From the top of the mountain

Have I ever told you how H O T it is in Tucson? Summer lasts about 6 months. You wouldn't want to see my electric bill. Our central air conditioning has broken twice this summer. I go into complete panic mode until the repairman gets here. How much does it cost? Who cares!

Well, escape from the heat is possible.

Tucson is surrounded by mountains. The biggest one is Mt Lemmon, with an elevation of 9100 feet. You can drive up there. It takes about 1 1/2 hours from my door to the top. You leave the desert at around 105 degrees (at 10am, lol), and start driving. With each elevation marker, you watch the temperature go down. Pretty soon, all the windows are open and you are hanging out the windows. You're in a forest of 200 foot tall pine trees, then aspen groves. It smells spectacular. You bring a picnic, and take a short hike. The temperature hovers in the low 70's. AHHHHHHHH

There a little town, well, you couldn't really call it a town. It's called Summerhaven.

Then you drive up the last little bit to Ski Valley. Yes, there really is a ski resort here. I think it is the southern-most ski resort in the US. And they have the chair lift open year round, for the msot spectacular ride E V E R.

We saw a flock of wild turkeys, with their babies! (didn't get a good picture of them....)

It is so peaceful. Quiet. The wind rustling in the pines. It smells glorious.

Then you get to the very tippy top. Six years ago, there was a fire that burned the mountain. Although the trees are growing back - here is where you can see the most damage, still.

And, it's always good to know that someone is watching out for you......