A Desert Hike, with Sharp Things!

We found ourselves on I-10, tired and done with the bleak scenery.  Opting to not stay at rest stop along the highway, we pulled over at a state park.  Picacho Peak State Park, to be more specific.  Located between Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona.  We liked it so much that we stayed 2 nights.

It is a beautiful park, free from the light pollution of the 2 cities.  The stars were incredible!  So was the unpredictable weather; high winds and rain over night.

The park boasts of great views along its hiking trails.  So we ventured out on Sunday to climb the trail, to where you need ropes and gloves to climb higher.  About 6 miles of hiking in total.  The weather stayed clear and cool for the hike, just perfect.

Here are some photos of the hike.  We climbed about 2500 ft over the course of the 3 miles, towards the peak.

All things OUCH

One doesn't like heights, one doesn't mind the space

The Tata Cactus

Love Lost

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE/index.html

The Winter Wonderland of the Desert

I thought that I'd have to give up snow this winter, or at least seeing it on the ground, while we are in the south.  Christmas came and went, green with varying shades of dry grass.  We spent the holiday in Houston (a huge "Thank You" to Jackey for taking in our nomadic gypsy family!)  And although the weather gave us a storm, sadly there was no snow, tornados though were part of the day's festivities.  Dallas, 3.5 hours north of Houston received 3" of snow.  *sigh*

Frosted Desert Foliage

The changes of the seasons seems to me a very Canadian thing.  We change over our closets and tires to accommodate the snows arrival and departure.  The seasons help transition the year.  I couldn't imagine living in a set climate without the rise and fall of temperatures.  Dull, taupe/yellow, burnt out grass will never say, "Hello Winter", to me.  I like the cold; when there is snow.  But cold just on its own, I'm not a fan.

After Christmas we started our drive west, through the Texas desert.  And guess what?!?!?!?!

SNOW!!!!!

Texas Cowboy playing in the snow with his kids.

Windshield views.

The side of the highway had snowmen greeting us as the miles passed by, the rest stops had families playing in the snow for what looked like the first time, the branches of the trees were heavy with frost and I finally felt like winter had arrived.

New Mexico welcomes us!

We didn't stay long with the snow though, we are not winterized and know too well the expense of burst water line pipes.

Now that I've seen snow I feel ready for the spring.  But that could be because we are now in the sun and warmth of Tucson and within an 8 hour drive of the California coast.