More of my vacation in Arizona
When is a desert not a desert? When it’s raining!
Well, wouldn’t you know it - on day two of our stay at Miraval, just as the weather reports projected, inclement conditions arrived. Sprinkles turned into pelting rain - lots of it – and the warm breezes were replaced by icy cold winds. Quite suddenly, the arid desert landscape became covered with small streams and lots of mud. Like the other guests, I was ill prepared for such weather. You see, I left winter behind at home and had come to the desert for sun, warmth, and dry heat.
Martha where is Skylands 2 when you need it? I think I would have stayed home at the farm and hung out with all the animals,reading by the fireplace and relaxing at home sweet home.
I hope you weren't out there singing, "Rain drops keep falling on my head", or "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down". Row, row, row your boat lol!
You look to have made the best of it and I am sure the spa sessions made up for the soggy rain.Besides some poor soul had to go with you to take the pix of you lol!
Happy New Year to you Martha.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam from California | January 5th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
What a shame. I guess the weather is still a lot warmer than you are used to and perhaps you can both indulge in osme indoor pampering instead of outdoor pursuits. The photos look great!
Posted by: Lilly | January 6th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hi, Martha,
What a hike you experienced on your second day at Miraval! The desert landscape with its cacti, small streams and rivulets, and fruits and flowers in addition to the rock and sand is beautiful.
Thanks for the tour.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | January 6th, 2009 at 2:09 am
What good pictures of your desert vacation. It is a very unique landscape and you have captured its beauty.
Posted by: Maureen | January 6th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Leave it up to Martha to make the Best Of Things! I would be like you Martha, I would not want to miss a moment of this lovely desert. Your photos make us feel just like we are there with you.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | January 6th, 2009 at 4:22 am
Oh Martha, Bless your heart...the ONLY one who wouldn't let a little rain interfere with your hike! You are SO committed in everything you do. This is truly what makes you the "Martha" we have come to know and love.
The rainy desert reminds me of just a few years ago when the desert sprang to life, blooming all types of species in abundance after rare,heavy rains. Remember?
Thanks, too, for the pics!
Posted by: tinay | January 6th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Well, yesterday's photos looked like you had beautiful weather but rain is good too. I'm sure the plants needed it and the birds love it for their little baths. Once in awhile it rains all day in Florida but not very often. We still make plans to go where we want and then the sun it usually out when we get there. Maybe you could come to Florida next time; it’s great exercise to walk along the beaches you know! Trish
Posted by: Trish | January 6th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Oh how I miss Arizona! It's odd that it rained during your visit. As you know, it usually only rains during the monsoon season in august. Though, when I lived in Tucson I rain, there is just nothing like the smell of creosote after a good rain.
Posted by: Christina (apronstrings) | January 6th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Welcome to Arizona Martha! Yes sometimes our weather just decides to have a mind of it's own, you should come back during summer monsoon season, it's really fun and funky weather!
Posted by: Stacy Guthrie, myweddingfilm | January 6th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Poor Martha - good for you for making the best of the situation!!
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | January 6th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Dear Martha,
Had I known you were here in town, I would have joyfully joined you on your 5 mile trek. I never seem to fine anyone to do these things when it rains. Anyway, glad you were here and you must come back again. Maybe in the spring when it isn't raining or too hot to take another trek.
Have been a fan of yours from when I lived back in the NE, in the Poconos...remember way back then??
Love your show.
Bert Cutillo
Posted by: Bert Cutillo | January 6th, 2009 at 7:02 am
My favorite place to holiday is Scotland, so I know what you mean about rain. Like you, I always just pull on the boots and head out. And wouldn't you know, some of the best memories happen that way! Bravo to you for not letting the weather slow you down!
Posted by: Pamela | January 6th, 2009 at 7:22 am
We just moved to Tucson. We think those basins you found in the rocks are where Indians may have ground corn or other foods. We were excited about the rain-as it meant snow in the mountains. There are ski resorts in Arizona. We are going this week and weekend! You beat us to Miraval. We hope to tour soon.
Posted by: Susan McMenamy | January 6th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Hi Martha...
Just dropping by to say "hi". Interesting, informative blog, will have to keep you bookmarked!!
Love the show, and had the wonderful privilege of meeting Wendy Addison this past April at an artist's retreat in San Fransisco. She gracefully allowed the pfatt art group into her fabulous shope and studio. I first heard of her on your show!
Thanks for all the tips, robin
Posted by: Robin Armstrong Seeber | January 6th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Hi Martha, You just turned a rather bleak, rainy day in the desert into a wonderful photo opportunity! Instead of sitting around and waiting for the rain to stop, you got right out there and gave us a wonderful tour of the desert that I for one have never seen before. Thank you so much! I love all of the photos and your comments to boot. I love learning through your eyes. I'm listening to "Living Today" on Sirius Radio 112 right now and just heard about the passing of Emily Hoffman. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who worked with her and her family. Take care. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 6th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Martha,
2 weeks ago on your TV show you had 4 chefs from 4 different NYC restaurants spotlighted.1 of the chefs( I forget which one) had a special knife that you remarked on about how nice it was.I was wondering where I could purchase that same knife.I am somewhat of a cooking knife collector, and that one sure had me "looking".Thanks ever so much for responding.Sue
Posted by: Susan Buchanan | January 6th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Oh dear Martha,
You are such a good sport. I would have loved to join you on your wet and wondrous hike. I am a native the desert here in Arizona, born and raised in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area, and let me tell you, this is a rare sight (except for during our monsoon season in late summer). The beauty and destruction a storm can have on the desert is a sight to see. I hope this is a cherished memory for you and your daughter. I thought you might be interested in "The Lightening Lady" Suzan Strom's photo gallery to see some of the beautiful and intimidating sights of a storm here in the desert!!! Enjoy and I hope you come back to the Az desert real soon☺
http://www.lightninglady.com/gallery.htm
Take care,
Tiffany Aleah in Arizona❤
*BeLiEvE*
Posted by: Tiffany Marshall | January 6th, 2009 at 10:16 am
My first thoughts about the little basins in the rocks were that they were built-in birdbaths for the birds, and that was before I even saw the birdfeeders. Pretty nifty how nature provides, isn't it?!! I loved the goldfinches, too, in all their winter finery (drab, olive-green plumage) - the males turn beautiful yellow in the summer (as you all know), while the girls remain olive in color. I would've been interested, too, in other bird species, as they differ out west from some of their eastern "cousins". I'm sure that the earth (not Martha, however) was refreshed after this rare liquid-sunshine event.
Bummer, Martha, that this unusual weather happened (go figure!) during your vacation, and especially when you weren't prepared with heavier clothing (who'd've thunk?... [giggling at my vocabulary, not the circumstance] )
In spite of your needing some R-n-R, Martha, it's good to have you back with us! Your show yesterday was a much needed respite, after being on hiatus the last 2 weeks.
=^..^=
'Garden Gatherings' 101 Thoughts From the Garden: The person who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world.--Charles Dudley Warner
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | January 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
That is the spirit! Go out and enjoy. The smell and sound of rain in the southwestern desert is a gift not to be ignored.
Posted by: Margie | January 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Good for you Martha!! There is nothing like the fresh smells of the desert after a rain. Born and raised in AZ., just an hour or so north of Tucson, I have enjoyed the desert rains many times. The pictures are great!
Posted by: Kathi B. | January 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Martha, I bet you slept great after your rainy day hike. Lots of fun!
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, Maine | January 6th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I got all excited thinking this post was about desserts! Hiking, rain, tightropes? When does your real vacation start?
Je ne comprend pas.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Crispell | January 6th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Enjoyed all the photos of you and Alexis in Arizona! The tight rope looked very challenging, kudos to Alexis! Way to go Martha on deciding to venture out for a hike - even in the rain. Nature has a funny but sometimes poignant way of surprising us. I too was in Arizona visiting my parents (just south of Tucson) for Christmas and it snowed! How funny to see snow on the golf course in the desert. My father and I ran out to harvest his very first orange tree before the frost came. Yum, fresh oranges at Christmas. It was definitely A Good Thing.
Thanks again for sharing and Happy New Year!
-Kimberly from Huntington Beach, California
Posted by: Kimberly Coromelas | January 6th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Martha I hope you make another trip back to Arizona. Maybe next time you can do a segment on the resort your staying at. Thanks for sharing your vacation experience.
Posted by: sushi2 | January 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Oooh. I love Tucson. I sure do love the cactus flowers. If you go in the spring, they are really coming out at the top of the saguaros. Martha, you should go to Tubac. It is a little town on the way to Nogales. They have wonderful arts and craft stores and handmade artifacts. Really neat. Also, you should go to the Colossal Cave outside of Tucson. Now that is a hike!!! You would love it.
Thanks for the pictures.
Posted by: Theresa G. | January 6th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Good for you for getting out there still...we live in a mountain town where it's often snowing or raining and it always makes me laugh when people visiting are afraid to go out when it's wet. They react to sudden showers like it's acid or something. Living in Whistler you just need some good wellies, snowboots and a waterproof shell.
I joined your Body + Soul challenge and I'm also doing daily posts on my blog as some readers are doing it as well. Love the magazine but I do still miss Blueprint and the Kids magazine dearly!
much love,
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
Posted by: kerry macLeod | January 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Martha,
Next time skip Mirival and stay at my house in Tucson. I was serving one of your delicious hams and everyone absolutely loved it! I have a few hikes that would challenge Alexis too! Glad you braved the rain and went hiking. You are a trooper!
Best regards,
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | January 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Dear Martha!
Wish you a healthy, peaceful and prosperous year.
God Bless you and your family.
Hugs and Kisses
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 6th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
MMM, I imagine it felt great to get back indoors, dry off and maybe take a hot bath or just get into a fluffy robe and drink something warm. Worth having a bit of rain drip off your nose.
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | January 6th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Hi Martha,
I am sorry that it started raining during your visit.
In the picture, the rain-drops almost look like snowflakes falling.
Happy New Year!
Belle - homesteaderbelle
By the way, I looked at the post about your kitties' new years eve party, it is very cute!
Posted by: Belle | January 6th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I'm so happy you experienced Tucson in the winter. I've lived here for 40 years and still miss the change of seasons, but if you look carefully you can see the changes here, especially when it rains. Did you notice the smell of creosote? The desert is so beautiful after a good rain. Hope you stayed long enough, because the temperature went from the 30's to the high 70's in one week. Your pictures were wonderful. Thanks Martha for sharing. Penelope from Tucson.
Posted by: Penelope | January 7th, 2009 at 4:50 am
The person who is always the most happy and successful is the person who takes the road less traveled. Seems like your hike was this road?
Good for you, Martha.
Posted by: Katherine Meade | January 7th, 2009 at 7:45 am
HI Martha,
I think wonderful things happen in the rain. Whilst we are being pelted with the water droplets in which mother nature intended, we become our most creative.
Great photo, and you look so wonderfully happy!
Lyns
Posted by: Lyns Ponech Zoratti | January 30th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Is there a map location for this region on your blog? It looks terrific and interesting.
Posted by: Lyns Ponech Zoratti | January 30th, 2009 at 8:11 am