Full moon in Brown Canyon; walking the social trail

I posted this hike on Meet-up last week.  Ellen said she would walk it with me as she always wanted to find that trail she had heard about going up the ridgeline back to the parking area.

We ended up being a group of three:  Ellen, Dennis and I with Fritz.  Dennis last hiked with me last year when we did the Miller Canyon loop via a social trail.  Travis had signed up but had to cancel.

We met at 3:35pm in the trailhead parking off Ramsey Road.  The parking lot was packed, which concerned me, but most of those cars were for people walking to the Brown Ranch house.  We bypassed the house by  climbing up a side trail, past a grave marker, and back down into the canyon.  Once there, we only met two more people: a lone cyclist and a lone hiker.  Fritz was on leash until we got to the social trail.  That's where the trail gets interesting.

Moon rise was at 5:05pm and sunset at 5:34pm.  It gets dark fast in the shaded canyon and my concern was to get on the 1.4-mile social trail while there was still daylight. The unmarked social trail climbs up two hill tops before descending back into the parking lot.  The setting sun behind the mountains offers some light as one ascends up the southern slopes, but we had to stay on pace.

Parts of the trail fade away, so I used my Strava track to stay on or close to it. The soil is loose and rocky with a lot of downed trees and other organic debris along the way, and I was alert for three things: border crossers hiding nearby, my other two hikers staying close by, and Fritz.  Fritz is devoted to me, but ever now and then he loses it when he spots a deer.

It got dark fast after official sunset.  Views into town as we descended were nice.  How many of those lights were Christmas lights strung up in front yards?

The hike took us 2:26 hours and tracked at 5.1 miles.  Fritz and I were thirsty and I kept thinking of my iced tea in the truck.  We all wished each other well as we left the parking lot to go home.

Ellen is getting her strength back.  To challenge herself, she is hosting a 13-miler Carr Peak loop on New Year's Day.  She, Dennis and Travis have signed up.  I may as well, too.

Full moon hike in Brown Canyon

Winter rain

 

After warm weather and cloudy skies that kept the nights mild earlier this week and graced us with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a strong storm coming from California soaked us all day today. I barely got the dogs walked.  Gretel is back in the back yard so I can focus on Fritz and Gretchen. 

The heavy rain picked up in the evening and overnight.  While chilling temperatures are now ahead, we need the rain.  My shrubs along the fenceline are drying up and the San Pedro River is low.

Bisbee 1000 route

Bill came back from his month-long political canvassing in Miami Wednesday and wanted to walk Bisbee today, so I agreed. We met at 7am with outdoor temperature at 37F. It was chilly for the entire walk.

I took Gretel with me to give her a chance at some exercise. She is good on leash but does lunge at other dogs, so I held her tight for the entire walk.

We were done in 1:44 hours. I wanted to stop by the Kafka cafe for a cappuccino, but the cafe was closed at 9am when I came by. They usually open at 8am on Sunday. Another regular customer with me said that Bruce, one of the owners, has "temperamental issues" and if he doesn't want  to do something, he won't do it. So I drove on home.

Scheelite Canyon to the Pomona mine

 Ellen and I did this hike last December with Wolfie and Gretel.  There was some snow in the canyon.  Today we did it again with Fritz, started at 10:10am to a chilly 52F

This was Ellen's idea.  She asked me two days ago if I were interested in this hike and I agreed.  I hadn't done a challenging hike since before my wrist and arm breaking and I needed to know how I would do. We both did well and kept a steady pace. Ellen is still overcoming her pulmonary issues.

The elevation gain and mileage to the overlook is comparable to Carr Peak: 5.83 miles with 2183" elevation gain.  There was still some autumn colors with the help of the sun, which faded fast on the return hike.

We only met four people on this hike  A young couple with a small child and Black Lab puppy were near the starut. Fritz was on leash and didn't lunge at the pup as I held him tightly and kept praIsing him with "Good Boy!"  We were still walking up Garden Canyon road at that point.  The second encounter was a lone young blond man (a Fort Huachuca soldier?), dressed in shorts and only carrying a small water bottle

We both also noticed how quiet the canyon was.  While there was plenty of dry bear scat in the canyon, and Fritz seemed to have caught the scent of bear, we never saw any.  Even the wind was calm.

So despite the lack of wildlife, it was still a near-perfect day for a hike.  We were on the hike for five hours (including breaks) and ate afterwards at Culver's, where Fritz got two pup cups because "he's a big dog and needs to eat more!" according to one worker there.  Fritz didn't mind at all.  He was such a good dog all day and deserved all the pup cups he could eat.

It's all over

Today was the last gathering with the Master Naturalists in training.  We all had to give our capstone presentations last week (mine was on ladybugs), I enjoyed all the presentations: from baking with native seeds, to mammalian bones, pioneer botanists, and artsy quilts. hiking stories along the San Pedro River, and various on-going local projects.  

Today we had the last two presentations followed by potluck turkey meal.  We got our certificates and left by 1pm.

Now I have to start focusing on getting volunteer hours in.  I have to log in 40 hours over the next year with a non-profit agency.  There are a lot to choose from.  I'm interested in the Sky Island Alliance and their work along the border.

The course was fascinating, but intense for me since I had to drive home from school, take care of the dogs, and then drive to the Bisbee Science Lab by 5pm. Those Tuesdays and Thursdays made for long days! I will always enjoy that scenic 21-mile drive along the border though, with that open valley and big sky staring back at me.  The view never gets old. I will miss that drive as I will miss all my classmates.

But now I have to focus on cleaning up the yard, both front and back.  I got a lot done in the last three weeks and I will finish strong once Christmas break starts on the 20th.

One thing I'm so looking forward to is hiking again.  I haven't gone on a challenging hike in months.

view driving back home

Beaver Moon on the south Perimeter trail

I posted thus hike too late. Only one hiker showed up, but that was enough for me.  I brought Fritz along for security.

We started at 4:30pm with a Moon rise at 5:30pm. Kash and air agreed that we would turn around at the 2.5-mile turnaround. It was getting rather dark by then anyway.

Cginca96@yahoo.com 

Brown Canyon

 The coffee I had yesterday after my turkey meal kept me up until 2am and I thus overslept this morning for a Meet-Up group walk around Brown Canyon. Susan said she was joining everyone since it was her birthday and I wanted to celebrate with her.  She doesn't normally pre-register for a hike in case she oversleeps.  I didn't pre-register, either.

It was a breezy, cool morning.

The weekly trash pick-up, which normally is on Thursdays, came early today.  I barely managed to pull the trash bin out in time.  The driver saw me and waited for me, giving my just-as-surprised neighbor Chad time to pull out his trash bin.  The driver was kind enough to back up the truck to take Chad's trash.  What a nice gesture.  Normally the drivers are rushed to pick up everyone's bin and drive off.

I arrived ten minutes after the scheduled meet-up time and there was no one in the crowded parking lot.  So I walked toward the Brown ranch with Gretel hoping to run into the slower group but that never happened.

I let Gretel off leash when I was off the trail following game trails.  I eventually ran into Teresa and Vicki, two gals in the group that started with 15.  I was past two miles into the hike by then. She told me the group had rested at the horse trough a mile up the trail and continued up the canyon.  I ended up walking back with them to the parking area.  That was a 5.4-mile walk in the end, longer than the standard loop hike would have been.  Susan's GMC Terrain SUV was still parked off the road.

The trail was busy with MTBers, forcing me to jump off the trail to let them by.  Mountainbikers have the right to use the forest trails, but they have ruined Brown Canyon for me.  The trail is heavily grooved and badly eroded now.

I did get to see some fall colors, and even walked past a pinon pine that is used every winter as a Christmas tree.

Teresa told me the group was going to get together at the Landmark Cafe in town.  I went there at noon hoping to see others in the group, but no one but Ellen came by.  We had coffee and chatted another hour but then left at 1:30pm.

It turns out that Susan never had the intention of joining the group there after the hike.  Everyone just went on home after the hike. Susan doesn't go out to eat very often anyway  and she prefers tea over coffee anyway.

Thanksgiving

I had planned on spending the holiday alone with the dogs and taking them down to the river.  But then last week Ellen invited me to her parent's house again and I said yes.  I enjoyed my time with them last year and this year was much of the same, only better.  I picked up around the front yard and left for the get-together at 2:40pm.

I made sure I didn't eat too much, though.  I had a modest serving of dark turkey meat, spinach, and Becca's excellent gravy.  I did a lot of talking this time, at times feeling that I was controlling the dialogue.  Usually I listen more than talk, but tonight I was in fine form.  Ellen's dad Jerry was a pastor after he retired from the Navy and his listening skills are excellent.  His fine sense of humor and his positive thinking also help people relax.

Ellen and I walked around the neighborhood to admire the lighted homes decked out in Christmas lights.  By the end of the month the entire street will be a tourist drive-through, but tonight it was just a few stand-out homes.  It felt good to walk out in the crisp, cool air and to wish other passers-by a joyous holiday. 

I didn't get back home until 8:30pm to a very quiet and dark neighborhood, lighted only by a 3/4 moon.

I had locked my keys inside the truck earlier.  Now I have to set aside a call for AAA to get my truck door open.  Just great.

Canada del Oro multi-use path

 I have been wanting to start to walk this 21-mile path that travels from northwest Tuscon to Oro Valley. It follows the wash by the same name. It's part of the greater Tucson network of multi-use paved routes.  The acronym is "the CDO."

Getting there took me longer.  I had the truck full of cardboard for a much-needed recycling run but didn't leave until 2pm with Gretel, hitting Tucson during rush hour.  That slowed me down.  I had originally wanted to hike part of the Sweetwater Preserve, but Google said the park closed at 5pm and one hour wan't enough for hiking.  Sunset is at 5:20pm now and that area is not advisable for nightitme hiking.

So I chose the Canada del Oro trail which is on my bucket list anyway, but getting there was tricky.  I finally found a parking area off Thornydale Road at 5:11pm.  Sunset was already in progress but I was determined to make it to the next parking area 1.8 miles away, the Christina Taylor Green Memorial River Park, across from the northwest campus of Pima College.  That campus is rather impressive for a community college.

Christina was one of six people killed on January 8, 2011 when Representative Gabby Gifford was shot by a crazed gunman. She luckily survived, but has permanent but minor brain damage. Eighteen more were injured.  Gabby was only eight years old.  She loved nature.  It makes sense to dedicate a park to a young girl's life.  

It was already too dark to see detail of the park, but I will definitely be back soon to walk more of this path.

I like traveling with Gretel.  She's quiet and very tolerant.  She sat in the back of the cab covered with cardboard and not once whined. She walks well on leash until she sees something to chase.  Today it was a coyote in the wash.  I had just let her off leash.  Luckily she came back to me and stayed on her leash even as it got dark on the return walk.  Another dead coyote was right off the path.

The walk was only 3.42 miles long (round-trip), but the air was cool and refreshing.  Tucson, being lower in altitude than Sierra Vista, doesn't get those cold nights once the sun sets like Sierra Vista does.  I walked at a fast pace without any additional jacket and never got chilled.

I finished the adventure with a meal at El Molinito off Ina Road.  It showed up as the closest Mexican restaurant to the parking area and I was hungry.  If I'm going to try every Mexican restaurant in Tucson for Yelp!  (ha!), this spot was a good choice.  I sat at the bar, ordered chicken enchiladas (excellent sauce!), chatted a bit with another solo diner at the bar, then drove home. The Yelp reviews add up to 2.9 out of 5; I think that rating is grossly underrated as I enjoyed my tasty meal and the price was reasonable.

I'm looking forward to walking more of the Canada del Oro.  The massive views walking north toward the Catalina mountains is quite invigorating.  The only downside is the long drive to the parking areas.

Sweetie gets her teeth cleaned

 I had this 7am appointment set up over a month ago to fit my week off for Thanksgiving.  I got to Susan's place at 6:15 and stayed long enough to drink a cup of much-needed warming coffee,  walked with Susan and Sweetie around the property, and left there at 6:40am.  I got to the animal clinic at 6:59am.

I waited an hour in the clinic for blood panel results and was quite surprised to see the kidneys improve from the last test in June.  She went down from 36 to 32.  Thirty is considered the upper range of normal.  The vet tech Ben said it most likely is due to the use of Galliprant.

Ben walked Sweetie back to the prep room and I left then, shopping at Fry's and picking up discounted chickens for each of the six dogs.  I can't resist $3.40 for a baked chicken!  I then stopped at Jiffy Lube to get my CRV's oil changed and tire pressure fixed.  That was on my to-do list for this week, among other things.  I also put more things in storage.

I picked Sweetie up at 3pm.  The bill for the cleaning and six teeth extractions was a mere $555.75. She was still under some anesthesia and walked under the influence.  She rested on her dog bed in the back of the cab as I then drove her back to Susan's where she will stay indefinitely.  I stayed an hour to watch Sweetie, who at one point was walking with a curled rear left paw.

I hope removing the abscessed teeth will give Sweetie more comfort moving forward.  She is the first dog of mine  whose teeth were cleaned and I will start doing that with the other dogs as they get older.

Another passing

 I was busy today cleaning up the front yard.  It's been neglected all summer due to my broken wrist and then arm and things just got thrown against the shrubs.  I now have no excuse for this and started throwing out stuff this morning, then taking some storage boxes to the U-Haul storage that Kevin opened before he passed.

I hadn't been diligently putting things in storage for the past year.  When I finally got to the U-Haul storage today, I was surprised how little was in there.  I have a lot of work to do to get that unit full of my belongings.

When I got back home at around 5pm and went to check Facebook, I learned that the husband of a former co-worker of mine, Yvonne N, reported that her husband Weston Ochse, also a former co-worker of mine, had died.  She posted four days ago that he was on a ventilator. He was only 58.  That's too young.  She usually posts photos of her dogs or meals she prepares and adds funny captions.  She referred to Weston as "the Husband."  He was always her faithful sidekick.  She didn't post much about his health issues until now.

"Wes is gone" is all she wrote.

Weston had a rough last year.  He caught covid in January, then needed ankle surgery, then caught MRSA, faced renal-liver failure, but it was pneumonia that took him in the end.

"I don't know how I'm going to go on without him" Yvonne added, and it was those words that hit me.  I felt the same way about Kevin.

Yvonne and Weston were married 21 years.  It was the second marriage for both.  Weston has a daughter Alex from a previous relationship.  She's now 30.  Both Yvonne and Weston were successful writers (Weston was working on his 41st book) and both were dog lovers and adopted Great Danes from rescues around the country.  They enjoyed cooking, attending writer's conferences and book fairs, and the Southwest.

I didn't know Weston that well, but he was also a 20-year veteran and a combat veteran.  Both he and Yvonne are successful writers of horror, fantasy and sci-fi, genres I do not like.  However, both were articulate and talented writers.

It was Yvonne I spoke more with at work.  She is more approachable with her passionate narrative about her dogs, When I saw a recent photo of him from October that he posted on his Patreon site, I did not recognize him.  He had lost a lot of weight and looked 20 years older, with that greyish skin people get when organ failure is near its end.  It reminded me of how Kevin looked in his final month.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/major-changes-91048914?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link&fbclid=IwAR2wvEQNdaUt2j9oUlFe7F_ZI-z1oADaE73NFmEYFX7r0d3W-xueuWzWstA

So it was with this sad news that I, too, got sad again about Kevin.  Seeing the fast change in Weston from early this past summer to now is quite shocking.

Clouds

We've had three days of mild, cloudy days Wednesday through Friday.  The mornings have been in the 50s and the highs reach near the 80s.  This weather is more appropriate for October, but since October went down as the hottest October across the northern hemisphere, I'm sure November will follow.

Clouds keep the nighttime heat in, making the mornings warmer.  The dogs enjoy sleeping outside when it's in the 50s.  The morning clouds also create beautiful sunrises.

It even rained hard briefly Thursday evening, waking me up around 9:30pm and causing Gretchen to bark; she wanted inside!  Normally November rains are followed by freezing temperatures and colder daytime highs, but we won't be seeing those for another week. 

All next week we are off for Thanksgiving.