The drive from Samarkand to Panjakent and then up to the Seven Lakes isn’t far, but it did take us about 7 hours to get from the hotel to the 7th lake. The first time suck was the border crossing from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan. It took us about 90 minutes to complete numerous steps forContinue reading “Haftkul (Seven Lakes) — UZ5”
Author Archives: catrionabikes
Samarkand — UZ4
Mostly pictures for this one. The first day Derek and I stayed pretty close to the hotel, just exploring the Registan and surrounding area. Heather joined us in the evening, and we’ll be rolling together the next few days. Registan We returned to the square after dinner to watch the light show. Samarkand has workedContinue reading “Samarkand — UZ4”
Chimgan Trekking — UZ3
I may be spoiled for future backpacking after trekking with donkeys to carry the gear! We spent 3 days with a guide and 5 other guests hiking in the Chimgan Mountains, part of the Tien Shan range. The conditions were more dusty and dry than typical, since there’s been no rain for 80 days. TheContinue reading “Chimgan Trekking — UZ3”
Tashkent — UZ2
A few nights in Tashkent to get past jet lag and to get grounded in Uzbekistan was the idea – and it seems to have done the trick Many buildings in Tashkent were wiped out in the 1966 earthquake, so there is a strong Soviet era theme to the buildings now here. It was easyContinue reading “Tashkent — UZ2”
HOM – TAS — UZ1
We’re on our third “honeymoon” and it was quite the journey to get here, literally and figuratively. In 2019 Laurie and I decided it would be fun to visit Heather at her new post in Uzbekistan. Tickets were booked for April 2020 and the planning commenced. Then Covid changed everything for a few years. Heather’sContinue reading “HOM – TAS — UZ1”
More desert hiking
Butcher Jones Trail to Burro Cove The path is mostly packed dirt, weaving through a mix of saguaros, mesquite, and palo verde. It’s not a difficult hike, but there are a few rocky sections and mild inclines. We heard and smelled a critter in the brush, but didn’t spot what it was; some other hikersContinue reading “More desert hiking”
Fountain Hills
The fountain of Fountain Hills was built in 1970 and for about a decade was the tallest in the world. Today, the it’s the second tallest in the United States, and fourth tallest in the world. The fountain runs for 15 minutes every hour from 9am to 9pm. Most of the time it runs onContinue reading “Fountain Hills”
Cholla Loop
We did a heart-shaped loop in honor of Valentine’s Day. Beep. Beep. Kaela spotted a roadrunner.
Arizona State Capitol
I’ve always had a thing for Capitol buildings, ever since my first year in the US on the outskirts of DC. There’s just something about the airy rotundas and the way the sound reverberates in there. In the ranking of rotundas the AZ one is the most disappointing one so far, with the exception ofContinue reading “Arizona State Capitol”
Desert Botanical Garden
Most cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cactus. Also seen: hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, rock squirrels, Gambel’s quail and a desert lupine that looked just like its AK cousin. When I&K were moving to the Phoenix area we were looking for an experience gift for Kaela for her birthday. I searched around the areaContinue reading “Desert Botanical Garden”
Quillpig 