Snowing in Tuscon

Downtown Tuscon Tile Mosaic

Sunday February 27, 2011

Today it was snowing in Tuscon.  I heard that it does not happen too often.
I have not seen it snow, since I left Boston about one month ago.  I have seen it high up in the mountains plenty of time, but not up close and personal.  That all changed at 5:00 this morning.
All day, the mountains looked like they had sugar sprinkled on them.
I walked over to the campus of the University of Arizona this morning.  I also walked around downtown.  Today was a day that I would just walk and not go on my bike.
I had some good food and met some very nice people staying at the hostel.

University of Arizona Campus

View of Mountains

Playing Football at U of A

Home of the Wildcats

Outdoor Swimming Complex - U of A

U of A Softball Stadium with Snow Covered Mountains

Tuscon, Arizona

Park in Tuscon Downtown

Downtown Tuscon

Roadrunner Hostel

My bed at Hostel

Head winds the whole way!!!

Sunrise from my tent

Saturday February 26, 2011

Today, I got up early to start my ride as there was some inclement weather heading my way.  There were threats of strong winds and a possible sandstorm.

I packed up quickly and I was on my way.
The winds had already started;  I noticed the head winds right away.
Today would be a good workout on my bike.
After yesterday's ride of 70 plus;  I would have to bear down and ride hard to get to Tuscon.

I rode and I rode and I rode.  I did take a few fuel breaks, which also rested my legs for a bit.
The winds continued my whole ride.  In fact, they started to get stronger as I approached the city limits.
I even experienced tumbleweed going across the road in front of me at one point.  I knew that I could see almost everything on a bike.

State Park Campground

Another awesome day in Arizona

I was glad it was not raining!

Rest stop for fuel and for my legs

Lots of Cowgirls and Cowboys in this part of the United States

A Cotton Field in Arizona

A little Rodeo

Tumbleweed on a Windy Day

Not a Rattlesnake, but I will be on the lookout for them now!

Tuscon, Arizona

Mountains everywhere

They do get ice!

On the way to Downtown Tuscon

Paul Bunyon in Arizona

Roadrunner Hostel

Tonight I would be staying at the Roadrunner Hostel in downtown Tuscon.  The bed I occupied would be a welcome site after all of the hard riding that I did on this day.

On to Tuscon!

Friday February 25, 2011

It was time to head south towards Tuscon.
It was again going to be sad leaving my new friends that I had made in the Phoenix area.  I would also be leaving my closet family members in the area.
I pointed my bike south and I was on my way.

It took me awhile to get out into the openness of the desert once again.
It had been a week, since I had done any real long distances on my bike.
I also had been riding without my trailer, so I had to readjust in that since too.

Today, I traveled through the Gila River Native American Reservation.
I stopped here today for some drinks.  I had stocked up on healthy snacks while in the city.

It was a very beautiful ride today.  Most of the day, I followed a frontage road that was close to Interstate 10.  There were many miles between the small towns that I rode through.

I ended up cycling over 70 miles this day.

Late morning riding

Native American Recognition for Women Veterans

Gila River Reservation Park

Gila River Reservation

Cemetery on the Reservation

Showing me the way!

More beautiful sites!!

I camped at a State Park right off of the interstate.  It was dark, as I set up my tent.

Kyrene de la Mariposa Elementary School

Friday February 25, 2011

I had my trailer packed the night before.
I would be riding to one more school on the other side of Interstate 10 this day and then I would be heading south towards Tuscon.

Kyrene de la Mariposa students, Coach Cate and Physical Education Teacher Connie Allen

Kyrene de la Mariposa Elementary School

This last school visit went really well.   Connie Allen, Physical Education Teacher at the Kyrene de la Mariposa had her class moving around as I arrived.  I was able to speak to both 3rd and 4th graders this Friday morning.
I was also able to say my farewells to Ellen, Mary and Connie.  I had said farewell to Kathy and her family earlier in the morning.
I can not thank enough all the people that helped me feel so welcome in the Phoenix area.
To all of the awesome Physical Education Professionals I meet;  I will be having a Coach Cate's Tour of Boston during next year's National Convention.
Thanks everyone, from the bottom of my heart.

Coach Cate and Physical Education Professional Connie Allen

Healthy Living Experts - Connie Allen, Coach Cate, Ellen Albadessa and Mary Dean

Three Schools Today!!!

Thursday February 24, 2011

Today, I had the honor to speak at three schools in the Phoenix/Tempe area.
I thank both Ellen and Kathy for helping me with connections to all of the schools that I have visited.  I thank also all of the Physical Education Teachers and Administrators who have allowed me to visit their schools;  some on very short notice.
There are so many great Physical Educators teaching every single day about the importance of being healthy.  It has been a pleasure to get to know so many of them.
Keep up the good work teachers!!!!

Physical Education Teacher Mary Dean and Coach Cate

Kyrene de la Poloma Elementary School

Love all the cyclists at the Poloma School!!!

Had lunch near this Bark Park

Home of the Bulldogs

Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School

Kyrene del Pueblo Physical Education Teachers and Coach Cate

Sunset near Kathy's house

Today I started packing my trailer.  I will be heading south tomorrow, after one more visit to a school in the Phoenix area.