Tucson, AZ to the New Mexico frontier in 30 days.

Janice and I were invited to care for two sweet doglets, Thelma and Louise, who live in the suburbs of Tucson; we accepted! As cities go, Tucson is a good one. The doglets were good ones, too. Their mom wanted to visit the Himalayas while resting her mind about the pups and her home. This is where Janice and I excel.

Thelma, looking more nervous than was warranted.

I have been in Tucson when I didn't eat at Govinda's, but those times filled me with regret. I was having no remorse this trip.

It was a rare treat to be in the Old Pueblo at the same time as Brenda and Karin. Thanks for making time to break naan with us!

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When the time came to leave town, we picked the most direct route back to Datil. That included breakfast in Mammoth, a town we agreed felt pretty interesting. Bookmark that for later exploration.

El Capitan Pass, AZ

Salt River Canyon was previously only a cautionary tale to me. But, traveling in a small car eliminates a lot of preparation that big-riggers must make. We just jauntily happened upon it.

Salt River Canyon. Photographer is a little terrified.

My lovely assistant, Janice, models the canyon.

The last time I felt such surprise and wonder was my first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. This one is pretty darn grand, too.

By the time we hit Springerville, snow plow operators seemed to know something we didn't. Later, we knew it, too.

Yesterday, I had fun working at the Datil food pantry. Food pantries do an amazing job of feeding people, but it's not easy, and food pantries are usually scrambling to meet expenses. Volunteers who run them are always looking for a way to stretch a dollar.

Now, we're relaxing in the cabin in Datil, discussing and Googling important topics:

• How are pasta and egg noodles different?
• What is the mailing address for the geographic center of the contiguous United States?
• Is "spatchcock" a sexually-transmitted disease?

Between us, we finessed three propane heaters into full functionality, so we're doing well in the winter temperatures. When the Sun isn't hidden, we get extra solar gain. Solar is everything.

Snow in Tucson

A common sight at Waffle Horse

These were happier times, before The Snow.

Before The Snow, Annie lounged on the patio at Govinda's.

 Before The Snow, we looked at unidentifiable birds at Reid Park, Tucson.

 Then, The Snow came.

GET IT OFF ME!! 

Snow can pretend to be pretty.

We attended a Hare Krishna service at their temple Sunday night. I was intrigued, and I wanted to get a feel for the thing. I mean, people who can make food like that? Worth investigating.

If you're curious and a teeny bit adventurous, give it a try. It's not scary. I'd say their worship is more spirited than Jehovah's Witnesses and more restrained than Pentecostals. If you just want to eat delicious restaurant food at Govinda's, you won't be accosted with religion at all, but you won't be restrained when you yell YUM!

They didn't tell me this, but digging around I see that Hare Krishnas are involved in food relief efforts, and serve 1.5 million free veg*n meals a day worldwide.

Lunch with the Hare Krishnas - Tucson, AZ

Along the Rillito Riverbed Trail

A few weeks back, friends introduced us to Govinda's, and I haven't stopped thinking about it.

I'm fine with Indian food, except that buffets make you pick around the chicken and the dairy, and then eye all the rest with suspicion. My experience has been that Indian buffets are not vegan-friendly. Govinda's is mostly vegan, except on Thursday when it's an All-Vegan Extravaganza!  

We went again yesterday and ate outside on the veranda. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and the food was delicious. I was blissed out. I told Annie This is how it happens. You come for the delicious food; next thing you know you're all about the peace and love. SHE LAUGHED.

I went back and talked (listened) to Sean, who is a devotee. He said I started eating the food here and got really blissed-out. I wondered "what do they put in this stuff?"* Indeed, Sean. Indeed.

     

 *I encouraged him to talk to me. They don't push their spirituality if you just want a nice lunch.

Our friend, Lucy, came over this week. We took her on a tour of the neighborhood.

Desert apple?

Dude. You're eating a cactus.

Take a picture, it'll last longer. Oh, I see what you're doing there.

Look what I can do! Desert bovines are very athletic. Because of the cacti.