July was our summer vacation.
Despite what most would think as completely crazy we did go to
Tucson, AZ in July!
Yes, it was hot, but a dry heat, then later the monsoon came with great thunder storms and rain, humidity which is not as bad as today's 100F with 35% humidity and feels like Hell.
It took us three days to get to Tucson going via Kansas-Colorado Springs, CO -Albuquerque, NM; for a total of 1695Ml.
Below the story in pictures....
We crossed Kansas flat as a tortilla, and after a 15 hours drive and thinking I am on the top of the Earth skin head we got to Colorado Springs, CO. Taylor is a great traveler, she sleeps a lot, watches the road, and enjoys the Rest areas with flowers and grass.
Once we arrived in Tucson a bad news disturbed our joy: Ingrid's Dad Mr. Rob Zwickey had a massive stroke and ended up in the hospital and is slowly recuperating at SouthHealth with speech, physical, and occupational therapy.
We met Ms. Anna, Ingrid's and in the old days my neighbor and had our traditional visit to
Sweet Tomatoes and one more home cooked dinner at Ms. Anna. Taylor knew right away how to run to Ms. Anna's door and was ecstatic seeing her again and checking her back yard with quick sniffs :-)
Taylor remembered all the neighborhood walks even if she was not really fond of the big heat... Then we have met our friends Scout and Siegfried and their Mom Sharon, and we have met new friend Mac - Chihuahua boy- and his parents :-) in the Lambert park...
Helped Jonathan my friend move to
University of Hawaii West O'ahuI was glad to be there the last day when Jonathan moved away from our "home town" since he moved me here at
SIUE. Good timing in this vacation!
Good luck Jonathan!!!
Visited my home school
U of A and got some new UA brand items :-)
The focal point was the Lambert park close to Ingrid's home since they have green grass and ... sprinklers :-)
The big heat and travel and excitement kept us be sleepy and there were even days when we took a short mid day nap...
I have met with Dr. Sabers, Dr. Streitmatter, Dr. Rosser , my advisors and teachers. Met with Toni and Mary in the Ed Psy department Administrative office. Also with Mrs. Karoleen our retired Administrative assistant who organized for us every Thanksgiving the International Thanksgiving and fostered us through our study years.
Taylor didn't want to bring disgrace on her hunting breed, so she caught a little dove :-(
Which of course did not want to give away...
Pool at Sharon's house was the major attraction. Taylor and Scout played "Pirates of the Southwest"
Scout is as sweet as ever but time goes and leaves marks on his eyebrows and ears... better said takes away the black color and leaves... white....
Siegfried is also whiter than two years ago, still proud "His Highness"
Our freinds Mowgly, Sue, and Dan are well, but time passed on Mowgly as well and he does not chase Taylor anymore. Taylor did not understand why...
Coming back we took via Oklahoma City, OK and saw a huge cross ...
As when we went at return we started each day at 6AM to beat the heat... gorgeous Sun rise every day. Via Oklahoma City, OK in three days we came 1519 ML.
Once home we were hit by the humidity, but very glad to meet again the farmer at the corner of the road and buy peaches, pepper, tomatoes, squash, and egg plant. The summer traditional dish tasted very good with all home grown organic produce.
Taylor was glad to meet again the squirrels and bunnies in the neighborhood :-)
We hate the humidity which is worse than the entire monsoon season in Tucson. The air conditioner started this morning at 7AM and did not stop since, the temperature in the house cannot go lower than 80F, but my neighbors told me their AC cannot keep up either, in their home is 81F even if the temps are set to low 74F. The
weather prognosis for the rest of this week is up to 100F with heat index 112F and head advisory.
I did not mow the lawn in the hope the grass keeps shade to itself.
One of my Maple trees dried out, looks like late fall with all leaves completely burned brown; the lower branches are still flexible and Dad says "it will come back next Spring, just keep watering it".... I really hope Dad is right!
From above thru tinny windows just a little larger than an airplane's windows one can see the city of Saint Louis, on one side, and the plains and Mississippi river on the other side.
The famous Busch Stadium - rebuilt brand new last year - can be seen as well.
The little cabins are like small space capsules with five little chairs, the system is on chains and cable. Pretty impressive and beautiful construction!
Here some facts (from the official web site):
Once we arrived in Tucson a bad news disturbed our joy: Ingrid's Dad Mr. Rob Zwickey had a massive stroke and ended up in the hospital and is slowly recuperating at SouthHealth with speech, physical, and occupational therapy.
We met Ms. Anna, Ingrid's and in the old days my neighbor and had our traditional visit to Sweet Tomatoes and one more home cooked dinner at Ms. Anna. Taylor knew right away how to run to Ms. Anna's door and was ecstatic seeing her again and checking her back yard with quick sniffs :-)
Taylor remembered all the neighborhood walks even if she was not really fond of the big heat... Then we have met our friends Scout and Siegfried and their Mom Sharon, and we have met new friend Mac - Chihuahua boy- and his parents :-) in the Lambert park...
Helped Jonathan my friend move to University of Hawaii West O'ahu
Visited my home school U of A and got some new UA brand items :-)
The big heat and travel and excitement kept us be sleepy and there were even days when we took a short mid day nap...
I have met with Dr. Sabers, Dr. Streitmatter, Dr. Rosser , my advisors and teachers. Met with Toni and Mary in the Ed Psy department Administrative office. Also with Mrs. Karoleen our retired Administrative assistant who organized for us every Thanksgiving the International Thanksgiving and fostered us through our study years.
Pool at Sharon's house was the major attraction. Taylor and Scout played "Pirates of the Southwest"
Once home we were hit by the humidity, but very glad to meet again the farmer at the corner of the road and buy peaches, pepper, tomatoes, squash, and egg plant. The summer traditional dish tasted very good with all home grown organic produce.
It is hot and humid outside... after a very short rain the air became filled with steam, reaching a 88% humidity. We took a short walk but got home pretty fast to cool down inside.
Thursday the snow stopped and only some little rain sprinkled all day long. Wednesday seemed to be very long time ago when... by Friday morning the Sun was shining once again as if the winter was long time gone...
That was it. This year AERA was extremely busy and since it was so cold and windy staying inside was the best choice.