 We had a few brief lasting systems move through, creating dramatic images of the surrounding mountains.  Gotta check Sabino Creek and it is flowing.  Water is tumbling over the dam so I hike to the top of it and....  ....great view. I walk to the edge and watch.....  ....as a family gingerly navigates the slick rock. I thought for sure at least one would slip as the slope is steeper then it appears but no. All made it across.  Continuing my hike, the trail rises above the creek where I can see families enjoying the water. Having access to flowing water is kind of a treat. When I was a child, we had "Joe's Run" which was always flowing. Endless fun trying to catch crawdads and launch rafts made from wood that never floated.  Sunrises continue to amaze.....  ....me!
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 Sitting in the spa, looking at the Catalinas but alas, western clouds prevented the usual, colorful show. Still beautiful!  I buzzed through the images I selected and for some reason, a song from the 60's prompted the title. Late December rains transformed our region.  The rains arrived!  And then they passed. Some linger as I took a break at the end of Speedway.  OK, that's a striking Christmas display! These of course fold and are not space eaters like the giant skeletons that dominate halloween displays.  And more green grass and....  ...more Christmas attractions. This JD tractor remains in place all year.  Riding by 49er golf course, they too have a giant display. This is the only golf course in Tucson at which Nicklaus played a competitive round of golf.
 During a ride to Saddlebrook, I passed this creative use of small Claus hats on cactus.  The northwest side of the Catalinas provide great views while riding.  We went to the Omni National to hear live music on the patio. The mountains reflect the setting sun although between the umbrellas and trees, the views were not great. Following the.....  ....performance we went inside and played table shuffleboard. This was my first time and I fell behind but gradually clawed my way back to win. It's a lot of space devoted to one game, just off the bar area.  Hilarious where a Halloween display is repurposed for Christmass. "On the Naughty List. No Regrets. Very funny!  Tohono Chul is a 49 acre botanical garden and a popular destination although I had never visited previously. We arrived to stroll through light displays but it was kind of disappointing. Paying $25 to see more vendors than lights it seemed.  Very creative!  Our deciduous trees have taken on fall colors including...  ....this one outside my condo. I think it's an Arizona Ash but not sure. I'm surprised I'm not able to identify AZ trees, given my interest with trees in the midwest. I'm generally terrible at identifying any plant or wild life out here except of course, rattlesnakes. Those I know!
 A creative means of decorating a mailbox for fall.  During a ride, I ascended Houghton Road until it ends at the base of the mountains. It's steeper than the image portrays.  OK, so I've heard about the 4th Avenue Street Fair for many years but avoided going to check it out but I was persuaded to by a friend. After parking in one of the garages, we walked about 100 yards and hit our first bar. One of the oldest in Tucson with lots of information about the capture of John Dillinger and his gang in 1934.  We moved on and entered the south side where "The Hut", a Tiki bar is on the left side adorned with a huge figure that once was above a miniature golf course. The transport to this location was quite difficult.  The event was well attended and if you're into people watching, downtown Tucson is the place to be. We passed many dozens of booths but all we purchased was a wine bottle cork having an Ohio State logo. On our return....  ....we stopped at The Hut and enjoyed live music in a beautiful setting while also meeting.....  .....Stevie Nicks....well an impersonator.  The long walk back to the car required that we pass way too many other bars so of course we stopped one more time.
 Riding again through Oro Valley. Some views are slightly impacted with an abundance of power and phone lines.  Rode through Oro Valley Marketplace, past a huge tree and arts & crafts fair.  A creative use of a saguaro cactus!  Closing on Saddlebrook, north of the town of Catalina, lots of great views. Finished with 45 miles. Given this awesome stretch of above normal temps in the upper 70s and lower 80s, I should be riding longer.  Ohio friends sometimes comment the only green grass is on the golf courses but no! Lots of green grass elsewhere.  And then, I descended Fort Lowell Road on the east side, hit a bump and my ear bud popped out, landing somewhere in this thicket. Only later did I read that in such situations, I should turn up the volume and the noise would lead me. Rats, didn't think of that at the time.  One of my favorite restaurants is Harvest, sitting on the patio. Unfortunately, a coffee shop is being build which will have some impact on the news and with extra noise too.  A wonderful evening to sit on my patio!
 A 45 mile ride through Oro Valley and farther southwest to check out.....  ....newly refurbished Rattlesnake Pass! Climbing over that had become sketchy with multiple new developments on this side of the mountain, increased traffic and not much of a berm, Now, a big improvement for both cyclists and drivers.  I put up my tree, deciding to place it on the patio rather than inside, so others can enjoy it too.  A recovery ride day often includes Woodland Road where there is always something worthwhile to see. This miniature horse ambled over to check me out.  This home keeps sheep in the front yard to keep the grass trimmed while simultaneously feeding them.  An evening watching the setting sun impact the colors of the Catalinas. We can never get enough of these sunsets either looking at the setting sun or what it does to our mountains.  Good heavens! Obviously Pima County road crews have no workers who are cyclists. They solve the problem of road gaps by filling with asphalt, which mounds, causing speed bumps. There are now many dozens of these in the vicinity of my home. Arrggghhh.
 I was encouraged by a friend to accompany her to a section of Tucson I'd not previously visited. We wandered in and out of various buildings, each containing an eclectic selection of antiques and novelty houseware. One place had a stack of wood doors from gosh, I don't know, the 1930's? Who would buy that? Many comparable items.  And so, our cold snap ended....  ....it's been an amazing run of days stretching now into December.  Christmas displays are popping up including the continuation of....  ....this famous fellow who stands for most of the year, enduring several costume changes. Halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc...  This one says it all. Pretty funny!  A Pilgrams hat kept this Halloween skeleton in service. I think the hat is called a capotain.  Thanksgiving morning as I stop by Sabino Canyon to find the parking lots packed. Out of town visitors love coming here for the hiking or riding the tram up SC Road.  I was invited to attend Thanksgiving dinner in Chandler. It's on the southeast side of Phoenix and a convenient drive. It was a beautiful setting and we dined outside! I'm certain I've never eaten outside for Thanksgiving and it was quite pleasant. I was one of twenty. I got my ass kicked at ping pong by the family champ but the table was like playing on a mattress and so, the "home field" advantage was too much for me to overcome, lol.
 Mostly, systems coming out of CA, pass to our north. Winds get spun up and a few clouds but rarely precipitation.  It appeared we were going to have a few days of below normal temps so rather than wait it out for warmer weather, I departed for a ride. Yuck! Low 50's and cloudy.  Beautiful entrance to the lodge at Ventana Canyon Resort. Drastic difference to....  ....a visit to a 7 Eleven the following morning. The guy on the right, Gary, has been walking here, most mornings to enjoy borrowing the WSJ to sit outside and read, for 28 years! He has a nice wood working shop at his home where currently, he is making 7 bars for a new, golf simulator business. Interesting guy.  Oh! We did receive some rain!  And with the clouds, amazing sunrises and sunsets.  Another ride and this time, to check out a newly paved road. Off Kolb Road, which is a circuitous climb of 2 miles.  And just like that, snow in Mount Lemmon. About 4" fell but with the return of warmer temps, it won't last long except on the north facing slopes where it can linger for awhile.
 I got a late start for a group ride so had to go solo. Traditionally, the ride starts from a long closed restaurant off I-10, beneath the above signage. But...  ...hey, a new, Mexican restaurant is set to open soon. Also interesting.....  ...we can combine nicely paved Marsh Station Road with recently repaved, Old Sonoita Road, making for a 37 mile route. I'd be interested to see how the county selects roads for repavement. This road was bypassed by #83 and hardly anyone drives it.  The road does emerge on #83 just above one of my favorite wineries!!! Alas, probably should not combine a ride with wine and thankfully, it was too early for the winery to be open.  On the return, I passed with interesting ranch entrance.  Another beautiful sunrise as I switch into hiking mode. I rarely hike and I can't fathom why that is the case. I look at our beautiful mountains, having peaks and destinations, almost all of which I've visited and have no desire to revisit but....  ....Gibbon Mountain got put on my radar and thought I should do an exploratory hike. I chose a day that.....  ...was rather cloudy with threatening rain. I drove about 7 miles up Catalina Highway and parked (I'll have more details after I complete the hike), to begin the hike. Beautiful fall colors at this higher elevation.  About the first 1 mile follows a trail to the above saddle. From that point, it's all off trail. I began the off trail portion but it began to rain. I turned around and it rained harder, soaking me by the time I returned. fortunately I had a change of clothes. Finished with 2.3 miles and intrigued enough to finish the hike. The peak sits across the canyon from Thimble Peak and would be a cool perspective.
 I took this pic from someone's social media post of Humphrey's Peak, outside Flagstaff. Thought it impressive with snow well down from the 12,600' peak, the highest in AZ. I've climbed it twice, once with snow covering a portion of the trail on the upper slope. Not sure I'll do it again. Portions of the trail are not fun to hike.  Meantime, back here in southern AZ, we enjoy what turned out to be a relatively brief fall. By that I mean, 3-4 weeks of high temps in the 80s, overnight lows in the upper 50's to low 60s. The Thanksgiving displays are out but of course, no where in abundance of the Halloween displays.  Always something to see on the out and back, 3 miles of Woodland Rd.  Saguaro East NP is expanding its parking, a necessary improvement. Of course, the saguaros are carefully removed and replanted later.  Ahhh, the evening view from my patio.  If you ever find yourself in Casa Grande, you simply must stop at BeDillons Restaurant & Cactus Garden. Amazing decor. I went there recently to show it to someone and it's worth the drive.  Then, back on the bike with the Cactus Cycling Club where we had a lengthy pause for a train.  Another day I rode through Oro Valley where land is being cleared for an apartment building. Some renters are going to have great views!  And of course, on my return from Saddlebrook, a 43 mile ride, I paused along OV Country Club for one of better views.
 It's the morning of the big day, when 1000+ kids roam this neighborhood, enjoying the displays and collecting candy.  These are such space eaters when not on display.  Clever use of a grill.  Homeowners who participate, carefully use tape to keep the mob off their lawns.  It's difficult for me to imagine the scene when the event gets started. A couple who live about 1/4 mile away told me there is a constant, low roar for the duration. I really should check it out one year.  Where I live, there was a "Trunk or Treat" event.  I participated but kind of in a low key way.....  ....a skeleton wearing an Ohio State hat.  This woman came by, describing herself as a "Smoking Hot Witch". Pretty creative as she was smoking, dressed as a witch and it was hot this late afternoon.
 I drove to Oro Valley and rode north, taking in Catalina State Park. Most days have had temps in the 80s and overnight lows around 60. How much long can this last??? Alas, not long.  I included the OV Marketplace, celebrating with an arts and rafts fair. Finished with 40+ miles.  East side riding always includes Woodland Road and the amazing farm images. This miniature post was grazing in sprinkled water.  Hmmmm, just missed this, outside Sabino Canyon. A deputy told me people would be surprised at how top heavy are SUVs and easily toppled.  My ride included my favorite neighborhood on the east side with grand views of the Catalinas.   And my route included a visit to Aqua Caliente Park, an oasis in the dessert.  Hard to believe but a few years ago a lightning strike ignited all the palm trees on the near shore but most survive other than blackened trunks.
 Highs in the 80's, just fantastic! I rode, again, up Sabino Canyon Road where I observed the water is still running in the creek.  I enjoy the news, especially distant peaks fully enveloped in the sun while others are shrouded in shade. And then.....  .....it's back to my favorite neighborhood, lol.  So creative are the displays and because the neighborhood is in close proximity to....  ....Reddington Road, I ride out there too. Many saguaros dot the landscape.  Some light rain falls but nothing measurable before I, again....  ....make a final check before Beggars Night.  The effort some put into making the displays and where do they store it all after Halloween?  This was the most intriguing display and not really sure what it means, if anything. Beyond what you see in the above pic, there was a long procession of additional dolls.  Gruesome!
 When the water flows, this canyon is beyond spectacular. This picture fails to demonstrate what I think is the strongest flow of water I've experienced, while moving upstream.  The mylonitic gneiss and limestone make for a colorful surface as my hiking friend and I continue the experience.  At this time, there are several falls, each being enjoyed by fellow hikers. I kept us out of the water but it was challenging and I envied those who simply sloshed upstream.  Many giant boulders have fallen from the canyon walls.  The final significant obstacle, which is about 20' high but I knew of a workaround that took us well above and than down to.....  ...the 70' falls. As we stood watching people leap into the pool, a woman yelled, "hey, man in the blue shirt. Take our picture" so I did and forwarded them later.  I took the pics a little early, thinking that's better than too late.  My friend leaped in too but I declined. On our way back, I reached a large pool that had no convenient way forward. I knew I could climb up the canyon wall and poke around as I did coming in but it was a pain so I jumped in. Only then did I realize the stone walls were too steep and slippery for me to immediately climb out so I walked forward, eventually having water up to my neck. Finally got out!
 I so much enjoy riding through the 49er development. Some very creative displays....  ....more....and this was a week prior to the event!  Lol, a skeleton riding a vehicle.  I saw a guy putting up decorations so I paused. He was happy to show he won the best of, last year and now obligated to pass it on.  His display was deserving as above is a fraction of the entire yard.  I continue to ride in a nearby neighborhood with awesome views and good pavement. But then...  ....I enjoy meeting people who hike but who have never experienced "bouldering" or "canyoneering". So, we descent into Tanque Verde Canyon with the water flowing. More to come.
 I was on my way to Saddlebrook for a 45 mile route when I had a flat. Changed out the tube, attached the pump, brought the PSI to an acceptable level, unscrewed from the nozzle and all the air released from the tube...wtf!?!? While unscrewing the pump from the nozzle, an internal pin came out.  The only solution was to repump the tire and then separate the body of the pump from whatever the piece shown above is called. This kept the air in the tire and if I kept my speed under 12mph, the pump piece stayed between the spokes so made it to a bike shop.  Gorgeous sunrise as I tried to digest a forecast, predicting 5-6" of rain over a couple of days. Two tropical systems were headed our way, a very unusual event.  As the day approached for the rain to begin, forecasters backed off the rain amount but it was three days of wonderful rain, totaling 2" for my neck of the woods. Higher elsewhere, lower too.  Making sure my neighbors know I'm a Buckeye fan!  A third day of rain and my emotion from witnessing the event.....  ....this.  Of course, the clouds and rain produced great images.  It appeared rain finally moved through so I visited Sabino Canyon for a hike. Unbeknownst to me, rain had reformed and hit me, resulting in a good soaking. Couldn't remember when last that occurred!
 Got in a good ride on my final day in Ohio while wishing I had scheduled a longer visit. Not nearly enough time spent with family but again, hope next summer is different.  Tired of hotel stays, I thought I'd do the 26 hour drive, straight through with occasional naps.  Wow, what a spectacular sunrise but no exits where I could stop to take a good pic but this from my side view mirror was kind of different.  The drive went well and just like that, back in beautiful southern AZ where fall has arrived and with it, temps in the 80s!!! A friend and I took the Sabino tram up to the final stop with the plan to hike back via Phoneline Trail.  We hike the several switchbacks above the canyon but.....  ....I some how and embarrassingly, miscalculated the distance by quite a lot. Not having enough fluids, we had to turn around and descend.  The departure time of the Cactus Club group rides has become more reasonable so I jumped in for a 40 mile route.  For the second time in a week, I found myself at a putt-putt course, this time in Tucson. Quite different scenery as I narrowly beat a friend. My golf muscles have atrophied of course from virtually no use but now I think my putting skill is deteriorating too, lol.
 I drove to my daughter's house and was then driven to Olive Garden so my grandson could carbo load before a weekend soccer tournament. Fun time as other families were taking their kids for carbo loading too.  Oh gee, as I always do when I visit, I marvel at the hundreds of miles of lonely country roads, stitching communities and farms together. The pavement is amazing too!!!! Cyclists with whom I talk in AZ, understandably, have no idea how good is the quality of cycling here.  The fields of corn and soybeans are being stripped as I ride towards Stone Quarry Road on a 50 mile route.  My ride takes me through historic Granville too and then....  ....I enjoy watching Anthony's team win a game!  The Monday morning, Westerville Cycling Club group ride is a favorite starting in New Albany and pausing in Granville. I'd have to say this group, collectively, is a little stronger than the Cactus Cycling group with whom I ride in AZ.. I was shocked that I hung in with the faster group but departing Granville, I faded.  Anthony and I hit balls that evening. The kid is a good athlete and could be good at golf but soccer is his future, I think. If I spend next summer in OH, I may work in more golf into his routine.  Rain, 3 of 4 days, allowed me to fix the opening I started a few days ago. Glad I had this project and it turned out pretty good. Note the washer and dryer will butt against this wall so the quality of the repair wasn't that important. But, it was fun to do the work and step back, mostly satisfied.
 I walk the woods, looking for ash trees that are dead from the Emerald Ash Borer, a pest that arrived on pallets in MI from China. Locating several, I make plans to put the chainsaw to good use.  The neighborhoods around Tucson do a fabulous job of decorating for Halloween but this house did a nice job too. Over time, I've noticed southern AZ puts more effort into Halloween decorating than does OH but OH does a much better job at Christmas.  And so, on my first full day, I get busy, cutting two trees and stacking the pieces so family members can use this winter. For all the hundreds of hours I've used a saw, never really have come close to an accident....well, there was a time the saw sliced through my pant leg but at the time, my leg was shifted to the side and the saw encountered only fabric. Lucky was I!  This afternoon, after grandsons Ben and Chris got out of school, I visited. They love it when I visit, partly I suppose because I chase them around the yard, making monster roars while pretending I can't catch them. Unfortunately, as we both grow older, it's no longer pretending.  The next day, the stack grows. It's one of several placed strategically around the property.  The weather forecast I viewed prior to coming to OH looked great but once arrived, three days of rain arrived soon thereafter. It's as if I brought monsoon weather with me but the area needed the rain. So, I took on an indoor project, replacing the drywall that had been removed as part of a plumbing project.  Grandson Anthony, the soccer star, daughter Stephanie and I played 18 holes of putt-putt golf. I plan to spend most of next summer in Ohio, as I did last year. I'm simply far more active here, in the summer, than I am in AZ and more importantly, my 3 grandsons would benefit from having me around.  It's not just about cutting trees of course, it's also clearing brush and burning it. I was pleased to see last year's project of removing all briars and honeysuckle bushes from within the confines of the area where I planted 400 oaks, was a success. Now to address other areas.
 An early morning departure with my bike, chainsaw and stuff. 27 hours of driving...yeehaw:). My bike, I'm thinking of leaving it in Ohio and buying a new one for AZ. I've had two Treks, a Lamond, a Bianchi and this one. It's been the best by far and I hate to leave it in OH but maybe.  AZ was forecast to receive an above normal amount of monsoon rain but the rain consistently stayed east, plenty of evidence as I drove through NM.  Pausing at a rest stop outside Las Cruces.  The morning of my second day of driving provided one of the best.....  ....sunrises I've witnessed and the beauty lasted a long time. I stopped just west of St. Louis.  I find the drive through St. Louis rather onerous with so many exits, traffic, circuitous routing through the city and really hard to get a good pic of the arch.  At last, arriving in Ohio with my first stop....  ...the woods where I planted 400 red oaks. Definitely one of my happy places. The weather forecast had been good but then it wasn't, lol.
 Casa Grande, kind of a mid point between Tucson and Phoenix appears to have little going for it but within the city is DeBillons Cactus Garden & Restaurant and gosh, is it good! The owner is a former drug dealer from Phoenix, forced out by the gangs many years ago...or so he claims.  The area round Elgin is AZ's wine country and it's a nice bunch of low key tasting rooms but what's this....what's this???? Wow! what a revelation for the area.  I'm curious how the other vineyards and wineries will respond to this very upscale, unusually so for Elgin. Los Milics Vineyard is the name of the place and I highly recommend.  The lower end places are still in abundance and also fun to visit.  An enjoyable drive home with a magnificent sunset.  The next day, riding through my favorite neighborhood, I stopped for a gopher snake. The markings made some mistake it for a rattlesnake but this is harmless.   Cloudy days, although not rare, are also not common so mixing the mountain views with....  ....clouds creates stunning images.  Returning from a ride, I encountered this scene. A woman turned in front of an oncoming truck. The small car didn't stand a chance but the driver did as they effected to remove her.  I'm noticing the appearance of halloween decorations and I enjoy seeing them pop up, especially.....  ....this one within the 49er development. He's famous and cyclists have their pics taken in front of him.  Another visit to Sabino Canyon but with the approach of fall temps, I'll be hard pressed to get into and out of the canyon by 9am, the deadline for cyclists.  As always the clouds lend themselves to wonderful sunrises and sunsets.  During a ride, had to stop for this pic of a lone, lighted hill surrounded by cloudy ones.
 I took a quick hike through Sabino Canyon and there is still a trickle of water keeping some pools filled. For much of the creek, the water is now underground but maybe it will rain soon.  The early morning starts, obviously, continue although not for long.  My patio view one evening as things began getting interesting with the clouds.  The wind picked up and the setting sun made the sky a beautiful sight and then....  ....it rained. Some areas received an inch of rain and proof of that occurred the next morning....  ....when I got out for a quality ride and kept running into.....  .....this. In a few places, had to get off the bike and navigate around the mud.
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