WILDFLOWERS

Last year when we went here, it was later in the season, and the yellow poppies were starting to bloom. Even though we were early, we still saw some of the dainty ones.

UP THE MOUNTAIN

When we got to Tortilla Flats, there were loads of people there, so we decided to go up the mountain first. It starts by going through some water and eventually the road turns to dirt-and it's winds around the curves-but it's doable. Here's what you see.

Notice the huge rock that fell down-I wouldn't want to be beneath it.

NORTHEAST IOWA BREAKFAST

Last Tuesday we rolled Mulert out of bed about 6 am, picked up Al and Shirley Ludeking, and headed for the Little Mesa Cafe and the weekly northeast Iowa breakfast. Karen and Willie Brown saved us a spot. We knew that Judy Ehler (one of Don's office staff) was in town with her sister-in-law and her niece , and they'd be there. We had a nice visit, which moved on to the Brown's patio. Judy's in blue pants and sweater.

The three of us.

It's always nice to see Judy!!!

The 6 of us then took a ride up in the Superstition Mountains to Tortilla Flats. On the way, in the Tonto National Forest, we came upon Canyon Lake and stopped to check it out. Here's a bit of the view.

PETROGLYPHS

We attended a talk about petroglyphs in the park which are 800 years old, and since I'm back in fighting shape, we took the trail up Signal Hill to see a bunch of them. We started at the picnic area and found we could even see some of them from the base of the hill.

Don on the way up the hill.

At the top.

Close up-looks like a bike.

One last view.

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

Last Thursday, we took a little trip down near Tucson, to the Saguaro (pronounced sah-wah-row) National Park. We're in the Sonoran desert, and it's the only place in the world where you see these amazing cacti. The visitors center had a nice movie, and when it was done, the screen went up and the curtains opened, and you can see thousands of saguaros out the window. It's pretty dramatic!



The saguaros are very interesting-they can be as tall as 7 feet by 50 years and by 75 years may start growing arms or branches. By 100 years, they may reach 25 feet, and by 150 years they can be as high as 50 feet and weigh 8 tons. If a saguaro dies, it leaves a skeleton.

The arms grow upward, but may be damaged from frost or snow and it will damage the base of the branch. The weight of the branch pulls it down. If it survives, the growing tip will turn upward again.


Saguaros are protected by law in the park and all through Arizona. There are all sorts of other cacti in the area. Here are two kinds-first the barrel cactus.

And an ocotillo cactus and it's flower at the top.

UPDATE FROM CASA GRANDE

Well, we decided to stay another month, not knowing if I'll need more therapy or not. I'm pain free unless I walk too far or stand in the same place for awhile. Thank God for the progress! We haven't been doing any sightseeing yet, but have been attending park activities. The other night, we went to the Flying J Wranglers chuckwagon supper and western stage show with Ludekings. They served us a nice meal and then entertained us with some cowboy humor and songs. Very nice!

SHIRLEY'S BIRTHDAY

Last night we went out to dinner with Al and Shirley Ludeking at Chili's, for Shirley's 39th (?) birthday. It ended with a bit of chocolate, which brought a smile. We hope Shirley is able to smile for many more birthdays!