My sister-in-law, Denise and I went to Arizona for 10 days earlier this month of January, 2010, to spend time with my parents-in-law, Bud and Martha Helmericks, see my niece Faith, and also take some time to enjoy Arizona's beautiful natural wonders.
My father-in-law, Bud, just turned 93, and is in a full-care facility, so Mom Martha, Denise, and I would visit him most days after an hour's drive from Salome to Wickenburg. One visit was extra special since Bud's younger brother Jim and his wife Jemmi came to visit also, and we celebrated Dad Bud's birthday.
Martha reading birthday card to Bud. Bud brother Jim on left. 
During our second week in Arizona, Denise and I rented a car and drove to Tucson.
We had time for only a few activities After walking the many trails at the Arizona Sonora Museum, we went and had dinner with my niece Faith Boice. This was quite a treat since we hadn't seen each other for many years.
Faith, Teena, & Denise standing
During our one full day in Tucson, we chose to visit the Arizona Sonora Museum and below are a very few examples of what we saw:
So many beautiful plants and flowers. There doesn't seem to be very many plants in Arizona that don't have some kind of prickly spines or thorns to poke you. We hiked around the many trails most of the day and saw so many things, including a live Harris Hawk demonstration , amazing mineral-crystal exhibits, a recreated natural cave system, and many animals and birds. As a brochure says, "(it) is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden all in one place!"
The next day Denise and I headed back north toward Phoenix, but drove a bit east first so we could drive the Apache Trail, which is a gorgeous drive through the rugged Mazatzal Mountains, partly along Apache Lake, and past the Roosevelt Dam. We drove many miles on a narrow, gravel road snaking around, up and down through the hill tops and canyons. It was breath-taking scenery!
Between Denise and myself, we took over 700 pictures along Apache Trail and the AZ Sonora Desert Museum the day before. Here are a few more from the Apache Trail area:
Well, you'll just have go there yourself some day.
Till next time,
Teena
