 A woman crosses the first bridge in Sabino Canyon with daughter following. They're going up canyon and having experienced this a couple of times, the flow of water will likely increase before diminishing, due to mountain rain. Daughter faltered and.....  .....hops into the creek. It appears she ought to be able to climb out but unfortunately, she is standing directly in front of one of 2-3 openings to facilitate the flow of water beneath the bridge..  She struggles to stay upright as a cyclist kicks off his shoes and plunges in to help. He did a remarkable effort to pull her from the water. The woman in white shirt and blue shorts, should have stayed out but attempted to help and.....  ....stepped in front of one of the other openings and abruptly was swept under the bridge, reappearing down stream. She was rescued and very fortunate to be alive. A man was injured, rescuing her.  The woman in the middle, lost her balance but was able to recover and exit the water. She too was lucky. Efforts by the group to pull the woman from the culvert, failed and she too went down stream but rescued. Life saving efforts resuscitated her. Ten days prior to this event, park employees cleaned debris from the culverts on bridges 1-3. Otherwise, both women would have been trapped under the bridge and drowned.
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 Another enjoyable ride up Sabino Canyon Road. The road is closed to cyclists after 9am but that's hardly an issue now as I'm out the door by 6:30am with a quick 10 minute drive to this fabulous resource but yea, looking forward to the days when it's too cool to ride at these ungodly hours, lol.  A short hike in Sabino Canyon to see what our fairly impressive monsoon activity has wrought.  The creek is slowly nicely.  Then, back to the bike and a start on the east side, Woodland Road with all that can be seen there, which is a lot.  More rain approaches and fun to watch the lightning show.  As always, the aftermath and lingering clouds as I ride....  ...up Sabino Canyon Road again but this time, something very different, as I approach the first of 9 bridges!  In my next post, I'll elaborate a bit on what happened but the cyclist on the right, was kind of heroic, given what happened to others, who also tried to help.  It appears kind of benign but the current, so easily underestimated, was.
 Another fun project was rerouting a creek. The creek had been undermining a walnut tree so I spent some time, digging a new channel and reinforcing a bank so it won't get washed away. Probably I put in too sharp a turn, now that I'm looking at it again. We'll see.  And yet another dead ash, that I cut. The green, upper center, is poison ivy, not healthy leaves. On this trip I managed to not be bothered by the ivy or ticks....a first.  Oh my gosh! An Ohio peach is delicious as I take a break.  No visit to Ohio is complete without a hike in the Denison U. Biological Reserve. Some of the most mature trees I've ever seen are within this acreage.  Woah! I heard about a severe storm about a month earlier and wow, was there plenty of evidence within the woods.  This monster oak survived, as it has done so for over 200 years.  Oh too bad, a large beech tree toppled. It was one of a couple dozen trees that I observed, down.  On my return on a loop hike, I passed this scene which struck me with the contrast in color. And just like that, my month in Ohio ended and I decided to drive straight thru, partly cause I'm tired of hotels and restaurants and partly.....  ....I wanted to return to the beautiful mountains that surround my home and partly....  ....she was waiting for me. Such a conundrum for me. I love Ohio for 4-5 months, can't stand the thought of the other months there. Love Arizona for 8 months but the other 4 are kinda brutal. Finding a companion who would enjoy the snow bird life, it's been a struggle.
 My daughter Stephanie and I share a glass of wine. Her son Anthony, not sure where he was at this time as when I'm there, it's all about being forced to be abused as a goal tender and then returning the favor playing 'HORSE". It's a matter of time when I'm abused with that activity too.  Oh, so I soon went to their back yard and was a punching bag, even while he was in his pajamas.  Back to the woods where a squirrel chattered at me.  Previously I posted about the soy beans doing so well so too is the corn!  My other daughter, Olivia and I played putt-putt golf with son Brettt and his two children. I scraped by with the win so O bought me a glass of wine.  Previously, I mentioned a sought, two years ago finished most wild cherry trees and so because this one posed a threat to power lines, the electric company topped it and produced some nice firewood.  And so I cut and stacked it.  The Westerville Bike club groups rides have been a lot of fun for me. On this day, super cloudy, humid and threatening rain. I started with the group but turned around about 10 miles into the ride. Found out they did get a good soaking so probably a good idea.  More grandfather time!
 New Albany, an upscale area and booming. It once was a sleepy village and then Les Wexner of "Victoria Secrets" fame, along with others, transformed the village. Now, Intel, Amazon, Amgen, etc...have sites here. Also here is a neat bike shop, Veleoscience. My bike saddle broke so was able to have it replaced.  Each Sunday, the shop hosts a "Funday" ride and we had about 25 cyclists come out. Weird, the longer I'm away, the fewer people and names I recognize, lol.. It was an enjoyable ride for about 11 miles, I was comfortable with an 18 average, then we turned onto a modest climb and I shot out the back. I don't know why but it is, what it is. I did not know the route, made a wrong guess about where the group may go and....  ....ended up riding alone. Which is ok so I could enjoy the beautiful scenery..  And back to the woods where I utilized an existing swing set frame to replace the plank on the left to....  ....build a bridge. I wish I had more opportunities to swing a hammer and cut wood.  After the historic drought of two summers ago, farmers have benefited from good rain so the soybeans are doing well.  Cutting dead ash trees is an ongoing process but I throughly enjoy it.  I've also enjoyed the morning group rides where we've average upper 17s to lower 18s average. A stop at a golf course produced this image of a tree destined for a chainsaw.
 Daughter Olivia and I played putt-putt golf with Anthony. Above he celebrates a hole-in-one the only one either of us enjoyed. Olivia and I had a competitive match but I was able to win by a shot. She's surprisingly good at this!  The beautiful, central Ohio farming scene as I enjoyed a ride on these marvelous, lonely, country roads.  Back to the woods! The trees are in such close proximity to each other that this frequently happens. After cutting this cherry tree (many died following the severe drought of two years ago) it gets hung up and I have to cut the tree in sections until I can wrest it from the limbs of another tree.  And then...back to golf! This time Olivia, son Brett and grandson Ben headed to Denison University Golf Course, formerly known as Granville GC. Designed by famous golf architect Donald Ross....  ....it's a beautiful layout. I prevailed by a few shots, scoring a 43 which isn't bad considering I play about once a year. Hard to believe I once had a 2 handicap. I often wonder, were it not for the gift of a bike in 1997, which changed everything for me, where would I now be. Probably a huge beer belly, lol.  One morning, I reach the hotel's parking lot and discover my car was one of 7 into which someone broke, looking for cash. Fortunately my son-in-law was able to replace it the following day for the cost of the window.  The amazing cycling scene with an abundance of group rides both in the morning and evening. I prefer the morning rides with the Westerville Cycling Club rather than the evening rides which end around 9pm.  Anthony and I in Granville following dinner at a local restaurant. Yeah, he's a handsome kid and I hope to see what he becomes.
 Check this out! What an unusual sunrise.  Another ride up Sabino Canyon Canyon Road as the sun rises and then....  ....loaded up my SUV with all the necessities and began the 1900 mile drive to the land of the Buckeyes!!!  My first stop, as always, is visiting the woods where I planted 400 red oaks, 40 years ago. From two year old seedlings to this. One of the best decisions I ever made, planting these. The locals referred to it as the "Wilson Woods".  Rain caused me to dart into a barn I built but it was temporary. My gosh, so green!  And of course, continuing to cut more dead ash trees, splitting the wood and stacking it for my ex. If you gotta have an ex, you can't do better than me, lol. I think she would agree.  The brush, given the Ohio rain, grows aggressively and yet I enjoy ripping down the vines, building fires and getting rid of it. Working in the woods is only part of my visit as I.....  ....hang out with grandsons, Ben and Chris. Still young enough that if I play the part of a monster, roaring after them, they squeal with delight as they run away.  Chris descends and on another visit, I accompanied them through the neighborhood on my bike. More to come.
 Clever, "Sedonuts" as a name for a doughnut shop and gosh, was it busy. We shared a doughnut and yes, very good!  And, a final look at this special place. The temperature difference between Tucson and Sedona is not that a great, about 10 degrees but that's enough. It's the overnight lows that makes the biggest difference.  Just like that, I resume my activities with an eye toward a visit to Ohio as I ride up Sabino Canyon Road.  So beautiful throughout but especially at the top!  Here's the problem with the century plants. They become so top-heavy that they lean and threat people and property. Most are cut before they fall.  Early morning rides and hikes reveals snakes returning from their morning hunt. This guy does not appear to have been successful but maybe after he enters the brush after exiting the bike path.  Last year, a better than average monsoon season was predicted but it was a bust as most moisture hit NM. Another strong one again predicted and I think, they'll be correct this year as I watch a heavy storm.  We attended a performance where a foursome performed music from Coldplay. Very nice.
 I screwed up, navigating to a new destination so we were forced to turn around but hey! Saw a huge gopher snake on the trail. What to do, what to do....I know, let's do the Cathedral Rock hike!!!!  It's awesome and the wonderful views add immensely to this short but fun hike.  Oh my. Looking up, I could see dozens of people who shared the same goal.  This is a spot that causes many to turn around but if you dig your toes into the cleft in the rock and climb, you'll make it. Quite steep!  I briefly pause for my friend to emerge from the slope, which she did, very well.  Alas, here I am, marching on, maybe too far ahead, lol.  And we reach our destination but is it really? No! A little known addition, to the left and....  ....up a pretty steep slope brings us to....  ....this view and.....  ....more great views. I chose to explore down the opposite slope and once reaching the bottom of that incline....  ....looked back. Upper left, kind of looks like the face of a man. Went on to finish this hike and had a grand time.
 We arrived at the trailhead and encountered this group, wearing matching shirts.  This is my favorite Sedona hike and I do it every time I'm here. The destination is so interesting. We begin our hike with the Enchantment resort on the left. Soon, it disappears as we walk....  .....deeper into the canyon with rock walls towering over us. Beautiful place for sure!  As our route finder, I was somewhat erratic as I had trouble finding the side trail to our destination but with help, we arrived at the bottom of it. This pic does a terrible job of showing the steepness of the ramp to enter the subway. It's steep!  I have the obligatory pic taken inside the subway and so too....  ....Jackie. Next on the itinerary is a kind of risky....  ....move to the opposite side and then....  ....round a corner with some decent exposure.  What the.....Jackie encountered a woman who had brought her yoga mat. That was a first for me.  We visited some Indian ruins and took a few minutes to enjoy the awesome scenery.  A final look around and then we headed back, finishing with 6.5 miles. Good first day.
 Two century plants bending under the weight of their flowers so most homeowners cut them about now. The weight of the plant endangers people and cars so....  ....and a small coyote moving through our complex.  And later, javelins trot across the road leading to Jackies.  And some rain! but....  ....lightening ignited a wildfire. It did so in a couple of places and each was extinguished with personnel injected into the area, planes dropping fire retardant and, fortunately....  ....more rain!!!  With that excitement, we head to Sedona!
 And so, back into the canyon I ride. It's such a treasure to ride up and coast down what is.....  ....kind of a hazardous descent with 9 bridge crossings, each at roughly a 90 degree left or right angle to the road.  This is one of the tamer crossings.  A ping pong buddy, Jim, invited me to his condo in Mexico for fishing. He catches some large fish and his descriptions of the fishing are intriguing but I can see myself doing that for a day but more than that....not sure.  Jackie and I take the Sabino Canyon shuttle to the top of the road where we get out and....  ascend from the turnaround point for the shuttle.  In the above pic, you can see the switchbacks we followed. OK, the earliest shuttle was 9am on this very hot day so not an ideal time to start the hike, about 9:30.  A yoga pose which I have no idea how any body can do that. We miscalculated how much water we would consume as we....  ....followed the trail. We eventually reunited with the road and waited for the shuttle to arrive where we were each given a cold bottle of water. That tasted great and I mentally beat myself up for having not brought sufficient water!
 Many century plants who have pushed their life ending stalk, high into the sky, have been cut by home owners because of the danger of it falling on people or property. Some still stand as we await the flowers to open. On the right is a desert willow which produces beautiful flowers during summer.  Out the door by 6 for a ride that included, again, thee beautiful ascent of Sabino Canyon Road.  Saguaros come in all shapes and sizes!  While road runners are seen everywhere, it's rare to have the opportunity to grab my camera and take a pic before they scoot.  From Jackie's patio, a grand view of Table Mountain and as the sun sets.......  ....the colors change dramatically.  We headed to AZ's version of wine country where Las Milicas is an awesome addition to the area's wineries.  The patio has a good view of what I discovered is known as "The Biscuit". A hiking friend told me there is a route to he top.
 I was unaware of the existence of this chapel but Jackie clued me into it. It's named "Mary Undoer of Knots" but was closed so we could not enter.  We drove down the mountain but stopped at Rose Canyon Lake. Again, having this resource, so different and so close is fabulous.  I asked Jackie to pose.  Oh my gosh, many people fishing and catching trout.  A beautiful view!  Alas, we reach Windy Point Vista and return home. Note the formation on the left that kinda resembled a face, looking to the west.
 We awaken to the sound of a turkey, strolling past Mount Lemmon Lodge.  We drive to the Marshall Gulch trailhead a short distance from the lodge. There we discover a group of SAR vehicles. A man has been missing for a couple of days so they are searching for him. Sadly, while we hiked, his body was discovered. Unsure the cause of death.  It's kind of a steep climb to a ridge but it's nice to hike in shade and greenery. I'll soon be in Ohio and overwhelmed by all the green but for now, it's a pleasant change.  Hey! Long time hiking buddy, Scarlett with new husband, Peter. That she caught and passed us made a favorable impression on her as she commented how surprised she was that she caught me. LOL, I simply said there were extenuating circumstances.  At the ridge, there is this neat boulder. Yes, it is possible to climb the sloped rock on the left and jump to the larger one and I seem to remember doing that but not today!  We continue our loop which simply continues to climb. For some reason, I thought once at the ridge it was downhill but not even close. In the meantime, the sound of a helicopter, searching for the missing hiker was ever present and distant views emerged. We paused on the trail and just then.....  ....a black rattlesnake began buzzing, at our feet. They blend in so well with the surroundings and I had been looking for one as we hiked but I still missed this guy. He decided my skinny ankle would not yield enough protein so he declined to bite and slithered away.  The Santa Ritas in the distance with Mount Wrightson the high point, Thimble Peak and Blackett's Ridge in the mid ground and of course Mount Lemmon on which we were hiking.  I noticed a cleft in a nearby boulder so scrambled up it with Jackie coming too.  Twenty+ years since the Aspen Fire and plenty of evidence still exists of that tragic fire. We finished with a little over 4 miles and throughly enjoyed our time on the mountain.
 Earlier and earlier I'm forced to get out and so too, any other people doing outdoor activities.  My beloved Catalinas with Cathedral Rock prominent on the right side.  We drive up Mount Lemmon where....  ....the temperature is around 25 degrees cooler. What a benefit, to have this one hour drive from me.  We do a short, 2 mile hike around the top, with a longer hike planned for tomorrow.  What great.....  ....views throughout.  In the distance, a fire lookout. Seems like drones would do a better job but probably a good reason not to use them.  Always a curious site, water being pumped, deposited in this bathtub sized item and then flowing down canyon. Hikers dip directly from the tub but I think I'd filter the water, first.
 Hacienda del Sol Resort claims the best views in Tucson. Very nice but not hardly the best.  We had a drink and appetizer while watching the sun's influence wane.  Next morning, I was out the door early as after a very mild May and early June, summer has definitely arrived. The overnight lows are still modest but that will change soon. While coasting down Sabino Canyon Road.....  ....this guy was crossing the road. Visitors stay way back but I know the strike range of it and somewhat calmly, walk up and push it along with my bike tire. Lots of cyclist zooming by so didn't want it to get run over.  St Phillip Plaza to meet friends and listen to some good music. Jackie enjoys music and sang in a local band for awhile.  One of my favorite views, about a mile from home. Entering Ventana Canyon Resort, I arrive here in a few pedal strokes.  We visit Catalina State Park for a hike to what I hope is running falls.  A dead saguaro between two healthy ones.  A slab of rock containing grinding holes. I see these frequently in various canyons where the Indians could reach higher elevations during the summer.  Alas, the the slope that can have spectacular water fall, was dry. Still, this was a shady and cool spot so we enjoyed our time there.
 Around the corner of the Catalinas I drove to the Linda Vista trailhead to do a first time hike with....  ....my new friend. She definitely checked out on the trail. A strong hiker so that's nice. Not necessary but it's a plus, given my history.  What would cause the right angle of the saguaro arm where all others are vertical. Returning from Oro Valley....  ......a Ferrari passed me! The Catalina Foothills, just north of Tucson, is fairly affluent and there is talk of it becoming its own entity, separating from the terribly managed Tucson.  A spectacular sunset from the patio of Dove Mountain Brewing Co where a band was playing, rather well.  So, she checked out on the hike (not that it really matters I say again) and next, since she had a nice road bike, we went for a ride. Wow, she's the real deal on the bike too.  We paused for a selfie and by coincidence, really, the background was maybe symbolic?  Separately, I did a short hike in Sabino Canyon following a brief shower. Love the mountain views with clouds. Water is still trickling over the dam but not for long as an extended period of dry weather is settling in.
 .....Jack, a wonderful wheaten terrier, who enjoys action movies. Following my dog sitting duty, my plan was to drive to Ohio for the summer but......  ....I met her. Jackie checks all my boxes and some boxes have been checked that I had not previously considered, lol.  She visited me and met Jack. She is very fit and active which, unfortunately, is not very common in my age range. She had a good job in health care as an administrator but also owned a yoga studio in Chicago. Naturally.....  ....she wanted to teach me, which explains the yellow mat behind her, where I am not, having tapped out. Next is pilates, about which I am somewhat anxious. I delayed my trip to Ohio until early July. Finding someone like this is so, so rare, I've got to spend the appropriate time together to solidify the relationship. It's been a month and things are going really well.  A century plant! They live 10-25 years and then, in their final year, send up a stalk that can reach 30'. Beautiful yellow flowers, known as "death flowers" appear and then the plant dies.  Riding up Sabino Canyon. The weather has been about perfect so I'm riding and hiking a bunch but really glad a huge void in my life, otherwise, has been filled.  A gorgeous, desert scene, following some rain.  I've had an unusual spate of flats. This one caused by a short piece of metal that I was unable to grasp and remove while on the route. Fortunately, I was about a mile from home so just pushed the bike and pliers did the job.
 The Texas Ranger bushes are spectacular this year as I look at the Catalinas and wonder, will I ever visit the "Window" again? It's in the jumble of rocks on the right. 4000' of elevation gain to get up there and 12 miles. Physically, I can do it but damn, the hiking pain.....  And a surge of repaving continues around here.  This was a rectangular piece of grass that has been removed and replaced with trees and bushes. I'm ok with it, dog walkers, not so much.  I went on a short hike in Sabino Canyon and as usual, there were several people, looking at the mountains and trying to recreate the beauty. Some of the efforts are very good, others not so much.  I again pass an abandoned mine and just then, another hiker comes along and I ask if she has seen the inside. Saying no, I shine a light and.....  .....the end is near. Maybe 30' in length so the park never bothered barricading it.  I encounter another artist on my return.  The sun rises on another day and I think, a new chapter has opened in my life. It's about time. More to come.
 Our glorious sunrises!  Another ride up Sabino Canyon Road to one of my favorite overlooks.  Well! My condo building is being painted. Part of the process is of course, covering the windows and doors. It's odd how having these covered at night is different from being denied views during the day. My neighbors above me asked me to bring a knife and cut around the door frame so they could get out.  The painting begins and they did a great job!  More cactus are blooming as I ride a route that includes....  .....this spectacular view from the parking lot at Ventana Canyon Resort.  I'd passed a climb, dozens of times but never really tempted to ride because it appeared steep and so it was. Pitches of 18% but once on top, there was an enjoyable winding road to follow.  Project time! My friend Amy had a handyman quote on a variety of projects but after looking at the list, I thought I could do three of the four so volunteered. I'm always up for anything that involves wood and a saw. An hour later.....  ......not bad, if I do say so myself.
 A healthy saguaro and....  ....more great views of our surrounding mountains.  After several days of hiking and cycling, I opted for the spa, lol. Feels great to sit in the swirling water.  The saguaros are blooming! Each of those flowers represents a potential new arm but statically , few ever make it.  With El Camino Rinconaado Now repaved, it adds to the growing inventory of newly paved roads off Redington Road. Nice!  An off day but still gotta do something so back to Sabino Canyon for a short hike. With the snowbirds departed, finding a parking spot is a little easier but this place is always busy.  Some water still flowing over the dam but most of it in the creek, "flows" below ground.  How bout that! My daughter Olivia at St. Andrews in Scotland. She went with friends for a week then solo for another week.  The oleanders are blooming. Supposedly, the leaves are poisonous to dogs although why a dog would munch on them is a mystery.  Outside my condo, the grass has been stripped to be replaced with stones, trees and bushes. A couple of roadrunners converged to pick up convenient bug meals.
 I was invited to a pot luck at the clubhouse, where I live. Hmmmm, the only option was to go to the deli department at my nearby grocery store and ask, "What would you take?" and so, macaroni salad won.  Doing a group ride that included a good climb through Saguaro East NP. If it appears I'm struggling, I am.  Beautiful sunrise, again.  My favorite road, Woodland, there's always something interesting to see. Side by side, a field that's not watered vs.....  ....one that is. Quite a contrast. Hard to believe but water is plentiful beneath our region.  Horse riding is so prevalent around here.  The repaving effort in the area continues. This road is a pretty good climb with a kick at the end.  And it rains, briefly.  The oddest design feature at the ground floor condo patios where I live. Narrow openings on the floor. Southern AZ....what could go wrong with the creatures that slither and scamper around? I took a 1x8, measured carefully and cut the length of the board, adjusted as needed and fit it into the opening. That was too much work so I thought the mass of a brick would work and so a line of them now blocks the other opening.  Then, I received a notice that all the buildings were to be repainted with a warning to remove any objects from the patio walls. Neighbors who have returned to Ohio asked me to take care of their patio so I climbed over the patio wall and took out the above. I'm a good neighbor!
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