We are continuing to enjoy a pleasant springtime in Tucson. We’ve been wandering through the desert daily as early as possible to avoid the unbearable daytime heat – wow, the sun is hot down here!
During those wanderings we’ve been able to view the progress of the desert flora blooming on a daily basis. This is our first spring here, and we’ve been enthralled by the various cacti and other desert plants displaying their colorful beauty.
Between those walks/hikes we’ve checked out a few attractions that have been on our to-do list for years. We were happy to get them done during the past two months, with plans to head north any day now. Or so we thought. But doctor’s orders have changed things, and now we’ll have plenty of time for more fun in the sun. More on that later, but what have we managed to get done so far?
Just as we thought all of our friends had moved on to cooler temps, we got a message from Debbie and Steve of Down the Road. These folks are avid hikers, and Debbie proposed a hike together earlier this year which we never quite put together. We’re always eager to meet new friends, and despite short notice we met at Thunder Canyon Brewery for some good conversation with food and beer.
Tucson Botanical Garden
A visit to a botanical garden is always refreshing and inspiring for me. I just love being surrounded by the vibrant colors and fascinating plant collections at the many exhibits I’ve visited. On this day I came early so I wouldn’t have much competition taking pictures while admiring the flowers, the cacti collection, the butterflies and of course the fascinating birds.
During my visit, the garden was featuring the New York Botanical Garden’s blockbuster exhibit – Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life. The centerpiece of this exhibit is the re-creation of the gardens that Frida Kahlo maintained at her home in Mexico City, La Casa Azul. Within this space was a replica of the Meso-American inspired pyramid, which showcased a diverse collection of cacti and succulents:
I was attracted to the Paper-Spined Cactus shown below, something I’d never seen before:
And then there were the butterflies! Unfortunately, a group of brats (I mean cute little children) were at the butterfly greenhouse on an early field trip. I quickly took as many pictures as I could of the beautiful butterflies before leaving the high-humidity building full of excited screaming kids.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
One of the landmarks visible from just about anywhere in the Tucson area is the Mayall 4-meter Telescope that juts out of Kitt Peak at an elevation of 6,875′. The telescope is one of a group of astronomical telescopes collectively known as the Kitt Peak National Observatory. It’s a national astronomical observatory that is permitted to occupy the top 300′ of one of the most important mountains in the cultural heritage of the Tohono O’odham indian nation.
The drive up to the peak is along a narrow twisty road, and of course it gets cooler as you ascend the mountain. With a 20-degree difference between the city and Kitt Peak, it’s a great place to visit on a hot, clear day. There’s a picnic area near the top with an awesome view, so don’t forget lunch when you go!
We took one of the guided tours that visits three telescopes. Having toured the McDonald Observatory in Texas previously (click here for that post), we wanted to see something big and were excited to visit the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope, the world’s largest and most sophisticated solar telescope. It’s the only ground-based solar observatory capable of studying the sun at mid-infrared wavelengths, due to its all-reflecting huge mirror design.
The telescope’s tower stands nearly 100′ high and connects to an angled shaft that protrudes into the ground, where the imaging is collected. A 3-mirror heliostat system collects light and reflects it through the tunnel.
We weren’t able to get into the observation room to view the collected image, but at the end of the tour we observed the sun from another small observation dome. There were two telescopes here to view the sun; one was a filtered visible-light unit which revealed the presence of sunspots, and the other allowed viewing of the solar atmosphere in a very narrow range of red light (Hydrogen-Alpha) which showed several large prominences that were currently occurring.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
My visit to Buenos Aires NWR was a bust because a) the visitor center was closed, and b) there were more Border Patrol agents in the area than birds 😦
Well, it was still a beautiful drive to a remote, quiet and peaceful place. I guess that’s never a bust!
There are two areas here that can be explored. One is near the visitor center, where the Pronghorn Scenic Loop leads around a grand expanse of rippling grasses and mesquite groves stretching far and wide toward majestic Baboquivari Peak. I was alone on the road here, and with only the tinkling notes of a Horned Lark and the whistling of a light breeze I was in perfect tranquility.
The other area to be explored is east of the refuge and is one of Arizona’s important bird areas at Arivaca Cienega and Creek. These wet habitats are just a small part of the refuge, and a rare desert cienega with a connected creek system in southern Arizona.
Cienegas, Spanish for “a hundred waters”, are spring-fed marshes, particularly rare and precious in the deserts of Arizona. They attract an abundance of birds and other wildlife. Unfortunately, I caught only a few glimpses of the birds, perhaps it was a little late in the day by the time I arrived.
So why are we still in Tucson?
After several months of increasing pain in Steve’s throat, we were shocked to learn that he has cancer at the base of his tongue. After several diagnostic and imaging visits, he is scheduled for Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) at Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson, one of the finest cancer centers in the country. We’ll know more about his prognosis and follow-up treatments soon, but it’s clear that our traveling days are temporarily on hold.
In the meantime we’ve moved Betsy out of the desert and she’s now a city-dweller, sitting comfortably in the shade under a huge solar panel array at Lazy Daze KOA. This puts us closer to the medical facilities we’ll frequent until the doc says we can move on. The silver lining is that we’ll be here to see all of the cacti blossoms this year!
Lowes Travels 
Please keep us posted on Steve’s progress. We will certainly keep you both in our prayers.
Yikes! Here is to hoping for a great prognosis and a very speedy recovery… oh and I should mention, KICK CANCER’S ASS
Wow, wondered why you weren’t traveling. We will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted, take care of yourselves.
Sending you good thoughts and I am confident that the treatment will be successful.
Sending all best wishes to both the patient and the caregiver. This is a tough road to walk and all your friends (even those you’ve never met) send waves of support as you go forward together.
God speed on your recovery Steve, we will be thinking of you.
Wishing Steve a full recovery, and a big hug too. thank goodness for a somewhat shady site as well.
We drove out to the Cienega and Buenos Aires once and I loved how much solitude there was!
Thank goodness you were near a great medical facility when getting this terrible diagnosis. Will be thinking of you both. You’ll enjoy seeing the giant saguaros bloom. Won’t be long!
You might take a little trip to Sonoita. You’ll enjoy the rolling hills. It’s wine country and there are several wineries to visit.
Sending our prayers to you and hoping for a speedy recovery.
Best of luck to both of you, we hope everything goes smoothly and your wheels are back on the road soon!
So sorry to hear about Steve’s cancer. But glad you are so near top notch facility. You’ll be in our thoughts. It was so very nice to finally meet you two. I see we still have a lot to do in Tucson!
Sending prayers and well wishes. I’ll be checking in on you regularly – hugs!
Our prayers are with Steve and you. Godspeed! Mike and Jeanie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Steve. So relieved that you are in Tucson where Steve will get the best of care. We know first hand the shock you felt when you received the news. Hugs to you both!
Oh my, wishing you a very speedy recovery! You got this!!
You will be in my thoughts as you kick cancers butt! So glad you are in an area with good medical care. Keep your spirits up. Please keep us posted as we all care as you can see. Hoping you feel our positive energy coming to you!
Oh My Goodness! We’re so sorry to hear about Steve’s problems. We’re sending our most positive thoughts your way. If there is anything we can do for you, let us know? Please keep us all informed as you can. Our love to you both
We are also praying for both of you. Being surrounded by God’s natural beauty will be part of the healing. So enjoy the beautiful cacti blossoms, they’re a wonderful gift from above.
Thinking of you and Steve and hoping for a speedy recovery.
Our prayers are with you both.
Kay and Russ
Oh my, so much beauty and then a bomb! We’ll be praying for him! We’ve had a new health challenge as well. Living full time in an RV helps us learn to roll with the punches.
I’m so sorry to hear this, but I’m thankful you are in a great place for treatment and you have found a good place to stay in the meantime. Make sure you take care of yourself too. You’ll both need rest. We’ll be thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
Mona Lisa and Steve….John and I know exactly how hearing that diagnosis feels. If you need anything at all or just want to talk please know we are here. Sending love and prayers for a speedy recovery! Lover and hugs from Sharun and John
WOW would I have loved to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Bummer about the butterfly kids. Hope you went back later and they were gone. The kids, not the butterflies. Your picture of Baboquivari Peak is gorgeous and of course I love all your bird pictures.
We know all too well what a shock a cancer diagnosis can be and send you all our warmest hugs and best wishes for fabulous doctors, wonderful care and a complete remission and recovery. It’s all very scary and a tough road to walk but you have the right attitude and that makes a lot of difference. We’ve been living with and fighting cancer for 5 years now. The picture of the two of you at the end is perfect and brought tears to my eyes. Know that we keep you in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Oh, dear friends—we are so sorry to hear that you’re facing this challenge. We know all too well the shock of an unexpected health crisis. Glad to know you’re in a place where you can receive the best of care. Your love for each other, and your passion and joy for life will carry you through this time. Sending you both hugs—we’re here for you. oxoxo Laurel & Eric
Heartfelt words hardly enough…may you find healing and strength through family and friends…hugs. I sent you a PM on messenger. Xo
Steve, We are so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Being close to top-notch cancer facilities sounds like a good place to be. We hope all goes well. Meanwhile, enjoy your time exploring the desert and seeing the cacti bloom. MonaLiza will keep us educated with bird, hikes and cacti photos. Take care, friends.
Surrounded by fellow rvers love, prayers and Tucson medicine, the road will be again your home soon ! Best whishes for a speedy recovery for Steve.
Good thoughts your way. So glad you are taking care of business.
You have friends from all corners of the world (even Kentucky) sending you such uplifting messages….Just what you need in the face of a challenge! Stay strong and stay together…know that we all care about you and will keep you both in our thoughts and hearts. Cindy P and Walter
I now understand your post on FB MonaLiza. We too understand getting that very difficult diagnosis. We are keeping you both in our thoughts. Sending you both big hugs and hoping for a speedy recovery.
as soon as possible get to md anderson hosp. in houston #1 cancer hosp. in usa .i had cancer on my voice box 20 years ago they removed it and am fine now also look up blog called princess and cowboy who were treated ther good luck
We did hear about MD Anderson but we are in a good spot in Tucson and UA Med Center is also reputable. Thank you so much for your thoughts.
So sorry to hear about this. We know too well what it feels like to be sidelined with medical issues. Hope all goes well with the surgery and treatment. We’ll be thinking about you!
We just read your post about Steve’s prognosis. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Enjoy the beauty of Tucson while Steve is recuperating. We have settled in our new home in Milford, MI and have great memories of our 20 years in AZ. Please give Steve a big hug for us. Godspeed on a quick recovery. Take care, Len and Carla
I am a little behind reading my blogs of late… I was saddened to hear of Steve’s diagnosis and wish you guys the best on this unexpected path. Enjoy the cacti and the rest of the Tucson area. Sending blessings and hugs your way…