Sept 10~ I took my parents for a drive down to Oracle and the very Northern most tip of Tucson. While we were sitting outside at a Rubio's, my dad and I saw this insect. Isn't she gorgeous?
I was driving my rental car---a dark green Chrysler Pacifica---such a huge big boat of a car and so much fun to drive, except it was so big I kinda felt like I was drowning in it.
We went the secret hidden back way to Tucson, on a highway that might be called 77. Never again will I take the 10 to Tucson, this way was unbelievably nice, for miles and miles you can see the Sky Island of the Santa Catalina Mountains up ahead and the desert was so green from the over-the-top monsoon we had been gifted with.
So first there was lunch to be had. And then we drove into the Santa Catalina park and saw Jackrabbits! I haven't seen jackrabbits for ages and never up this close. Oh my goodness! Their ears are as tall as TV antennas!
In this picture you only see one rabbit, but her companion had just ambled out of the frame. Further down the road we saw another rabbit couple and even though we saw these rabbits more than a month ago, they keep showing up in my dreams. (And, yes, I know I say I never remember my dreams, but lately I remember a few of them, and the rabbits made appearances.)
My dad wanted to get out and walk in the park, but we ended up not because my mom was having bone pain due to her chemo and she didn't want to, but she wants to come back sometime.
After driving thru the Santa Catalina National Park, we drove by the biosphere. Then we drove thru Oracle, a town that I now want to move to.
If I go back, I want to stay here:
It says Chalet Village Motel or something like that on the sign, but there's also a sign about storing your stuff; I'm afraid these might now be storage units. After driving thru Oracle and seeing the tree full of birds (Vultures? Buzzards? Can you see them? There were at least 50 in this tree and surrounding trees and flying overhead), we drove towards the astronomical observatory. I forget its name. I really wanted to go there but it was up the mountain up a dirt road and the last thing I wanted was to somehow get stuck out on a dirt road in a rental car with my parents as night was approaching. Know what I mean?
So we headed home, taking the highway that goes thru Winkelman, Hayden, Mammoth, Kearney and Superior, which are little mining towns.
Jackrabbits! I miss seeing them too.
Have you ever been to the website whatsthatbug ?
You'd probably like it.
Posted by: jamie | October 18, 2006 at 07:20 AM
I've never seen such rabbits!
Posted by: becky | October 18, 2006 at 11:21 AM
whatsthatbug? i will see if i can find it, thanks, Jamie. it's true, you used to be able to see them didn't you?
becky, they were so cool. we should go looking for rabbits...so you can see them too. i thought they were dogs at first they looked so unusual.
Posted by: brenda | October 19, 2006 at 09:00 PM
It looks like a Horse Lubber Grasshopper. Very beautiful indeed :)
Posted by: Babs | November 04, 2006 at 12:18 PM
The rabbit looks to be a hare. Longer ears and legs. No idea what species though! Cheerio :)
Posted by: Babs | November 04, 2006 at 12:22 PM
A Horse Lubber Grasshopper??? I just looked them up, Yes that must be exactly what this one is! Thanks so much for telling me, I 'm glad to know. Do they Horse Lubber Grasshoppers where you live Babs?
And a hare?? I want them again---they are amazing looking. I thought they were strange looking dogs when I first spotted them.
Thanks for the comments. :)
Posted by: brenda | November 05, 2006 at 07:15 PM