Sometimes, you meet up with a boy from your hometown. And sometimes, there’s a bear on the ski lift.

Today’s adventure started with a text message from an old friend. “What are you guys doing today?”

Well, I’d washed the laundry and the dog, and probably would have tackled the kitchen next, but an offer to be taken on a drive up Tucson’s Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway was way better than that!

The vistas were incredible — and yes, there really was a bear.

Mark and I went to school together, every year, K-12, and haven't seen each other in about 8 years. Now we've got 5 grown kids between us, and Mark's other name is Grampa, but we could still *totally* pull off an album cover.
Mark and I went to school together, every year from K right on through 12, and haven’t seen each other since a class reunion in 2007.
Now we’ve got 5 grown kids between us, and he’s earned the name Grampa, but we could still totally pull off an album cover.
Tim on the left, Mark on the right. One retired Navy, one retired Army. They do not run out of things to talk about!
Tim on the left, Mark on the right. One retired Navy, one retired Army. They do not run out of things to talk about. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to remember which two of us are the old friends!
Mt. Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at 9,159 feet. 'Twas a nice change of pace to ascend in a car. My knees are very thankful.
Mt. Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at 9,159 feet. ‘Twas a nice change of pace to ascend in a car. After yesterday’s long hike, my knees are very thankful.

IMG_3585 IMG_3584

Yes, there are people up there. Crazy people.
Yes, there are people up there. Crazy people.
Hugs over Tucson
Hugs over Tucson
You remember the Island of Misfit Toys? This is the Container of Sad Candy.
You remember the Island of Misfit Toys? This is the Container of Sad Candy. Spotted it in the snack shop at the base of the ski area.
We think it was the attendant who was loaded -- on something that made him almost too mellow to move. Maybe the Sad Candy?
We think it was the attendant himself who was loaded — on something that made him almost too mellow to move. Maybe the Sad Candy?
Up we go, on a ski lift with no snow! Well, not much anyway.
Up we go, on a ski lift with no snow! Well, not much anyway.
Ski lift selfie
Ski lift selfie. OMG, my hair.
Mark hollered from two lift chairs above us: EMILEEEEE! GET A PICTURE OF THE BEARRRRRR! I looked down and started frantically scanning the ground below. Oh. That bear.
Mark hollered from two chairs above us: EMILEEEEE! GET A PICTURE OF THE BEARRRRRR!
I looked down and started frantically scanning the ground below for any sign of movement.
Oh.
That bear.
View from the ski lift, looking northward down the backside of the mountain
View from the ski lift on our way back, looking northward down the backside of the mountain

Our adventure ended over tacos and beer, with plans for another adventure… tomorrow!

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