 My friend Amy was going to be out of town for a night so asked if I could watch Jack, aka Jackaroo or Jackster. Of course!!! I love dogs and have often thought of getting one. Jack made himself at home, rooting around in my bed.  Unfortunately, the weather this weekend was not great. A system moved through and dropped about 1/2" of rain over the two days Jack was in my care.  We watched for breaks in the rain and got out for several walks and....  ....drives, of which Jack is not a fan. He perked up as we entered a McDonald's drive thru where we both got an Egg McMuffin. I spoiled Jack quite a lot but it was fun and left me again thinking about getting a dog.
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 A beautiful dawn!  Got out for a ride that as usual, included Woodland Ave where a group of miniature horses had gathered.  One strolled over to say hello.  A two day rain event moved through and behind it.....  ....Snow! Not on the front range but beyond.  Kind of a cool day so decided to hike to Maiden Pools, up Ventana Canyon. The trail head is about 1/2 mile from home to very convenient. There are 12 wash crossings with no water in the first but the next had plenty of water.  As I crossed each, the water became deeper. At one crossing, a rock on which I was standing, suddenly pivoted and a foot got wet. I ran into a couple, descending and asked, "How many more crossings are there?" They said 3 but actually it was 5 and the last was pretty sketchy.  Then, a pretty good climb ensued with great views to the southwest.  Pretty steep was the climb.  Reaching the top of the climb, I looked back into the canyon and wondered if the water was rising, additional runoff from the recent rain. Fortunately no although I did slip once again on my return.  The final obstacle was remembering to duck under the arm of this saguaro. Finished with 5.5 miles and 1300' of climbing. Good day.
 Grandson Anthony, 10, shoveling the first of two rounds of snow.
 During a 40 mile ride, I noted the back entrance (free) to Sabino Canyon had more parked cars than I've seen. Many more outside this pic.  Od how the outcropping of rock was shaded and surrounded by sun.  I was coming down Soldier Trail Rd when I passed this interesting fence. Between the concrete pillars, a couple of guys were digging holes to thrust 9' sections of mesquite trunks into the ground and then placing branches in between to create a fence. Quite expensive.  Now this is an oddity, a tree, having dropped its leaves, requires raking. People raking leaves or mowing grass is rather unusual here.  Arrived at Catalina SP for a hike. The entrance is $10, which is ok but if there is a second person in the car, it's $20!!! Ridiculous and if more than 2 people, even higher. By contrast, other area parks have a per vehicle fee.  We headed toward what I know as "Hidden Falls" a cool side canyon.  Rich, green grass is all over.  Water is flowing lightly in the wash.  We pass the "green rock" and I intended to make a loop out of this hike, I was unable to find the faint route over to the rock so this was an out and back hike  Alas, no water was coming down the falls. The water we had crossed came from one canyon over so....  ....headed there but the trail dove into the canyon and we decided to come back and explore that. I'm certain the water flowing through here also comes through Romero Pools so water ought to flow for a while.
 The forecast for Granville, OH, for late January. I spent decades there so know very well the harsh conditions. People used to advise me that I should learn how to embrace the 4, distinct seasons but I never could. For about 5 months, Ohio is nirvana for cycling but one winter, I was outside, wearing the full Carhartt's outfit, splitting wood (I MISS that), wind is howling, temp around 15 degrees, cloudy....I turned into the wind and distinctly remember, stating out loud, "I need to get out of here".....  ....and so I did. My exit was not as planned but it occurred and I am so, so grateful that it did. But, as unlivable, to me, are Ohio winters...well late fall and a big part of spring too, there is about 3 months of AZ summer I'd like to avoid. So, looking at renting around New Albany as I did two years ago and enjoying the grandsons, children, woods, cycling, etc... Lastly, my good friend Amy, about whom long time readers of this silly blog will recognize, put a bug in my ear about a place in ID, across from the Grand Tetons, that needs experiencing so I may do that too.
 We attended a New Year's Eve party at which I thought at 10pm, we'd celebrate the new year with the east coasters. That's kind of how things usually roll out here with the now, 2 hour time difference. But no! On to 12am our time. The host played an electric guitar for 3 hours and he was quite good!  The new year rolled in with a new system straight from CA. Upwards of 1" of rain came in over two days.  So very rare to have one day with continuous rain and then it passed and is my custom following rain I.....  ....once again headed to Sabino Canyon for a 2.5 mile hike past the usual attractions.  The child in red, on the right, loved sliding down the slope into a shallow pool.  I close on Sabino Canyon Road where the hill side is blanketed with cactus. Once reaching the road, the hike gets kind of boring as I return to the parking lot.  And then another system arrived and with it, as always, dramatic views of clouds and mountains.  And now, an extended period, at least 10 days, of glorious sunshine!
 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!
 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!
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