Tag: Saguaro National Park West

Westward NABs

It has been a busy week here at Intrigued HQ. Progressing nicely through the backlog of fixes to props that experienced a malfunction on the trail last year – that amount has been steadily decreasing each year as we continue to “harden” our designs and implementations. The main issue tends to be the trek down and then back up from the valley each year as all the jostling tends to awaken the “spirits in the machine” so to speak. Was able to add a new section of shelving in the outbuilding yesterday to accommodate our every-increasing sized props. Linda declared the prop development has to end when that fills up. I simply pointed at all the leftover 2x4s. I can hear the voice from the cornfield “Build more shelves and the props will come” hehehe. Also getting ahead of all the homestead upkeep. A lot of this push is due to successfully getting my ankle surgeon appointment moved up to tomorrow and bracing for the likely bad news. Trying to keep as much work off of Linda as possible if I’m put out of service for a while. I know I’ll need to rely heavily on Brad to keep you entertained during that recovery, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Sit back and enjoy a few NABs found on our trips out West.

Cat at Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

There are a lot more NABs after the jump!

Continue reading Westward NABs

Yes, Another Sparrow!

We are cranking through May..as we did April..March, before I know it we’ll be setting up for the haunted trail event scheduled for end of September. The haunt lab is in full swing repairing all the items that failed on us last year. Once through that we shift into our favorite part of the year – creating new animations and decorations for our guests to enjoy. Things have been busy in the rest of the Intrigued departments as well. Regular ol’ Santa’s Workshop summer edition. Brad is currently checking in with our headquarters out west while I’ve been trying to get images ready to go for future posts. In addition, trying to get caught up on all the homestead tasks. The latter has come to a halt thanks to multiple days of steady rain giving me badly needed cycles to get today’s featured feathered friend post out.

Black-Throated Sparrow found at Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

Hit the jump to learn more about this rather colorful member of the Sparrow family.

Continue reading Yes, Another Sparrow!

A Greater Setback

I suppose you could say it is a fitting time for getting things “wrapped” up. All the excitement of seeing the festive colored boxes with their pretty bows bringing joy to kids and adults. The catalyst for this heartwarming affair, a jolly big-waisted fellow that shimmies down the chimney (or alternative burglary entry point into your homestead). Unfortunately, my coal colored gift this holiday year reflects some bad actions earlier in the year. To be exact, October 12th, one of those days that now takes its rightful place among my other noteworthy “mishaps”. The ankle specialist wasn’t wearing festive clothes yesterday, but he did take the time to wrap my gift in a shiny shade of black coal…ho, ho, ho, you are the proud recipient of a non-displaced double fracture! Grinch said WHAT!?!?! Now, in my joint’s defense I need to apologize for all the hurtful comments hurled at it since race-day. It was not faking it for sympathy, a stunt that it has pulled many times in the past – nope, it was damaged and now I am the proud receiver of a black boot that will loudly proclaim I’m damaged goods to anyone we come upon during the next 6 weeks. No running, of course, no long birding hikes (we’ll see) and beach time is likely right out. My Texas trip just took a mighty blow thanks in large part to the first orthopedic surgeon I went to in early November telling me it was nothing, take two aspirin and find your own way out of the office. Lost 4 weeks of recovery time and I’ve been doing chiro visits and physical therapy that was likely making it worse – shocked that it didn’t displace as a result of all the yanking and twisting. While I try to move on to the acceptance phase, decided it was an appropriate time to feature the totem animal for all runners.

Greater Roadrunner found at Saguaro National Park West, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

Hit the jump for some looks at a bird that probably has more running shoes in its closet than I do..and that is saying a LOT.

Continue reading A Greater Setback