Back in the heartland after toastygood
shenanigans with family in central Arizona.
As a freelancer, I am able to
write and correspond with editors remotely.
(BTW, picked up a local parenting or family magazine lately?
Chances are, I have an article or two in there.)
above: Mineral Mountains in central Arizona as viewed from south of Box Canyon
One of the highlights of this trip was a 10 mile
morning hike in Box Canyon with my dad and BIL.
We will not speak of the treacherous 13-mile drive into the canyon
in a filthy van whose owner may or may not be a hoarder.
We will not mention the remnants of happy meals from 1999 littering
said van's floor, faulty brakes, or how a waify blogger began to
scat (not swear) at some particularly frightening
Dukes of Hazard boulderiffic moments.
scoooooobiddy-tooobiddy-boo-boo-boo!
Seeing so many of these openings in the mountains
creeped me out initially. Then I began to
hope we would see something like this:
We did see a snake and lots of lizards.
Also: my hiking companion fibbed this would be
a 'flat' hike which it was not. I did some climbing
which is fun. Running down is not as fun.
My dad (the cutest pastoral counselor in the universe)
made a walking stick, and if the surroundings
were not biblical enough, this detail sealed it.
I loved the unique chartreuse colored moss
on the rocky mountains...in some areas, the hue
was electric, very 80's friendly, proving that nature
is always in fashion.
We met these bikers (on Yamaha 250s) so
of course I had to mention I was a blogger
who would appreciate a photo.
Believe it or not, one of these guys
said he rides primarily for fitness!
Apparently the upper body workout
is intense on these dirt bikes...I had no idea.
My BIL wanted to reach these very remote 'coke ovens'
which were built in the 1800s as charcoal kilns
for the nearby mine. When the mine closed,
they were actually used for residences!
Alas, 10 miles was enough for this mama, so maybe next time
we will find them.
So you see, it isn't always
rose petals and champagne
here in hellolovely land...
and couldn't we use a sonoran desert
vegetation lesson about now?
Of course, we could.
Next stop? Move over, scorpions.
It's Paris, baby.
What did we learn today, class?
Peace to you right where you are.
