A Week with Gilbert Ray

Gilbert Ray Campground is situated in Tucson Mountain Park, a huge county-run park with lots of hiking and mountain biking trails. Gilbert Ray is named after the first Pima County Parks and Recreation Director who joined the department in 1947 and retired in 1972 and apparently did not like dogs. Why would I think that? Because this is the only Pima County park that does not allow dogs on the trails! Really?? Are you noticing a trend or am I just feeling paranoid? In truth, Riley probably wouldn’t be too keen on hiking in the desert, but it would sure be nice to have the option.

Sunset view from our campsite.

Gilbert Ray is all first come/first served (no reservations) and so popular they have a 7-day stay limit. We arrived on Tuesday, 3/26, and signed up for a full week. We’re about 30 minutes from downtown Tucson and there is plenty to do around here to keep us busy for a week. Another plus, we have 30-amp electric which will run the A/C, an important perk for Riley with temps climbing into the 90’s. Rog made a quick trip into Tucson to buy insulation and doctored the fridge. We’ll see if that makes a difference.

We looked online for pup-friendly hikes and decided to check out Riverwalk Park in Tucson. The pictures showed a paved trail along a lovely river. Ahem. Apparently water is a seasonal thing here and the trail followed the totally dry and trash filled Santa Cruz riverbed. Scenic, not so much. Still, it gave us a few miles of walkies, so it wasn’t a total waste.

Riverwalk Park for walkies.

On Thursday, we went to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. If you are ever in the area, don’t miss it! “Museum” is a bit of a misnomer, it goes way beyond that. There are a variety of live animal exhibits, several botanical gardens, raptor free flight demonstrations, an aquarium, art gallery, theater, fossil and mineral display, and two aviaries – one for native birds and another just for hummingbirds. Plus an excellent restaurant and gift shop. Whew, even though we spent about 8 hours there we still only saw about 2/3 of the exhibits. I think the hummingbird aviary was one of my favorites!

The jewel tones are just amazing, especially the boys. 

More fancy dressers. 

He fluffed up and it looks like he's wearing a purple sequined vest. Wow!

During the raptor free flight demonstration we learned a lot about the birds as they swooped so low over the crowd you could feel them and then posed for pictures as the trainers provided bits of minced mouse for treats. Normally solitary hunters, Harris Hawks hunt in packs usually of three. 

Grey Hawk.

Great Horned Owl.

Harris Hawk.

The cactus botanical garden was fun too. I loved the names! I guess when you're prickly and untouchable it helps to have a fun name.

Claret Cups (left), Bonker Hedgehog (top right) and a cool geometric shape.

Cowboy Whiskers, Rainbow Hedgehog and Wooly Jacket.

We named him Cousin It. :) 

So we covered plant and animal, we must do mineral too. Loved the display of fossils and rocks. 

I would love to add any of these to my collection.

Looks like Mother Nature went crazy with the spray paint! 
The colors were so vivid they didn't seem natural. 

That Barbie pink concoction is a Prickly Pear Margarita!  Cheers!

We made the trek to Camping World and picked up new chairs and a detachable sun shade for the awning. Since the fridge has been playing nice, we also did Costco and a grocery run. Then I took care of domestic goddess chores while Rog hit the mountain bike trails. He spent one day riding the trails in and around Tucson Mountain Park. On Sunday he drove to Honeybee Canyon trail. He enjoyed both rides, although threading your way on winding, narrow trails through the grasping cactus offers great incentive not to lean too far left or right. Lol.  As careful as he was, he still ended up with a few scratches and some cholla spines in his tires.

Swooping through the cholla garden, a sandy wash, and a break at the stock tanks. 

A crested barrel cactus - kind of looks like bunny ears!

On Monday, 4/1, we drove about an hour to Madera Canyon in the Coronado National Forest. Finally, a hike where Riley was welcome and, with cooler temps and a stream, one he might even enjoy! We kept it to a reasonable three miles and gave Riley lots of play time in the creek. The views were lovely, with lots more pine and oak trees and fewer cactus.

The hike started with wading the creek, Riley approved. 

I loved the colorful rocks along the water.

The climb was a little hotter and drier.

Scrub Jay.

Mt. Baldy on the right still had some snow!

Riley got a break and a drink.

We finished with some more creek time, Riley's favorite part of the hike!

For our final evening in the Tucson area, we opted to visit Pueblo Vida a dog-friendly brewery and taproom. Riley made a new friend and we enjoyed some first-rate brews.

Riley makes a new friend....

...while we enjoy a brew at Pueblo Vida. 

Our next stop will be a dispersed camping area in the Tonto National Forest north of Phoenix. We’re looking for slightly higher elevation and water. We’ll see how lucky we get.