Texas & Arizona 2000/01
Arizona

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The Tucson Rodeo is a top-flight event with several world champions taking part.  Although we disagree with the principle (I'm sure YOU would buck if they did that to you!) we decided to go see it.  The best part was the kids trying to ride the sheep - mutton-busting, they call it.  The calf roping seemed a bit hard on the calves and didn't really see the point of the 'bucking bronco' since they weren't bucking for natural reasons, but I guess it's a way of life in these parts of the country and is really popular.
 
 

The opening parade	Bucking bronco	Barrel racing	Calf roping

Due to the very wet winter we are having, there are masses of flowers in the desert. On many of my bike rides I "stop to smell the roses".
 

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Near the Waterman Mountains	Bottom of Gunsight Pass	Santa Catalina Mountains from the Tortolitas

The Tohono Chul Park was listed as a top Tucson attraction but we found it disappointing.  The local cactus and wildflowers in Tucson Mountain Park right by our campsite are much better.
Last weekend the LPGA golf tournament was at the local municipal golf course in Tucson and the Sanyo blimp was hovering around all week.  At night it keeps flying and is illuminated inside - scary when you first see it until you realize what it is!
Although they warn you about rattlesnakes here, we hadn't seen one until today (March 14).  Unfortunately, it must have been sunning itself behind the truck and when I backed out I squished it!  This is Sandy's favourite kind of snake - a dead one.
 
 

Tohono Chul Park	The rocks were better than the plants!	Moon, blimp and Venus	Diamondback Rattler

It's now March 15th so that's SIX straight weeks where either one of us has been injured or sick.  After my Jan 31 accident, I spent 3 weeks on crutches and then as my leg got better my back went 'out' and still isn't very good, even after a visit to a local chiropractor.  Three weeks ago Sandy got the flu and spent several days in bed - it hasn't really cleared up and in general she's feeling so nauseous that most days she's not up to going out.  We had delayed our planned March 2 departure until March 16, but have just delayed it until Monday to see if she improves.  Driving in the truck makes her sick when she feels like this so there is no point in heading for California unless she gets well soon.