SNOW ALREADY?

Tucson is rimmed by mountains, and the high country was where we decided to go yesterday.  There were two choices, either Kitt Peak, where the world's largest, and most diverse collection of astronomical instruments (telescopes) is located, or Mount Lemon, at the top of the Catalina Mountains, elevation a little over 9,000 feet.  We chose the later because we wanted to have lunch in the mountains, and there's no food service at Kitt Peak.

We made a couple of stops along the 25 mile road up to the top of Mount Lemon, the first being at a popular vista point where all of Tucson is visible down below.  The spectacular rock formations are worth this drive, just by themselves.

After the last rain storm a week or so ago, we could see some white stuff at the top of the Catalina Mountains, but it disappeared from our view in just a few days.  I thought the snow would all be melted, but there was still enough on the ground for Miss Laila to make a few snowballs. I guess I make a good target, because of few of those ice missiles found there way onto my back.

 

Somebody is getting ready to launch a snowball at Grandpa!

 

From the ski area, we drove a couple of miles back to the small community of Summerhaven, where we had lunch at the Sawmill Run Cafe.  About 10 years ago, a wildfire destroyed most of the homes and businesses in Summerhaven, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the folks have rebuilt, and there are some beautiful log homes perched on the hillsides. 

After lunch, we stopped at the Cookie Cabin, where we waited in line to purchase a couple of giant cookies.  Laila had a peanut butter cookie, and I had a chocolate chip cookie.  The wait was worth it, as these were really good cookies.  We stopped once on the way home for some more play in the snow, then headed back to the Last Chance Ranch.  I think I heard something about a Christmas Tree going up today.