How many times has this happened to you? It’s late & you know your own house so why turn on the light right? WELL becuase out of the corner of your eye you COULD see a giant white ghost lurking in the dark! 
Actually it’s a pool cover rolled up in a bag that nevertheless scared the holy poop out of me. UPS delivered the giant box after dark so G opened it up & put it in the kitchen to take out at first light. THE REST of the story is that about a half hour later, I shufled back to the kitchen, left the light off and jumped again! Stupid haunted pool cover. MORAL of the STORY: While it’s fun to have short term memory when rewatching a Netflix series, forgetting there is a spooky haunted pool cover in the kitchen is recipe for multiple frights.
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Ajo, AZ who knew?
A few weeks ago we accidentally poorly timed driving across the Mexican border and ended up crossing during the busiest Sunday rush. Consequently we were delayed in line for over an hour.
- We had been in line for a while. Still a long way to go as I can’t yet see the Flags. Vendors walk along selling to captives of traffic.
We had given away our food that is illegal to bring back into the U.S. (which is pretty much everything we like) We gave it to our friend Rosa who sells her delicious tamales on the beach. Time meandered way past lunchtime and we were hungry. The few gas station stores along the route didn’t sound appealing. Well, mainly because the LAST time G purchased a “Tornado Dog” (mystery meat wrapped in corn meal-supposed to be chicken) which led to an uncomfortable evening. The Tornado part of the title lived up to the name. We decided to drive the 10 miles west out of our way to Ajo, AZ. Founded 1854 .
I told G “I can’t remember ever having been here before”. He tells me how he used to call on the Ajo when he was in sales in the 70″s. He held up his arm, pointed to his armpit, and says “here’s Ajo”. NOT true today! 
Expecting the worst, I was surprised at the cute renovations on the rows of old mining bungalows, restoration of Municipal buildings, and churches. 
Perhaps the most impressive is the tremendous amount of street art.
Not just art, each piece was meaningful and moving. Spent so much time here studying them, wondering about the artist, feeling the pain expressed through this beauty. Viewing them I felt overwhelming sadness, pain, anger, happiness, beauty. I touched the hot brick gently perhaps trying to connect with the artist to hug them and thank them for sharing their soul. A few examples below. 
Unfortunately there was not a fast food establishment and our tummies are protesting noisily. Perhaps lack of a modern drive thru fast food establishment is how it should be in this antique town. We stopped at the a local spot, Agave Grill, an asian fusion restaurant and enjoyed the fresh food and local atmosphere. Full and satisfied G turned the RV around and headed east toward home talking about how Ajo. AZ was such a pleasant surprise.
MORAL OF THE STORY; Don’t judge a town by the 70’s , OR- G’s armpit is more artistic and lovely than previously thought.
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Why Not?
On the road to Rocky Point there is a wonderful little side road attraction in Why, AZ. The little store Why Not?
Gas, food, Mexican Insurance and even scorpion filled candy available here.
Off to the side of the store there is a refreshing fountain created by the owner of the store. We LOVED this!
What a cleaver idea! 
We have decided to make Why Not a tradition from now on.
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Good Geode Hunting
The theme of this week’s hike was geode hunting. Following directions down an unmaintained forest road we found ourselves just north of the Mexican Border at an abandoned corral. 
The summer rains have filled the canyon with life.
Caterpillars and butterflies everywhere. 
There is a slight breeze gently whispers through the valley. We have our picnic in quiet reverence.
Time to find what we came for. The hike up the canyon is beautiful and we are looking for a 90 degree turn north where a geode collecting area is located. The suspense hunting for treasure is exciting. 
I turned & jumped when I saw this Chupacabra…
It’s just G holding up a COW PELVIS. Gross. Of course he wants to take it home. “You could make something from it!” No no no. Nope. No….Sigh.
So far the hike is the treasure. 
We aren’t sure what we are looking for. About 100 yards past the 90 degree turn in the canyon north, rocks peppered with small geodes are everywhere.
There are big holes in the cliff walls where large geodes were removed. It’s so hard to get them out. Someone had better tools than we are using.
It takes a really, really long time to chip out with a pick. Now we have a few little geodes to cut & polish…
…and beautiful memories.
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Sand Between My Toes
Two weeks ago we took off for Puerto Penasco Mexico. Selfish with the beach we travel just as school starts and before a major holiday it is a guarantee that we will encounter few other travelers. 
We set up our RV by 11am and head to town to a favorite restaurant. The tide is extremely high and we enjoy hours of great food and drink with an unmatched view.
The ocean’s rhythm washing away months of stress.
Long walks on the beach with the tide out seem to be mandatory as we are drawn to explore tide pools and ever-changing sand.
These parents have found a creative way to keep their children occupied for hours building a spectacular fort. 
Later squeals of joy as the tide washes their work away.
Time moves slowly, effortlessly.
Then there is the shopping. My favorite store is Mercedes Rusticos but it is closed this weekend. We wander next door to this shop that has been here for as long as I can remember. The owner says 30 years and some of the items seem to have been here just that long.
The view from the 3rd story after climbing a rickety stair/ladder is spectacular.
- Rooftop
Sometimes the shopping comes to you.
Don’t forget to stop and get a fresh coco…
It’s even an adventure at the grocery store with entirely different cuts of meat, giant watermelon, and the biggest bag of Cheetos ever.
Moments later we are back on the beach with our feet up, cool drink in hand watching the beach activities of the day. The importance of doing nothing to refresh one’s soul. All I need is this sand between my toes.
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Morning Walk
Desert Sun too bright to walk around
Caterpillar squished on the ground
Inside old mall walkers probably my age
Pumpkin Spice candles , bacon and a touch of sage.
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How To Give Your Phone Number To Strangers
4:30AM & G waits in the cell phone lot while I walk our daughter to the departure gates. Waving goodbye I reach in my purse to call him. No phone. I search the length of the airport to find a pay phone but it doesn’t work. A security guard sees me having trouble & lends me his cell phone. I accidentally dial my own number. My pocket rings. The security guard says “well now I have your number.” I nervously laughed while dialing G pointing wildly to newly found phone and waving jazz hands goodbye as I run away. There is a stranger who thinks I am entirely wacko or that I have found a creative way to give out my phone number. Either way G laughed at me the entire way home.
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Nogales Sonora Mexico Has My Heart
As long as I can remember I loved trips to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. We lived a mere 70 miles north of the Mexican border and the ever-changing City of Nogales. We had traveled through on our way to Guaymas many times when I was a child but only stopped long enough to obtain a visa and move on. It seemed as soon as we crossed the border, life immediately changed.
We often crossed at night so I had to strain to see the city as dimly lit buildings flashed past the open truck window. Delicious smoke from open fire grills and outdoor stoves made me want to stop and stay with the families. Later my older sister would be allowed to take a high school trip with her friends and returned with colorful stories and fancy souvenirs.
It would be years until I would be old enough for my parents to let me go on my own. Nogales offered just what I needed as a teen in the 70’s. Leather shops, blankets hanging in the sidewalks, colorful wood carvings and ceramics everywhere. Now mixed with the delicious smell of Mexican food and firewood was leather, wood and hot blankets in the sun.
Since then we have made several friends, visited houses on the cliffs, stayed too long, not long enough…Nogales. I love the smells of this city. We found a Cantina on a back road with chicken cooking on a grill outside and the smell was AMAZing! There were many locals waiting in line for their order. 
A friendly man saw me taking pictures and came out to tell us that yesterday the streets were flooded with 5 or 6 meters of rain. He showed us the pictures of the arches across the street barely above the waterline. I didn’t get his pictures but below is the picture of the approaching storm. We are all hoping it would not flood like yesterday. Shops were ready with sandbags and everyone was optimistic. 
It seems Nogales has grown up right along with me. Medical tourism is now a large source of income. Pharmacies and dental offices line the streets where blankets once hung over sidewalks. Medication may cost less than half here. My favorite dentist is here. We like to wander before and after appointments. Of course one MUST stop at La Roca to eat.
- La Roca Entrance to the courtyard.
The plaza is cool and inviting. 
Bright Colors and art adorn the sidewalks.
Walking back over the bridge we are above the lines of cars crossing the border from Mexico into the USA.
There are still some tourist shops. These young men played dominoes to pass the time during the slow summer season. The intense one on the right is winning. 
Curios still line the streets as traffic leaves Mexico to enter the US.
Old meets new. 
There is a feeling when I cross the border through the turnstyle, walking on slick tile, then the bricks, past the chatter of the taxi drivers, toward the main street of Obregon. Although the city changes with the needs of the tourists, the people and the city we love stays the same. Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
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Hey! There’s A Bobcat In The Yard!
In the Southern Arizona heat the little ones find shade and water near the house
We love watching the rabbits and quail every evening 
Sometimes someone stops by and scares our little friends away.
Scary Falcon.
Tonight we came home, looked out the window to check on our little friends and saw this guy.
This cat just watching the backyard perhaps looking for our little friends or enjoying the soft grass.
We said hey, he says hey back.
Pretty soon it’s time to move on.
Such a beautiful animal!
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Playing in Payson
It all started with a discussion about the heat and picking someone up at the Phoenix airport Sunday night. Why not spend the day in Payson AZ in the cool pine trees and swing through the airport on the way home.
We headed for Tonto Natural Bridge State Park to do a little exploring. First stop was the waterfall grotto.
A cool mist is welcome after a steep climb.
A whole ecosystem thrives here.
Now on to the Tonto Natural Bridge.
Steep climb for about half mile and beautiful.
First look!
The cool spray of the water makes this a very pleasant way to spend a hot afternoon.
Back to Payson to Mackey’s Grill for some after hiking grub!
A very nice afternoon indeed.
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