We Saw The Lights! We settled in and just as it started getting dark all  kinds of vehicles started coming in. A lot of the people were going up to the observation area. We stayed in our trailer. The way Jim positioned it we had a clear view of the terrain. At the Paisano Hotel gift shop a lady there gave us some landmark pointers about the terrain so we would be able to focus on the right area. We were glad she did. We were surprised when we spotted the lights around 8:30. They were really round bright lights that pulsated. As the evening went on one of the lights kept changing from a white light to red, then green. The one beside it would go from white to blue. Way to the east of those lights there was another one that was a bright white then fade then get even brighter. As the evening moved on the first was the most animated. It would go vertically up and down. By the time 11:00 came not much else happened. I woke at 1:30 and the moon was so bright there was nothing left to see. It wasn’t a peaceful night. Lots of vehicles coming and going. So sleeping well was not easy. Oh and I forgot the mention the train tracks were on the other side of the road. The trains were really long and because it was so quiet the they we’re also quite loud.

Unfortunately getting a worthwhile photo did not happen. Because we we not sleeping we dicided to get up and We were on the road by 6:00. We were pleased that we would be moving to a different time zone. We would gain an extra hour! The sky changed colors as the sun rose behind us.

Alright, we are in Arizona, counting Texas we have been in 6 states since November. We noticed the Oscar Meyer Wiener truck going through the weigh station. As we drove along the Rio Grande the contrast of driving along it in Big Bend where on the otherside the Mexican terrain is all mountains. Here the hills are covered with lots of homes covering the hills.

As we drove on there were signs for Arizona’s centennial celebration from 2012. The little stuff seal that rides in the front window of the truck  is Lansing. I saved him from a claw machine in Lansing Michigan where we picked up our Alpha Gold Fifth Wheel last June. He ‘s been there ever since. Arizona is quite mountainous. These huge boulders are about as big as you can get. Appropriately the canyon they are located in is called The Texas Canyon!

It was still a long day for travel. With the extra time we didn’t get in so late. Diggity knows how to relax after a long day on the road.

Our first day on the bike route in Tuscon. These are wonderful huge lanes with excellent directions and some warnings. The numbers of cyclist on them really is great to see as well. Most were quick to smile and wave or nod their head as you passed. We were able to talk with some that told us we could pick up maps of the routes at bike shops in the area.  One of our favorite pastimes is to go to the bike shops of the towns we visit.  I hope that doesn’t surprise you.

The next day we stopped by a shop and gotta map. Now we were going to be dangerous. Nothing will stop us. The Loop as it is known is very near completion. When finished it will be 130 miles of shared paths and bike lanes. It will connect the Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano River Parkswith the Julian Wash and Harrison Road Greenways. Our first day took us 20 miles and today 30 miles. All along the way there are little parks, big parks and the landscape changes along the way.

This is Friday and we heard on the news a very tragic story. A group of 18 cyclist while waiting at an intersection at a signal light were hit from behind by a drunk driver in a truck. Five  were struck.  2 of them were killed and another in serious condition. It is so sad because the roads are so well marked and there is such an overall awareness of cycling in the community. They have accomplished so much here and this happens. Jim and I are still out exploring the routes of Tuscon. Today we will follow the path of the Rillito. It will take us by the Rillito horse race track and down to the Julian Wash to the end of it. Today’s ride will get us 30 miles. What a fun ride it was. Oh and be careful there are venomous critters out there?

 

Today’s ride we have decided to head into the downtown area. We figure with it being Saturday traffic would be minimal.  Not only that, but it was an awesome photos shot day. We have noticed these bushes with their yellow flowers along the trails. Gotta find out what they are. When we get into town we sit across from this beautiful stucco building that unfortunately seems to be empty. We look at the map and decide to work our way over to the University of Arizona.

Riding our way across town we came up on this recycling bicycle art gallery and parts shop. It was closed today but just the scupltures in front of it were impressive. The saguaro cactus made of bike rims was most impressive.

Monique was there waiting to go a weekend bike camping trip. Full of all kinds of information for us. She was also quick to invite us back when the shop/gallery would be open.

Jim with Jim’s Grocery and the intersection of Texas, Can you believe it!

This archway was to the entrance to the health studies of the university.

We traveled across the campus of the university. A lot of activity. We follow the bike route signs. The map showed a bike boulevard. Told Jim I really wanted a photo of the sign if it actually existed. By golly, there it was. Right where we would be turning. There are sections  along the bike way where these beautiful purple cactus are growing. This was a perfect model.

Today is Sunday and we have made it a lazy day. Not much happening. Went to a place called Brushfire BBQ. We sat with a fellow named Matt. He is a train engineer. This was great! We got to ask him all kinds of questions about trains. The two questions I had to ask was why there are engines at both ends of a trains now and why are there hardly any cabooses at the ends of the trains. First answer was obvious. Because of the length of the trains. He said it is actually measured in feet. The longest is usually 8,000 feet. Very rarely will they go up o 8,500 feet. That back engine pushes the train. As the engineer he controls the front as well as the back engine. Cabooses are no longer necessary.   Because of the communications now the engineer knows what is going on. Caboose had Windows that stuck out wider than the train. Back in the day a person would sit and watch out the window. They could see the length of the train and would be able to tell if something was happening and would let the engineer know. A fire for example he told us. Cabooses will be found on local trains of shorter length.

Tomorrow we will ride with cyclist on a memorial ride for Kenneth Vieira, we will ride the route of his Monday morning ride. Also the lady who passed, Clare Rhoades from New Mexico. She was visiting here to enjoy the wonderful cycling available herein Tuscon, will be remembered with this ride.