2/12/18 Park and School

So today we went back to the desert park nearby and took another lovely walk, trying out a new trail. We didn't like this trail as well as the last one as there was a lot of loose sand and it felt like walking on the beach - very tough on the legs.  We did see some pretty cool cacti though so it was worth it.  I took a pic of some strange new growth on a cholla.

We also saw several hawks.  When we got back, we looked it up and they were Harris's hawks and this is the most northern part of their range.  We also saw several cacti with round holes drilled in them - either by a bird or a small owl.  There was a large epiphyte on one tree and a couple of crazy cacti.  One of them looked like it was chewed by something - insects, birds?  We came back and had lunch and then I was off to read to 4th graders at Manzo Elementary School.  The school is in an impoverished neighborhood and was not doing well, but has turned itself around by adding a chicken coop and a greenhouse in one of the patios.  The parents love to come and help with the gardening and the chickens and have become more involved in all of the school activities.  The second patio had picnic tables and a small stage for performances.   The students in Miss April's class were great!  I had picked up a book at the Habi-Store and read to them for a half hour.  They loved the story and were engaged and responsive to questions.  We only got about four chapters in and they were wondering what was to happen next.  I told them I was donating the book to their classroom and they all cheered.  The book was The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman - an excellent choice for this age group.  When I got back, Dave and I drove for a half-hour to the Good Feet store.  His feet have been bothering him and we thought he might benefit by having new shoes.  He said his feet felt better as soon as the put the new ones on.  We will put his old ones right in the garbage can.  We went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner (celebrating Valentine's Day a bit early) and then drove home.  On the way home, we went by a Chinese restaurant named Wok and Ro (very funny).  When we got home there was a spectacular sunset.  We had a few clouds today which is unusual, but Dave heard there was a 40% chance of rain on Wednesday - we will see.