A Flat

It doesn't take much of an imagination to spot a face on the end of this rock formation.  I escorted a friend through another canyon but the pics weren't worthy of a post, other than this one.  Back on the bike.....

Dawn, looking to the southeast.  A hockey stick shaped contrail but note the sudden move to the left.  It seemed odd to me and....

It has been a very dry winter although a passing system did drop some snow at higher elevations.  Meantime, for us at lower elevations....

I've been making the short drive to OV with some frequency.  OV recently appeared in a prominent magazine as the #1 retirement destination, in the US.  For me, it's easy to see why.

....it was business as usual as I pass this group of saguaros on a short hike.  My M.O. recently has emphasized cycling with short hikes in between.  Eventually, I'll work in longer hikes to cool destinations and am discussing routes with some friends.

...20 miles into my route and the farthest point from home, a flat on my front tire.  I replaced the tube but a gash in my tire caused another flat almost immediately.  I was about 5 miles from a bike shop so pausing several times to reinflate the tire, I....

....continued to lengthen.

Today's visit was to help a friend remove all the oranges from a tree.  Here is the before picture.

A lone saguaro.  Wonder why it thrived when no others did, around it.

...made it to Oro Valley Bicycles.  They immediately replaced the tire.  Ya know, my "BH" bike has been in service for around 7 years, a long time for a road bike.  I've contemplated buying an e assist bike but a couple nights ago I was eating with some cycling friends and when I brought up the option, my manhood was questioned. So, ok, no.

Oh, wow!  One of the best sunrises I've witnessed. Spectacular.

And check out this tool!  I've never seen it before but it works great for grabbing oranges from the top of the tree.

I never tire of the sunrises, thus posting yet another pic.  If you view these on your cell phone, you miss the grandeur of the scene.  A friend was volunteering for a day and asked if I could stop and let her....

I drove up Mount Lemmon to check out a new lodge in Summerhaven.  Very nice but we decided to continue up to Ski Valley where surely there would be a roaring fire at the Iron Door restaurant and so there was.  What a neat atmosphere as we ate chili in front of the fire.  An employee spends much of his time keeping the fire going and I envied him.  I'd love that job! I'm actually looking at a condo to buy simply because it has a real fireplace, lol.

As I drove west, the view extended over much of the region.

The after pic.  Took about 45 minutes and then....

Not enough snow to support skiing but the lift was busy, taking people to the peak and back.

...dog out, so I did.  Rather small but not a yapper so that's good. Really energetic. I timed my visit for the half way point of a 40 mile route, through Oro Valley.

....walked a portion of OV Country Club.  My social calendar has been full as next.....

I've been working in a hike each week between my rides.  Want to keep my lower joints conditioned to the impact of hiking.

Two to three times a week I really enjoy playing ping pong.  The camaraderie is fun but if I'm honest with myself, hitting a smash by these guys scratches my competitive itch over and over given the nature of our games.  Seven of us met at Longhorn Steakhouse and that too was fun.

The sun sets on another wonderful day but not before....

....I drove to Charron Vineyard for an event.  It's been 80+ days since we've received any measurable rain and it shows.

As always, this view enthralls me of Thimble Peak and Blackett's Ridge, standing guard over Sabino Canyon.

I thought this a beautiful setting with the yellow leaves in front of a very dry mountainside.  So I paused during a ride to take the shot.

....I spot a woman, walking her parrot while talking on the phone.  Don't see that every day!

The day was kind of cool as we sipped wine and listened to someone perform an amazing library of songs.  Well, back to cycling and hiking.

And then, switching back to my social schedule, I'm invited to The Views golf course where there are wonderful views.

Wow!  The clouds somewhat look like giant flames, breaking above the ridgeline. 

We arrived a bit early but had good seats to listen to music and dance...yes, I danced. As the venue filled, it was mostly people in the 60+ age.  Looking around I thought, "Oh, I don't belong here!"  And yet, here I was....