Tucson Mountain Park -

Yesterday,  a very warm day with not a cloud in the clear blue sky,

we ventured away from the city for some time exploring the

mountainous desert countryside.  Saguaro cacti, prickly pear, 

scrub bushes cover the hills and valleys

To many of us this is a lot different from where we live - myself

 included where I'm surrounded by massive oaks, hickories, 

magnolia and pines etc.

This land is stunning scenery of a much different kind.

Every morning we awake to sunshine and clear blue 

skies - must say I love that part of Arizona living - however

tomorrow we'll be packing up and heading home to chilly

North Carolina now certainly carpeted in rusty colored 

leaves and early morning frosts.

 Thanksgiving travel, seeing family, and enjoying a change of pace 

has been wonderful, but heading home will be pleasant too, and I will

 need to "get my skates on" and start on preparations for what will be

 a quiet Christmas.

More from Raleigh later this week.

Southwestern skies -

Our family get together sharing a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner was more fun than you can imagine. We were 15 family members, aged 2 to 83, a family friend, and two young female soldiers from nearby Fort Huachuca invited to join us as they couldn't get home for Thanksgiving. 

Later, on the way back to our hotel we were under this beautiful Arizona sky. It had rained softly on and off earlier in the day. . . . . .but was welcomed as there had been no rain here for 55 days! It settled the dust and freshened the trees and shrubs.

Heading to a winery today in sunshine and a perfect, for me, 65F - who knew there are vineyards in southern Arizona!  I certainly don't need more wine after yesterday - but I'm hoping to see some lovely scenery long the way!

A Southwest Thanksgiving!

Arizona Missions 2018

Thanksgiving means family togetherness when possible.

Our last visit to the large group of Bob's family residing in Arizona was far

 too long ago in 2018. . . . . just prior to COVID!  We flew there for a

 special Thanksgiving get together and haven't been able to return since. 

This year we're heading southwest again, to spend time with

 those we love . . . . but of course we will also miss being here for the

 holiday with our own immediate family and friends.

Stay safe if you're traveling for the holidays.

Tomorrow, very early morning, we fly to Dallas, connect to 

Tucson . . . . then drive south to Sierra Vista, almost to the

 Mexican border!  

Warm weather, lovely desert scenery, cacti, cowboys, beautiful

mission churches, Mexican food, and most special of all, 

seeing loved ones after so long.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.