Walter

Greta & Boulder like to watch Walter.

He's our class pet, and he came home with me for the summer.

He likes to float with his legs spread out. I call it his zen position.

Backpacking in Sedona

Tahoe and I backpacked into Secret Canyon and found this amazing camp spot on the slickrock.

After dinner, we watched the bats fluttering through the canyon.

This is the very fragrant blossom from a banana yucca.

A milkweed bug on bull thistle

Brin's Mesa

Tahoe and I were covered in red dirt after hiking this weekend.

Agave.

Last year, the Brins Wildfire engulfed much of this mountain. It was nice to see some wildflowers growing now.

These are charred prickly pear.

Secret Canyon Wilderness

As we backpacked into Loy Canyon, I was surprised to see the massive Hononki Ruins on the mountain.

An eroded sandstone wall underneath the arch in Fay Canyon.

The steep rock scramble up the cliff was worth it for this view of the arch.

Four Peaks Wilderness

Tahoe and I made a loop of the Four Peaks, Amethyst, and Brown Trail.

Prickly Pear Bloom.

You can see Roosevelt Lake and the burned section from a wildfire a few years ago.

Brown Peak.

Tahoe liked the smooth gravel trail. There were tons of wildflowers blooming including the purple lupine on the left.

I was hoping to find the old Amethyst mine, but I think they rerouted the trail, so people won't trespass.

Cinco de Mayo

Some appetizers made by chef Kerri.

The girls had even more fun with the empty boxes.

Cowboy took his time selecting the perfect beer.

Jeff, Tiffany, and Oscar.

Lucy, Batman, Hannah, and Wesley amused themselves with Gameboys.

Tortuga

One of the turtles at the ASU Research Park

Cerveza para el gato

Boulder lick the beer boxes with anticipation.

Ducklings

This goose has designated herself as a caretaker for these ducklings. She swims around with them, and seems to protect them.