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
Unloading at Rurrenabaque
A short walk to Pedro’s Berraco del Madidi Tours office.
It’s mid-day in Rurrenabaque.
Berraco del Madidi Tours office, where we were able to shower before having lunch.
Pedro’s staff. They served us well during our time in Madidi National Park.
Our guide and owner of Berraco del Madidi Amazon Adventure Tours, Pedro Macuapa.
We really appreciate all he did for us making our time in Madidi National Park enjoyable and very successful.
— kenne
(Click Here To See More Photos.)
With the fog lifting, you can feel the jungle moving away.
Now it’s Matt’s turn to take over the lead as Ty enjoys the competition.
It’s all fun and games
as Pedro’s uncle steers clear through the rough areas.
I keep the camera above my shoulders to capture a picture through the rapids.
Here comes the sun!
What a fantastic morning for riding the river waters.
Matt paddles
as Pedro’s uncle steers.
A flock of parakeets are singing in the trees
as three macaws make their own loud, screeching and squawking noise flying by.
— Images by kenne
A morning where the spirits of Madidi are all around.
Shadows abound as the sun tries mightily to open up the sky.
The Berraco del Madidi boat is readied for another day
leading the way to the Berraco del Madidi EcoCamp for the night.
Breakfast before before paddling the rafts down the river.
Pedro already has the raft with Ty and me away from the bank
as I capture another image of our overnight campsite on the Tuichi.
These are moments in life where the self is truly in touch with nature as you listen close
— the sound gets better as eyes are watching.
Moment to moment the shadows on the river surface get darker as the rising sun
blurs in a swirling fog.
If your heart is like mine
you are here with me.
There’s not wind to help the sun in the morning battle,
so Matt and Ty decide to have their own battle rafting down the river.
Some of the recent posting are a little out of order.
This posting follows “Preparing To Raft Down The Tuichi River In Madidi National Park.” 
Balsa wood rafting was one of the things for which we had been waiting.
Here I’m in front of Matt who is paddling while I’m taking photos.
I also had a paddle, but stayed busy taking the trip photos.
Pedro is also paddling, but more important, he is steering.
Behind us is Ty with Pedro’s uncle.
Ty is working hard to overtake us . . .
. . . and does.
The scenery was amazing, or should I say “Amazoning.”
The supply boat with Tom and Maria passing us to go ahead
and select a camp site and start setting up the tents.
Ty and Pedro’s uncle near some rapids.
The river is a little higher because of the recent overnight rains,
reducing some of the rapids.
I usually had to wipe my camera lens after each rapids.
This is where we would spend our first night on the river.
Tom and I shared one of the tents.
Uncle also set up a lean-to tent.
Tom at the dinner table
Maria did the cooking with her husband’s help.
Ty and Tom talking about their first day on the Tuichi River.
Ty and Matt are getting ready to set around a fire being prepared.
— Images by kenne
One of the two balsa wood rafts arrives.
Unloading the SUV before saying goodbye to our driver. He would return to Rurrenabaque.
Pedro begins securing the raft chairs.
The Tacana use strips of bamboo bark to tie down the chairs.
Pedro acknowledges their success.
His helper has a large wad of Cocoa leaves in his mouth, not tobacco.
This is a common practice.
I have placed my backpack with cameras and lenses on one of the rafts
as we wait the arrival of our supply boat as the sun gets lower in the west.
The supply boat finally arrives with camping supplies and additional helpers.
In addition to our guide, Pedro, there will be four helpers for the four of us — talk about caring for us.
We prepare to leave on the balsa rafts.
Tom and the supply boat will depart after our luggage is loaded,
passing us along the way so to begin setting up camp for the night.
Tom, Matt and Ty take in the sights near our hotel in downtown La Paz — Images by kenne
Our first day in La Paz was one of trying to adjust to the altitude and hilly streets without being run over by people and vehicles — most of the streets a narrow and bustling with activity. You learn quickly to move slowly and take your time, which is very important at this altitude (11,942 ft). We started the day with coca teas and leaves while continuing to drinks plenty of water. We were well aware that altitude sickness is not to be underestimated.
La Paz is a beautiful city with a lot of contrasts. There are markets everywhere. The following slideshow will provide a feel of what we experienced walking the street around our hotel.
— kenne
— John Muir
Yesterday’s SCVN Friday hike took place on the Sunset Trail,
a popular summertime hike on Mt. Lemmon connecting hikers
to Marshall Gulch without having to drive all the way up through Summerhaven.
Helen and Ellen ready for the hike.
Ricki and Ellen, out guides make a backup copy of the SCVN Sign-in Sheet.
Ricki goes over the Safety Rules with the hikers.
Barbara and Jeff on the trail.
A view from Sunset Rock of the hikers on the trail.
Tosh and Liz examining rocks.
Ellen and Ricki have a snake before hiking back to the trailhead.
–– Images by kenne
Over the years we have walked miles in the New Orleans French Quarter and the Garden District.
A few weeks ago while in Houston, we drove over to New Orleans for a couple of days.
Even though it was hot and humid we spent time photographing many scenes we have captured in the past —
there’s just something luring about this city.
— kenne
