Back to "Frigid"? Minneapolis...Say What??

We arrived home via airplane yesterday to Minneapolis from 70 degrees in Arizona. Today it was 40 degrees here, perfect day for a run around Lake Calhoun. Now what was all this nonsense about an arctic vortex and "so cold, you just can't be outside"?

Just kidding. Timing is everything. Note the clear path, no ice, no snow. 

More New Tires

Gary decided that 4 years, one trip to the US West Coast and Alaska, 2-3 trips to Eastern Canada, 2 trips to Arizona, 1 trip to the Rockies, and 2 trips to Florida and the US East Coast were enough miles and age for the Saturn tires. So Monday we bought 4 new tires for the Saturn. That makes 10 new tires on this trip! I think we're good for awhile. 

Pleasant Arizona

I hate to say it but it is very pleasant here in Arizona right now. Temps are in the mid 60s today. No complaints from me. We get to enjoy this for only a few more days before we fly back to cold Minneapolis for about a month. So I am taking advantage of good temperatures for running, and for just about anything, really. 

Drove down to the Gilbert Riparian Institute Preserve and Water Park yesterday for a familiar run. Two years ago most of the settling ponds (maybe 8) were full of water, collected to provide a setting for research on Arizona wildlife and water conservation, and to provide a wildlife habitat. These ponds are full of over-wintering birds of many species. It is one of my favorite places here. This year at least half of these ponds are dry! Arizona is in a bad drought cycle, and the dry preserve is a reflection of that. 

It is nice, though..... Had a really nice run. 

Rose Parade Finale

It was a VERY busy five days here in Pasadena. The tour company had events scheduled all days and some evenings. 

We had a preview morning of several other float barns where feverish work was going on two days before the parade. 

Loved some old vehicles, decorated and ready for the parade. 

We attended Band Fest at Pasadena City College  where we had a preview of several marching bands in the parade. 

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.

 A docent-led tour of the botanic garden was pre arranged for us. Our docent was an expert in the desert display area, the largest in the world. The aloe was in full bloom - really beautiful. 

So many other interesting specimens. It is a dense display. 

The Huntington library contains a Gutenberg bible, one of only 11 in existence on vellum, a copy of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, letters of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin, and other wonderful books and documents. The museum contains both the Gainsborough Blue Boy and "Pinkie".  Even though photography was allowed, I didn't take any photos. This is stock photography of the paintings, as is the bible. 

We had a great afternoon at the Santa Anita Race track with lunch at the very nice Club Court Restaurant with great views of the race track. Off in the distance is our RV encampment. 

The track had lots of people there that day, roaming around in various areas. It is in great condition. 

This photo was taken at the starting gate for a Hillside race, starting on the hill above our RV camp. We were allowed to walk very near the start line. 

Two more activities: First a tour and dinner at The San Antonio Winery whose Stella label is very well known. We learned that at one time there were numerous wineries in LA, but now there is only one, still owned by descendants of the original owners. They no longer grow grapes there but rather, grapes are grown in Montery County and near Paso Robles. Wines are not made in LA, but the juice is transported there for aging in barrels and for bottling. It is a huge facility, and our group of about 200 was only one group of about 5 or 6 there that night for dinner.

 

  Second, a New Years Eve celebration in the Rally Tent. I was skeptical, but it was fun. We got acquainted with several nice couples. The crazy hats worn for a contest by this couple were great. 

Today we got up at 4:45 am to have a little breakfast before boarding buses to go to the Rose Parade. It was wonderful! Seeing this in person is so much better than TV. This afternoon we again boarded buses to go to the Showcase of Floats, where thousands of people can go to view the floats. I took many photos of little parts of floats. Very hard to try to photograph a whole float - they are big. Here are some of my favorites. "Our" float is first. 

Many more taken, but too tired tonight to do more.....