visiting the Godtlands

We arrived at the Godtlands later than anticipated, but enjoyed a couple of evenings here.  The first big event (after touring their home and backyard) was to be called by a neighbor who reported Javelinas were walking through the dry run behind the homes.  Bryan was amazed, saying he had been living in this home for three years before ever seeing any of these weird creatures, and we had been there less than an hour . . .

Everyone ran to the fence around the yard, a value when javelinas are around since they root like pigs and could easily get under a normal fence and would find themselves very much at home under a slab floor. We saw probably 6 or 8 of them, the normal family unit.  The link above will tell you they're not very dangerous, particularly with very bad eyesight, but will defend themselves with canine-like tusks.

They're every bit as ugly as these photos indicate, looking like the pig family, but they're not.  Bryan has his "ode" to the javelina in a pair of sculptures in the back yard.

The rest of the yard is pebble-based with numerous desert plants including a couple Saguaros, all planted by him.

In the northwest corner of their back yard he has a nice grouping of plants - and a custom-built chair for viewing the wildlife out in the gully.  It  is fitted directly onto the fence and is removed easily if necessary.

The steer head is western regalia for sure.  We should all have one.

Lonna asked for the name of the special sauce he was using in salads so we took this photo to keep it handy.

Bryan has lost another 30 pounds and walks 3 or 4 hours daily all through the neighborhood.  Before leaving on Monday we ate at Mama's Kitchen, a local kitchen (with terrific food) that he has been known to walk to.  It's probably 5 miles from their home.

Other places he announced to be 57, 58, or 62 walking minutes from home.  And he eats WELL.