We were ready to go by 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday (does that seem late to you?  Remember, we are RETIRED; there's no big rush to be anywhere!)  Google maps gave us three options for our  route to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson.  Our neighbor suggested taking the scenic road through Gates Pass.  WOW!  As we snaked up the narrow mountain road at mach speed (15 MPH), you could almost touch the vegetation on the roadside.  We stopped at a trailhead near the top to take a few pics and enjoy the breathtaking panorama: mountains, valleys, and thousands of cacti:  Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Cholla, and other species we can't name.  

 Our journey continued down the mountain and through the Sonora National Forest to our destination:  the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum.  

This Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place!  The exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more.  There are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.  And we covered every acre!!!!

Harris Hawks are only found in this part of the country 

There's a BIG kitty lying on that ledge!!

The day's activity took a toll on our footsies as did the sunshine on our nosies!  We were all beat by 4 p.m. when we headed back to Casa Grande.  We opted to return via Marana, AZ where Corky reminisced about having jumped out of a "perfectly good airplane" back in the early 80's.  

Though we were rather hungry, nobody wanted to move from the comfort of the coach so we used our techy skills and ordered DOMINO's via the internet.  How high-tech is that?!!!  Well, it maybe a state-of -the art, techie process, but it's not without flaws:  the pizza arrived with sausage in lieu of mushrooms!

Tummy's are full.  Time for BED!

Don't forget--to see all the photos and read Corky's comments on our activities, check out Corky's website at http://www.sites.google.com/site/ccrodine/