Monday - Feb 10
No morning walk today for the rest of the crew. Monday morning park meeting and doughnuts. Lots of laughs again. Another day just lazing about enjoying the sun. Robin had to take the car in to get the brakes checked, as they have been gradually getting worse at “stuttering” when applied. Plus we were noticing a shimmy in the front end. Turned out there was some problem with the rotor(?) and the brakes needed to be replaced – or something like that. Whatever it was, it cost $450, but it sure rides and brakes better now. The shimmy seems to have been because the new tires provided when we bought the car hadn’t been balanced (just what we suspected).
We took in a cactus talk tonight given by a resident in this park who volunteers in the Saguaro National Park, not too far from here. Very interesting and informative. Although no one has been studying the saguaro cactus long enough to be absolutely sure, they estimate that these cactus can live up to about 200 years, providing they don’t succumb to severe weather or disease. Their survival from a seedling is pretty much a miracle. You may recall from earlier pictures the saguaro growing up through the mesquite tree. That’s because the best way for the seedlings to survive is for the seeds to end up near a “nurse” plant (be it a tree, or another cactus, or a bush) to keep it from getting trampled by the deer or the javelinas. On average, they only grow about 1/2 inch a year, the growth rate depending on every facet of nature around them. They don’t generally start to produce their “arms” until around 60 years of age, and not all saguaro get arms. The saguaro only live in the Sonora Desert. You find this cactus primarily in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. A few stray plants can also be found in southeast California. So if you see a cowboy movie set in Texas and you see a saguaro cactus – WRONG!!
No morning walk today for the rest of the crew. Monday morning park meeting and doughnuts. Lots of laughs again. Another day just lazing about enjoying the sun. Robin had to take the car in to get the brakes checked, as they have been gradually getting worse at “stuttering” when applied. Plus we were noticing a shimmy in the front end. Turned out there was some problem with the rotor(?) and the brakes needed to be replaced – or something like that. Whatever it was, it cost $450, but it sure rides and brakes better now. The shimmy seems to have been because the new tires provided when we bought the car hadn’t been balanced (just what we suspected).
We took in a cactus talk tonight given by a resident in this park who volunteers in the Saguaro National Park, not too far from here. Very interesting and informative. Although no one has been studying the saguaro cactus long enough to be absolutely sure, they estimate that these cactus can live up to about 200 years, providing they don’t succumb to severe weather or disease. Their survival from a seedling is pretty much a miracle. You may recall from earlier pictures the saguaro growing up through the mesquite tree. That’s because the best way for the seedlings to survive is for the seeds to end up near a “nurse” plant (be it a tree, or another cactus, or a bush) to keep it from getting trampled by the deer or the javelinas. On average, they only grow about 1/2 inch a year, the growth rate depending on every facet of nature around them. They don’t generally start to produce their “arms” until around 60 years of age, and not all saguaro get arms. The saguaro only live in the Sonora Desert. You find this cactus primarily in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. A few stray plants can also be found in southeast California. So if you see a cowboy movie set in Texas and you see a saguaro cactus – WRONG!!
The saguaros with the droopy arms have actually suffered damage, most likely from cold weather. The cold creates a weak spot in the arm, and it eventually droops from the weight of the water inside (the speaker compared it to rotator cuff damage). Should the plant survive long enough, the arm will eventually start growing up towards the sun again. The pinched-in "waists" are also a sign of a cold winter.
Tuesday - Feb 11
Just John and Robin walking today. This time they headed part way up the mountain to the east of us. Robin says the pictures don't really indicate how high they were. After a late breakfast, Robin and I headed out to do some shopping.
Just John and Robin walking today. This time they headed part way up the mountain to the east of us. Robin says the pictures don't really indicate how high they were. After a late breakfast, Robin and I headed out to do some shopping.
Once back, we headed over with John & Donna for happy hour with Peter and Christine from 100 Mile House. Met two other couples from Ontario, and had a fun time. After supper, we headed over for the Tuesday night entertainment. Tonight’s performer was William Florian, one-time lead singer for the New Christy Minstrels. WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Still has a great voice, tells some great and funny stories, and had us all singing along to every song. Pete Seeger; Peter, Paul & Mary; John Denver; Neil Diamond; Mommas and Papas, and on and on. So much fun. No one wanted to leave.
Until next time dear followers, my idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
Until next time dear followers, my idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.