Southern Arizona

Saturday 2nd June

Waking early Lyn and I set out for a walk through the back of Fred's property which took us out onto an Arroyo.  This is a wash that fills only during summer monsson type storms.

Fred's house is located at the foot of the Santa Cantalina Mtns and they are quite spectacular, rising some to 10,000 feet, higher than anything we have in Australia.  Tucson itself is at around 3000 feet and is in the Sonoran Desert.  These mtns are rugged and home to mountain lions, small wild pigs, deer and bears.  One of the most common birds that we have sighted is the 'Western Grackle'.

Pete took us to the 'Tacqueria Pico De Gallo for lunch.  This restuarant is in the Mexican quarter of the town and the food was delicious and very reasonably priced.

We visited some close frinds of Fred's in the afternoon - Bob and Marg Denny.  this couple made us all feel very welcome and shared some wonderful stories of piloting planes in China during WW2.  Louise had a great time playing in the pool and with the mischevious pet dog of Marg's.

Later that evening we had a beautiful BBQ dinner out on the back verandah underneath a Meskite tree that is over 400 years old as the full moon rose over the mountains.

Much to evryones delight Marg has arranged free tickets for all of us to visit the famed Tucson Desert Museum on tuesday.  This should be sensational as we will see live exhibits of all flora and fauna.

Sunday June 3rd

Another 38 degree day.  however the heat is very dry and not debilitating as this type of heat at home would be.

Awoke at 4:00am for an early breakfast before departing with Peter, Lyn and Fred to visit the Santa Catalina Mountains and specifically Mt Lemmon.

This mtns rises very quickly to some 9000 feet and along the wqy we were treated to the full range of micro-climates that this magnificent range has to offer.  Peter and Fred's knowledge of the flora was amazing and made this a great trip.  We were fortunate enought to see someCoos white-tailed deer and some chipmonks.  The views over Tucson and the many canyons was specatular.

Lunch that day was with a friend of the Carney's , Indiana and her son Ivan.  These were great people and our conversation ranged over a number of topics.

Of particular interest to us was the apparent instability of the border between Mexico and the US.  There has been lots of violence eminating from the 'drug lords' which has included kidnappings of Gringo's and even beheadings.  this has changed our plans and we will not be visiting Mexico this trip.

As the temperatur again rose to nearly 40 degrees we all had a siesta, before heading out to the movies.  Lyn and I watched Mr Brooks (forgetable), Petre watched Knocked Up and said it was very funny, Jane enjoyed Pirates of the Carribean.

We returned home for few drinks on the back verandah before retiring.

4th June

Travelled with Peter and Lyn to Willcox to visit Pete and Jane's former ranch the 'O Bar O'.  This was agreat day and allowed us to see the vastness of their old ranch (some 34,000 acres) and also an aprreciation for the diverse flora and fauna and the toughness of life out in this part of the old west.  As Pete's says this part of the country is probably the last foothold of the old western cowboy.

We returned to Willcox and Had lunchat Rodney's, Pete's favourite eating place and meet up with an old friend who helped build the house.

Jane and Louise stayed behind and helped Fred with some chores in the garden.

John Fandick, one of the Carney's friend and employees arrived at the house after driving from Wyoming to deliver the pickup for us.  John is a terrific bloke with lots of stories to tell.