My Journey

tgil

Well-known member
From Feb, 2019
At the end of the road (Palm Canyon Road) there's a parking lot for maybe 15 cars give or take. From there I took the short trail into the canyon looking for palm trees (and maybe an oasis). The trail led me to this sign so I scanned the view and didn't see a single palm tree, nor an oasis.....I was looking down, not up.....
Reminds me of my short stay at Valley of Fire SP outside of Vegas. I did lots of hiking there, but was disappointed I wasn't seeing more petroglyphs. I mentioned this to an employee who asked what trails I had done. I don't remember the specific trail, but she told me that one had the highest concentration of the whole park. I was looking at my eye level. She told me, "you have to look up!" I went back and to my surprise 20 feet or so up the rock walls were thousands! I really enjoy that park and will likely go back some day.
 

thedavidzoo

Member
Jerry, I have never chimed in on this thread but I have been following you for quite some time. I am continually amazed by your drive, persistence, your past travels, your pics, and especially your generosity. I have been taking notes on some of the places you visit for future travels.

My husband and I live on the east side of Tucson in the Tanque Verde area, a bit more rural than the city. You are certainly welcome to come by and use our driveway as a base (and not get a parking ticket), plug in, and rest your injuries. We can offer cold beer, a long hot shower, a cool swim in our unheated pool?, dinner, etc. Perhaps swap some stories. We are very flexible as we are retired and try to get out as much as we can on BLM and NFS land.
I know you have been in Tucson before, but am not sure if you have thoroughly explored the east side. We are minutes away from several great trails into various canyons over here, Mt. Lemmon at over 9,000', Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, and of course, Saguaro NP East. Then there are some really neat places a few hours from here...
 
Arjan.....well, I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I had no problem in Tucson. I really do enjoy my time here.....it's one of those cities where I ask myself could I live here and the answer is yes. But with all the water shortage issues that the southwest U.S. is experiencing I think the last thing they need is one more resident.....

tgil.....Valley of Fire is on my to go list. I can hardly believe that I've never visited.....

thedavidzoo (interesting name ! ).....I sure do appreciate your kind offer and your kind words as well but we have left Tucson and are back on the road. I have lots more to explore in your neck of the woods and maybe I could take a raincheck on your offer.....that area was in my plans which I had to alter after the slip.....



The third distinct district would be the university district which pretty much begins (or ends) at the northern end (or beginning) of Historic Fourth Avenue. As the name partially implies this is where the campus of the University of Arizona lies. Initially you walk through maybe ten blocks of a mix of older residential homes and commercial buildings. The older homes here are stellar.....

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This particular home was a mix of Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations.....

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Further up the street you'll pass by several fraternity houses.....

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The residential section is quickly absorbed by what would appear to be a fairly new section of commercial buildings only. I just read an article that many residents of Tucson are opposed to this same type of development on Historic Fourth Avenue but apparently developers are moving ahead with their plans for a new development and will be demolishing an old building and evicting a popular business.....

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This car parked along University Boulevard brought back some mixed memories.....

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Further along University Boulevard ends at a metal gate and a pair of stone walls.....this is the beginning of the University of Arizona campus. Walking here is pretty much amazing since the road is blocked mostly so it's just foot traffic.....

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Tanner especially liked grabbing a drink of water from the massive fountain but unfortunately the college kids kept dumping laundry detergent in it.....

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This was without a doubt a strong contender for my favorite place to walk and I think I could say that it was Tanners as well. Sometimes I think that this lifestyle surrounds me with so many older people so to walk on a college campus is such a nice change from the norms. The students absolutely loved Tanner.....and Tanner loved them just as much.....

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thedavidzoo

Member
thedavidzoo (interesting name ! ).....I sure do appreciate your kind offer and your kind words as well but we have left Tucson and are back on the road. I have lots more to explore in your neck of the woods and maybe I could take a raincheck on your offer.....that area was in my plans which I had to alter after the slip.....
No problem. Happy trails.
 
Wrapping up my visit to Tucson, Arizona.....I'll share a couple of events that we happened to come by in our travels.....

First was the big game.....

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We watched the marching band prep for the big game (possibly the last home game of the season). I never got around to see who was playing that night but the town was rocking.....

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This field was packed game night with tailgate parties.....lots of motorhomes with big screen tv's.....

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That night along University Boulevard the bars packed them in as well.....

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Another interesting event was this small protest on Climate Change. Tanner was into all the kids so he joined the group.....

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I had a chance to speak with these students and they expressed a sincere concern for their futures.....as they should. They invited me to a much larger event (1,000 plus students) but we wouldn't be here on that day so I regretfully declined. Often I think that I'm glad that I'm old and won't have to experience the things that we've left them.....pretty scary stuff.....

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And to finally wrap up Tucson, Arizona.....one day we happened by a professional photo shoot and the 2 photographers asked to borrow Tanner. They forwarded me a bunch of photos.....

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Arjan

Fossil Overlander
Goldens are natural models....

Looks like a nice place - although the water situation is a concern..
 

tgil

Well-known member
Tanner aka activist and handsome model!
Yes, Valey of Fire is worth the visit. You've been all around it! Don't recall if I commented or not, but you posted a pic some time back that was a lot littered with what was left of fireworks. I saw the same lot when I was there. I'd hit that convenience store for ice when needed. You won't care for the camping there, but the scenery is worth the fee to visit! Not sure if they allow dogs on the trails or not?
Coincidentally, Lake Havasu was part of my original plan on that trip. I wanted to see the bridge! I ran out of time.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
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Arjan.....I barely even notice the woman in the pictures.....my eyes immediately go to Tanner, then the mix of the colors of her dress.....and then eventually I notice the model.....so yea, I agree.....

tgil.....the bridge.....eh.....



Lately it seems that Yukon has faded from my updates as she wanders into her new world of just existing. Most days now I seem to have moments where I get sad for her, fight back the tears, and it's without a doubt a most difficult time.....

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While in Tucson we visited a vet and had tests done and she was a put on a new medication but unfortunately while initially optimistic it has not helped.....

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A recent telephone conversation with our veterinarian in Montana has me rethinking my plans going forward.....I aim to make her days as best that I can.....

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Leaving Tucson we made a pass by Saguaro National Park East.....

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Now I've spent quiet a bit of time wandering around the desert so I'll be honest here and tell you that I visited for only one reason.....it was one of the national parks that I had never visited.....

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I'm sure that an experienced desert dweller would say that I'm really a novice with the desert as it all seems the same to me.....Saguaro National Park was no different.....

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We only hiked on one trail (dog friendly) and we did the 8 mile loop drive so the visit couldn't have lasted for more than 2 hours.....

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It's beautiful here but I didn't see any difference from all the deserts that we've visited. Then we were back on the highway.....to camp in the desert.....

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Ace Brown

Retired Ol’ Fart
We’ve all watched our dogs fade. It’s a sad, sad time. My last dog died early from cancer after only eight years. She was a dark golden. But because she went very fast I didn’t have much time to watch her decline.
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Riversdad

Active member
There's nothing worse than watching one of our friends start to go downhill. Unfortunately it happens all too soon for dogs. My best wishes to you and Yukon.
 

Arjan

Fossil Overlander
Having had Goldens for over 49 years and trained Gun dogs for a living it never ever is easy.
Seeing them not being themselves hurts.
You did right making Yukon for now most important.

Bon Courage.
 

tgil

Well-known member
This time of year is tough for me. Prior to Scout, I lost my best dog over the Christmas holiday. She had CHF and I spent a chunk of change to get her through Christmas day. I let her go on the 26th. It's never easy.
 

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