Reset search
Mexico & Arizona 2023
  • Jo-Lynne Sutherland
Feb – Apr 2023

Mexico & Arizona 2023

Exploring Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende & Tucson. Read more
FollowInsightsCalendarShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    Fourth Ave Street Fair
    Characters at the Street FairAll kinds of flavourful nutsMetal sculpturesSculpture at U of ArizonaPaul & his 5 kidsLinda's picThe ladies at VivaceThe men

    Paul & Cathy’s visit

    March 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Paul & Cathy came to join us March 23-26. What fun we had.

    We ate dinner at our place on the 23, then headed off the next morning to explore. PB friends had told me about 2 events going on that day - Fourth Ave Street Fair and Linda Mc Carthy’s photography exhibit at the University.

    The street fair was huge - blocks & blocks of tents & vendors, but not as much music as I’d hoped for. We stopped for drinks at the Frog & Firkin, a hangout for the university crowd, and tried to fit in 😉, then headed to the photography exhibit. It was far more interesting than I’d expected. Seems Linda McCarthy had a real career of her own.

    That evening we went to Phil & Missy Smith’s lovely home in Oro Valley for drinks, then to Vivace restaurant. The place was packed & noisy - obviously super popular, but not great for those with hearing aids like Paul.    Read more

  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    Desert Museum
    Amazing weather, good companyOur knowledgeable docentSmelling the Brittlebush - so fragrentFlowering Brittlebush & cacti along the pathPaul with bat ears in the caveThey actually have an aquarium thereLa Reforma, enjoying the music & vibeGigi & the Glow- what a performance. We were all up dancing.Dancing up a stormRespect - a classic

    Desert Museum & Gigi & the Glow

    March 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    As Paul & Cathy had a car & were up for an adventure, we headed off to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Well worth the visit. The highlight for me was meeting a docent who looked far too young to be retired, but was super knowledgeable about everything - desert cacti, birds, animals, whatever. Just wish my brain could have absorbed half of what he said.

    That night we met up with John & Sue at Union Public House within walking distance of our place. There are 3 restaurants there, and although they don’t
    take reservations, when we arrived the waiting list was super long. Fortunately, Cathy got us on a waiting list for Reforma, a Mexican Restaurant, and we got in 20 minutes later. It was such fun.    Read more

  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    Mural along The Loup
    One of many bridges along The LoupLove this sculptureBrandi Fenton Memorial ParkSculpture in Brandi Fenton ParkNew murals along The Loop near our placeLove this sculpture sbove the bike pathSign under a bridge along the bike path

    Exploring Tucson & Sim card issues

    March 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Paul & Cathy left super early - before 7 and before we were up. We were hoping Gary & Anna would join us tomorrow, but unfortunately he had some health issues, so decided not to come.

    I quickly headed off to the PB courts and had some great games, plus lots of good chats with all my “new best friends.” Americans certainly are friendly - I avoid politics, though. . . .

    Today was the day my 1st SIM card expired, so I was supposed to just pop in my 2nd card. Easier said than done. As I’d forgotten the small pin needed to pop open the case, I hopped on my bike and headed to AT&T, which fortunately was nearby.

    A young guy quickly popped in the new card and I thought I was good to go. Totally wrong. This card would not work. Numerous emails later with Sim Corner, and trying everything they told me to do, it still would not work. As card 1 was still working, I went back to AT&T and had them pop my old card back in.

    I then went out to explore some of my fav sports. When I got home, I saw an email from Sim Corner saying card 2 was activated. I jumped back on my bike and headed back to AT&T. I got there just before they closed, and once again he popped in card 2 - but NO GO. At that point I decided to keep card 2 in and hope it might work the next day.

    Sooo frustrating. Now that I’ve discovered other SIM cards, I feel totally lost if I can’t access the internet.    Read more

  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    Houses in the neighborhood
    Cacti everywhereOrange trees everywhereAround the corner from our placeAcross the street from our placeTucson Raquet Club is a 1 minute walk away

    Sim Card Issues Resolved

    March 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    In the morning the Sim card still wouldn’t work. I shot off more emails to Sim Corner, then headed to the PB courts to relieve my stress. Felt good whacking that ball. 😅

    Upon my return, it still wouldn’t work - more emails, more resetting networks, more everything, and still it wouldn’t work. Finally, Sim Corner was able to reactivate my 1st card, and I was able to use a paper clip to pop open the case and put in card 1. SUCCESS. Happiness is 🤩. I was back in business. Curious to see if they decide to reimburse me for the faulty card 2.

    This took most of the day, so not too many pics were taken today. I did get in a short bike ride around the neighborhood though - always new things to discover.    Read more

  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    Our biking buddies
    John & Sue at Monsoons Tap & GrillDelish lunch, good company, great chatsA small lake - a rare sightMore murals spotted off the main streetEastern entrance to the campusBear Down - official motto of U of AEntrance to the medical buildingOne of several sculpturesSunbathing on campus- lots of tiny tank tops here

    Bike Riding Day

    March 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Such a great day today - 27C, clear blue sky and my SIM card was working well.

    We biked north to meet John & Sue at Monsoons Tap & Grill, mid point between Tucson & Oro Valley and about an hours ride on beautiful bike paths. Had a delish lunch - beer of course - and a good long chat.

    Heading back, we took the long route getting off at St Mary’s, going through the heart of the city, U of A campus, then heading home. I wanted to take more pics, so biked around the campus & nearby neighbourhoods, while Peter did his own thing.

    Coming home I got a bit lost, but thanks to my SIM card eventually made it back about 6:00pm - not along lovely bike paths, I must confess, but I did get to see new areas of the city. 🤪    Read more

  • Jo-Lynne SutherlandMexico & Arizona 2023Traveler
    On the bike path across the bridge from our place
    Under the bridge at Campbell Rd, a short ride awayHeading into the courtyardEntering Union Public Square3 restaurants & a large courtyard insideUnion Public's patioOutside seating with heaters by ReformaMy totally flat front tire - have to deal with that tomorrow

    Exploring About

    March 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Yesterday was again beautifully hot & sunny - 27C. Loved it. Great PB in the morning - got myself into a more advanced group and had to play up. Long rallies and good fun. 😀

    In the afternoon I headed off on my bike in search of some of my fav murals, especially those with words.

    Today was cool - 15 max - and super windy. Amazing how quickly the temperature changes here. The crazy PB ball with all its holes was sailing every which way. Certainly added to the challenge and the fun.

    What I like about players here, they never use the wind as an excuse for bad shots, and don’t complain about it. I lucked out and played with 2 young guys, 1st year university, and their Dad. The kids were great, the Dad not so, but it was good fun.

    In the afternoon I headed out on my bike again, this time in search of pics of Union Public where we saw Gigi & the Glow - I wanted to see the venue in daylight.

    As an aside, one of my PB buddies knows Gigi - and yes, the men were right, Gigi is not young - she’s 50+ and has had every possible enhancement necessary to look like a Barbie doll. Her pink stilettos and mini skirt add to the image, but Sue is convinced she spotted cellulite through her fish net stockings. . . 😉

    The only downside today is I stopped to watch girls beach volley at the Club and ran over a thorn. The tire instantly went totally flat. Have googled a nearby bike shop so will have to deal with that tomorrow.

    Unfortunately, we head home tomorrow - but only for 4 days then we're off to St Augustine Florida to visit Daina & family for a week. Lots of fun adventures ahead with Reeve 5 and Van almost 2. Can't wait. . . .    Read more

    Trip end
    April 1, 2023
  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice