News from Tucson

November has arrived and we definitely see a change in Tucson weather the past few days. Temperatures are quite cool in the morning and the high daytime temps are more like mid 70's instead of the 80's.  This is a great place this time of year.

Life is good at the hostel.  We spent the first week in the "big house" but are now settled in our own little room across the street.  We bought a coffee pot at the thrift store, retrieved our toaster from Matt and we are all set up.  Unless we are working (normally two mornings a week), we have breakfast in our room.  We have been back to the therapy pool at Reid park and found some favorite restaurants to frequent.  The hostel continues to be as entertaining as ever.  We have hosted people from France, Australia and Spain as well as throughout the US.  Zoe, from Australia, went to Sabino Canyon with us one day last week and we thoroughly peppered her with questions about life in Australia.

Last weekend we camped in Madera Canyon, part of the Coronado National Forest, which is about a half hour south of Tucson.  The elevation is high enough to include pines and deciduous forest and it was a treat to see flaming trees, something we have missed this year.  On Tuesday we hiked the Aspen Loop trail at the top of Mt Lemmon and enjoyed the quaking aspens in all their glory.  It was windy and not over 50 degrees, so we got a chance to wear warm clothes!  Megan's Aunt Margaret went with us and it was nice to get acquainted with her.

Now that we are more settled, we have removed the car top carrier and the bike rack on the van, so we don't look so much like gypsies!  The van has been running great and we even got it washed!  In Tucson an automated car wash costs $3 and it includes free use of the vacuum cleaners!  The accumulation of bugs on the front end was incredible.  A wash was definitely in order!!

We will check in later!  Stay well and warm.