BACK IN ARIZONA FOR THE WINTER

Made it back to Gold Canyon, Arizona yesterday, safe and sound.  Had a good flight, small amount of turbulence, but overall good.  This time it seems like the trip was a bit harder on dad.  He seemed a little more uncomfortable on the four hour flight.   But flying is so much easier than the 27 hour drive that my brother endures to drive dads vehicle all the way from Indiana to Arizona so that we have a way to get around during the winter. 

Although hard to leave home and family, it was genuinely good to get back.  We left rain and 56 degree weather behind and flew into 106 and sunny.  My cozy little house was cool and welcoming inside.  Last evening we sat out on the carport and watched a storm blowing up from the Southeast.  The wind was wild and taking a lot of desert sand with it and producing lightening but only a few drops of rain.  I wished I had my camera to take shots as it was beautiful to watch.  Alas.....the camera was still packed away.  

Today was time to get busy though and I also found my camera.  

Although our lot is small, there is always yard work to do when I get back. 

There are two wonderful shade trees behind the house that create a lot of debris and mess, however I wouldn't trade them for the world for the shade and privacy they give!  

But boy are they messy!!!  

As you can see, they drop these dried up, crunchy, pods. 

They are not easy to clean up either because the yard under them is gravel, not grass of course.  

It takes a good hi-powered blower to get them in a pile so you can pick them up.  Even then, they manage to worm their way down amongst the rocks trying to avoid detection!!

 
The water fountain is bone dry too and full of the crackly little pods.


I noticed several little birds flitting around as I was cleaning it.  I'm sure they are just waiting for it to be filled with life-giving water.   

I even saw five huge flickers, land in the trees and screech out a shout.  I'm sure they are passing the word that water will appear here soon.

Will have to watch for coyotes as we were told they had been gnawing on people hoses this summer trying to get a precious drink.

I managed to get about half the yard done today and can see the rocks that were hidden under the mess.

Got the fountain cleaned out and fresh water running as well. 

 Tomorrow, onto the next half!