Some Arizona Scenes

In addition to visiting New Mexico, 

we stayed at vacation rental in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Our vacation rental

Arizona sunset

Hiking in the Sonoran desert

Visited the Southwest Wildlife Conservatory
where we saw many wild animals being rehabbed,
like this lynx.

 A fox

Even a kudamundi!

So that's how they transplant a giant saguaro cactus!

White Sands National Monument

Also in New Mexico, is another wonderful national monument.

White Sands, a sandy playground!

Although it was cold and this looks like snow,

its really tons of white sand!

Piles & piles of sand

 And because of all this light white gypsum sand, 

the picnic shelters have windscreens!

Sand high enough to sled on!

 It has a wonderful visitor center too.

Don't skip this.

Come & have fun playing in the sand!

Tent Rocks New Mexico

We visited a little known national monument that is really cool.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

There is a really fun slot canyon hike which leads to 

some awesome views.

Like this!

And this!

If you are near Albuquerque or Santa Fe, you've gotta stop and see this!

Dad

Well I've gotten behind in my blogging. 

 My dad died August 13. 2018 and its taken me some time to get back to normal. 

I'm adjusting to not having a living father anymore and, along with my siblings,

been  busy taking care of mom, who we've gotten settled into assisted living.  

So this page is a tribute to my dad, one of the best a daughter could ask for.

My dad was a cook in the army, consequently, he could cook any thing from roast to pie!

He also loved camping and was a great grillmaster!

He was a mailman for 25 years.

He loved fishing.

Our last conversation.

Love & miss you dad!

Bugs & Butterflies

Some insects I've seen around the ranch.

 Cabbage butterfly

Question Mark Butterfly

 Eight  spotted Forester

 Swallowtail Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

Beetles

Swallowtail butterfly

Praying Mantis

Walking Stick

Common Yellowthroat

Witchity, witchity, witchity.

Thats the call of this attractive bird.

Pelecinid Wasp

This formidable looking wasp cannot sting, but drinks nectar & water.

This is the only species of this type of wasp in the United States.

Indiana Summer Sky

Summer Rainbow

Indigo Bunting

This beautiful indigo bunting was checking out the garden.

Fawns

Our Fawn has arrived.

We've only seen one this year but its a cutie!

Moseying Along

This box turtle was meandering across the pasture.

Probably headed off to lay her eggs.

The Trials of Motherhood

I saw this opossum on the trail this morning.

She was loaded down with at least eight babies clinging to her back.

Our Preggo Deer

The deers' bellies are drooping with expectant fawns.

WE usually start seeing the fawns around Memorial Day.

It won't be long now!

Lincoln's Home

On or way back to Indiana, we stopped at Springfield Illinois

and visited Lincoln's  home.

 Its the only home Lincoln actually owned.

 Many of the furnishings are the original possessions of the Lincoln family.

His son donated the home & contents to the national park service with the stipulation that no one would ever be charged admission to see the home.

 In a nearby cemetery, is Lincoln's impressive tomb.

Outside is a bust of Lincoln.

It is considered good luck to rub his nose, thus its a little shiny!

Inside the building are many sculptures of Lincoln.

His wife &  two young sons are also buried here.

Springfield is worth a stop to see this important piece of US history.