After the long day on Saturday, we lazed about on Sunday morning, playing golf with the Hot Springs Village contingent in the afternoon. On Monday and Tuesday, Kay continued pickleball lessons and games while I worked on photographs taken Saturday. As the curtains and shades were opened Wednesday morning, we noted a colorful hot air balloon being inflated just a couple blocks down street, and before too long, it was up, up, and away. Little did we know that hot air balloons are a near everyday occurrence in southern Arizona.

Today was a long day, even by our standards. Our goal was to visit Madera Canyon, 25 miles southeast  of Tucson.

 Just south of Tucson was the Mission San Xavier del Bac on the Tohono O’Odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission was named in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Kino for a pioneering Christian missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order), Francis Xavier.

Completed in 1797, the church has Mexican, Spanish, and Tohono O’odham influences.

Dubbed the “white dove in the desert,” visitors come from near and far to see the ornate and detailed artwork, to learn about the history, and to admire the careful preservation. Because of time limitations, we did not go inside.

From the Mission, we drove mostly east to Madera Canyon located in the Santa Rita Mountains, one of the largest of the Mandrean Sky Islands. The canyon and its immediate surroundings are therefore home to wide variety of flora and fauna, ranging from cactus covered desert in the lower reaches of the canyon to aspen and pine on Mount Wrightson. With fifteen species of hummingbirds, elegant trogon, sulphur-bellied flycatcher, black-capped gnatcatcher, flame-colored tanager, thirty-six species of wood warblers, and 256 species of birds documented in total, Madera Canyon is rated the third best birding destination in the United States. Our first stop was the Santa Rita Lodge which provides lodging facilities in the canyon. The gift shop has a viewing area (free) frequented by both birdwatchers and photographers (amateur and professional). We were not disappointed. We drove further up the canyon to an elevation of almost 6,000 feet, and hiked a short distance to the snow line, hoping to see the Elegant Trogan—no such luck! However, the mountains are my happy place.

Rather than return to Palm Creek and despite the afternoon hour, we opted to drive further south and east towards the border with Mexico to Patagonia, AZ, home of the Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Renowned for its backyard birds and scenic location, the Paton Center was acquired by the Tucson Audubon Society with generous help from the American Bird Conservancy and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours early in 2014. It was established as an international birding destination several decades earlier by Wally and Marion Paton, homeowners with a heart for birds and birders alike. When the Patons passed away in 2001 and 2009, the birding community began pulling together to save this gem for future generations. Wally and Marion Paton first began inviting birders into their yard shortly after moving to Patagonia in 1973. They eventually put up a canopy and set out benches, bird books, and a chalkboard for people to record their sightings. The Patons had a special vision for supporting their backyard birds with an array of feeding stations—and supporting the wider birding community by sharing the riches of their yard. After Wally passed away in 2001 and Marion in 2009, the birding community was left with an inspiring legacy upon which to build. Many people and events conspired to bring the Patons’ home safely under the direction of Tucson Audubon. It began when 104 year-old Ann Cullen Smith contacted Victor Emanuel with news that the house was for sale. And, as they say, the rest is history. It was truly an amazing place.

To top off our day, we had a delightful drive north on scenic US Highway 83 through Coronado National Forest, surrounded by rolling grasslands turning into desert near I-10 east of Tucson. And then our real fun began. Two accidents on I-10 north of Tucson halted traffic for over 3 hours, and it didn’t matter what shortcut or detour was attempted, long, long lines of traffic awaited travelers driving north. Consequently, we reached Palm Creek well after 9 PM with takeout food from Taco Bell—Mexican food never tasted so good.

We are really enjoying the Par 3 golf course here at Palm Creek; it is challenging, though. We particularly like walking, and the somewhat slower pace of the game. Though time is passing quickly, we are still trying to absorb all the resort and area has to offer.

Thursday, Kay has pickleball practice/game while I played golf day with our foursome of men from Hot Springs Village. Today, we played the Robson Ranch course near Florence, just south of Casa Grande. Robson Ranch is a group of private, gated, and very active 55+ upscale developments in Arizona and Texas. This particular development has golf, pickleball, swimming, tennis, softball, etc., and the facilities are very nice. The golf course is challenging what with lush fairways surrounded by desert; great place to play golf.

Kay played pickleball again on Friday, and I drove south to chase birds on the flats near Arizona City, a few miles south of Casa Grande. Apparently the place I visited was not the right one as birds were far and few between!

We made our first visit to the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch (GWR) on Tuesday. Friend and fellow photographer, Dan Olson of Hot Springs Village, was kind enough to provide us with the names of several great places to bird/photograph in southeast Arizona. This was the first he mentioned. The GWR is a 110-acre wetland and wildlife sanctuary having 7 ponds along hiking trails, one recreational urban fishing lake, and one floating boardwalk. It was dedicated on October 9, 1999. It is located in the City of Gilbert, a suburb of Phoenix. It is a birding and photographer’s paradise. Many species of birds either winter here or stop on their migration route. It was an awesome place!

Palm Creek RV and Golf Resort is different from other RV resorts in which we have stayed—more populated, way more activities, very clean—but for me somewhat removed from photo taking opportunities and cycling, having to drive significant distances to do either. 

For the three days covered in this entry we attended a Club Expo, RV show, chapel in the resort; Kay played pickleball and line danced, and I attended a Photography Club meeting (about 50 people there). We played in a golf scramble among HSV couples wintering here, with pizza afterward, and attended a happy hour with HSV couples—quite busy if you ask me, leaving very little time for television (not a bad thing).

After Kay played pickleball on Friday, we drove to Ironwood Forest National Monument, about an hour south of Casa Grande and just north of Tucson. Named because of the largest concentration of Ironwood in the US, Ironwood Forest supports many varieties of cacti as well. What was impressive, and not in a positive sense from our way of thinking, was the Silver Bell Mine. It was huge, sprawling adjacent to the national monument for seemingly miles. The low grade copper mine is part of a Mexican conglomerate. Just over 3 years ago, they petitioned Trump to rescind Federal protection of the area, but thus far have been unsuccessful. Many of the roads into and through the national monument were closed, so there is very little ability to traverse the area.

As it was approaching 4 PM when we finished touring Ironwood Forest NM, sunset awaited us at Saguaro NP, Tucson Mountain District. We found a spot to set up the tripod/camera for sunset photos; rapidly cooling temperatures “forced” us to remain in the car until near sunset. However, a Loggerhead Shrike kept returning to a nearby tree, so I reluctantly got out another tripod/camera combination with long telephoto lens to make a picture of the bird. With photos of the Loggerhead Shrike and cacti in the setting sun, we returned to Palm Creek for the evening.

Another busy week here at Palm Creek Golf and RV resort. While Kay played pickleball Wednesday morning, I walked about the park, photographing Anna’s Hummingbirds and Acorn Woodpeckers. Wednesday evening we attended a show by the Edwards Twins. They are identical twin brothers, one of whom impersonates male singers while the other is a female impersonator. Their dress, hair, makeup, prosthetics, and voices were incredible, mimicking Sonny & Cher, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones, and others.

Our Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort weekly schedule includes many activities revolving around current and former Hot Springs Village residents who winter here.

I played golf at Ahwatukee Golf Course near Phoenix (not near as nice as ours are in the Village) on Thursday.

Enough energy was summoned this morning to haul the camera and monopod out among the palm, olive, and other berry trees in an attempt to capture a few bird photos. The birds cooperated with at least 4 “new to me, aka lifers” species were photographed. (I have developed a slight tremor in my hands, and though the monopod helps, it is still no replacement for a tripod; thus, the number of quality photos is far less than desired.) 

This afternoon, Kay and I participated in the resort’s first “Nine and Dine” golf tournament, a “Lone Ranger” game where three scores out of the foursome are recorded for each hole; one must be the player using the Lone Ranger ball for the entire hole. Kay and I and our partners, Jean and Dennis from Washington, squeaked out second place, winning a free 9-hole round of golf and prize money. I shot a 32 on the difficult par 27 back nine. Are we living the good life or what! Dinner was fish and chips, with iced brownies. Of course, Arnold Palmer was the drink of choice (50/50 mix of iced tea and lemonade).

After sleeping too late for church, we joined Don and Ann Aitchison, Canadian friends from Bentsen Palm Village in South Texas for 18 holes of golf. Don played light’s out; he may be ready for the tour! Neither Kay nor I played all that well. But, we had a really good time—Don and Ann are so much fun, and active! 

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to describe the number of activities and participants here at Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ. Pickleball reigns supreme, and many residents come here specifically to play; the resort hosted the National’s for three years, before it moved to a larger venue nearby. Softball is huge, with games taking place every morning, all morning long. Pottery is also huge as is lapidary and silversmithing. Golf is very popular as well. There are numerous exercise and dance opportunities, first class entertainment, and cafes and grills. I attended a Photography Club meeting Monday AM and about 50 people were in attendance—they meet three times a week with various classes and field trips; Kay did Line Dancing. It’s tiring to even write about all that is happening here, and this doesn’t include all the national monuments and parks nearby!

Thank goodness for a new year. The last couple have proved quite challenging.

Golf was on the agenda for New Year’s Eve, played on Palm Creek’s 18 hole executive course (we only played 9 holes). The evening was spent visiting with Steve and Mary Seitz, also of Hot Springs Village. Internet was installed on New Year Day, allowing us to be fully “connected”. I have been spending most waking hours “cleaning” up Lightroom (photo editing software) and the thousands of photos stored on the computer’s hard drive and 3 external drives—what a mess! Today, January 2, Kay and I played golf (Kay played 9 holes and I played 18) after which Kay had a group pickle ball lesson.  Palm Creek is widely recognized as a pickle ball haven; the 32 courts have a constant waiting list. If I can ever get sleep patterns organized, desert sunrises and sunsets want to be photographed. More to come.

High on our list of things to do this winter was a visit to Saguaro NP near Tucson. The national park, 92,000 acres, consists of two separate areas: the Tucson Mountain District about 10 miles west of Tucson and the Rincon Mountain District about 10 miles east of Tucson. Its purpose is to preserve Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna, and flora, including the giant saguaro cactus which only grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert.

Upon entering the Tucson Mountain District area of the park, one’s breath is almost taken away upon seeing the giant saguaros everywhere, even stretching to the horizon, surrounded by other varieties of cacti and desert vegetation. Virtually every color was represented.

Driving east, the Rincon Mountains loomed on the horizon. The Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro NP was the initial protected area, designated as such by President Herbert Hoover. Here, the cacti are larger, i.e.  more rotund, because of more rainfall in the area. Again, saguaro and other cacti grew as far as the eye could see, even up the mountain side. Occasionally a bird would dart among the tops of the tall cacti—our target bird was the Gila Woodpecker, and one posed briefly along one of the trails.

A brief visit to a very crowded Costco in Tucson preceded the hour drive back to Palm Creek.