Travels With Kerri: December 2005

The Big One.

Tahoe ate his favorite Christmas present.

It took him a minute to figure out the best approach. Then, he didn't even bother to lick it and soften it up. The loud cracking noises were a little disturbing.

Ahhhhh....bliss.

He would have eaten the whole thing in one sitting, but I made it last 4 nights. I had to tempt him with a carrot in order to get it away from him.

Romero Canyon Trail.

Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson.

This Saguaro had 25 arms.

I have never seen a nest built in a plant like this.

The steep trail led to Hutches Pool.

Tahoe preferred to slide down the slick rock.

There was shade and a small sandy beach near the pools.

Tahoe will easily climb any vertical cliff, but he refuses to climb stairs with only horizontal slats, not vertical slats.
Go figure.

Tucson.

We camped on some state trust land called Willow Springs.

This bone was in a nearby wash.

Another spectacular sunset.

Coyotes barked and howled all night long.

Palmillas at dusk.

Scorpion.

I found this in my living room.

Christmas at the Thorp's.

Frank, Wendy's dog, gave Teddi, Tahoe, and Cowboy homemade parmesian dog treats.

Wendy and her giant bug guard. (Yeah, I'm not sure what it is either.)

Mom, Chris, and Brandy.

Traci got a book titled, "Why Do Cats Do That?" I am sure her cat, Micio, will appreciate her newfound knowledge.

My brother.

The banker.

Christmas at Kerri's.

Tahoe enjoyed playing with his new bones, balls, and the girls' catnip toys.

Greta and Boulder were captivated by the fishing pole with feathers toy. Though, they would have been just as happy with the boxes and wrapping paper.

I left the box in the living room today, and it was a popular hiding place.

Josh was overjoyed with his gifts.

Banana Agave.

Traci teased me for taking pictures of several agave plants along the trail. She said, "Didn't you take a picture of that same one on the way in?" I said no, but I honestly had no idea.

Seven Springs.

This is a barrel cactus that was charred in the last wildfire.

Arizona Sycamore. The exposed roots were as tall as me.

The water looked so inviting that even Tahoe couldn't resist. Look, his feet are actually immersed in the water.

My favorite thing was I got to wear shorts since it was 78 degrees. We relaxed on the cool, grey granite boulders.

Dried mud.

This is a crested saguaro. It is a rare mutation that occurs in 1 in every 2,000 saguaros. No one really knows why it happens. I think they are beautiful.

Saguaros love the south face of rocky cliffs.

Tahoe stole a banana.

I let him keep it, and he took it to his pillow. For a minute, he seemed unsure of whether he should eat it or not. He kept looking back and forth between me and his prize.

Then, he proceeded to remove the peel with his teeth and paws.

He chewed the banana like it was corn on the cob, with small bites, working from one end to the other.

He made sure every bit of banana was gone, and then he licked his toenails which had a little banana goo in them.

Christmas.

Josh sneaked into my house, and put up a Christmas tree, presents, and four stocking with our names on them. Later, I added the ornaments I had as a kid. (I don't know why mom didn't want to keep all the beautiful plaster ornaments I made.) Tahoe is interested in the stockings - or what is in them. Greta keeps stealing the bows, so I find them around the house.