I might have mentioned a that a few months back a buddy of mine came to the area to visit. While he was here we crammed in as much Exploring as possible. Years ago we used to go on long hikes and than pull the closing shift at work. Few other people seem to go on hikes with us more than once. Mainly because one of our hikes seems to involve getting lost, a lot of cussing, falling down hills, and a lot of repeating the phrase "This is stupid!" We said the this a lot on this hike. Mostly because we found ourselves high up on a mountain-- trying to climb at about noon. Never the best idea in the middle of the desert. We also spend a lot of time wondering what happened to our youth and more importantly all the energy we used to have. My wife seems to wonder the same thing. On this day we ventured to Saguaro National Park.
We hit several neat spots on this day around Tucson.
I have a whole list of places in the area I want to visit.
And am slowly working on the list.
As our personal bank account grows, so will the adventures.
Across this entire amazing state!
So many trails So little time!
I am always amazed at the huge variety of plants that thrive in this area.
And try to capture different plants in each post.
On this day -first we visited the information center.
And than drove around the twisty roads taking in the sights.
At one point -we decided this hill would be a great place to attempt to climb.
I am still not sure why the best hikes are always greatly up hill!
Before and after cactus style.
Nearing the ridge.
Some views from the top.
And some well earned time to catch our breath.
Only to loose it again from the view.
Greetings!!
So this whole time we kept wondering why we did not see another person on the trail.
As the sun grew higher and higher we deeply started to regret playing mountain goats. Near the ridge --we did get some cross winds.
My shorts were covered in tiny cactus points almost to small to see.
As we walked on the prickly points would work there way into our skin, not out -and to the ground.
When a large group or even one of them connected with the skin, we would yelp out in pain and than exclaim again how -not smart this hike might of been.
I would like to say the way back down was easier,
but time consuming because we had to wind back down the hill attempting not to fall or
touch any more cactus.
It seemed like the more we walked --the further the car got from us.
I was sweating so much that all of my sun screen was now in my eyes.
Making navigation even easier of course.
And at this point-- it was high noon, and the sun was just above us.
I had work later that evening and was already thinking of reasons to call in.
Top of the list could have easily been a broken leg.
Suddenly---minutes away from the car my buddy found a sign facing the other way from us.
He rushed around to read it.
And than started laughing very loudly. .....
This was facing the parking lot, but we had by-passed it some how.
We had seen no one else the entire time---because we were not actually on a trail.
Sorry park rangers!
For many more pictures of mine and Exploring please check out my Washington state page also! http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
And my longest running blog page--- www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com
