I'm sitting in a Border's Bookstore coffee shop, looking out the window at some beautiful mountains, and not getting much work done. My plan is to spend the weekend here, writing. It's a great store, located near a very nice mall east of downtown.

This is a picture of what I see out the window looking north. Tucson is surrounded by five mountain ranges. What a beautiful city this is. If I can't become inspired to write here, then I'm in real trouble.















This is me looking real serious for some reason. I've got my "Harry Potter" glasses on. I saw "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" last night, Halloween night. I am in Arizona, after all, so I figured it makes sense, in a metaphysical and mystical sort of way. I wonder if there is a real Order of the Phoenix in Phoenix, with perhaps a satellite office here in Tucson.






This view of the Border's coffee shop is opposite the window. The guy in the white shirt on the left is an architect and has some drawings spread out on the table. I hope that's his wife sitting near him.







This is my first week in Tucson, so I'm still learning my way around the city. One warning for you, however, if you plan on a visit any time soon. The Tucson traffic is a nightmare because of the road construction all over town. Interstate 10 going through town is being rebuilt, with most of the ramps closed inside the city. Other streets around town are being repaved, too, providing a newcomer like me a huge headache.

I've had to use a map to draw up a plan on getting around the city while avoiding all the construction. So, if you come, bring a good map and a GPS system.

Over the weekend I'll be writing more about the city, my visit to the Visitors Center in downtown, the Casino del Sol, and A Mountain. I'm going to do my best to post something each day, here. There is plenty to write about and see. I've also got to discuss my trip here, along the scenic route from Albuquerque.

I made it to Tucson today, Monday, after two long days of driving and taking hundreds of photos along the way. I'm a little tired, so I'll update my blog over the next few days. There are some things I still need to say about Santa Fe and ABQ before I turn my attention to Tucson as well.

So the next few days I'm going to be working on my blog updates, editing my photos, and touring the Tucson area. Stay with me...it should be fun.

I took the photo at the right in Texas Canyon, about 30 miles east of Tucson. It will give you an idea of the beautiful scenery I've encountered over the last two days.

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More later.

By the Time I Get to Phoenix...uh, Make That Tucson

Well. It is time. I'm leaving ABQ for the desert. In search of warmer weather and a milder winter climate, I'm driving southwest to Tucson. I'm leaving this morning, Sunday, October 28.

I arrived in ABQ on Thursday, August 16. The 74 days I've been here have been great. I have very few complaints. The weather was perfect, the Sandia Resort was terrific, and the people in ABQ are generally very friendly. I've worked a little, played a lot, and seen the sights. The International Balloon Fiesta is a must-attend for any traveler, and the overnight trip to Santa Fe was the best way to wrap up my visit to north central New Mexico.

But now it's time to move on. The road is calling me to join her once again.

I'm first driving south to Socorro on I-25. From there I'll take state Hwy. 60 west to Hwy. 12. Hwy. 12 heads southerly to Reserve, New Mexico. Then I'll take Hwy. 180 south to Silver City. From Silver City, it's an easy drive west on I-10 to Tucson. This route will take me through various mountain ranges and beautiful scenery as I head my way south. I'm in no real hurry, so why not take the time to see the sights of southwestern New Mexico? To track my journey, visit the links to GoogleMaps (located in the left margin). So far, I've created three maps for the three "legs" of my trip.

I'll be writing a bit more about Santa Fe and posting some more photos over the next few days. Plus, I'll be posting my favorite photos on my photography blog at Photographium. I took some wonderful pictures in Santa Fe and want to share them. So check back here and Photographium. Notice I've added a new section to my blog for slideshows under the heading "Photo Albums."