Much of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has been closed since 2003 due to illegal cross-border activity. Back in 2002, one of their own, Ranger Kris Eggle, was gunned down in an attempt to apprehend members of a drug cartel. They renamed the Visitor Center in his honor, and later closed down much of the park in fear that they could not protect the visitors. Continue reading
From Tucson I have the intention to head toward Alpine, CA to rendezvous with my fellow tribe-mates Debbie and Kim, when I get word from Contessa that they will be crossing the border on their way back from Mazatlan, headed home to Canada in a few days. After a few frenetic email exchanges, we finally figure out that a long talked about meet-up in the desert might just be doable Continue reading
I am on a quest while in Tucson to see the things I didn’t get to see last year, either due to time constraints for work, or in the case of Wasson Peak, lack of ability. There was a Ranger-led hike to Wasson Peak during my visit last year. I wanted to participate in the program, but didn’t want my tortoise pace to hold up the group. I still have a tortoise pace, but this year I decide I am good to go on my own. Continue reading
Well, the mercury for one. It reached 93 degrees here. The Saguaro National Park brochure says the average temperature for this time of year is 72 degrees. Next year is the park’s 100th birthday. This latest run of high temperatures makes me wonder if perhaps they have not updated the chart since establishing the park back in 1916. Continue reading
After spending a stretch of days in remote destinations, living off a diet of Clif Bars, PB&J sandwiches, and my own boring cooking, I was ready for some urban dining when I got to Tucson. Goodness knows, there are opportunities here with a lineup of chain restaurants to attract the masses to the most upscale of strip malls. Continue reading
I fell in love with Tucson when I visited last year, but my time was limited. I was on my own version of the Amazing Race to make it to Oregon in time for the spring Skinnie Winnie Rally, so I limited myself to three nights in both parks; Catalina and Gilbert Ray. I loved both of them equally for their different surroundings, so this year, I vowed to return and stay until I felt like I’d had my fill. Continue reading
As anyone who has followed this blog knows, I suck at navigation. Whether by land or by sea, I have challenges. It’s not that I can’t follow a map, it’s more about not paying attention to where I am on that map. I tend to have a one track mind, and if I am talking or lost in thought, I can ramble for hours without paying attention to landmarks, mileage, etc. So my intentions lately have involved Continue reading
I have often thought I would like to drive the Historic Route 66 in its entirety one day. Known as “Main Street America,” this iconic road was once the main thoroughfare for travelers looking to “motor west.” One of my earliest childhood memories is driving this route through New Mexico and Arizona on our way to Hollywood. Continue reading
As soon as I get through the painfully slow process of check-in at the Supai Lodge and get to my room, I quickly dump out the contents of my backpack, change into my swimsuit and Keens, and take off for the falls. It is now after 1:00pm, and my time for sun is fleeting between these high canyon walls. I have been told the water is 72 degrees year round, but the air is cool, so I know my only hope for a swim is to get there before the afternoon shade. Continue reading
Several years ago, long before the Winnie was even a twinkle in my eye, I saw a Facebook post by my friend Joel’s wife Kathy about a hike she had done to a place I had never heard of before…Havasu Falls. To this day, I can still recall the photos of her standing beside an aquamarine pool beneath a pristine waterfall, set against a back drop of a red rock canyon. Those photos left such an impression that I started an Excel spreadsheet titled simply “Places.xlsx.” Havasu Falls was the first entry in the spreadsheet. Continue reading