Mission del San Xavier del Bac, and finding old friends

The tail is off screen to the right. We are not amused.

The Mission del San Xavier del Bac

We looked carefully for the ghost. He was not amused.

This mission served, and still serves, the Tohono O'odham nation, and is on their land.
I dig churches. 










Bac (say "bock") is the non-native name for the village of Wa:k.  

Hugh and I were just alike, only different. We were younger than our classmates (ten), both smart, both weird. He was sassy and irreverent, and saw things the way they most likely were. I saw them the way I was told to see them.
We both went somewhere else after that year. I found him last month on Facebook, and he is so funny and fabulous that I am mourning the years we weren't friends. He would have been an excellent influence on me. I would have a fashion sense. 
Please read When I Learned to Sing today. 
  

Saguaro National Park (West), Signal Hill, and Gates Pass, Tucson

We almost missed Brenda and Karin, who are five days away from leaving Tucson and their old life.

They're days away from starting their full-time RV life. What's not to smile about?

We met them at Blue Willow, where the vegans could order veg, and the paleos could get pale. They are so busy preparing that we were happy and honored that they could get away to meet up. Thanks, you two! We'll be looking for your adventures on Breaking Up With Normal.

Rosemary from Sonora Desert Museum commented on yesterday's post:

Those of us who work at the Desert Museum appreciate all your positive comments about the facility. Thank you! If you were not aware, the Desert Museum pioneered the creation of natural animal habitats that zoos worldwide now employ. We strive to provide habitats for the animals that are as close to natural as possible - and the majority of the animals are rescues that are rehabilitated and cannot be released into the wild. When animals are "retired" they are provided homes here behind the scenes to live out their lives in dignity.

I was not aware, Rosemary, and I'm happy that you commented. This dispels any lingering misgivings I may have had about the Museum. Misgivings? What misgivings? Thanks for taking the time to fill us in! This is what happens when you skip the orientation.



We had our first Trader Joe's experience today, but I'll just tell you that we liked it, and that I have sworn off dark chocolate cherries again.

So cute I could chuck their chins. Desert Discovery loop, Saguaro National Forest.

Gates Pass, twilight.

Gates Pass...latrine, probably. I skipped orientation. CCC construction.

Tee hee! Tiny cactus knob.

If there's anything more ridiculous than this, I want to stand under it.

It feels good to be back in the Sonoran desert. It may be dry, but it is not desolate. Anyone who lives here without life support is an adaptive superhero. They deserve this view all the time.

Even Annie couldn't upstage this saguaro.

Saguaro National Park, West

Signal Hill, Hohokam petroglyphs.

Mostly. Some exceptions apply.

We really appreciate the ideas for things to do and see. Thank you, and tell us some more.

Sonoran Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

I promise we are not flaunting our summer clothes on November 28. There is no way that's why I took this photo.

Thanks, Dwayne, for recommending the Sonoran Desert Museum. I'm conflicted about zoological gardens, but this one was certainly nice. However I feel about them, I enjoyed this one a lot.

Prairie dogs try to look scary.

"Alan! Al! Alan!"

We were made. We ran out in terror and disgrace.

This prairie dog is not a dog, and is not on the prairie. Discuss.

Through no planning of our own, we happened to catch one of the two raptor demonstrations of the day. These birds flew through the crowd like Blue Angels.

Gray hawk at the Raptor Free-flight

Harris hawk on saguaro

Barn owl

Odd duck at the walk-in aviary

The elusive "Whachu talkin' 'bout, Willis" hummingbird

Bee house. Free rent to solitary bees (pollinator area)

Butterfly garden (pollinator area some more)

This cactus is new to us. We call it the Lethal SparkleStar cactus.

I got my eye on you.

Hypomelanistic Western diamondback rattlesnake. Don't call him "albino." That really honks him off.

We stayed all afternoon.

You know Judy would say...

"The End!" or...

"Really The End!"

...but, it's not.

If you have zoo-ro tolerance for animals in captivity, I can't recommend this place. Even the hummingbird house and walk-in aviary will bother you. There are bears and big cats and otters and beavers and deer and javelinas. I'm just telling you how it is, so you know ahead of time. 

However, the animals who live there are indigenous to the area - no giraffes or elephants - and their habitats are extremely clean and fairly spacious; they are appropriate to the animal. The residents have "enrichment" activities to stimulate them and pique their interest. One could argue that they are safe.  

We liked it very much, but we're also willing to imprison six cats, so you know what kind of people we are.