Tourists in the Heat

So my dad and I decided to spend Monday being tourists around Tucson. In the late morning and early afternoon, we went to San Xavier Mission. The Catholic Mission was founded by Father Kino in the 1500s, seeing influence over the years from Spain, Mexico, the Tohono O'odham reservation, and America. The church itself is about 220 years old. It's beautiful and full of history and definitely a must-see.

After lunch, we went to Biosphere 2. Owned by the U of A, it's now used to study the Earth and the effect of climate change and other environmental topics. For anyone who has ever been to Epcot, it's like Living with the Land. It was first designed to create a closed environment to see if humans could survive. Some problems occurred but the two-year mission was deemed a success. A transfer of management over the years led it to what it is today--a research center for Earth, the original Biosphere.

Mount Lemmon

Freaking amazing. I don't know why it took me 10 months to get to Mount Lemmon. Absolutely gorgeous all around. So many trails and cool rock formations and views stretching miles. Just so beautiful.

At the Desert Museum

Free tickets and late closing for the Desert Museum? Why not go in the heat of June? Patrick and I saw javelina and coyotes and cactuses and a gorgeous sunset. And in the aquarium area, there were these eels that kept shooting in and out of the sand and they swayed in the current--very funny to watch. The desert is just such a cool place, especially growing up on the East Coast, where there is nothing like this. The closest thing was a container of cactuses that my mom kept in the basement window that would prick you. Gosh Arizona, you are too cool (but hot temperature wise).

111 Degrees

Well, it's hot here in Tucson. It was 111 today and tomorrow it's supposed to be 117! Why did people ever decide to live in desert? But my plan of staying inside all day (like every day this week) was overcome by my desire to actually see the outside world. Patrick and I had planned on going for a hike but ditched that idea pretty quickly. So our hike consisted of us driving up A Mountain and then walking to the very top. I think we were in the car for 30 seconds before I said, "I think this is a bad idea." It's just so darn hot. But the view was still lovely and so was the company. Hopefully it cools down soon--but I imagine it'll be this way the whole summer. Well at least it's a dry heat!

Summer Walks

"Not everything about where you're headed 

has to be about where you've been."

-from Where They Found Her

by Kimberly McCreight

Cheesesteak Goodbye

Courtesy of Abner's

"Let them eat cheesesteaks!"

-Ben Franklin

Not Another Ride to the Green

Yes yes I should probably find some other place to ride my bike to but the Green is just so ideal. It's a goal, with a water fountain, and a peaceful atmosphere. And the bike lanes and roads aren't too unfriendly to bikers. So I made it and sat there for 10 minutes just taking in the creek and the geese and the wonderful weather. And I even made it up Springfield Ave without stopping--such a long and arduous hill!

Riding Into the Green

        

It's only 8 miles from my house to the Valley Green Inn. There were plenty of close calls with some cars but I made it unscathed. But I was just so tired--not sure why because I made the same trip on Monday fine enough. I made it to the Inn and just sat there. I love Valley Green. As much as it reminds me of 6 mile tempos in the humid months of August and September, it reminds me more of of that first warm day of spring, when my dad would take us there on Sundays for our long run. He'd almost always do his same loop. And my dad and brother and I would all start out together, eventually (and quickly) getting separated by our different paces. So as I sat there, I thought of all the miles I ever ran there and how peaceful it was and how much I wished I might be able to make it back before I head to Arizona. I'll miss the trees and the rolling hills and the trails and the geese and everything that I love about this park.

Peanut's Graduation

My little Peanut graduated yesterday. She received two academic distinction awards and we were so excited. I feel like my mom for being so gushy. I could swear that she actually likes me but I really think she only likes me part of the time. But she's my little sister and we can be goofy together until she insults me and I want to beat her up. It's all in good family fun and as much as I wish she went to La Salle or Arizona for college, I know Temple is lucky to have her and she'll kick butt in whatever major she decided on (she's mum about her choice, especially to me).

What I'm Listening To: "All We Ever Knew"

Ticket bought to see them in October in Tucson. Album's out in September.

Habicuties Reunite

Went to Ambler for lunch with Jo, Salf, and Meaghan. It was so lucky that Meaghan and I happened to be home the same weekend. So I suggested lunch. Salf's such a goof and Jo's so passionate and Meag's very down-to-earth. I'm so glad I met them and that we still are friends. And after lunch, Jo treated us to gelato! Just like Rome, except it's been 3 years and I've been forgetting how I've felt. 

Burgers with Dan

I really think I almost only see Dan in Ambler. It's usually a movie but sometimes we skip the movie and just enjoy good food and a walk down Butler Avenue. We tried burgers on Thursday night at Ambler Feedstore. Pretty much burgers and chicken and sandwiches. My burger (the Feed Burger) was delicious, except everything was so messy. But I'm always done for a good burger. I think it may be my favorite food (except of course soft pretzels).

Rob's 10k Friends

So Tuesday, after the movie, I met Rob at Dilworth Park, at a yellow table. Rob's been on a quest to meet 10k people--I was lucky number 77. I found out about his project via Instagram--someone liked something and I ended up following him. And then he reached out to meet. But I was in Arizona at the time but I put it on my to-do list to meet him when I got back. 

Rob is hoping to reach his goal in 10 years. He says that he meets 3 people a day and chats for an hour. Why 10000? He read Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers and thought that 10000 was a cool number. But I asked him again why. And it stuck with me. He said in high school, you work hard for college; in college, you work hard for a good job; but what about after you get that job? He needed something to strive to and I really appreciate that.

Rob and I have some mutual friends/acquaintances from La Salle and Penn State. He works with my friend Sal. He went to Catholic grade school and high school and being from the Philadelphia area, you always share a bond with those people. The Catholic education tradition in Philadelphia is so strong and I don't believe there's anything like it elsewhere.

So take a minute of your time to follow Rob on his mission: @robs10kfriends. And give my picture a like please. Maybe even spend an hour of your time with him. And read this article about Rob!

Come on the U

Nothing like a 3-2 win for the Union, eating crab fries, drinking free Coke because you say you're a designated drive, and just enjoying the game with my dad. I still don't know if I can name more than four players on the Union (each year it always changes and I can never keep up). But I was able to see a game before I head back to Tucson.