More of Tucson

Our second day in Tucson started with George making us all some oatmeal for breakfast. After lounging around a bit to digesting our breakfast, playing with the cats and enjoying the moment, Homer drove us to the West Section of Saguaro National Park.

George cooking oatmeal on Homer’s vitage 1950’s kitchen range

Cute little Snowball

Bunny hopped by from time to time

Those saguaros cacti are quite an impressive sight to behold. Most of them were in bloom as well, which just added to the magnificent beauty of this landscape. Before heading to a trail we stopped at the Park Ranger’s station to pay the entrance fee and to look at some exhibits. The three of us were also all goggle-eyed over some rather handsome Park Ranger. Cliché be damned...a man in uniform is hot.

Later, Homer took us on a more rugged hike, where we saw more saguaros, plenty of birds and lizards and some old Native-American petroglyphs. The weather that day proved to be more on the hot side so we were working up quite a sweat during our hike. But it was a very rewarding experience and worth every single drop.

Which ones are the saguaros?

We would return to the city in the early afternoon and have some sandwiches at Eegee’s and then buy some groceries for a pool party later that day. Homer made some yummy tortilla wraps, some filled with either a mix of refried beans and curry paste or cream cheese and red peppers. I noshed some while he was preparing the wraps and they were delicious.


A clever sign we saw in one of the stores. On the other hand, having to point out that this sign was meant as a joke also said a lot.

We then drove over to a beautifully restored Victorian-style house, where the pool party was already happening. We met more of Homer’s friends, had a few drinks, some snacks and soaked in the pool for most of the afternoon. A wonderful time was had by all.

And just when you thought we couldn’t possible eat any more food, George suggested to order in some pizza from that marvelous pizza parlor we had dinner at the evening before. So we ordered two large pizzas from the Brooklyn Pizza Company. It was so good! We can highly recommend this place. We don’t even have a great pizza place like that in Las Vegas. Or we just haven’t found it yet. Later that night we visited some of Homer’s friends in the neighborhood, had one or two more drinks, some chats and with that our second day slowly came to a close.

Our third and last day in Tucson was spent mostly at Cobban and Ray’s place, which is about a 90-minute drive from Tucson. The landscape around their beautiful home is really spectacular. Tall mountains and a prairie-like plateau with high grasses is surrounding their estate. In the near distance one can see some mountain range across the Mexican border. We had a great time with Cobban and Ray and enjoyed their conversations, their delicious fruit salad and a refreshing dip or two in their pool.

George sitting at Homer’s computer to check his e-mails. Here is where all the magic for “Homer’s World” happens. However, Puff would rather be petted.

Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end. So we said our good-byes to our gracious hosts Cobban and Ray and then returned back to Tucson, where Homer dropped us off at the airport for our evening flight back home to Las Vegas.

And so ended our long Memorial Day weekend in Southern Arizona. It was one of the best getaways ever. Thanks to Homer, Cobban, Ray and many of their friends we were able to forget about the troubles of world for a few moments and just simply enjoy life.

And what can be more precious than that?

Goodbye Tucson. Ready for take-off!

A Day in Tucson

Here are some additional photos from our Memorial Day weekend trip to Tucson, Arizona.



Leaving Las Vegas...McCarran Int.’l Airport and one of their satellite terminals, the C Gates, which serves Southwest flights exclusively. Here’s where our journey to Tuscon started.

Homer made us yummylicious home-made waffles with bananas foster topping for breakfast the next morning. Did I mention that they were yummylicious? On our first outing in and around Tucson, Homer took us to the San Xavier del Bac mission. It’s located on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation, outside the city and was built between 1783 and 1797.





The inside of the mission is quite elaborately decorated with statues, moldings, paintings and frescoes.




It has a beautiful courtyard in a very serene setting.



Photo-op in front of La Misión San Xavier del Bac


Afterwards, Homer took us into downtown Tucson to see the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, the old Fort Tucson, which dates back to the late 1770’s. He was involved in some of the archaeological digs and helped to design the current trail and exhibits.


Next on the list was lunch. Not that we weren’t already stuffed from Homer’s divine breakfast waffles, but we did finish our plates at Rosa’s Mexican Food restaurant, one of Homer’s favorite hangouts. Absolutely delicious. And yes, we still ordered some of the best flans ever for dessert. Somehow we managed to make room for that.




Homer was eyeing a cute waiter at Rosa’s. And may I add that he has a very good eye for these sort of things.


After this enormous lunch of divine deliciousness, Homer took us to the Sweetwater Wetlands. It is a water treatment facility which was turned into a park-like wildlife habitat with educational trails. A very lush and green little oasis and perfect for bird watching.











We returned to Homer’s comfy casa and took a little nap. Homer’s kitties decided to continue their day-long nap right alongside with us...


Puff loves to be scratched around the neck



...or on top of us. Joey finds George to be an extremely comfortable mattress.


Later that afternoon we drove to the 4th Avenue Promenade, which is lined with funky little stores, restaurants, coffee houses and bars. A restored vintage street car, or trolley, runs up and down this street which adds to the charm of this area.


We ended that day by driving up Sentinel Peak to enjoy a pretty view over the city of Tucson at sunset.




The view of Tucson from Sentinel Peak

A Weekend in Homer's World

George and I spent an amazing long weekend in Tucson, thanks to our host Homer. And his entourage of cute kitties, a bunny and a whole bunch of geckos.



Homer was not only the most hospitable host but also our most knowledgeable tour guide. He showed us a variety of historical sites and some of his favorite local hangouts.



We had a lovely time just hanging out at Homer’s comfy casa, enjoying his company and his cooking. Mama Cat, Puff, Joey and Snowball made me miss my cats even more and Bunny visited a few times for some treats. We also got to try really delicious Mexican food at Rosa’s restaurant, that many readers may recall from various entries on Homer’s blog. And we bought some groceries at the “infamous” Mexican Safeway.



One afternoon we went to a fun pool party where George and I were introduced to some of Homer’s friends. Needless to say that he knows some pretty cool people. On our last day we visited Cobban and Ray at their beautiful home, close to the Mexican border. It was great to finally meet them in person after years of being acquaintances on a virtual basis only, through Cobban’s blog, Facebook or e-mail messages.



Yesterday evening on Memorial Day, the “aluminum tube of death,” as Homer calls airplanes, brought us back home to Las Vegas safely and in one piece. We already miss Homer, the kitties and his wonderful friends. Although, we’re sure that he’s glad that peace and quiet has finally returned to Homer’s World.



Below are some first impression from our weekend in Tucson with Homer and friends. More will follow in the coming days.



Puff, Snowball and Joey. Mama Cat was sleeping in next room


Homer and George in front of the “infamous” blue door. Aren’t they both just too adorable?


This was basically a blogger’s convention. Cobban, Homer, George and I at the “Stolen Horseshoe,” Cobban and Ray’s amazing house



That’s me with Ray



Homer and I standing in front of another “infamous” staple of Homer’s World...the orange wall

Dropping into Homer’s World

In a few hours, George and I will be sitting in one of these...



...and be flying down to Homer’s World to spend a long weekend there.



Tucson, Arizona

Our most gracious host will pick us up from the Tucson airport and show us his world.

It’s George’s first time to Arizona but I’ve been to Tuscon many times before. But I didn’t know Homer then. It’s going to be so much more fun this time around.


Have a save Memorial Day weekend, ya'll!

It's A Zoo Out There

Another week has passed and we have really nothing new to report. Work has been once again out-of-control and George was busy with his studying on top of that. I suppose we will be enjoying a nice quiet weekend and try to recover from a busy work week.


Or try to re-energize for this coming work week which promises to be another out-of-control one. But next weekend will be a long one, due to Memorial Day.


Finally, our last official holiday was New Year’s Day, for crying out loud.


George and I will be flying off to spend that weekend in Tucson, Arizona. To visit everyone’s favorite archaeologist, to be exact. We’ll be staying at Homer’s casa and also get to meet all the infamous kitties. And apparently now there’s also an infamous bunny.


It’s like a zoo out there!


Here are some random photos, taken on the Las Vegas “Strip” a few weekends ago.


The Miracle Mile shopping mall inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino


George in front of the huge facade of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas “Strip”


Looking southwards along the Las Vegas “Strip,” with parts of the new City Center, New York-New York and the Mandalay Bay towers visible