AZ III: More Reunion Fun

After an extremely expensive breakfast at the hotel on Monday 26 April, Hank, Colette, Kris, and I took a hotel shuttle to Sabino Canyon nearby. Because we were on a tight schedule, we rode a tram round-trip to the top of the canyon and back. With ample time it would be a fun walk/hike. The morning was beautiful and the desert canyon is spectacular.

After a quick pit stop at the hotel, we picked up Stephen and Ann before heading south to Kartchner Caverns. Being claustrophobic, Kris was apprehensive and Colette was adamant. So we left Colette with a book and had an awesome (in the true sense of the word) tour of two of the three major caverns; the third is full of pregnant bats. The cave is a recent discovery (1970s) and was cleverly kept a secret until it was protected by clandestine legislation and made a state park. The Kartchners on whose ranch it was discovered were LDS and apparently related to our Kartchner cousins. Just so you'll know the tour was a bit creepy for Kris, but she enjoyed it and was glad she went.

That evening we met at Casa Molina, a grubby Mexican restaurant that has been a favorite of Kelly's family since they moved to Tucson. Sounds like our family's relationship with La Casita. Like Lacapizza, it also is reputed to have the best chiles rellenos in the world. We were all very excited to try them, but because of a recent kitchen remodel they were not serving them! The Taylor branch of the Hansen family was sorely disappointed. The cheese crisps with green chiles, however, were delish.

We finished the evening at Kelly's neighborhood clubhouse sharing memories of the family. It was another terrific day.

Hank, Colette, and Kris on the Sabino Canyon tram

The ladies and the canyon

It has been a wet spring and there is water

The desert has it own great beauty

I had the Hastings on my mind: they
would love this hike

No photos allowed in Kartchner Caverns,
so this is pilfered from the internet

The cave has been so painstakingly protected and
controlled that it is still alive and growing

Casa Molina for dinner

Some of the cousins enjoying cheese crisp

We enjoyed it too

Polly, my Tucson cousin Kelly's wife and her
daughters Allyn, Gloria, and Peggy

In the dessert gloaming

A beautiful evening

Sharing memories: telling family stories

Just one great day after another!

More to come in subsequent posts above.

OXO

D.