Hiking Ventana Canyon — December 13, 2019 — Photo-Essay by Kenne
Ventana Canyon is one of several narrow canyons in the southern front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. This hike is usually scheduled each fall and spring by the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, which involves crossing water over a dozen times.
— kenne
In September of 2011, I titled a post “Why Would Anyone Do This?” There were several Saguaro cactus that were vandalized on the Bear Canyon Trail in Sabino Canyon.
In August of 2015, I posted a follow-up photo-essay on the damaged cactus.
Recently I photograph the cactus that were damaged, again.
— kenne
Images by kenne
Mission San Xavier del Bac — Image by kenne
Our good friends Ken and Mary Harris, from Porter, Texas have been our guest since Thursday,
which means we have an excuse to visit some of our favorite place in southern Arizona.
Above, Joy and Mary are standing on the walk in front of the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Joy, Mary and Ken
Images by kenne
Puerto Yuman
Puerto Yuman
Before returning to Copacabana, we boarded our boat for a short ride to Puerto Yuman
where one of the island’s many ruins, a staircase up to the village of Yumani.
Ancient stairway with statues of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the world’s first two Incas.
The Incas built 200 steps to aid in the climb to the top of the island.
The stairway also leads to a scared fountain said to be a fountain of youth.
Ty, Michael and Matt — Images by kenne
Because of our limited time and no transportation allowed on the island,
we missed out hiking the island trails and visiting
most of the ancient ruins and beautiful views from the top of the island.
— kenne
Michael is pointing to where most of the hotels and restaurants are on the Isla del Sol.
We docked for lunch in a cove just west of there.
The captain’s daughter helps tie the boat to the dock.
Lake Titicaca has 41 islands, some of which are densely populated.
Lunch on a deck overlooking Lake Titicaca.
Lunch On The Isla del Sol
Lunch On The Isla del Sol
Lunch On The Isla del Sol
View of Lake Titicaca — Images by kenne
Our next stop was Tiquina where we took a boat across to the peninsula that Copacabana is on.
Waiting for the boat I noticed a Cholita grandma who I pictorially followed to covered our crossing.
Images by kenne
We continue on HWY #2 out of El Alto passing through Batalla.
Soon we begin to see parts of Lower Lake Titicaca.
Lower Lake Titicaca. The lake is bordered by both Bolivia and Peru,
and from where we stood we could see Puno in Peru. 
Lower Lake Titicaca
Michael shares some history and geography of Titicaca.
We are standing at approximately 13,000 above sea level
where the high temperature for this time of year is about 60 degrees.
Our next stop will be Tiquina where we will take a boat
across to the peninsula that Copacabana is on.
— Images by kenne
