That is good news. The pavement had been in bad shape.

Added. A few comments though:
It’s from our place of course. Assuming you’d drive out here, you’d want to find a parking spot somewhere along the Santa Cruz, maybe near the Saint Mary’s access.

For much of the way on the Santa Cruz there are paths on both sides. In general the west side is better and cleaner. I went on the east side on the way back though to swing by Sweetwater.

Pay attention to the underpass crossing at Ina Road, because it’s different depending on direction.

Everything beyond Cortaro Road is a little hit and miss, depending on what’s happening with the construction project.

The ride south along the Santa Cruz to its end on Valencia Road is very nice also.

Do you have a map of today’s ride? Currently compiling routes for our trip.

Oh! It hadn’t occurred to me that he was begging. I’ll have to start stuffing a few dried lizards in my pocket when I go out.

I’m not sure I’ve ever knowingly seen one myself. It’s pretty nondescript.

Meaning, I think the bird wanted a snack from you!

Last winter I had at least one road runner hanging out in the yard. I researched what sort of bird seed they might like and found out that their preferred food is meat. I’ve seen road runners twice (?) with a lizard in their beaks. Lunch!

The bird’s the treat!

Is this your hint for some sort of treat?

I've never heard of that variety of sparrow before. Great catch!

Does it say "Meep meep" or " Beep beep"? As you see I have learned my ornithology from Warner Brothers. They also give the latin name as "tastyus supersonicus". I'll sign this Steve, since no doubt Dodie will not want to be associated with this post!

You probably don’t remember, but this is the bird on the cover of that bird field guide you left for me in the Jetta. It’s still there and I think of you every time I glance down at it.

For nearly 30 years my mailbox on my front porch was a fishing creel. They have that square hole in the top lid. For at least three years in a row a pair of Bewick's wrens made a nest in the creel. I had to wire it shut because even though we had a note for the mail person to use the mail slot in the door instead, they would sometimes forget and put the mail on top of the eggs or chicks!! It was a crazy time because there were cats occasionally and every time we went in or out the front door the wrens would get all upset. At the same time they really liked being in our space! Really cute, curious birds.

Super cute!

It really is a great place. I’d go more often if it weren’t quite so far from town.

Thanks. This is one of those that mainly lives south of the border.