Finger Rock Trail

When researching good hikes in the Tucson area, I read that the Finger Rock trail is one of the steepest, most strenuous hikes in the Santa Catalina range.  So I decided to conquer it.

The Finger Rock trail is named after Finger Rock: a rock which is shaped like an index finger, pointing skyward.

However, from a vantage point closer to sea level, the finger is barely visible!  The next shot was taken from the trail head.  (The summit, a.k.a. Mt. Kimball, is the wooded mountain in the distance.)

By the way, the review was spot-on.  The trail is, indeed, steep and strenuous...but the views are spectacular!

That morning was particularly foggy...so the distant Tucson Mountains seemed to float over the city.  Amazing!

But perhaps the best views are from atop Mt. Kimball, where one can see Mt. Lemmon, Oro Valley, and BioSphere 2.

Oh, and by the way...today is Misu's birthday!  Happy birthday, Su Bear!!

Hallo fra Norge!

This month, I hopped across the pond (a.k.a. the Atlantic Ocean) to visit my Ph.D. advisor and his family in Trondheim, Norway.  Since Dave has a visiting position at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, I was able to give a talk in the department's algebra seminar...and thus ultimately feel productive during my globe-trotting. :)

But my trip wasn't entirely business.  Despite the lack of sunlight -- Trondheim is only about 3 degrees south of the arctic circle -- I was able to do some quality sightseeing and learn a bit about the Norwegian culture.  But the highlight of my visit was getting to spend time with the fantastic Jorgensen clan: Sam, Katie, Grace, and Isaac...and their parents!

And apparently my visit was also a highlight to the kids, who took my arrival as a cue to begin devouring a recently-made gingerbread house.  In fact, this photo was taken less than 10 seconds before the entire house was in pieces!  I didn't have much time to brace myself for the sugar-high that ensued after they were finished.  But, once the energy wore off, it was great to spend time with some of my favorite kids!

All of Trondheim was beautiful, but the most picturesque place that I found was this view from the Gamle Bybro, meaning Old Town Bridge.

Actually, all of the buildings in Trondheim are pristine and colorful like these.  The town really does epitomize the word charming. 

Trondheim is also home to the Nidaros Cathedral, which is the traditional location for the consecration of the King of Norway.  The church is incredibly old, with the oldest part of the structure being over one thousand years old!

Toward the end of my visit, I accompanied the Jorgensen family to lunch at the Tyholt Tower, which provides a breathtaking view of the fjord, as well as the entire town of Trondheim.

 

The top of the tower makes about one revolution per hour.  Though it was only lunchtime, the sun was already starting to make its "descent" -- in quotes since the sun never really ascends during the winter months. 

This beautiful sunset photo was taken from my bedroom window -- at around 3 p.m. -- on my last day in Norway.

Ha det, fra Norge!!

Sonora Desert Museum

Yesterday was officially "date day," as we often call days which are not productive.  We spent a few blissful hours at the Desert Museum, among the cacti and desert animals which call the museum their home.

One of my favorite sections of the museum is the hummingbird area!  I'm sure that everyone has seen a photo of a hummingbird in flight.  But have you ever seen a hummingbird sit still?

There are so many different species of cacti in Arizona, and it would be a lofty goal of mine even to hope to be able to identify half of them before we leave here.

One plant that I did recognize, however, was the agave.  Still, I don't think I realized how many different types there were!

Here are a couple of species that we had never seen before.  Beautiful, huh?

The thorns on some of the cacti that we saw were nothing short of frightening. 

Poor Tanya was even attacked by part of a cactus.  (That thing actually got skin!)

The amazing thing is that the "skeleton" of a dead cactus is completely harmless.  Here are some cholla skeletons:

All-in-all, it was beautiful.  I can't wait to go back at different times of the year to see things in bloom! 

 We left just before dusk, when the mountains were at their prettiest shade.  I love living here!!

Bear Canyon

Since moving to Tucson, most of our hiking has been around Mt. Lemmon, at higher altitude.  We decided to save the "lower" trails for a time when the sun wasn't quite so harsh--and that time has officially arrived!

Yesterday morning was very chilly, so we decided to check out the Sabino Canyon Rec Area, which heads trails that lead into both the Sabino and Bear Canyons.  The scenery was breathtaking!