Tucson, AZ

Brad and I just got back from a wonderful, relaxing trip to the AZ desert.  We stayed in Tucson and headed up to Phoenix one day.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, it was only a little chilly in the morning otherwise it was a nice 70 degrees with no clouds or wind the whole time.  I decided to surprise Brad with a Christmas get away about 8 weeks ago.  Southwest was running a great deal on airfare and I got an amazing deal at the wonderful resort Hacienda Del Sol. It about killed me to keep the surprise but I was able to hold out for the full 2 months and hold to the surprise.  We really took it easy this trip which for me was hard but worth just relaxing and doing what ever, when ever.  I did have a couple must do's on the list but other wise we would plan the night before for the next days activities.

View from the hot tub and Restaurant at the resort

Roadrunner

Since we flew in so late on Monday we stayed at a hotel right by the airport.  The next morning we slept in  before hitting the road.  We started out in the morning with going to a cave called Colossal Cave. It was a pretty neat tour except for most of the cave formation's were dead due to the cave being so dry and people not taking care of it.  I am a cave connoisseur of sorts so on my cave list it was just ok, It would have been really neat if the formations hadn't been ruined.  But it was still exploring a new cave in a different area and both Brad and I really enjoyed it.  There was great views of the desert from the cave entrance and we saw 3 road runners on the drive.

At the top of the canyon before the cave Tour

Inside the Cave

After the cave tour we headed over to Sabino Canyon to take the tram to the top of the Canyon and enjoy some desert hiking.  It was a beautiful area where we saw lots of wildlife and enjoyed the views of the canyon.  The sun bursts were awesome as the sun was going down, we got some great photos.

View at looking west into the Canyon

Pretty waterfall

Sun setting behind us

The colors with the sun set were so vibrant

Saguaro cactus, blooms in the spring with the Arizona state flower

Wednesday we shopped around town some and picked up some small gifts and an ornament to add to our collection (we always get an ornament from every place that we travel to, this way it always brings memories back when we hang it on our Christmas tree each year). We visited Biosphere 2 and did the tour of the building.  It is very interesting and seems as if they are learning a lot scientifically.  In the early 90's a group of people were shut inside for 2 years to see if they could live off of everything inside, they made it but it was a long, hard road.  It was a very interesting tour to see all the different items growing inside and how things work.

Getting ready to go on the tour

Biosphere 2 in the middle of the desert

Thursday was our marathon day that we squeezed in all we could.  Brad's dad and step mom Julie sponsor a pot belly pig named Mel. Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is a place were all unwanted/abandoned potbelly's can go to live out the rest of their pig life.  Most of the pigs live to be 17 plus years old.  The owner Mary does an amazing job with all of the pigs, Brad and I were so impressed with the facilities and how happy all the pigs were.  She has rescued over 600 pigs that are at the sanctuary.  The have tons of land to roam around and there lots of volunteers that take amazing care of them.  Since Warren and Julie sponsor Mel it was only natural that we had to make a visit.  If you are looking to give money to an animal rescue that does an amazing job please click on the link above and sponsor a pig in need, get on their mailing list or email me for more details.  

Mel was such a "ham" in all of his photos

Their faces just crack me up

Twinkie

Best Buddies, all the pigs have a "pair" that they do best with

Happy Piggies getting a sun tan

After spending all morning with the Pigs we headed to the Ostrich farm to go on the big wheel truck tour.  While waiting for the big wheel we were able to feed lots of animals including Donkeys, White tail deer, goats, ostrich and birds.  All of the birds were crazy!!!  I thought we would have large bites from them that is how crazy there were.  Brad took photos of me that I dare not post where I look horrified, screaming with my eyes closed.  I LOVE animals but these birds were CRAZY!!! The monster truck ride was lots of fun and we learned a lot about the desert around us and Ostrich's.  

Nice Donkeys, they were so gentile

Don't get too close Brad they will bite you!!

Brad's looking much calmer then I was with the crazy birds

Feeding the Ostrich Grapefruits

White Tail Deer

We then got on the road to finally get into Phoenix. Brad found out there was a Bass Pro there so we of coarse had to check it out!!  (I have only been to 20+ other stores around the US). We then went to a recommending Mexican Restaurant named Aunt Chiladas.  It was the best Mexican food I have ever had any where!  I know my Mexican food as we have it EVERYWHERE and let me tell you this place trumped them all. I had the Pepper and Quaso which was a Pablano Pepper stuffed with chorizo and cream cheese and topped with a savory red pepper sauce, all I can say is YUMMY!! They also had Amazing margaritas which was a great way to end a great, fun filled day.

Brad in front of his "homeland"

Friday we took it easy and just went to some small museums around town.  We went to the Miniature Museum, postal and stamp museum (I want to volunteer there when I retire) and San Xavior Mission.  The weather was great so we decided to go back to the hotel to get some pool time, hit up happy hour at the hotel restaurant which had amazing food and margaritas and then watch the sun set over the dessert mountains while in the hot tub. 

Out side of the mission

Beautiful wood carving inside by the alter

Brad and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed relaxing and seeing as much as we could in Tucson.  I am so thankful that we are blessed to be able to travel so much and see all the beauty in America.