 We've been blessed with some amazing views, this at dawn and....  .....this from my patio at sunset.
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 I made a left out of my palatial estate and rode the 2 mile climb up Kolb Road. Relatively new pavement with nice views.  I've been riding a bit more and supplementing it with a weekly hike. Usually, given how close is Sabino Canyon, I go there.  Sabino Canyon creek provides enough water from snow melt or rain to feed lots of trees.  We received some snow so I rode to a nearby neighborhood that gives an ok look at Mount Lemmon but the snow had mostly melted and provided no dramatic image. Then.....  .....to The Views golf club, which has great views, to hit some range balls. My golf muscles have atrophied so much! But, I take some satisfaction that I make reasonably solid contact and hit the balls fairly straight.  More rain as our January had an above normal amount of rain as I again hike in SC.  This precipitation did produce snow at the higher elevations.
 A relaxing evening at Ventana Lodge. The fire isn't really needed but it adds to the atmosphere.  I've learned to park at one of several pullouts on my favorite road, Woodland, to begin rides on the east side.  During a 44 mile ride, I paused at the end of Speedway where I viewed the Rincons. Surrounded by four mountain ranges, this is the least interesting one. Sure, the hike to Rincon peak is a beast but otherwise, I'm unaware of any interesting destinations and the hiking up there is kind of boring.  The wash on Wentworth had been coated with a substance that would harden. The worker advised me not to cross.  I entered Saguaro East NP and I wondered how many people are aware that the roof coverings are bombay doors from WWII bombers. Pretty creative use for them.  Very nice view of Cathedral Rock catching the rising sun.  We headed to Sonoita and wine country! A relatively new winery, Los Milics, opened and it is quite a step above the surrounding vineyards.  An interesting view from the patio on this pleasant day!  On our way back, we stopped at the northern most winery, Charron. Roses were blooming as plants continue to be confused by our winter without winter. By that I mean no hard freezes and temps above normal.  Still having some energy, upon our return, we stopped at Three Canyon Brewery to listen to live music.
 I was out the door prior to dawn to catch the sun hit newly fallen snow on Mount Lemmon. The foreground in the front range and too low for snow, this time. Alas, although it snowed a few times up there, not enough to allow for the opening of the ski runs.  Whoa! A real, live taxi! Been awhile since I saw one of those.  Went to the Tortolita Preserve in Marana to hike. Here too is a good view of the new snow, from the perspective of looking east.  Such an unpleasant looking cactus yet birds make nests in there, somehow.  Tucson mountains in the distance as we make our way on a 5 mile route. It's actually one of the few "boring" hikes in the region although the views are good. Elevation gain is only 350'.  Approaching horses caused us to get off trail for a few minutes.  As we neared the end, we saw one of the larger saguaros once can find. This would be about 175 years old...maybe 200.  It pales in comparison to this monster, which was also in this Preserve until it toppled about 2 years ago. Easily the largest I've ever seen.
 A cycling friend from central Ohio, Ken B, was driving to Encinitas but pausing in Tucson to climb Mount Lemmon. Complicating factor was his dog but I was happy to provide dog sitting service, this past Saturday. I walked and watered the dog, named "Lance" while providing....  ....a comfortable spot to rest. Meanwhile, on this day with temps in the lower 70s, lower 50s higher up, Ken battled an unfavorable southeast wind. A southwest or west wind is best as the first 10 miles, including the start at LaBuzz is to the northeast. Two other sections are similarly oriented. Nevertheless.....  .....Ken almost broke 2 hours for the 21 mile climb from the base to above the Palisade Gift Shop where the road bends down for a bit. With the better wind, he surely would have smashed the 2 hour mark. Of the people I follow on Srava, Ken slots in at #3. Lot of well known, central OH cyclists on the list. Ken picked up the dog and was in Encinitas around 9pm. Long day.
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