Pima Prickly Park

Today's fun consisted of enjoying a Chocolate Extreme Blizzard from DQ at our neighborhood park (chocolate fix, check), watching a movie called "Reunion" on our comfy lazy boys, and touring a nearby park around sunset called Pima Prickly Park.  I think the best part at the park was seeing a coyote.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a great pic, but that's ok. Here's a few pics from the park.

First off, things we did not see.  Can't say I'm sad about not seeing the rattlesnake!  By the way, I think the desert spiny lizard is the one that I often see hanging out in our backyard.

Now, onto the educational part.

Ocotillo.

Above pic.

Yucca.

Nichol's hedgehog.

Fish-hook barrel cactus.

Saguarohenge, one of my favorite parts.

Above pic.

Agave lechuguilla.

More fish-hook barrel.

Teddy bear Cholla.  Somehow not what I think of when I think of a teddy bear.

Jumping cholla.

Ok, I think that's enough cacti.  Who knew there could be so many kinds, although I'm sure there are many more.

Our good friend bunny.

I think it was a cottontail?

Or was it one of these?

Pretty.

Here is where Matthew started reciting the Robert Frost poem, "The Road not Taken".

Mr. Coyote.  He got away pretty quick so I only got his back side as he ran from us.

Pretty cactus.

 And finally, a few sunset pics taken as we toured the park.

Hoping to see some stars tonight now that we have our telescope set up.  We shall see!

Minerals and Planetarium

We found a little treasure on the U of A campus at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium.

The fun started with the sundial.  Super cool and, yes, it was about 1:30.

We saw a lot of beautiful minerals.  They had a special display of minerals from China, and most of them belonged to just one guy!

Matthew liked this one.

Loved this one's shape.

Yes, must watch out for those on early morning runs.

Down the stairs to see more minerals.

Super big rock!

I thought the shape of this one was interesting.

I liked how this turquoise was carved.

Meteorites.

Gold!

Radioactive!

Rocks from the moon!

Opal.  Just for you, Mom.

Turquoise, also for you, Mom =).

Fossils.

Fossils and dinosaur bones.

Inside the Planetarium, we learned about Saturn and various constellations and saw a laser patriotic show.

Summary view.  Learned some and much more enjoyable than college geology!

4th of July

We celebrated our first 4th of July in Tucson this year.  We joined in the fun of the neighborhood block party and had a great time and met some more of our neighbors.  We had a good view of the fireworks too!

I made American Flag Fruit Kabobs!

Summary view.  It was a good night!