Tucson, Arizona

Matt and I stayed in Tucson for 5 days.  It is DEFINITELY on our list of places-to-revisit!  

We originally came to Tucson to see a friend we had met in Scotland, Parvati.  This was to be the last time to connect with her in the States; she is heading back overseas at the end of the month.

Parvati and Matt at Samye-Ling Temple in Scotland 2012

Fortunately, Parvati had made arrangements to stay with a friend, Ricia.  Ricia graciously extended her hospitality to include Matthew and me.  Again, we were spoiled rotten!  Ricia enjoys cooking, and Matthew and I enjoyed eating it!  I have come to realize--people who cook well are truly artist.  (I don’t think I could ever learn to look at ingredients in a refrigerator and come-up with something interesting, beautiful, and delicious.) 

Another little tidbit—Ricia types the real-time-closed-captioning for a variety of talk shows.  How cool is that?!

Ricia at breakfast

During our time there, Parvati, Matthew and I hiked in the Saguaro National Parks (East and West), and Sabino Canyon.  New plants to love—saguaros! 

Michael, Matthew, and Parvati

Saguaro National Park West

Saguaro National Park East

Sabino Canyon

Crested Saguaro (1 out of approximately 20000 are "crested")

We also visited a farmers' market, listened to some well-played Celtic music, and went to a circus.  (Given that we haven’t volunteered at a circus yet, I thought I should at least take Matt to one!  Note:  Yes, I recognize that I am "putting off" shoveling elephant dung, but really, we are doing a lot of volunteer work that doesn’t involve odoriferous activities!)

Zoppe' family circus

Introduction of circus performers

The main clown

Final bow….

Thank you, Tucson!  We had a great time!

Tucson--evening clouds