Winter - winter vacation - Arizona. Is this what retired people do?

This year, like last year, we opted to spend the x-mas holiday in the warm sunny deserts of Arizona

Eva happy to be back in the desert

Part I - Tucson

Much like last year we opted for another week of climbing on the slopes of a very large metamorphic core complex, also known as Mt Lemmon. The road winds its way out of Tucson at 2500ft and finishes 30 miles later above 9000 ft - quite the drive!

Part way up looking back down on the road - also known as the Catalina Highway.

Having driven up the road Eva hikes to the crag, at 7000ft (~2000m) Brian can be found dragging his feat in search for oxygen somewhere further down the trail

Eva at the crag, racked up and waiting for Brian

and off she goes!

Having finally caught his breath Brian catches up

But Eva is just too quick and summits first - here she can be seen celebrating her victory over the mountain

Victorious Eva raps back down to the ground

Perhaps finding that too easy of a victory Eva looks for something a little more challenging

Up she goes...

Brian doesn't really seem sure he has what it takes...

Taking one for the team up he goes anyways...

Eva follows up with ease

Just to blast on by without even stopping to say hello

one last section...

and just like that she is at the top...

is she done for the day?

or just taking in the view?

Clearly she is not done...

Brian on the other hand appears to just want to look at the scenery

Can't stop taking photos...

Seen some scenery, you've see it all

at last the sun sets...

Part II - Superior

Apache leap under streaking stars

Our next stop was the small town of Superior AZ, probably best known for its copper mining, it also has some fun climbing!

first someone needs to tell Brian its time finish his coffee and get out to go climb

slow in the morning - he eventually manages to put his shoes on

and up he goes!

Eva meanwhile races up a crack

and up another...

Cragging in the canyon is fun but the leap offers a little more of an adventure

rumour has it one most go down before one goes up!?

down they go!

Having committed to the bottom Brian attempts to find a way out

at this point Brian is a little unsure what he has gotten himself into....

as usual Eva appears completely unfazed

and breezes on by - perhaps she stopped to say hello this time???

and just like that she peers over the top

happy to be on top

another day complete!

now if it was just that easy to get back to the car.

happy to be back home Brian celebrates with some cookies.

Part III - Scottsdale

Our last stop is the granite hills scattered around the golf course and mega mansions of Scottsdale

Home sweet home

Eva scouts for rocks to climb

Perhaps this one?

maybe up here?

this one would also work...

easy peasy

squeeze on out...

cross on over

Brian looks determined not to fail

hmmm he wonders.... maybe golf isn't so bad after all

Eva says no to golf

Victory at last - having gotten to his head Brian thinks he is much cooler than he really is....

and just like that its time to head down.

time to pack up and sort the gear

enjoy some down time

watch the sun set....

and let the stars come out.

and before you know it the sun rises on another day in sunny Arizona.

Part IV - Random things

things that poke

things to eat

things that set

Brian & Eva

feel free to add your own sappy music to this short sunrise video...