Brad & Kathleen's Visit (sister & brother-in-law)

Kathleen and Brad flew in to Sky Harbor Phoenix on March 29th and stayed with us till the following Saturday. The came at just the right time. The weather was beautiful and warm and Kathleen wanted a tan. The first thing we did was get the bathing suits on and get down to the pool!

 Brad looking pretty happy that he was in the pool and nice and cool!

 Kathleen of course has to find a way to tan while cooling off in the water

 Kath and I enjoying the sun and water - what more could you ask for other than a cool drink?

Kath & Brad had brought their golf clubs with them and wanted to golf at least 3 games so they headed off golfing the next day.

We then rented another ATV and took them for a desert ride with our friends Ann & Trent. It started out not too warm and then quickly warmed up as the day went on

 

 The Engelmann Prickly Pear is just starting to bloom and has pretty yellow flowers.

We took Kath & Brad out to see the owl's nest and we were so hoping we would finally see some babies!

This was the second nest we found and when we first arrived we could only see the mother but she had her wings all fluffed up so we wondered if there were new babies under her.We stayed quietly nearby but never heard any peeping or saw any baby owls so we went on to the other owl's nest.

When we first arrived at the second nest, Mom was sitting on the nest but once we got out of the ATV's, she suddenly flew away.  Low and behold, up pops this little fluffy head! Oh my gosh, I instantly fell in love. This baby was the cutest thing I have ever seen. There appears to only be the one owlet.

 I just couldn't take enough pictures of the baby, oh so cute

 We then went over to the Peralta Trails area to where the local Dons Club has there camping club area. Brad and Kathleen standing beside an old adobe building. They refused to go inside and have their picture taken hanging out the window. I can't imagine why they wouldn't go outside - maybe scorpions, snakes, Gila monsters.......

 This rather pretty looking beetle buzzed around us and then landed at our feet

 This is a commemorative plaque on the side in memory of Jacob Waltz.

 Looking out from one of the old buildings towards the hills

 A blooming Ocotilla against the blue skies and the red mountain side

 We had to sit right up against the brick wall surrounding the Dons Club site just to find some shade from the sun and protection from the dry wind blowing. From left: Brad, Kathleen, Sharon, Doug, Ann & Trent

 Kathleen looking pretty dapper

 Buckhorn Cholla starting to bloom. The flowers can range from pink to brick red or orange to yellow

 A closer look at the flower

 This is a yellow Buckhorn Cholla flower

 Engelmann Hedgehog next to the Desert Pincushion flowers

 My absolute favorite cactus by far. This is the Fish Hook Pincushion cactus. It has the most beautiful pink flowers that go all around the top of the cactus in a circle. I planted 2 of these in my yard this year but they are too young to flower yet. I was thrilled to see one out in the desert flowering as they are a rare cactus and not many are seen.

 Brad and Kathleen trying to look nasty

Still trying, not sure they can pull it off though

All in all, it was a fun ride. We all came back covered in dust and the first thing we did when we arrived home was put our bathing  suits, go down to the pool, have a shower and then a nice cooling swim!