 Amy ordered a dog backpack so when she/we are on a hike and Jack needs a break, into the pack he goes. He appears to enjoy the test but at 30+ pounds, it's more weight than we normally carry so his breaks from walking will likely be brief.
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 Some of our group of 10 gather in front of LaBuzz to car pool the 20 miles and 6000+' elevation gain to the Butterfly trail head. Marc G invited Amy to drive his Tesla, which she throughly enjoyed.  An entirely different world where rain is abundant other than I think May & June, maybe Sept. and Oct. too.  We begin our hike on the Butterfly Trail and later switch to the Sunset Trail to form a very nice, 8.5 mile loop with 2300' of climbing.  We descend for 2.4 miles, passing many formations of flowers. In places, it was like walking through a jungle and at times, I could not see my feet. On a previous visit, I encountered two, black rattlesnakes and I dread the thought of hearing the rattle and not being able to see my surroundings.  The Bighorn Fire of two years ago cleared out some areas and allowed for some....  ....great views.  In addition to doing the loop, we were looking for a side trail that would take us to a military plane crash site from 1957.  More flowers and at last....  ....Amy led us to the site which she had visited a few weeks ago. Actually, Amy was the route finder on today's hike and did a great job, also providing this information about the crash: Three F-86D Sabre Dogs from Davis-Monthan AFB were attempting an arrow formation when one jet pulled up and the tail struck the belly of another jet. The two pilots ejected out of each of their planes and parachuted a half-mile apart on Mount Lemmon. They were both rescued the next morning. One jet crashed near the Butterfly Trail, the other disappeared. 3 months after the disappearance, a rancher called the Air Force to report a mysterious crash. It was the other Sabre-dog, which had corrected itself and continued on its easterly course before crashing in Truth or Consequences (350 miles away).  We got back on the Butterfly Trail and while heading toward a ridge, passed through a burn area. Now we were on a 3+ mile climb which was rather steep in places. I've not been hiking much so began to feel the effort in my thighs. Then it began to rain, lightly but persistently. We didn't much mind as we were already soaked from our effort on this humid day.  We finished our ascent slightly below Mt. Bigalow, then followed a dirt road for a bit. The rain paused but now many of became quite cold due to our wet clothing and 65 degree temperature. Hiking out here, it never occurs to me to pack a simple and light rain protective piece. We departed the dirt road and descended....  .....steeply via the Sunset Trail, passing many huge Ponderosa pines. One of the highlights of today's hike was.....  .....admiring several gnome displays. Someone put in a lot of effort to create these intricate....  ....displays.  Near the end of our hike we passed beneath General Hitchcock Highway and eventually to our cars. I declined the offer to drive the Tesla so Amy could have another go with it.
 I live next to a wild area through which I walk Jack. Recently, I noticed the tell-tale sign of a snakes movement in the sand so was on the lookout for a rattlesnake. A few days later, in the distance I saw a snake stretched across a trail so hustled to the area but not a rattlesnake, just a very long, non venomous snake.  We've entered monsoon season. It was forecast to be an active one and so far, it is. A wild fire in the region had been raging for a couple of weeks and only 40% contained but a burst of rain, in one spot within the fire of 4" and the fire is no more.  Wow. A rainbow between The Cleaver and Pusch Peak..  Still need to do some tree trimming to remove some obstruction to the fabulous views caused by the setting sun. Well, have a group hike set up for tomorrow.
 Jack goes crazy playing with a pig which lets out a long growl when its center is pressed.  We declined to ride this Saturday and Sunday mornings, otherwise occupied being lazy but we did make the 2 mile drive to Catalina State Park to hike to the "Hidden Falls" which may be running after last night's rain. Lot of saguaros on a nearby hillside.  Amy pauses beneath an arch made by a dead saguaro.  Clouds have lingered to assist in producing beautiful scenes. Center bottom of the above image is the "green rock" which I planned to hike past but alas, the usually faint trail to it is now over grown with vegetation so I did not find the trail.  We pass north of the green rock but again, I could not find access to it. Sure, I could have bush whacked across to it but fear of rattlers and getting cut deterred me.  We reach where water usually falls but not enough has collected from the rain so it is dry for now. With rain forecast for most of the next 10 days, that should change.  We scramble down from the base of the dry falls to resume our trek.  The level of ant activity was amazing. I suppose the rain and run-off from it caused some mayhem below that needed repaired.  So many saguaros dead from the Bighorn Fire of 2 years ago but lots still thrive.  Grinding holes from Hohokum activity from around 800-1000 years ago. There are hundreds of these examples around Tucson.  Wow, check out this image as we near the end of our 5 mile hike. That's an agave or century plant which has produced the stalk with the yellow flowers and Pusch Ridge in the background.
 Ten of us gather at a trail head to begin our trek to Big Cat Mountain. Today's forecast; freaking hot! The current temperature; something less than freaking hot! We're passed by a few mountain bikers and that seemed the better way to travel the route, today.  We follow a rolling route for about 2 miles and then begin a very steep.....  ....and at times really, really steep climb to Big Cat Mountain. Yes, it's kind of rugged but so, so beautiful.  Our group reaches the peak and takes a well deserved break. An idiot spray painted a message on the rock.  Then we begin the down climb. I forgot my hiking pole so it made the descent somewhat perilous but I survived with only a brief slip or two. We finished with 5.2 miles and all had a good time but I did run out of fluids at the end with the temp at 98 degrees!!! My next hikes will be at elevation where it is 15-25 degrees cooler.  The new Cooper Hawks can be seen around where I live. One has conquered flight while the other is seen running like a Roadrunner. Hopefully it learns flight before the night critters find it.
 I made the mistake of ordering a pair of bike shorts with large red panels, kind of garish and they don't match with any of my jerseys. So, I wear them only if my others are dirty. Anyway, while on a ride, I felt a sting, looked down and there's a bee and it just stung me. Did the red attract it...ok, just a coincidence.  A family of hawks built a nest for the 4th straight year, in one of our many trees. The mom and dad aggressively patrol the surrounding area and if anyone moves too close, one of them will dive and attempt to use their talons to brush us. I've been "struck" many times, once drawing blood from the back of my head. It is with relief that I likely saw the inaugural flight of one of the babies (the parents will now stop dive bombing me), this morning. It was standing in the parking lot so I approached to coax it to a safer spot, above. Then....  ....it walked into a sprinkler's dispersion and I realized, since it hatched, this was its first exposure to water.  I wanted to break in a new pair of hiking shoes so went to the near by Linda Vista Trail. I usually choose a 2 mile loop and while doing so, saw the above deer and later a Road Runner.  The morning scenes are quite beautiful with....  ....rare clouds overhead. We are a few days away from the start of the official monsoon season. The forecast is for an above average rain season and I can feel the humidity creeping up. The mountains received some light precipitation, last night.  I returned home and while eating lunch, saw movement out the sliding door. I took this image to make sure I had something as the baby hawk had learned how to fly. Then, I crept outside, leaned the camera over the railing and....  ....so cool. It soon flew to a nearby tree. Last year, the three little hawks met their demise via one way or another so good to know one of this year's batch has made it.
 Another morning in Oro Valley. What a great view and a blue sky!
 I'm sure you're wondering, "what is the purpose of the above image"? It was the only day among 12 that I could sit in the woods, resting while not being rewarded with a soaked rear end.  Beneath the long stretch of cloudy days were some beautiful scenes. I'll return in late September/early October when it just has to be dry weather. I mean statistically, it has to be!  I upgraded to a window seat and there too enjoyed some good scenery. Must be the Rocky Mountains. After 4 hours of flying, the plane banked and descended....  ....into Phoenix with Camelback Mountain in the distance. Hundreds of people climb that every day. It was so good to see the mountains again. I miss them when I am away the way some people miss the ocean I suppose. Got in a 25 mile bike ride with the awesome Amy and it is so, so good to be home. Lots of things coming including trips to CO, WY, Sedona, St. Thomas and elsewhere including area hikes.
 In Amy's portico, after capturing a lizard, a rattlesnake heads under a piece of furniture!!! How long has it been living there, who knows, how many times have Amy and Jack the Dog walked by that furniture if the snake has been under there?. The fire department has been called for removal.
 Overall, the visit has been slightly less than satisfying. So far, I've cut about 15 dead trees, cut them into fire place length pieces and stacked them for splitting when I return in 4-5 months. I've burned a lot of brush and with the morning temps, used the fires for warmth too but that rain, practically every day, really sucks. However.....  ....it's not just about working in the woods, I visited my soon to be 102 year-old mother who still lives an independent life other than daily visits by "Meals on Wheels", saw two children and three grandchildren, including the soccer star, jealously.....  ....looked at my son-in-law's enormous wood pile and wished I could experience the satisfying feeling of striking the above cherry pieces. Usually, cherry splits easily and quick work can be made of it. That's osage orange in the background and that is difficult to split. It burns hot and I hear a cord of that sells for around $1000.  By the end of a day, not being accustomed to upper body work, I'm really tired so opt not to see old friends but had to make an exception for Kenda's Janet and Paul, at the Mellow Mushroom. It was great getting caught up and discussing the possibility they will spend 3 months in Oro Valley early next year. Southern AZ is so, so different from where they usually "winter" in FL. We'll see. Upon exiting the restaurant....  ...it was of course raining, lol. Wow, New Albany has become a boom town for tech companies. Every corner has an Amgen, Facebook, Amazon, Google, etc.. gigantic building on it and now, Intel is coming. They acquired 3000+ acres, paying farmers $56,000+ per acre. A $25 billion investment to build a new chip factory. I hope all the employees enjoy rain.
 My flight descends toward Columbus and the color green is kind of a shock to the eyes after months of the wonderful colors of southern AZ. Don't get me wrong, I like green, but it is an abrupt change. I also like blue and the sky was cloudless! Two days ago the forecast was 7 consecutive dry days so that too was grand.  After working in the woods for a couple of hours, doing all kinds of pulling, yanking, shoving type work, I needed a break. I opened the door of the rental and in hopped Stella. We hit Wendys and shared a grilled chicken sandwich. My first day was a good, enjoyable day working in my woods. The next day....  ....it rained lightly most of the day, including while I went to watch my grandson, Anthony play. Standing under an umbrella for an hour isn't much fun and only 4 members of the team came out but hey, I did enjoy watching Anthony run around.  I have paths in the woods but they were severely overgrown in places so I cut back the brush, pulled it into the paths and....  ....got a fire going after dousing the wet wood with gasoline a couple of times. Once the fire gets large enough and hot enough, I rake in the brush. It's a long process but meantime, I.....  ....manage to cut down the first tree. Not very large in diameter but very tall. That evening, Thursday....  ....severe storms roll through and in the morning, still raining. As I drove Tuesday from the airport, I was reminded of what a fantastic network of lonely country roads exists in Ohio, most stitching together small communities. One could ride every day for a year and never ride the same route, especially when you throw in the gravel roads. So many "monster" climbs like Reynolds, Snortin Ridge, Chickencoop, Savage, Revenge (all real road names) and on and on. I miss the variety for cycling but the weather??? I'm really good with southern AZ.
 I'm headed to Ohio in a few days, for, as usual, working in my woods, visiting my 101 year-old mother, visit grandchildren but mostly working in the woods. I love working and walking around the mainly oak trees. I took a field, planted 2 year-old seedlings, watered them during a rare Ohio drought, sprinkled them with urea nitrogen to spur a second spurt of growth in the springs and now, a real forest exists. Anyway, Amy's sister bought a home and asked me to clean up the front and back yards.  Above is the after picture. I enjoyed working some of the same muscles I'll be using in Ohio so it was a good prep for my visit. In addition to cleaning up the trees, which had become bushes, I removed all the prickly pear cactus and cholla cactus. Yikes, so many cactus spines I had to pull from my hands and arms.  Still cycling quite a bit, getting in 100 miles a week. I found Sunset Road in Marana to have several steep climbs. But HEY! Don't fret as I will be hiking again soon and posting more awesome images. On Sunday....  ...Amy and I, with hiking buddy Katheryn and her husband Jim, drove into the sticks, found a good hill as a background and practiced shooting. All legal in the great state of AZ. Above, they posed, duplicating some movie scene. To be fair, if I had to rate accuracy, Jim was the best, followed by Amy with Katheryn and I tied for last. Amy suggested we pick some grapefruits from her tree and bring them along for target practice. If I had a shotgun I maybe would have hit the fruit but with a hand gun, nope.  On the return to Tucson/Oro Valley we stopped at Charron Vineyard where we had a glass of wine and enjoyed the views. Great day.
 We tried out the new "Fork & Fire" restaurant in Oro Valley Marketplace. The food was good, the views were better. I love looking at the mountains when the sun is setting. The next day....  ....Amy and I visited our friend, Katheryn who lives about as high up the mountains as is allowed and provides great views too. We had arranged for a snake avoidance lesson which began.....  ....with placing a rattlesnake skin in front of Jack. He got several good sniffs and with that.....  ....a rattlesnake was placed in several locations. As Jack approached, a mild shock was given and rather quickly......  .....Jack and Kathryn's dog Sam, wanted nothing to do with a rattlesnake. Part of the lesson included....  ....learning to avoid Colorado River Frogs. Licking one of these will at least make a dog sick and often causes death. Until last year's monsoon, I'd never seen one of these frogs but they were a common siting during last year's monsoon. For each dog, the combination of snake and frog training only took about 20 minutes.
 We begin this report with an update on Jack the Dog. Car rides continue to be a point of stress for our Wheaten Terrier. He sits, staring into a corner, panting. Put the car window down and no response. A friend has the same issue with her dog so it's not unique to the Jackster, He's a very mild mannered, fun loving dog and a great companion.  I've never visited the Titan Missile Museum so we checked it out on Sunday. The above map shows 18 yellow circles, each identifying the former location of the missiles around the Tucson region. There were three other clusters like this in the US.  Our group ($15 per person) descends 55 steps, walk through two thick blast doors and enter.....  ....the control room. Our guide, having worked at a Minuteman site in South Dakota, had a broad, working knowledge of life below ground. Fascinating listen. Then we walked to a floor of the....  ....missile silo and got a good look and explanation of how the missiles would have launched, which thankfully, they never did. All the Titans have been destroyed except for the one, stripped of its fuel and warhead. Good tour, lasts about 45 minutes.
 Amy and I made a first visit at the "Wild Garlic Grill" which was very good. I should have taken the image before we began eating rather than mid way through. The portions were enormous so I had enough left over for two lunches. Next day....  ....I stopped at a gas station during a ride for a break and the quality of the food was not as good as the night before but it was much less expensive. My 51 mile route took me.....  ....to the Camino Del Cerro trail head, also a first visit via the bike. It's a decent climb to the end of the road and looking eastward....  ....I was treated to nice views. I plot my routes depending on the wind direction. I'd rather have a head wind at the start of a ride and then ride the wind, coming home. Typically, mornings begin with ESE winds and switch to WSW winds late morning. I rarely am lucky enough to time it just right where I can ride the wind both directions. Visited the Titan Missile Museum for the first time and will have a brief report up soon.
 Our group of six arrived in the town of Tortilla Flat at 8am and found ample parking. At this hour, the saloon/restaurant and other businesses had not yet opened but soon, finding a parking spot would be a challenge. We got on to a faint social trail and began a fairly steep climb.  What amazing views to the north as we climb higher, getting a look at St. Rt. 88, aka Apache Trail.  We close on the first of several ridges.  Great views!  At a second ridge I note that the "Fragile Arch" is no more. I pointed its foundation to the group and wondered what led to its demise. In the distance, a third ridge to gain but first we would drop, stay to the left of the massive middle formation and then climb....  ....much of it through a narrow ravine.  An opening to our right gave awesome views to the west. Upon gaining the third ridge, we dropped into a bouldery ravine and followed it for awhile before breaking out onto a left face slope.  There was no trail to follow, just moderate bushwhacking, during which I almost stepped on the above, non venomous snake.  Our route followed a reverse C shape and eventually, our destination, Geronimo Head on the left. From this angle, very nondescript but upon reaching it....  ....wow! One could stay here for hours and just gaze on all that is offered for our viewing pleasure.  We drop our packs and take a well deserved break. The main highlight of this hike of course is.....  ....looking down on Battleship Mountain, the yellow colored formation in the center. The ship is climbed on the left but from the other side and then the real fun begins as hikers work their way to the far right. What great fun that is.  As the group lounged, I was thinking about taking a different way back to the aforementioned third ridge where we would find the social trail to lead us to the trail head. Looking at the above image, I could make out a two year old burn area that I thought would provide easier walking so we gathered our things and headed for it.  We stayed high above the boulder filled ravine but eventually had to drop into it and thus began a fun, boulder hopping experience. We got back on the social trail and finished our 5.8 mile, 1900' elevation gain hike. Then....  ....being thirsty and hungry, we entered a restaurant and went....  ....belly up to the bar where I sat directly across from an Ohio license plate, my home state.  Heading back to the parking area, we passed what claims to be a stage coach from the early 1900's. Wow, how uncomfortable must it have been to sit in that.
 I got in a 53 mile ride, took a day off and hopped in with a group of 11 on a route that included my first visit to Sunset Road. Whoa! Three miles of up and down so I spit the bit (legs still kind of fatigued) and waited for the group to return, to renew the 35 mile route.  We had two, unusual days of exceptional wind so I did a short hike, once again, on the Linda Vista trail.  Always nice views of course. The wind finally subsided so I.....  ....carried my bike from my second story condo on a beautiful morning and headed......  ...back to that Sunset Road where I rode to its end. Big hike coming this weekend!
 Friday morning, I spot two coyotes trotting on the road in front of my place, one with a small animal in its mouth. Then they split so I drove along side the one without a meal. He wasn't much disturbed by me briefly shadowing him.  Friday evening, Amy and I attended an outdoor event at Steam Pump Ranch. In the late 1800's, two enterprising friends bought land here. Water was plentiful and close to the surface so they rigged a steam pump to help bring the water to the surface, hence the name. One of the friends was George Pusch and the ridge above is named after him. What a beautiful scene, no matter the time of day but especially when the sun sets.  The performing band was ok but I didn't care for most of the playlist. I recognized all the songs but none were from my top 500 songs of all time. Amy took the above impressive image. Then....  ....Sunday morning we got out for a bike ride. Part of the ride was the long grind up Twin Peaks Road to Dove Mountain. The road name is from the above two peaks on the far right and far left, Panther and Sombrero (also known as Safford Peak). As previously stated, I've been mostly riding although I did hike the nearby Linda Vista trail. In the back of my mind, I've been thinking about an Ohio visit and hooking up with some of the cycling groups that I miss. I'd like to be in decent cycling shape but I'd need to ride much more and add much more climbing, especially short steep hills found in the Catalina Foothills. I got in 440 miles in March but would need an 800 mile month in April to really get in shape. Oh, and drop about 6 pounds, lol.  We ventured west of Marana and gosh, what a booming buildout of residential neighborhoods. A short 3 years ago there was little traffic but not anymore. Above, Amy reaches the top of Rattlesnake Pass. Using a combination of leg workouts and increased cycling, she's become quite strong. Well, that's it for now.
 Yes, I'm still here. Been riding a lot more but I don't take many pics while riding but I did see my first rattlesnake of the year. On the pavement at Dove Mountain but clearly, that's a rattler.  The picture that I bought in Key West arrived so I hung in on my wall and like it. I may take it to Amy's once in awhile, maybe for special occasions. It's an eye stopper that's for sure. Soooo, you are aware how busy my mornings are but the afternoons, especially in the summer, can be a little boring. I interviewed to be a store greeter at Wal Mart but was told I just don't have the personality, true dat. Then, out of the blue....  ....a small/mid size golf company based in Europe, contacted me. As most of you know, I spent almost all of my adult life in the golf industry. It was a very enjoyable career that took me from Tasmania to China (ugh, never again) to Japan to New Zealand, etc... For a segment of that time, I designed and developed golf clubs and related accessories. Yup, hard to believe. I've kept in contact with the foundries and glad I did as I'm back in the product development game. That ought to fill a few afternoons.
 Our group gathers in Sahuarita, consolidates vehicles and heads to a trail head where parking is limited, around a large water tank. We have arrived to hike to Keystone Peak, the high point in the Sierrita Mountains, southwest of Tucson.  Twelve of us pass through a gate and begin hiking, steeply at times, on property of the McGee family who generously allows access. We pass a few homes, then the McGee Ranch Cemetery as we follow a wide, well groomed, dirt road.  As is always the case when climbing in this region, the higher one goes, the more magnificent are the vistas. It's odd that even though we are in such close proximity to Tucson, there are no saguaros, mainly scrub oaks and junipers.  After 1.3 miles we reach Shiloh Pass. At times our ascent had us walking up 21% ramps although it felt steeper. I assured the group that the worst was over and it was but there would be several other steep sections, just not as long as what we endured. Along the road, we could see several abandoned mines.  Our hike continued and at one point, I paused to look back. What a neat sight with the serpentine road.  A few communication towers can be seen but although they appear to be atop this nearby peak, they are on a more distant one.  After 2.7 miles, we reach the abandoned West Star Cabin, built in 1912 to support area mining. It's a pretty site with plenty of shade.  Some of us left the trail to climb to a nearby ridge where we encountered 5 cows and....  ....awesome views to the west which included......  ....Kitt Peak on the left and the Coyote Mountains on the right.  We resumed our hike and soon.....  .....reach a collection of buildings and towers. This is not quite the peak but a good place to take our break. Marc and Lorna....  ....start climbing a tower that was not fenced off nor having any warning signs to discourage. Marc actually made it to a platform while Lorna thought better of it and returned to the group.  We then made a quick ascent of a hill that was slightly higher then where we had taken our break and found a summit registry. Officially, this is the highest point as we marveled at the views.  Mount Wrightson, just right of the pole, Hopkins to the right of Wrightson. We began our descent.  Occasionally we passed other roads and I thought it would make a neat network for our gravel bikes, which are welcome by the McGee family. We finished with 8.5 miles and 1550' of climbing.
 I finally succumbed to the many emails sent out by reps of the TBC, soliciting volunteers. It's good to give back to the cycling community and since this was the first time in 2 years the event was to be conducted, I wanted to do my part. So, up at 4:30am, drive an hour to Sahuarita, arriving at 6am. Cold and dark as I learn my duties.  I kind of got a plum assignment, standing at the first barricade and checking credentials of all drivers attempting to go beyond me, as all 500+ cyclists walked/rode back and forth to to the start line. Unfortunately, someone wasn't thinking when they placed the Porta-Johns directly across from me.  Team cars were allowed through as the event hosted not just amateurs but many pros.  I heard every excuse in the book for why dozens of vehicles ought to get through who were not qualified so I turned them around. I want to assure you that I did not allow this awesome authority to turn me into one of "those people". I remained cheery.  Between the vehicles, cyclists, spectators, things got a little chaotic at times but by 11:00am, my job was done so I turned in my orange vest, clip board and headed to....  ....a birthday party for our hiking friend, Lorna. Amy did a great job of preparing and we all had a good time.
 Whew, the high Thursday was 86. While I was taking a break on a 41 mile ride, I made sure to sit in the shade, behind a column at a gas station. I usually sit on the concrete and for a few minutes, it's not so bad. On the very windy Friday.....  ...I did a short hike via the Linda Vista Trail and almost walked on this guy. Note how well it blends in with its surroundings.  I got close and kind of motioned toward it so it opened its mouth and hissed. I soon left it alone. I've seen lots of pics posted on hiking groups of rattlesnakes so am back to being cautious.
 I played golf on Friday with someone who is a member at Arizona National. I've always wanted to see the course and it is a beautiful layout on the east side. I approach a round of golf with much trepidation. For whatever reason, I become very frustrated while playing even though there should be 0 expectation to play well. I play 1-2 times a year and almost always only 9 holes. But, I once had a 2 handicap so standing over the ball now and having no idea where it may go and then watching errant shots, I just have never been able to reconcile the past me with the current me. So, so frustrating. It's best if I never pick up a golf club again.  But then!!!! Back to what I enjoy. Since I was never all that great at cycling, I don't have a past to haunt me, lol. Amy and I visited Tortolita Preserve which has a 9 mile, single track loop. Nine miles doesn't seem like much but it is an extremely serpentine course that requires constant attention. The Preserve.....  ....also has the largest saguaro I have seen. Looking at it I told Amy, "Something could hide in there and you'd never see it." Just then, a huge owl flew out of it. Circling to the other side....  ....I caught this image of a sun halo, around the cactus.
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