These Gila Monsters may look ferocious, but they are really shy, slow moving  fellows who would rather avoid human contact.  Since they move rather sluggishly so aren’t much of a threat to humans.  Although the only poisonous lizard in the United States, an individual would have to really bother them or handle them to receive a bite.  The main problem with being bit is that their jaw locks down and can’t be separated so the poison is slowly released.

However, it has earned a fearsome reputation and is sometimes killed by hikers and homeowners despite
being protected by Arizona state law.  Cars can also kill them as we found out recently when we found a young dead one at the side of our entrance driveway at our Bed & Breakfast in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains near Saguaro National Park East.

Years ago, our  miniature poodle had a tendency to tease a rather large one that burrowed under a palo verde tree on our property.  The Gila Monster must have grazed our pet’s lower lip because she began to foam at the mouth.  Since we knew she had a tendency to tease the lizard, we rinsed out her mouth with a water hose, and she survived to live through an additional attack at a later date by coyotes.  One tough dog!

Their only real defense is a chemical substance coating their body which can paralyze and kill small animals.  In fact we had a miniature poodle years ago who bothered one.  Luckily we were able to hose out our pet’s mouth so that she lived.  Other animals aren’t so lucky.  They might also pose a danger to a child who handled one.

These intriguing animals remind us of the changing summer environment.  They are part of our beautiful desert landscape.

The clouds break open and sometimes we get the most striking sunsets imaginable.  This is what I saw as I took my evening walk last evening around 7:30 at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast in the lovely Sonoran desert.

Tour Guides at Tucson Segway Tours

scooter which lends itself easily to tours where you want to stop and look at and hear about a site, especially if you don’t like extensive walking. They don’t move very fast and easily stop. Since the wheels are side by side separated by a platform on which you stand rather than one wheel in front of the other, they don’t require the same balance.

The guides of Tucson Segway Tours are on their Segways in front of a walkway overpass in the shape of a rattlesnake, a very impressive site and part of the tour.  You can see the open mouth of the rattlesnake with one eye showing at the top right of the overpass.  The guides are standing on what could very well be the snakes tongue.

Our guests were very impressed with their tour.  Try this very different way of seeing historic Tucson, Arizona.

photo credit: SearchNetMedia

Tucson Massage therapist for Hacienda del Desierto B & B

soothed by Pamela Joosten, a Tucson massage therapist.  She offers therapeutic, neuro-muscular, lymphatic, hot stone, aromatherapy, and raindrop therapy.  Guests can have that massage right in the privacy and comfort of their own guest room.  Last week she also gave a massage to a woman on vacation who was six months pregnant.

Luckily, Tucsonans don’t have to stay with us to have that special massage but can get one either in their own home or at her home.

Those interested can obtain contact information through Hacienda del Desierto.

Shishkebab House of Tucson

Eastern, Greek, or Mediterranean food. We have a problem trying new dishes at the restaurant because we so love the Shawarma (made with beef, lamb, or chicken)  salad,  motabal, and fresh pita bread. David was taken there one weekend evening for his birthday celebration when there was a belly dancer performing. That was great fun!  Shishkebab House of Tucson is a small, informal restaurant at the end of a strip mall across the street from Park Place Mall.  5855 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ.

Baskets & Other wares

food, lectures, and a craft fair highlighting handcrafted Indian pottery and basketry.  What a perfect day for Tucson visitors and locals including families.

There was an interesting lecture about the development of the Rincon Valley from the 1870′s through the 1930′s both in Spanish and then in English with historical pictures and maps of the early areas and the people that homesteaded there.

As we were leaving, the Mariachis were singing, and Mexican dancers were

Mariachi Singers

getting ready to perform in their native costumes.

Several of our guests at Hacienda del Desierto asked to check out a bit late because they were so caught up with the activities there.

Singing Wind Bookstore

Originally uploaded by Kutsavi

If you are a book lover visiting or living in the Tucson area, you might want to consider a drive to a secluded ranch bookstore outside of Benson that specializes in Southwestern and western themes called the Singing Wind Bookstore.

It is run by Winifred Bundy who has lived there for 52 years and run the bookstore for 33 of those years. We encourage book lovers at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast to venture down there, about a 40 minutes drive.

The bookshop carries thousands of mostly new books, and Winn knows where everyone of them are. She greets guests and shows them how the books are organized, and can recommend books also. We can’t send you to her website because she doesn’t have one, yet she’s nationally known. The bookshop is open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and most holidays. You’re sure to walk away with at least one book so bring cash or your checkbook as she doesn’t accept credit cards. If you don’t have a GPS, you might want to print out a Google
map.

Several times a year she hosts different groups of western writer’s who tell about their books and have them there to sell. One can visit with the authors, buy books, browse the shop, listen to live music, and eat a buffet meal.

The address is 700 West Singing Wind Rd.
Benson, AZ
Phone 520-586-2425