Clouds in Sepia

Papa and I rode Bob part way across the ranch this morning, under cloudy skies.  There was light rain all about, but only a few drops on us.  It was a gorgeous morning!

Spring Flowers

Southern Arizona is in the waning days of the warmest winter on record.  Its been gorgeous!   The warm weather has brought an earlier than normal "spring," with flowers blooming and bees buzzing.

Flandrau Planetarium

Papa and I visited Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, on the University of Arizona campus, a few days ago.  We spent most of our time in the Sky Islands exhibit and the minerals exhibits.  Princeton recently shipped their collection of Arizona minerals to UofA, dating back over 100 years. 

Rain in the Desert

We had rain on Saturday, the first moisture since December 21, 2013.  We woke up to beautiful clouds over the Catalinas on Sunday morning.  We drove back to the ranch to find 1.6" had fallen on the ranch.  The cows will be very happy.  We're still enjoying clouds over the ranch today.

Guitar Concert

Papa and I came to Tucson early Saturday morning for lunch with the Boys and Girls Club Board.  We stayed overnight in Tucson so we could go to a David Russell concert on Saturday evening.  David Russell is an internationally respected classical guitarist.  He was born in Scotland but has lived in Spain since he was 5.  He won a Grammy in 2004.  He has been coming to Tucson for 33 years to teach in the University of Arizona Classical Guitar Program.  He is Artist in Residence, coming every spring for several weeks.  The concert was superb and David Russell was quite gracious, playing three or four encores, and then coming out into the lobby afterward.  We enjoyed every moment!

Planning a Trip

Papa and I are planning a trip to Europe, April 8-May 1.  I really enjoy doing the research and working on the details of travel.  On this trip, we will fly to Paris, then take the train to Yvetot, in Normandy.  We will spend three days prepping for our family to join us on April 12.  We will stay at Chateau Sommesnil for a week, seeing as much of Normandy as is possible with a party of 18.  We'll take the train back to Paris on April 19.  Grammar will stay with Papa and me for two nights in Paris.  We will be there on Easter Sunday, so we are looking forward to sharing in French Easter traditions.

On April 21, we will fly to Vienna for 1 day of sightseeing.  We intend to take the train through Slovenia, to Croatia, arriving the following afternoon.  We will rent a car in Opatija, staying on the Istrian peninsula for two nights, then driving south to Trogir for two nights and to Dubrovnik for two nights, with plenty of stops along the way.  We will fly to Rotterdam on April 28.  We'll stay in Leiden for two nights and Delft one night, while also visiting Amsterdam and Keukenhof Gardens, the world's largest flower garden.  The tulips should be in bloom.  We'll fly back to the US on May 1.  A lot to do and see!  I'm having fun planning!

Roadrunner on the Roof

While in Tucson yesterday, a roadrunner flew up on the roof of the guesthouse and ran 

back and forth for a bit.  We don't have roadrunners on the roof everyday!  Was fun to watch.

Bobcats

As Papa and I sat at the breakfast table, two baby bobcats jumped over the fence, into the back yard of the Tucson house.  They were coming to get a drink.  Papa grabbed my camera and 

I took photos through the window.  Soon, their young mother joined them.  

Last Day of Visit

Sunday was Whitney, Toby, and Greta's last day of this visit on the ranch.  After breakfast of pancakes, we colored horses, played outside, then went down the hill.  We hiked up the creek to find lots of volcanic rocks, which Toby was quite intrigued with.  We went to the corral.  Whitney and Toby brushed down Oscar, and Whitney rode Oscar and Doc with Papa.  Greta rode Doc a bit, then she and Toby played in the creek.  The creek morphed from "the creep" to "the creek," as Greta learned a new word.  We had a picnic lunch.  Carly, Colter, Madilyn, Colter Lee, and Traven joined us for an early dinner.  The kids played and the boys went down to feed the horses with Papa.  Greta had fun with Madilyn in the backyard, jumping from rock to rock.  Another good day.

Fun on Ranch Transport

Saturday was a day filled with riding.  Greta rode down the hill on Bob with Papa to feed the horses.  Greta and Toby blew lots of bubbles as we got ready to go down the hill again.  We rode to the corral in the Jeep.  Toby, Greta, Whitney, and Papa rode Pablo.  Papa took Toby and Greta for a ride on Fergie, to move several rolls of pipe and later, we all rode Bob up and down the mountain.  The wind picked up in the afternoon, and we flew kites.  A good day!