PeeWee Travels: February 2014

Patagonia State Park, AZ

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Walked around park before breakfast then off on an easy bird watching hike which is in avery popular birding area. Saw two very interesting and much searched for birds. After a relaxed afternoon and after supper, were treated to another spectacular sunset. It was so nice to be in the mountains and on a lake.

The large manmade lake made in 1975.

The two RVs from Switzerland aren't your typical motorhomes

A motorhome on steroids

That's some arch in the bridge.

A great place for boating and fishing

A Vermilion Fly Catcher. Wish I had a longer lens.

It's easy to see where the Sonita Creek meanders. Just look for the green trees.

Multi-coloured cactus

Very fortunate to spot this Elegant Torgon

Crossed a creek to finally spot him

Early sign of spring

A small sailboat under a setting sun

Amazing colour changes as the sun set

The final firey glow

Green Valley Visit and Artsy Tubac, AZ

Monday, February 24, 2014

We were off to make a visit with a couple, Barbara and Randy, whom we met on our Costa Rica trip in 2012. We only made contact the night before and were glad that an early morning visit worked out. Their winter home in Green Valley certainly is very special, with the stone and cacti landscaping. Reminisced for a while. Barbara is a very talented award winning watercolour artist, who's work is displayed in art galleries and in the Tubac Art Gallery. Then stopping in the artsy town of Tubac with many art galleries and high quality shops. Only looked. Ended our day signing in for two nights at the Patagonia State Park. A park on a large manmade lake.

Visit with Barbara and Randy at their Green Valley home. Welcoming entrance

Randy, Barbara and Grace on their outdoor patio

The four of us together again since meeting on a tour in Costa Rica

Their home is located on the edge of a former golf course and has a super view of the local mountains. Randy's talent with gardening sure is obvious.

Barbara, a very talented artist and Grace, with remains of and old Saguaro cactus transformed into outdoor decoration.

A very touristy art destination

One courtyard leads to another, with many high end art galleries.

Colourful Mexican style pottery

Cool metal art

A little fun

Thinking of you Lenore

Tucked into a great spot overlooking the lake. Not too level though, notice the front tires which needed to be raised.

Madera Canyon, AZ

Sunday, February 23, 2014

A relatively quiet day with only a hike in the Mount Wrightson area in the Coronado National Park. We made a steep hike in a pine tree forest and viewed active birds at the Santa Rita Lodge. Pleasant day which was topped off by watching the fantastic closing ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics.

The trail started off easy enough.....

....but soon lived up to the very steep and challenging warning.

We didn't make it all the way up, but the view of the valley blow was still great.

Obstacle course

On the way down

Broad-billed hummingbird

Finches at a multi-feeder

At rest.

Even wild turkeys were along the trail

Titan II Missile Museum, AZ

Saturday, February 22, 2014

After our great stay in the Tucson area and taking in some of the main points of interest, we made our way south toward Green Valley for another stay at Desert Diamond Casino. On our way, we stopped at the Copper Mine Museum and the Titan Missile Museum. It is the only missile silo that is still in existence and is kept as a national historic site and one-of-a-kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. Very interesting tour.

Cooper Mine Visitor Centre

A tour of the open cooper pit mine was offered, but it was booked at the
time we were there.

Raw cooper ore

Cooper and metal art work

Mining museum

That's some long step up. Ready for a ride Owen?

Making our way underground to tour the control centre and the missile silo.

Very tight security at the time. Two massive doors to gain entry.

Explaining the security measures that were in place before the button to launch the missile could take place.

Radio communication and launch equipment. The secretive launch codes were kept in the red safe.

What a responsibility to have, with world destruction at your fingertips in the launch control centre.

Safety gear

Tunnel leading to the missile silo from the control room

All precautions against earthquakes were taken.

Titan II missile in silo. It was the largest nuclear missile built by the US.

During the Cold War, 54 Titan II missiles stood alert in underground silos at three locations across the country.
In 1987, the last Titan II was deactivated. This is the only site that remains.