Computer Woes

Hi everyone - it seems like it has been awhile. My laptop got a vicious virus and has been down for a week. I just got it back yesterday. My computer had to be wiped clean and everything reinstalled so I am finally back in business!! The weather has continued to be absolutely gorgeous, about 10 degrees F higher than normal for December. I spend the day in shorts and a tank top. We have had some fun trips into the desert and we have been getting excellent sunsets due to this incredible weather

 Hawk sitting on the top of a saguaro cactus

Beautiful Sonoran Desert

Sun setting on the Superstition Mountains

We went in to Apache Junction Saturday evening December 04th for the annual Christmas Light parade. I must say, the Americans do not worry about being "politically correct" and call their parade what it is: Christmas Light parade. In Canada, we would probably call it: "Holiday Lights parade!" It was so nice to sit at the roadside and be warm - no mittens or hats or blankets..ha ha Our pictures didn't turn out too well as it is hard to catch floats moving quickly at night!

Antique car all lit up

 Santa's Sleigh

I wish this next picture turned out better as it was a terrific float. It is a Harley motorcycle with a Santa on the back with a Harley pulling him instead of reindeer

This was the float with Santa and Mrs. Claus on it but you can't see it too well

We went on a group ATV ride yesterday. Eight of us decided to go for a run out into the desert to see what was left of Arizona's largest Saguaro Cactus. Up until October it stood majestically over 70 feet tall and had over 90 arms coming off it. Scientists estimated its age to be over 300 years. There was a terrific storm October 4th with high winds and hail and it knocked a few of the arms off it and destabilized it and it fell. I am putting a before picture and a after picture.

Getting ready to leave the park, we are in the rear and you can't see us

Heading down the trail and boy did we get dusty. I left with white hair and returned with red!

Arizona's largest Saguaro Cactus

All that is left of the cactus - pretty sad

 Still pretty impressive in death

 Taking a quick snack break

We went on the hunt for a new largest cactus but this is all we could find!

 Hawk's nest between saguaro's arms

It was a fun trip although sure hot and dusty. I wasn't sure I was ever going to get all the dust off when I was in the shower. Well that's all the news for now.....