My Tucson Pad...

Imagine if you will a capital "L." My centrally located loft apartment would be on the inside angle.

On The long side of the L is University Ave: Think Fraternity/Sorority Row, Troy and Buffy,  stores catering to the needs of UA's students, fast food restaurants, and of course bars and one brewpub. When I walk on this block, I can easily be called Grandad. 

On the other side is 4th Ave: Tattoo parlors, thrift shops, eclectic bookstores, thrift shops, restaurants running the gamut from Italian to Mayan, edgy bars, Gay bars, heavy metal music bars, biker bars  and Irish bars. There are no brewpubs. This is the Bohemian, pierced, tattooed, Goth-look and homeless side. (Remember I'm homeless by choice. There's a difference.) 

The two sides are as antipodal as one can get and still be in the same Zip-Code. In my three weeks here, I'm sure I'll vacillate between the two. It's kind of nice to sit in a College bar and be called "Sir" instead of the "Hey You!" I get on 4th Avenue. 

As far as my immediate neighborhood goes, let's just say I'm drinking my morning coffee the same time my neighbors are popping a can of Mikeaukee's Best beer. They are mellow and wave a good morning to me.

It's a people watching extravaganza whichever way I turn. 

Here's a few photos of me at rest in my humble abode. See: Sid and Clara are still watching over me as I read an IPPY award winning book.  Look closely it's "Destroying Demons on the Diagonal." 

Author! Author! http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2015/03/watching.html

Good morning from downtown Tucson,

Jeff

Mighty Seven Falls...

It's been called the Niagara of the west. (Not really). Out of the camera's viewfinder is a hydroelectric plant which generates enough electricity for the 38 million citizens of California. (Not Really II).  

What's true is: Seven Falls is the most visited attraction in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. This trickle of water can quickly become a raging river. In 2007, a flash flood swept two people away. Their fellow picnickers had to be rescued by helicopters from the torrents wrath. Like I've said many times in this blog; Mother Nature is beautiful if it doesn't kill you. 

I spotted my mentor along the trail. Hummingbirds are tiny, hyperactive and eat prodigious amounts of food. (Like me). They are always in motion unless in a state of torpor. 

I get a chance to sit still while I'm blogging, sleeping, reading or watching sports or a movie. Other than that I'm sort of in motion. 

On a eight mile hike, I returned with eight discarded plastic water bottles. An average of one/mile. What are these litterbugs thinking? 

Don't be a Litterbug!

I'm moving to my downtown Tucson pad today.

Thanks L&D for letting me hang with you for a few!

Good morning from the desert,

Jeff

They don't call them Gila

 Angels...

The call them Gila Monsters for a reason. My first day back in Tucson, and I chanced upon this character on the trail. They are venomous lizards with an attitude.  If these nasty reptiles were able to purchase weapons and had trigger fingers, they would make Isis look like a bunch of Boy Scouts. I gave this Dude a wide berth as he hissed at me menacingly. If they latch onto you, they won't  let go. 

The good news is their bites are rarely deadly.

I wasn't going to test that assumption though.

I've seen about a dozen Gila Monsters in the winters I was here. Two Desert Tortoises and one Rattlesnake. I like the Tortoises the best.

Hope you had a bite free Saint Paddy's Day!