SABINO CANYON NOVEMBER, 2008

We drove from Benson to Tucson, AZ to visit Sabino Canyon. Several people told us that we should really go up and hike into the Canyon and check it out. They all said it was worth seeing. And they were right.

We got to Sabino Canyon early and no one was at the gate entrance so we drove on in. The parking lot was fairly full with a lot of day walkers. We checked-in and bought tickets for the tram at the museum. Sabino Canyon is a desert oasis where over twelve thousand years ago Columbian mammoth roamed. About 1,200 A.D., irrigation dams were placed in the creek by Hohokam Indians. In the 1870’s pony soldiers from Fort Lowell enjoyed horseback excursions to the “ol’ swimmin’ hole” still in use today. In the 1930’s, 180 C.C.C. workers built bridges and 3.8 miles of road up into the Santa Catalina Mountains. Many varieties of birds, deer and other animals make their home here in the Coronado National Forest. Hiking trails and picnic areas abound in the canyon.



This deer walked right out in front of us and didn't give us a second thought. Do you think he might have seen a few humans before?








The shuttle bus operates 365 days a year. A narrated round trip is 45 minutes and travels the most camera worthy scenery in the Tucson area. Moonlight rides three nights per month are available by reservation.


We enjoyed the bus ride into the canyon with the guide giving us details of the park. There were nine stop-off points along the ride up to the top of Sabino Canyon. We could have gotten off at any point and walked up or gone to the restrooms. Note: Only a few stops have restrooms.

We made the decision to ride all the way up to the top of the canyon and then on the way down we got off at stop seven and walked the rest of the way back to the museum and the truck. This gave us numerous opportunities to take photos.

This Saguaro Cactus is growing right out of the top of the boulder in very little soil. It's so amazing, I had to have a its photo.

From stop seven, it was over a 3-mile walk back. It was mostly down hill BUT right before you get to the museum, there is a steady incline that sneaks up on you. It didn’t look that bad but it was tough on me. I thought I’d never make it up! But I did and the truck never looked so good.

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS 2008 AT BENSON, AZ

Christmas Eve was a blast! There was a brown bag gift exchange at the clubhouse with lots of food, drinks and laughs. Participants were to bring appetizers and a $10.00 item wrapped or put in a brown paper bag with a label of M=Male, F=Female or U=Universal. We call this Dirty Santa back home. Anyway, once the item is taken for the third time it’s found its final home. Here are some of our favorite pics:

Stella dyed her hair with red food coloring just for this special night! She was the "gift caller". What a gal! Here is another pic:

Christmas came into Benson with snow flying and the wind howling. It was really cold! I think it was warmer back home in Bella Vista, AR than it was here. But it didn’t keep the festivities from commencing in the clubhouse as we had a 10:00 A.M. table decoration planned and then our Christmas Dinner started at 2:00 P.M.

Everything came together as planned and our table was decorated beautifully.

And then at dinner, everyone brought tasty covered dishes and our turkey was so good and it was hand carved at the table by our host. Our host and hostess did an excellent job

After eating, we all visited and enjoyed being with each other.

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS-LEFTOVERS CELEBRATION

Everyone brought their leftovers from our Christmas Dinner. The turkey was so good that very little was left for leftovers but what was left our hostess combined with the stuffing and it made a great dish. Thanks again to our hostess for being such a great cook. I know everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. After eating, we all visited for a while and then helped cleanup.

GHOST TOWNS RATTLESNAKE CRAFTS & TOMBSTONE, ARIZONIA

It was a week or so before Christmas and we were still at Benson, AZ., when Sam and Carolyn Kidd asked us to go ghost towning with them. We drove out East on I-10 Highway to Exit 331 and then took US Highway 191 through Sursites, Pearce and over to the ghost town of Gleeson, AZ where we found Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks.

Rattlesnake Crafts & Rocks is owned by John and Sandy Weber and is open every day from dawn to dusk. It is located at 10630 North Double U Ranch Road, Gleeson, AZ.

Over 150 rattlesnake items are for sale in the Weber’s vintage trailer which is surrounded by an acre of over 5,000 primitive and western collectibles on display. Many of these relics were found in or near the ghost town of Gleeson.

They say that nearly every part of the rattlesnake is used in making the crafts including the vertebrae, ribs, fangs, skin and rattles. Even the meat is made into jerky.

After our rattlesnake exhibits, we were starting to get hungry so we headed to Tombstone where we ate lunch and shopped until we got cold and decided it was time to head back to Benson.