nonina'

Me: My mom is back! We are hoping to have her in Arizona for a few months (a good break from Iowa's winter). Mom will be splitting her time between our home, Carol's & Joan's. Great to have her here & looking well at 87 years young. Last night Bob made us a little fire which wasn't really necessary (it's not that cold here) but it sure felt cozy while sitting in the backyard.

1-20-15

Me: After our 7.3 mile hike it was lunch time. We drove the 7 mile paved road to Massai Point at 6,800 ft. Here we marveled at the view, soaked in the sun & ate our lunch. Kata & Robyn had the best snacks & shared with the rest of us Thanks! :-)

After lunch we headed out for another trek. This time a 3.5 mile loop on Echo Trail.

Bob amongst the "Islands in the Sky".

Standing up rocks everywhere.

Green Lichen speckled the spires.

Narrow passageways.

Reeeeaally narrow!

Kata & Robyn in the Grottos. This was a really cool area.

Except for the falling rocks. Watch out!

Me & my two adventurous nieces, Abbie & April.

So glad they and the rest of the group made the trip to Chiricahua!

Great adventure!

1-19-15

Me: …Bob's fall yesterday was a beautifuly landed jump. And April's acting was award winning. ;-)

We had such a fun group hiking Chiricahua on Sunday!

Bob, Kata, Robyn, Carol, Mike, Abbie, April & me.

We started at 8:30am on the Rhyolite Trail to the Sarah Deming Trail to the Heart of Rocks Trail. (7.5 miles round trip).

Carol admiring the Hoodoos (standing up rocks that look like people).

First glimpse of Balanced Rock.

How much more erosion before that giant boulder falls?! :-/

This was a great place to take photos & play with my new fish eye lens.

Abbie & Mike & Balanced Rock.

What a beautiful day we had to explore this area which was discovered in the early 1900's by a Swedish couple. It was made a National Park in 1924 and today there are many wonderful trails to enjoy. Chiricahua has 12,000 acres of protected land.

The rock here is called Rhyolite. Years & years of wind & water has eroded the Rhyolite into amazing rock formations...

like this duck.

Camel's Head.

 Thor's Hammer.

Kissing Rocks and more.

Before we left the Heart of Rocks trail, Kata fed the duck an apple. ;-)

He was hungry.

Our group got back to the visitor center and drove to Massai Point to have lunch and do an afternoon hike in the park. I will post those pics tomorrow. That's a LOT of Chiricahua pics…but it was a reeeaaaally cool place!

1-18-15

Me: Bob & I moving some rocks around in Chiricahua National Monument.

I think we'll put this boulder right here...

Yep, that looks good... "Say cheeeeeese"!

We had fun playing in "Land of the Standing up Rocks." Well, until April got mad & pushed Bob off  the edge. Find out tomorrow what happened...

1-17-15

Me: Today I raced the MBAA (Mountain Bike Association of Arizona) McDowell Mountain event. I entered the Marathon Division (43 miles) and finished 3rd behind two great friends: Beth from Tucson (1st place) and Kata from Ahwatukee (2nd place). I barely held off Melissa from Scottsdale (4th place) who finished 27 seconds behind me. Beth & Kata are in top shape & had a gap of 9 minutes on Melissa & I at the finish. Fun racing with these ladies! 

Posing on the podium. Love that we race hard & are goofy afterwards!

Kata, Beth, Me & Heidi. 

Heidi & Bob also raced marathon division but both missed one of the turns on course which messed up their race (bummer). They still had a great time and it was fun to have them & many others out there (600 competitors total across several divisions).

After the race Bob & I rushed home, showered, loaded the camper & drove 4 hours south to camp at Chiricahua National Monument. We have a big day of hiking planned tomorrow with family & friends. 

1-16-15

Me: Make time for play.

Life lesson from Harley.

1-15-15

Martin: Angelita's new venture. She has just opened up a tapas bar on the main road through Casares. The two cousins really got on well. 

Me: Harley praying for a bunny.