Here is a picture of the new digs. I've been very excited about both the home and the neighborhood. This picture of the front shows a wee bit of the green coming through now that monsoon has started. The greens have actually become much more lush. I've planted some flowers in these planters in the front, since this picture was taken. I also have planted pumpkin and some snap beans around on the side yard. With the daily rains, everything seems to be staying green in the intense sun, but as the rains move on, the watering that I will have to be doing everyday will be extensive.  Still, this is a great neighborhood, and I am so happy to be out of the motorhome. Yipee!

Parker Canyon Lake in Coronado National Forest

Parker Canyon Lake is southwest of Tucson, about 75 miles away. It is only about 4 miles from the border with Mexico. Many US Border Patrol vehicles are zooming around the two lane paved and unpaved roads on the watch for smuggling activity and illegal immigration. When traveling to and from Tucson, there is always a checkpoint to pass through as a Border Patrol officer peaks briefly into the back of your car.

 And all the cattle! Horses, cows, and cowpeople are everywhere as you come and go from Parker Canyon Lake. (Is "cowpeople" the politically correct word for including cowgirls?) Anyway, it takes more time to get past the cows walking down the road than it does to get through the Border Patrol checkpoints.

These two turkey vultures were just waking from a cool night of mid 50 degree temperatures. I've been rising early and taking a little hike around the lake with my camera. These two birds were in a group of 10 others in the same tree. They seemed to pose well for this picture. It's one of my favorites.

And of course, yours truly.

More at Buenos Aires NWR

This is just one of those more creative photos I made one evening at the campsite in Buenos Aires NWR in Southern Arizona. It's remarkable that I've owned this old bus for 7 years and am still getting to know how it works. Like the awning...don't tighten the adjusters in 30 mph winds. Just let it hang loose. It knows how to adjust itself.

Sunset at BANWR

2018 Summer Roadtrip - Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

 The wildlife refuge southwest of Tucson, AZ is virtually unknown to longtime residents of the area. My idea is that the area is more known to hunters, of which there are many in Arizona.

This photo of a pronghorn antelope was taken at about two hundred yards, handheld with a zoom. It was a tough shot to keep focused, but the shape of the antlers was really what I was after.

This picture is a little washed out, but the shape of Baboquivari Mtn stands above the rest of the mountains in the range just west of the wildlife refuge. The story goes that the mountain is the origin of all animals and humans, according to the native-american peoples called, Tohono O'dom. Their reservation covers a large area west of Tucson, stretching far out toward Yuma, AZ., at the border of California.  According to legend, the view from directly over the mountain roughly describes the ancient symbol of the Tohono O'dom people, "The Man in the Maze." 

Oracle, AZ and Albuquerque, NM

Well this may take a little practice. I haven't been blogging regularly for over a year. I do have a plan of action, though. I have a collection of pictures on a SD card and I'll just post one I like and give a little background dialogue. And hopefully I won't get too wordy as I get carried off on a memory inspired by the photo.  Thanks for visiting. Let me know what you think. peteykale@gmail.com

This photo seems to be a morning sunrise picture of the mountains west of Oracle, AZ. The yellow and orange lighting seem to bring out the red in the land.

On a visit early 2018 to my high school buddy's home in Albuquerque, NM, we took a day-hike to  a place called Tent Rocks National Monument.  We entered through a slot canyon. The desert southwest continually amazes me.

 The rocky outcrops were formed by exposure to the elements, and eroded into these cylindrical, tent-shaped forms. Very unusual.

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Mountain Bike Endurance Race

I have some great pictures to share that were taken in East of Oracle, Arizona at the Willow Springs Ranch. Willow Springs hosted the "24 Hours in the Old Pueblo" Bicycle Race. The weather was atrocious for most of the week that I was there, but the clouds and rain cleared enough for the mountain bikers to have a safe and dry race.

On the way home to Tucson the old bus handled well in the once the approaching rains hit. As the result of all of the bouncing and thudding along the 10-mile long washboard road from the racetrack, one of her windshield wipers stopped working. Fortunately it was on the passenger side. This fix for this appears to be to reconnect the drive-arm under the dashboard. Piece of cake!

Here is a good view of the desert terrain North of Tucson, and the motorhome complete with ATAS-120 HF radio antenna. The track was at a little over 5,000 feet in elevation. Considerably cooler than the temperatures back in Tucson. In this picture I can see the dreaded Jumping Cholla, as well as a couple of Mesquite trees. It's barren, but beautiful in its own way.

 This is a side image of the infamous Lance Armstrong, 7 time Tour de France champion, though stripped of those titles. He was racing with his WEDU team. I read some of his story about his battle with multiple cancers and find his words inspiring. Courage and commitment seem paramount.

And here is the worn-out and bedraggled ham operator at the "Liaison Tent." Home of very little action. Once I got some lighting for the tent, and one of my "Rocker" folding chairs, I was good to go. I took 2 four hour shifts from 12am to 8am.  I figured if those guys were out there bicycling for 24 hours, I could at least sit and read and listen to the chatter on the radio.


MORE PICS TO FOLLOW!