In Tucson. On the outskirts of town. The drama of mountains, sky and desert continues. Plentiful birds were singing. The sun would shine, the skies would darken and rain would fall. Every road was a gentle rollercoaster of washes, with yellow signs warning not to enter if flooded. In Rodeo, a waitress in the cafe was telling stories about growing up in the area, seeing and hearing about people who drove on through. Or tried to, and were taken away by the rushing water. Cows, too.

Driving through the small towns and countryside in Arizona and New Mexico, I am especially aware of how neighborhoods or communities seem to grow organically. A stylish or impeccably groomed home is neighbor to a mobile home, a shack, shelters without artifice. There are housing additions and gated communities too. But here, it seems that people are able to live as they can, doing the best they can with the circumstances. No way to nestle into the protective grove of trees. Yet rocks can be moved, arranged in patterns, surround cactus or bushes. In some places, trash can be as plentiful as the stones.


It rained the night before and in the morning before we left. We wondered if we'd get through, heading out to Phoenix and Paradise RV Park. We did.


I'm thrilled by the intensity of gray skies and mountains,
cactus, desert lit up against it.

At this desert RV park in Tucson, we were far from the city.

These photos don't do justice to the beauty of skies and light.

The tree all light and pale green all over. Like the peridot stone.



Sam, the little white dog by the motor home shines with the lowering sun.