When and how do people develop a fear of snakes? Often these fears begin in childhood, whether experiencing one’s own frightening incidents or adopting a parent’s fear. We have even perused a children’s reptile book with pictures demonstrating snakes attacking an unwary adult or lurking in wait with scowling menace for innocent victims. Rather than …
“My dad used to take me fishing and hiking, and I like to do that for my son, too,” a father told us the other day while we displayed and discussed snakes at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. His son stood nearby dressed smartly in his Cub Scout uniform. “I love seeing snakes on the …
Behind the reptile exhibit at White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a “kitchen” of sorts that contains lettuce, red peppers, mealworms, insects, and other items to feed the rats and mice. All these rodents are, in turn, scheduled to be fed to the reptiles on exhibit. All, that is, except one. Pardoned Simon is a …
Searching for activities to occupy us while sequestered in our home during the pandemic, Chuck and I decided to remodel our kitchen. In reality, all that entailed for us was adding handles to the cabinets and drawers. For $30 and a little time, what a difference that made! But that wasn’t the only remodel job …
Recently, we headed to northeastern Arizona in our new truck camper and spent a couple nights to escape the Phoenix oven and engage in a little “social distancing.” More than seeking cooler temperatures and reveling in nature, this was a shakedown cruise to test our recollection of living off the grid with solar energy and …
Fire season seems to be arriving early this year as crews battle several in the area. Just a few weeks ago, a fire started at White Tanks Mountain Regional Park and charred over 100 acres across one of our favorite trails in the Park. Collecting Seeds Shortly after the fire was extinguished, Chuck and I …
“How do you feel about gardening?” The question hung in the air unanswered for several seconds as we pondered. After remaining housebound for several weeks to conform to government mandates that addressed the Covid-19 pandemic, we felt the need to get back to “work.” We drove to White Tank Mountain Regional Park to chat with …