Trees in the desert

This is the property I've always wanted to own. We have about 1 1/2 acres. We're allowed to have four horses on our property, but content ourselves with just two. Personally, I'd like donkeys and little ponies, but how many horses can you afford to feed?

One of the greatest things about this property is that there are trees here - big ones - mesquite trees. We have 3 huge ones in the front of our property. The shade is extraordinary, although in summer - really - nothing suffices but air conditioning. You cannot live without that around here. Our land is in the foothills of a mountain range, the Tortolitas. Not a tall mountain range, but pretty nonetheless. In the very front of our house is a little courtyard, very cool and shady. It's been sadly neglected lately, but my dogs enjoy it. It's a safe place to let them out, especially little Boo, due to the predators that would be very happy to steal a little dog for dinner. It happens all the time out here. I refuse to let it happen to Boo.

Anyway, here's some pictures for your Saturday viewing enjoyment.

View from our road - this is the Catalina mountains, to our East. The tallest peak is Mt Lemmon, which is over 9000 feet. You can drive up there - it is a vast wilderness. We've played in the snow up there in the winter, collected pine cones in the fall. This summer I want to explore Rose Lake, where you can fish. It's an amazing retreat when it's 110 degrees in the summer.