On our way back from the Ford dealer this morning (we had to return the GMC seats for our trade-in) (love the new truck, by the way), Verna took an image of the cloudscape over the mountains in the distance as we crossed the Hassayampa River. The clouds are forming over the Bradshaw and Weaver Mountains twenty plus miles distant, while the underground riverbed dominates the foreground in this image. Click on the image to view the panorama full size.
Verna took this photo of our two little dogs today, while in transit to California. This was their first LONG ride in the new truck. We had to head out to the old stomping grounds to take care of business and visit with family.
Despite looking disoriented and anxious, they rode pretty good today. Bay Bay is always uncomfortable when we go on the road; we don’t know why, but we assume he had a bad experience with going for a ride. Eventually, he calms down and gets relaxed. Today, he remained a little more anxious than usual, probably because it is a new truck. He is keenly aware of any changes to his environment. Both of the dogs are very smart and surprise us with their insight into matters where we might not expect.
The Hassayampa River flows underground for most of the year, but when the monsoons come, the water flows big time. This is one of the pylons under the pedestrian bridge in town that clearly shows the high water marks when the big surge comes down the river from the headwaters. When that is going on, it is NOT a good time to be anywhere below the floodplain. Click on Verna’s image to enlarge.
It’s hard for a dark-colored dog in the desert sun running barefoot on the hot sand on the road in front of the house. That’s why we have a wading pool for them when they get back on the patio. Bay Bay voluntarily jumps in the pool, but little Cabela has to be helped in. Once she’s there, she appreciates the Mama dipping her and rubbing cool water on her skin. Click on the image to enlarge.
A few weeks ago, I spoke with the landscaping folks about our ocotillo out front. The one they installed a couple of years ago had completely died and was being consumed by termites or some other wood eating vermin. The landscape crew came out shortly after and removed the dead plant.
Today, the crew showed up with this beautiful living replacement for the old ocotillo. Luckily for us, the landscaper has a policy of replacement of anything they planted for up to five years. When the saguaro they planted failed, they promptly removed the fallen cactus and eventually replaced it.
Hopefully, the new ocotillo will prosper in the new location and produce the beautiful little arrays of red flowers on the tips of the canes. This is a young ocotillo and has the potential to grow in height and have more canes and flowers in the spring. Click on the image to enlarge.
What better way to spend a birthday at our beautiful retirement home in the desert, than to relax and enjoy a dip in the spa with a cold beer? Of course, this was not the only thing we did to celebrate. Verna served a wonderful pasta and salad dinner with garlic toast and limoncello. Earlier, she gave me a funny birthday card which made me laugh.
