La Quinta Inn and Suites Tucson Airport

... this mission to advocate for Lizzie and other people like her who rely on the generosity of others. I would like to be a part of more trips like this to educate/encourage public volunteerism. I am thankful I could be a small part of this team.


Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

... Bells home. The house built by ABC Extreme Homemakeover. Their home was incredibly beautiful. It had a huge front gated entry. The home was spacious with cathedral ceilings and open rooms. It was built as a green home- so it was spectacular and eco-friendly. Lizzie had a room where she can design clothes and she even has her own bath. The most impressive part was the back yard/living area. There was an outdoor fireplace you could see through on both sides, there ...

... earth that keep out the intense desert sun.
It's quiet streets and vibrant colors present a dichotomy though. The one, neglect--the other, a fiesta.
Don't expect tourist heaven if you go there. They couldn't care less if there's a tourist in sight. It's a calm, quiet residential area of private homes with a smattering of businesses--an architect, an artist, and on the corner nearest Tucson's central business ...

... booth had volunteers from State Farm Insurance- our main sponsor. There were thousands of people walking around to look at all the vendors goods.

We were there to educate and get donations for the Bell Foundation- which benefits sick children and families in the Tuscon area. We told our side of the importance of blood/marrow donations. Lizzie Bell, the young woman we are riding for is fighting a battle. She has Diamond Blackfan ...

... colors of the mountains are incredible- purple, blue, red, orange. I have never been to Tucson, so I was glad it was warm and sunny here.

Cindy and Gary came two hours later - we then put our bikes together. Kathy rented a Ford van for us to use on our own. So, the four of us cruised around a bit and then we went to the Tucson Convention center to attend a sponsor dinner( a tradition for the Tour De Tucson bike race).
There were many ...

... in addition to an international team of conservators who have spent years cleaning and repairing.
The result is an incredible display of 1700's Spanish artistry and the oldest intact European building in the state.
After visiting Tumacacori and the Presidio at Tubac, we were amazed at the intricacy and vibrancy of the paintings and sculpture. This is a place much loved by it's people.

... up from the airport in San Diego, California. We take them to Petco Park (#3) for a Padres game, and later in their visit we all see Grand Canyon NP (#4) for the first time. December 2005: We revisit the Pacific Northwest for Xmas, and Kirsten sees her first Seahawks game March 2006: We return to San Diego and Petco Park for the Inaugural World Baseball Classic semifinals and Championship...we decide we want to ...

... hipness...homeless teens play hackey sack out side the Mayors Office as El Primo peers through closed blinds with silent insect lust...Tall cactus and angular rock formations set the back drop for a Road Runner cartoon. Shift of gears, squeal of brakes, we roll into El Paso, Texas. Here the dream is suffocating, more real than real, the past actually, incredibly, invading the present. It's like you can reach out and have ...

Today we went to the Tohono O'Odham Native American Rodeo. I was very impressed with how polite and friendly everyone was, including all the kids. Really nice pleasant people. The rodeo was fun to watch and we had the best Chile Indian Taco made with Indian Fry Bread. Well, worth the trip. Before we went to the rodeo we were going to stop at the little town of Sells on the Indian Reservation, but we got there ...

... staircases, Isabelle had her head stuck in a walkway railing...you get the idea. We left without any major injuries and headed south through a literal forest of cacti to Phoenix. We arrived at the Arizona Biltmore that evening. The hotel was designed by another student of Wright (name escapes me), and has a distinct craftsman/prairie-style feel, but is much more opulent. For example, the ceiling is covered with 320,000 4 inch-square leaves of gold, placed there ...