El Tour de Tucson

Tucson has a number of special events during the year and today was one of them. It is El Tour de Tucson, a 109 mile bike race around the perimeter of the city. Actually there are several races, the 109 mile one, a 80 mile segment, a 67 mile segment and a 33 mile one. As well as a even shorter fun ride (I think mainly for kids). Where we live is just north of a two mile stretch that both the 109 and 80 mile racers cover. So we went down with our chairs and cheered them on for about an hour. The 67 mile racers come up another nearby road and join up with the others and they all have to cross Sabino Creek on foot. We think next year we will try to position ourselves to see them as they get back on their bikes after the crossing. Now they can eat all the pie they want next week!!

We almost missed this shot of the first two riders passing us along Snyder Road. We heard that 5000 registered to ride. We only watched for an hour but we saw 100s. 

The first big group of riders heading for the intersection just south of our location. 

Here they come!! This was just one of the many packs of riders that went by. 

Time Spent Upside Down

Yes it has been a while since I posted. After our trip to New England and a glimpse of fall, we took a three week trip to New Zealand and got to experience spring. We lost a day completely going and spent two days trying to get through one date on the way back. But what really threw my mind was the long days, daylight from 5am to 8pm, and the light green,just leafing out trees and all the beautiful flowers in full bloom. Especially after two years in the desert!! It was still cool, especially in the mountains (called the Southern Alps for a reason!!) so my body couldn't figure out was it spring, fall, or winter. The malls had lots of summer clothes, right next to the displays of Christmas trees! Nonetheless, we had a great trip, met of few of Nick's friends, got to see where he had gone to school for the last 9 months, saw the cities on the North Island, spent a day on a bird sanctuary island off the coast, and spent 10 days touring around in a camper van with Nick. Below are a tiny handful of our photos. I guess I'll throw more in periodically.

Us in front of the camper van we used to tour the South Island. 

Nick in front of a Lord of the Rings filming location. We drove a long way on a dirt road to get here. 

Milford Sound, New Zealand. We saw dolphins, fur seals and penguins during this brief cruise. 

We took a cruise around Milford Sound--absolutely stunning! 

The entire South Island was covered in sheep and baby lambs. Cute, cute, cute!