Keeping hot for Arizona 4th

 We made the wise decision to visit Arizona in July. It was a blast! Literally.

Alice waiting for the train.

Flying out on the 4th is a must for visits to come. Empty airport! Except for America.

 

On the 4th we watched the fireworks in the park from on top of the golf cart and I had a wonderful conversation with a woman who use to direct plays and was a touring ballerina in the 50's. Amazing stories. We've come a long way ladies! Above, Alice points out a large bug. Not a cockroach.

 

So July is hot in Arizona. I've always wanted to visit the miniature museum close to mom and dad, and the 108 degree days helped convince the crew for this inside event.

  

All of our favorite exhibit was an artist that carves sculptures on the tip of a pencil.

Following day (or another day? This all happened so long ago), we had a leisurely morning and then headed up for a little cave tour. Alice up to some antics with mom.

This is a face of amazement inside of the cave. I think. Or a yawn?

The cave was cool (thank goodness), but really the best part were the prickly pear margaritas and gelato.

Not pictured in this post were our 6am pickle-ball tournaments. We found out we were not supposed to be playing at that time in the park. The balls were quite loud, not to mention our wails of defeat and dominance.

One of our favorite events of the Arizona trips is the now semi-annual rock contest. Brock made a complicated, though thorough, rubric for judging.

 

A judge must not be rushed.

And the winners are...these two!

My submission did not win but is clearly the best. The face is naturally formed!! A prize.

Mom had a celebration for the kids upcoming birthdays.

With cake!

With presents!

 

Both kids got some wonderful mini-lego animal sets. Absolute hits! And a happy distraction from Bluey.

Bird watching is another pastime in the Tucson.

You would not know it was 107 degrees from the bliss on Alice's face.

We all get why this back deck is such a peaceful refuge.

Some happy TV snugs.

On one of the days we got up early and went vertical to escape the heat on Mount Lemon. It did not live up to its name, as it was an absolute treat! This view on the drive up...

Agave was in bloom all over.

First part is all uphill of course!

Lizard.

It's a Brock!

    

While looking for grape pie recipes online, I came across one that sounded so delicious and interesting that used an Italian pine syrup called muglio. When I looked for it online, it was so expensive, and it seemed easy to make. I just hadn't found fresh pine cones in the wild. But we did on this hike! Here they are! We harvested them, and brought them back to Chicago where they sat in sugar and sunlight in our kitchen window for six weeks turning into syrup. And I am delighted to say I just made the recipe after our fall trip where we harvest grapes, and it was absolutely delicious. It literally took six months to make, but it was worth it!

 

 

 A final goodbye hug from the G'donts and the end of the beginning of an annual, likely July 4th, trip to Tucson! So glad I am making this post a couple weeks before we head out there for Thanksgiving! In November, when the weather is perfect!