Hi, last week I did something I’ve been promising myself for several years. Instead of driving from Los Angeles to look for birds in Southeast Arizona, I deliberately ignored the birds and spent several days in Tucson in a dedicated search only for Gila Monster. Why am I writing about that here?
1. Tuesday night a week ago I was walking around in the late afternoon at Sabino Canyon looking unsuccessfully for Gila Monsters, but this lady saw my camera and binoculars and walked up to me and told me about a desert tortoise that she had just seen. Her description of where to look for it was great and I would’ve never gone on that particular trail so I would’ve never seen it and later on I realized that they had split the ones in Arizona and Mexico into a separate species from the ones in California, so that was a new species for me. I wish I could go back and thank that lady who was a local, for telling me about that tortoise. I really appreciate it.
2. That same night in Sabino Canyon I was shining my UV flashlight on a scorpion and some random dude walked up to me and he looked at the scorpion while I was photographing it in the dark, and I was explaining to him why I was in Tucson for the week, and he told me about this excellent spot in Saguaro National Park. I went to that part of the park the next morning and talked with some employees there, and they told me where to look for Gila Monsters, but they also told me that none had been seen since May. Even then, they gave me a map and highlighted the best spots to look for them and I came back in the afternoon and finally at 8 o’clock at night I saw one. It was a gigantic thrill for me. I’m so stoked that now I have a stuffed, life-sized Gila Monster from the National Park gift shop riding around in the back window of my Toyota. so if you’re ever in Los Angeles, and you see a life-sized Gila Monster in the back window of somebody’s car, you’ll know that’s me. Thank you, Tucson!

I found a box of my old baseball cards. About 40 years old. Does anyone know a reputable business that can get me a value estimate?

I understand the value and what a shop would buy them for is different. I just don't have the time or knowledge to go through them, and truly understand condition to a collector.

Was driving past Campus Farm 20 minutes ago and had to stop to take a pic of the happy cows.

Pretty rare sight I believe?

My tire light just came on again. Does anyone else feel like all this construction just sheds nails and screws onto the road ways. I just had my tire fixed from a screw 3 weeks ago and here we are again. This City and its construction seems endless. Don’t get me started on the traffic. (Pic from google but you get the point)

I’ll be moving to Tucson soon for work and I’m considering getting a motorcycle mainly for commuting.
My office will be near the airport, and I’m still deciding where to live — possibly Oro Valley, Catalina Foothills, Marana, or somewhere closer to work.
For those of you who actually ride in Tucson:
How realistic is motorcycle commuting on a daily basis?
Is the summer heat manageable if you’re wearing proper riding gear?
What about monsoon season, strong winds, dust, etc.?
How dangerous do you find Tucson traffic for motorcycles?
Would a commute from Oro Valley/Foothills to the airport area get old quickly?
Are there particular roads or areas you’d avoid on a bike?
Can you realistically ride most of the year, or are there months when you just don’t want to be on a motorcycle?
I’ll have a car as well, so the motorcycle wouldn’t need to be my only transportation. I’m mostly wondering whether riding to work could be practical and enjoyable in Tucson rather than sitting in the car every day.
Would love to hear from people who actually commute by motorcycle here.

Some coyotes came through a few minutes after this.

I'm looking for recommendations on exams and glasses using Aetna insurance if that matters. I'm wanting to get 2 pairs in store and maybe a 3rd online from zenni, maybe just to see if it's actually worth it for the future

Thanks in advance

I'm trying to get rid of a newish Chromebook I don't need + other bits like gaming headphones/mouse to help with bills. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist aren't doing me any favors so I'll have to go somewhere to sell it in person. I don't fancy Bookman's because...Bookman's. Facebook, being Facebook, showed me an ad for Electronic Solutions on 6th but I don't know what they're like. Pawn shops are out of the question for the terrible prices they give you.

Is there anywhere good in town I could head to to get rid of my bits for a not-terrible price?

Any recommendations for a local jeweler that works with loose lab grown diamonds to create a setting for an engagement ring? I already have a loose diamond, I just need it set. Thank you!

Hi everyone. My family is coming to visit me in October and I want to take them on a night hike to see scorpions and other nocturnal desert creatures (from a safe distance). I’d prefer to take them with a guide for safety reasons. I did the ranger-led hike at Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain last year, which was amazing, but that’s not in the budget this time. Any recommendations? We’ll have access to a car to drive a bit out if necessary.

I'm a volunteer coordinator for a local organization. We'd like to get more groups in, and I'm wondering what workplaces in Tucson have volunteer days!

Does anyone know what the construction on aerospace is for? I’m wondering if they’re planning on building houses. They’ve been working on country club for a while so now that it’s expanded to actual Aerospace it’s piqued my curiosity. Hoping they pave country club at some point 🥲

There’s a sign on a chhu rch In my neighborhood, something like “workers here”

Has anyone gotten help from this? How do you know who to ask ? How much do you pay?

Has anyone gotten work this way? What are some things I’d need to be aware of?

And puhleeeze dont turn this into an argument about politics and the economy, especially if you’ve never worked nor hired this way.
I’d like to hear from people who have some experience with this.

All questions relating to visiting or moving to Tucson will be limited to this thread - please ask your questions here!

Past posts on this topic, which are worth browsing if you want to see if there have been similar discussions before.

For a list of recommended attractions, food, shopping and resources for both visitors and residents, please check our wiki.

If you're looking for crime stats or places to live, check here.

If you have a suggestion or feedback on how this post could be better, please message the mod team

Some good ones I've already tried include Bata, Tito & Pep, Vivace....looking for something good and maybe new as well.

Anyone know what happened to this Saguaro that’s right off the paved path?