Side Trip

I took a long weekend break from National Park sightseeing and explored the region of desert east and south of Phoenix. Donna is willing and able to try a short backpack hike and I’ve been looking for someplace that would be fun but not too extreem. I don’t want her first hike to be freezing cold, or a struggle up a mountain carrying a heavy pack.  I’m not saying that she will have a hard time backpacking – she walks two miles everyday and is in better shape than I am – just that to see what it is all about dosen’t have to involve marathon distance and mountain climbing. 

I found a nice loop trail south of Superior, AZ that follows part of the Arizona Trail for a few miles and winds along the Alamo Canyon on one side.  It should be warm enough this time of year, and the terrain is relatively flat. Even though the landscape is void of forest, the canyon and unique vegitation should make for an interesting place to hike. 

I continued on to Catalina State Park where I paid too much for a place to park. I’m thinking of getting an electric heater to justify the price Parks are gouging campers in this economic portal. And I could have used one – the temperature in Tucson this morning was 38 degrees. 

I spent most of the day Saturday at the Pima Air and Space Museum.  There is so much to see – almost every plane made in the United States was represented – it would have taken several days to see it all. A lot of the information people around the displays were pilots and it was kind of neat to talk with them. 

Right now I’m in Kartchner Caverns State Park for the night. I’ll take a look at the cave tomorrow and see if it is anything I would be interested in. Then it will be off to see Saguaro NP and look at a lot of big cactus. 
    

5 Responses to “Side Trip”

  1. Dick says:

    You sure are getting to see a lot of places! Isn’t it fun being retired and being able to go where ever you want? Are you going to do the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum or Kitt Peak while you are in the area?

  2. Daryl says:

    Karchner Cavern is nice. It is not as large or as spectacular as some others, but it has been maintained very well since it was first discovered, so you can see it in it’s pristine state.

    I thought I read that hiking in Alamo requires a permit that may have to be bought in advance. Check it out before making plans.

  3. Donna says:

    I can’t wait to hit the trail. I’m not too concerned about the hike if the terrain is not too rugged, but it’s carrying a pack all day with my bad shoulder that I’m not sure of. I hope I can do it. I will join you in the tent at night, though, as I’m not keen on sleeping with the creepy crawlies like Daryl is. If we don’t make it this weekend, we can try for Thanksgiving weekend if it’s not too cold.

    Be safe and hurry back! (I almost said hurry home, but you probably don’t think of Mesa as home yet.)

  4. Scott W. says:

    I’m enjoying reading about your adventures, Dale. My own treks pale in comparison, but I finally made it to Stiglmeier Park this past weekend. Hiked about 3 miles and found 8 caches. Yay.

  5. Dale says:

    My spam filter caught your comment, Scott. I think it should let them through now. Glad to see the weather is still
    letting you geocache. You must be getting close to 1000 by now.

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