Arizona Hiking

The switchback trail at the head of the Sabino Canyon tram.
We hiked up that rail, then followed the Phoneline Trail
to the base of the Canyon.

April 11 - 20, 2024

Four major hikes around Greater Tucson during a spectacular Spring visit with Jada.

The best photos on this page were taken by Jada.

I disagree with the descriptor, "grotesque."
IMHO this rare and wonderful cactus is beautiful!

The beautiful, wonderful cactus on the left
reminds me of Jada.  The crusty, old
traditional saguaro to the right
reminds me of me.

For of video of this stream, Click Here.

Plenty of wildlife as we kayaked Canyon Lake.

Looking carefully, you'll see the fish.

Eclipse: Totality @ Indy

My camera only shows a white dot,
but in fact, it is the ring of light from the sun 
as it peeks around the moon during totality
over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Pagoda and Pylon are visible
at the bottom left.

As the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened the gates for visitors to observe the Total Eclipse of the Sun from inside and on the famous track, I had the opportunity to camp and work at the Indy location for a terrific experience.

Labelled "The Greatest Spectacles," a play on
"The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

My location view, working at the north end of the track
looking south from Turn 4.

For the panorama, Click Here.

Totality viewed by my wimpy camera thru the filter.

For the panorama, Click Here.

Souvenir pin

Fun mem from the internet.

A fellow Yellowshirt posted
this terrific photo of
Monument Circle, Indianapolis.

What Monument Circle, downtown 
Indianapolis looks like in sunlight. 

Early End to Snowbirding

Sunrise at Beefield, a nice BW stop enroute.

March 22 to April 6, 2024

The Total Eclipse was expected to cross Indiana in early April and I agreed to work at the Eclipse Event hosted by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  This required returning north from Florida a few weeks earlier than typical.  Thankfully the weather for the trip and even in PA and Indiana was mild for this time of year.

The first important highlight along this northbound venture was my visit with Annapolis friends Bob and Alex who have moved to the foothills of central South Carolina.  I was so busy enjoying my visit with them and catching up since our last visit some years ago, I neglected to get any photos.  😞

The first night out of Titusville, FL was spent at the bicycle trailhead at Gobbler's Lodge, a short drive north.  A stop near Green Cove Springs, FL seemed a requirement, as I'd never been there even though it is my legal residence.  My mail service and address have been there since 2014 so it seemed time, ten years later to actually lay eyes on the location.  My Boondockers Welcome site was unique as it was based at an airfield surrounded by private homes, each with their own small plane.  Or two.  In hangers.  Or not.  The landing strip was a grassy meadow and the roadway to my overnight spot was also a taxiway.  The signs indicated that planes had the right-of-way over my RV.

The next stop north was a
Boondockers Welcome host who recently retired
from their beekeeping business. 

Moonrise at the "BeeUtiful Bees."

Hilltop view at my BW spot in southern Virginia.

Sunset in southern WV at the Welcome Center.

Sunset in southern WV at the Welcome Center.

A new US National Park, The New River Gorge.
That's the bridge, 1,000+ feet above the New River.
Annually, the governor of WV hosts a walk
across the mile-long bridge, closed to traffic for the walk.

A long climb following this walkway from the 
Welcome Center at the NP to a few beautiful viewpoints.

The New River Gorge Bridge from one of those viewpoints.

The New River Gorge

Leo, Keith's dog, likes to visit me in my RV
and watch his neighbors from
my driver's seat.

My favorite stop in western PA with the
grandkids, Avery & Jesse.  It's also nice to
catch up with their parents, Kelsey & Paul.

The Hopeful Crusaders secured
third place in a local trivia contest.

The Hopeful Crusaders and a best buddy,
Pastor Bob at the far right.

An overnight in Hilliard, Ohio with my brother, John, then to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana and visits with my fraternity brothers.