Saguaro commuters; Mt. Lemmon; Motown

Saguaro National Park's Tucson Mountains unit is suffering from urban sprawl and traffic. Too many people living in Avra Valley sprawl, west of Tucson, are now commuting fast through the park on Picture Rock Rd., making it one of the deadliest roads around for wildlife roadkill, and riskier also for cyclists and motorists.

The Park Service would like to close or restrict the road to protect park values, but the decision lies with Pima County. The best solution is for an alternative route around the north end of the Tucsons, and then stop through traffic on Picture Rocks. RTA should be planning this as a project to go to the voters.

Up on the Catalinas this weekend it was nice. A camper near us was ticketed by the freddies with an 'opportunity to pay', but on the 'free' day. I guess the fee shakedown never stopped on Mt. Lemmon. We escaped a ticket.

It was looking woody around Summerhaven. Many new homes and decks being built with a lot of wood, but supposedly 'fire wall' protections. Looks sketchy. Town area is cleared out, with most snags removed, but many people again planting trees near their homes and increasing fire risk. I should move up there with my family and start a bar.

Detroit Pistons beat Miami tonight, and my prediction marches on.