BEAUTY CAN BE DECEIVING

Sapphire blue skies, brilliant sunshine and clear roads abound as we begin the ascent across the Santa Rita Mountains from Sierra Vista to Tucson, Arizona.  The climb up was mellow, drifty-like with astounding 360 degree beauty.  But, no sooner did we crest when clouds, black and angry began to fill the sky.  The descent wasn't quite knuckle-white, and I'm not saying it was totally dangerous, but 40 miles an hour in the big rig was plenty.  First little droplets of rain dotted the windshield, followed by the need to wipe away a torrential downpour and then hail and snow. It will all be gone as quickly as it came and the thirsty desert will have had another sustaining drink.

Sonoran Scrub Oak

This is the storm that was just beginning to form, eventually giving the country a good punch in the gut through the coming days. For us it was just the outer edge of the storm, sun mixing with the cumulus clouds producing startling vistas. But be careful, beauty can be deceiving.

We are on the southwest side of Tucson this morning, it's cold (for Tucson) without any relief in sight. Hard freeze warnings are posted for areas that otherwise don't see even frost for decades. Our plans were to stop here and visit with relatives and friends. However, the blue toes on my left foot urge a further,  immediate, less elevation,  warmer southern route. We'll be back, Jackie, when it's a bit warmer.