Camera Time

I know, I know, I say it all the time...and this time it's true again. We have just had the most incredible few days, seen some of the most incredible things, and talked with one of the most incredible people you could possibly imagine. We've made a home base in Tucson for a handful of days while we explore the region, and just like everywhere else in the world, there is a ton to see and do here if you have the time to get down and dirty and put some effort in to explore.

We had planned on coming here for a relaxing few days in the hot tub and massages by the pool but we haven't really been able to accomplish those things. Actually, we have spent the evenings in the hot tub while we recoup from the days activities but we haven't been able to sit still long enough to get the massages by the pool. And really, we have been out exploring during daylight hours when the massage by the pool business hours are taking place. So no massages yet.

Since our big encounters with the lightning storms in Moab a couple of months ago, we have been running from any rain in the forecast. It seems that rain in the desert means that there will be flooding and any kind of outdoor activity needs to be put on hold for a couple of days for things to dry out. Since we don't like to sit still for the few needed dry-out days, we basically have been going as far as needed to avoid the rain. When we left Mesa after Thanksgiving, we knew that there would be rain that we wouldn't be able to escape this time. There was a huge system that was covering all of the western US and there was nothing we could do about it. So when we got to Tuscon, we decided to do something indoors for a change while the storm was raging outside.

The Pima Air and Space Museum seemed like just the place to visit. It was indoors, it was close to where we are staying, and the concierge desk told us that it is a “must see” for anyone visiting the Tucson area. Neither Brenda nor myself would consider ourselves even remotely interested in planes, but we are both very interested in learning new things and seeing some cool stuff. Off we go to look at some planes and to see some space junk. We didn't really know what to expect but we were both mesmerized by the place. I thought that we would probably get bored after about an hour but we ended up spending the whole day there. Open to close...they had to kick us out. It was really a cool place with tons of useless information (exactly what I like) and tons of history.

I asked if I could take this baby for a quick spin around the block but they sadly said no...Bummer

Speaking of history, we were lucky enough to meet a walking and talking piece of American history while we were at the museum. Richard Bushong is his name and he has an incredible story. It turns out that he is the last WWII B-17 pilot that is still alive and he likes to pop into the museum every week to talk with people. We were looking at one of the display cases in the WWII exhibit and a gentleman from across the room said “you are reading about the best squadron that flew in the war...Mine!” We turned around to see an elderly man staring back at us. He walked over and began to tell us quite a bit more info than what was available to us in the display case. After that, he walked us over to the B-17 bomber that was on display and walked us through the systems of the plane, where all of the men sat, how they communicated, he told us about the clothes they wore, what they ate on their missions, how they let off steam on their off days, and how many of his friends didn't make it back. He then walked us over to the map of Europe that was on the wall and told us about the missions he flew, what targets he bombed, and how he survived a few of those missions with holes everywhere in the plane and multiple engines shot out. He told us that he was a combat pilot for 28 years. His first mission was over Germany in WWII at the age of 20 and his last mission was over Vietnam at the age of 48. Incredible.

We ended up spending about an hour and a half with him and were enthralled by his stories but we unfortunately had to leave because the place was shutting down and we were getting kicked out. Before we left, Mr. Bushong told us how he had met a younger woman (she is 87 and he is 91) and that they are planning on getting married in a couple of years and that he would love it if we could come to the wedding. I think he was kidding about the invite but I told him we would be honored to attend...and we would be honored. As we were leaving the museum, one of the workers told us that our tour guide had written a book about his experiences as a pilot in both WWII and Vietnam and that they had a copy in the gift shop. We picked up the book and ran back to get an autograph from our new friend. Our short visit was really amazing and is one of the highlights of the last 6 months for me.

At 91, Mr. Bushong is as sharp as a tack and in better shape than me.  An amazing guy with an amazing story!

On a whole different note, we have recently purchased a fancy new camera with a big huge zoom lens that can spot a flea from 100 yards away. When we got this new fancy camera, we decided that we were going to try to spend a little bit more time capturing some of the stuff that we are seeing on film so we can share this stuff with you. We still haven't figured out exactly how to work all of the features of the new camera but it definitely takes way better pictures than our old camera and the zoom is incredible.

You may have noticed that we have spent the last couple of months in the desert. If you are driving down the highway in your car, this desert seems just like a wasteland. If you get down and dirty and up close and personal with this desert, you will quickly notice that this place is incredibly diverse. We have seen more amazing plants and animals and reptiles and bugs here than anywhere else that we have been. And with our fancy new camera, we can show you some of this stuff without the fear of being eaten. Here are a few of the highlights from the last couple of weeks (thanks to the new camera).

I think this is either a ground hog or a prairie dog...honestly I don't really know the difference between the two but he was a cute little guy.

Big Horn Sheep

A mountain lion!!!

A "birder" pointed out this Grey Hawk 

and this Hawk that I can't remember the name of.  I just though it was cool that he was hanging out on top of a cactus...and I thought it was pretty cool that our fancy new camera actually got the picture when he was taking off.

The Saguaro National Park

Wild Turkey...mmmmmmmmm, turkey.  Gobble, gobble