Tucson, Arizona

Our final destination on our journey west was Layne's cousin's place in the hills above Tucson. From here we go south to Mexico.

I could call this moochdocking in Paradise but David and Mary Jane are what make this stop special. They welcomed us and gave us all the apace we needed to prep the van, make our photocopies and apply for Mexican Tourist Cards (FMM). They have wined and dined us and Rusty has explored every inch of their twenty open acres of desert.

The views across the desert floor to the city of Tucson are tremendous made better by sunrises and sunsets in the bright desert air.

Imagine a week spent here lounging for the holidays.

And yes we tested the infinity hot tub and it works quite well in case you were wondering.

Rusty found his feet in the desert and explored all David's and Mary Jane's twenty acres. Oddly enough he didn't die, get eaten by coyotes or covered in cactus thorns. He is smarter than the average human.

David took us on a walk up the canyon with his five Shih Tzu dogs, a father and four sons. They astonished me those little dogs, here being petted by some passing hikers.

The two women took the high trail as this land beyond David's home is public parkland.

Rusty showed the little guys his moves which you've seen before on the beaches in the Keys, flying and swerving through the seaweed. Here he leapt from rock to sand and scooted round trees and put on a show for an astonished David.

Lord of the Rock.

Those little guys explored like their legs were six feet tall. I was astonished. 

The Wild West:

David showed me the various cacti and one in particular.

A snack for a javelina (wild pig):

Mary Jane has rebuilt to original specs a cabin that came on five of the acres they bought. No modern conveniences, just a fireplace and extraordinary views. Gorgeous and available for me to sit in and write or just to...sit.

Different kinds of dog walks:

Before the naysayers speak up let me say it is not the season for rattlesnakes and Rusty can move through the cactus with all the agility he demonstrated running through the mangroves. He has had a blast.

The admiral is enjoying the stop too, shopping, nattering, cooking, resting, planning for Mexico, up next. Today in fact though this page is still a couple of days behind...

Thank you David and Mary Jane. Great fun.