Aftermath of Sabino Canyon

Just when you think you are fit something comes along to let you know otherwise. Our Sabino Canyon hike has made me realize I am no where near as fit as I thought. I've been stiff for 2 days! Mostly my shoulders today, I think from the backpack. But yesterday my lower legs were pretty tight!

We headed back to the west coast yesterday, it'll be nice to be home. I head back to home tomorrow, one more day in Washington today then the early ferry tomorrow morning.

I am hoping to bring back some sunshine!

Sabino Canyon

Today we hiked Sabino Canyon. It's a park area about 10 miles outside Tucson, you park at the bottom and a tram takes you up through a canyon for about 30 min to the top. We got out there and hike up some switch backs for 1 mile, then hung a right and hiked about 4 miles of gorgeous trails. Cacti like I've never seen, alpine meadows, rock formations and wild flowers just starting to bloom. It was some of the most stunning scenery I've ever seen. About 3 1/2 miles into the 4 mile hike it got high and ran along the edge of some rock faces and drops with no vegetation for buffer on the downhill side. Some of you know I have a fear of heights, well, did it ever kick in. I did ok for about 10 min or so, then we kept having to go out around a rock formation and turn a corner, and there was more uphill with yet another rock and corner, then another, it kept coming and coming. I had a full on panic attack. We had about 30 min of that type of trail to do before it started to go back down and level off to where I could breath without sobbing. Then we came down to come pools along the creek and back out to the road for a 1 mile walk back to the car. All in all about a 6 mile hike, and what a gorgeous hike it was!

A new day

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.

J.B. Priestlet

More Tucson, a magical day

After a lazy start to the morning Andrea and I headed out to sightsee around Tucson. We headed for Saguaro National Park. Wow, I think I must have said wow at least a dozen times. The cacti are amazing, the views breathtaking. Fresh air and gorgeous scenery was just what we needed.

We soon realized we were heading in the direction of the Desert Museum another place we wanted to see and decided to stop in. What a magical place. Many different desert settings to see from every cacti imaginable to riverside creatures. Bobcats, mountain lion, otters, raptors, coati and then the magic happened for me. The hummingbird aviary. Like walking into a magical fairy land. Dozens of hummingbirds flitting about, several momma's sitting on nests. You can walk through and watch them feeding from the many feeders. I was standing watching a feeder across a bit of brush and a little hummingbird flew straight across the brush at me, up to my face, hovered, dropped down and touched my hand, hovered back up to my face and flew away.

My heart skipped a beat.

It was one of those moments you have to make yourself breath.

We spent quite a bit of time in the hummingbird aviary, it was hard to make ourselves leave.

We headed back out a different way through a bit of a higher canyon with more gorgeous views. Went to dinner with friends, laughed, listened to their gorgeous children tell stories, laughed and most importantly relaxed.

Came back to our hotel and I decided a hot tub was a good idea, as I wandered across the parking lot to the hot tub a little breeze picked up and I could hear the coyotes calling.

While sitting in the hot tub looking up at a full moon I had to wonder, how could anyone not enjoy their time in this magical area? Day two draws to a close with me thinking more positive thoughts about Tucson and my bead show experience. OH! I forgot I got to see the new venue for the Whole Bead show tonight, it looks great! I love the atrium, I think it's going to bring new exciting things to the show for 2013.

Tucson 2012 - Whole Bead Show

The Whole Bead Show at Tucson 2012 came to a close for me today. And what a show it was. My first time coming to Tucson I was very nervous. The first time at any venue let alone one as large as Tucson can be really daunting.

The crew at the Whole Bead Show laid those nerves to rest pretty much upon arrival. I was impressed with the way the show was so well run, the selection of vendors but most of all I was really touched by the care everyone puts into everything they do. I really don't think I can effectively put into words the feel this show has.

What I can say is I this, I've realized that people complain a lot about every little thing. I listened to vendors from other shows jumping ship, complaining about a lack of sales, complaining about traffic etc I could go on and on. BUT and I really believe this is a big important but, vendors need to start taking responsibility for their own sales more. Pick a good show (like Whole Bead "wink wink") and back it fully. Stick by it's hard working staff, shout from the hilltops how good it is, bring something new and exciting to the show for your customers to see, promote yourself before during and after, make friends with other vendors, learn about them and what they do, make and EFFORT!

I've realized how much effort the staff at Whole Bead Show put into the show and how much effort I need to put into it as well. It was a learning experience and hugely positive one for me. I thank Andrea for the chance to come, and the whole crew for the support.

The Whole Bead Show Tucson is changing venue's next year, it'll be closer to other shows. I have no doubt this will be a positive for the bead show and am looking forward to see what exciting things this brings. So remember for 2013 to go to the Viscount Suites on Broadway for what I believe is the best Tucson experience going.

A relaxing soak in the hot tub was the perfect ending for a perfect show. I'll blog more about classes and vendors once I get home so keep an eye here for more input about my Tucson experience.

How I fell in love

I fell in love with glass many many years ago. I remember a glass blower at a produce style farm I used to visit as a child. I remember him blowing those clear glass animals and ornaments. I used to spend at least an hour there every time I went, I wound up working in the trail ride area of the place and managed to watch the glass blower often. I think that is where I first fell in love with it.

When did you first fall in love with your medium? Who inspired you to learn more about it?

Live life

We have all been placed on this earth to discover our path. We will never be happy if we live someone else's idea of life.

James Van Praagh