Julia and Jade visit!!!

My daughter and her fiance finally made it to Tucson, three years after I moved here! It's been a year and a half since I've seen them and it was so good to give them big hugs. On their first morning they got some sun on their legs, which they haven't been able to do in Spokane since last year.

Then we headed over to Catalina State Park for some wading and hiking. It was packed with Spring Break families and Snow Birders, and Julia and Jade couldn't believe how friendly everyone was. We decided that everyone is happy when it's sunny and you're out in nature.

My daughter is an animal whisperer, so she got this little lizard to crawl right onto her hand and settle in. The little guy didn't want to leave, so we had to gently nudge him off when it was time for us to go.

She picked up her love of photography from me and she takes some amazing pictures.

Lunch followed at Charro Vida, which is a healthy Mexican restaurant with lots of vegan and vegetarian options. We had some of the best guacamole and chips that I've ever had. We also tried yucca fries and nopales (strips of prickly pear cactus). Delicious!

Tohono  Chul ("desert corner") Park is across the street, so we strolled through its beauty until it closed at 5. Wildflowers and trees were blooming, matching some of the colorful walls.

Cape aloe, above, and red spike ice plant, below.

Today it's cloudy and sprinkling,

so we'll find things to do inside.

Have a colorful day