Tohono Chul Park

This weekend we stopped in at Tohono Chul Park for the member's reception. We've been members for a number of years and used to visit and stroll the grounds regularly, but with busy lives, it seems as though it just dropped off the table; I'm not sure why. Well I know why, it seems like we just don't have the time to get over there. But when I really look at it, that doesn't make sense. For us, its perhaps a ten minute drive, and we normally spend a little over an hour wandering the grounds. Sometimes we stop in the tearoom for lunch. We always have a good time.

So for the lack of two hours (come on, we have to be able to find a couple hours free every once and a while), we dropped visiting one of Tucson's gems. If you haven't been to Tohono Chul, I recommend it as a nice way get out in the desert, without really leaving the city. After all, the park is located one block west of Oracle on Ina. Pretty much right near one of the busiest intersections in town. Yet, it never ceses to amaze me the wildlife I've seen there. This past Saturday, a hawk (perhaps a Harris's) was just sitting in a palo verde tree right on the grounds. We also saw a number of hummingbirds, cactus wrens, quail, gold finches, and the ubiquitous desert cotton tail rabbits. Plus you get to see quite a number of desert adapted plants (many labeled), with the possibility of purchasing them at their greenhouse.

So, we've discussed it some, and we plan on returning to our habit of stopping at Tohono Chul park a bit more often. At least to demonstrate our support for this corner of desert that is sorrounded by asphalt, because if it were to go away, that would be a great loss for Tucson and its people.

San Diego Zoo

One of the things we like to do occasionally is visit San Diego. It's a quick and easy flight, or if you so inclined, you can drive there in about 6-7 hours. Generally, we fly on Southwest so that we can leave late in the afternoon both on the outbound and return trip. The flights are direct, take an hour, and if you get them in advance, generally cost a little over $100/pp.

It's funny that we like to go to San Diego so much as we always do pretty much the same thing: visit the zoo and the wild animal park. Since we hadn't been for several years, we were surprised by the numerous changes. At the zoo, the new Monkey Trails exhibit was open, and out at the Wild Animal Park we were disappointed that the train is no longer. It has been replaced by another tour, but I really don't think the new tour is quite as good. It's a bit shorter and doesn't cover quite as much ground. Plus you're in carts being pulled behind a truck, so it's a bit noisier, too. That didn't stop us from riding twice, though.

With all the changes at the zoo, we nearly spent two complete days seeing everything, including the extra booths out for Koalapalooza (that's where the above photo was taken), where you could talk with the veterinary staff, or have a close up with some of the animals.

Now you might think that it's pricey to go to the zoo and wild animal park, but what I'd recommend is to become a member. For a couple, it'll run you $89 ($74 for renewals), which provides you with unlimited admission to the wild animal park and the zoo. Free rides on the skyfari (normally $4), and free Journey into Africa tours (normally $10/pp). Plus you get a couple of free admission coupons for a friend. It really is a great deal.

So consider heading over to Balboa Park next time you're in San Diego.

Visiting ASDM

When I talk with people in Tucson, I'm always amazed by the number of them that haven't visited the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, as we visit probably once per month.

On our most recent trip out, the animals were probably the most active that we've seen them. For example, both bobcats were out looking around, as you can see by the photo at left. Normally, they are sleeping on a ledge near the top of their enclosure, so that you pretty much see a lump of fur.

While standing there, we always overhear comments along the line of: "These are much smaller than the one I saw in the wild. That one was...." Finishing up with some improbable size. I know these people believe what they are saying, and I'm sure they remember it that way, too. But really now, why would the animals be smaller here than in the wild? Their not. Instead, they are in an enclosure so that people feel safe when they see them allowing people to get a true feel for their size. Out in the wild, you might just have a fleeting glimpse, and the adrenaline might be going, you're natural instincts kick in and you are focusing intently on the animal. With all that happening, the animal looms large in your mind. It looks bigger. It's a curious effect.

Anyway, the day we were out, the mountain lions were also out and about, drawing large crowds, and the raptor free flight was great as always. And the coati treehouse was finally open, showing once again that everytime we go out, it's a new visit.

So make the drive over Gates pass, and visit. Spend the day enjoying the animals. Or wander the trails looking at the diverse plant life that occurs here in the Sonoran desert. It is truly amazing.

Tucson Museum of Art

For the first post of the New Year, I thought that I'd mention Tucson's Museum of Art. Right now they have a special exhibit with works by Maynard Dixon that looks really good. Now I be completely honest in that I've never heard of Maynard Dixon, but I have seen some of the reproductions on the various advertisements for the show. The show will cover some of his works on Arizona (and possibly Tucson) landscapes which have a airy light feel to them.

Try to check it out for yourself; I know I'll be down there this weekend.