Thursday, March 23rd – Wednesday, March 29th
Catalina State Park – Tucson, Arizona
The drive from New Mexico to Arizona was spectacular, as we
chose to drive highway 60, a back road mountain drive. After spending a night
at the Walmart parking lot in Show Low, Arizona, we woke up to a very cold
morning and snow falling. Wow, we knew it was cold, but snow in March? However,
Show Low is at a high altitude of 6345’. The scenic drive from Show Low to
Globe, Arizona was one of the most beautiful and surprising drives we have ever
taken. We passed over high altitude mountains, through a few passes and two
major canyons. The first view to take our breath away was Corduroy Canyon, with
multi-colored reds and browns along the canyon walls. Further along the road we
passed through the Salt River Canyon, which was even bigger and longer. At a
rest stop down in the canyon, we were able to view the river up close. This
area was used for white water rafting and kayaking. We watched a few paddlers
receiving training for an upcoming white water trip. After a few hours, the
road wound out of the mountains and down into the Tucson Valley. We finally
arrived at Catalina State Park, at the base of the Catalina foothills. We
stayed at this park back in 2014 when were in Tucson. We love it there!
While there, we hiked some amazing trails in the park. The
longest, most challenging trail is the Romero Canyon trail, which I hiked by
myself, while Kurt mountain biked at the Golder Ranch. Kurt hiked Romero Canyon
on the next day. Another day, I hiked my favorite trail, Montrose Pools, a
smaller canyon with a creek flowing down through the canyon with multiple small
waterfalls and water pools. The hike was challenging with steep climbs, rock
scrambling and trying to follow the trail among the rocks and water. It was
very enjoyable on a beautiful day in the mountains.
We also mountain biked at Tucson Mountain Park, on some
great desert trails. After biking, we stopped at the Saguaro National Park
Visitor Center. The Saguaro (sa-WAH-ro) cactus are unique to southern Arizona
in the Sonoran Desert. This time the Saguaro were not yet in bloom, too early
in the season. In 2014 when we were here, they were in full bloom with gorgeous
white flowers on the very tops of the cactus arms.
On our last day there, we went back to the Golder Ranch
trails. The weather was perfect for riding; sunny and a little chilly. We both
rode trails that we enjoyed. At one point, I took a wrong turn and ended up in
a field where cattle were grazing. No problem, until I realized I was not on
the right trail, turned around and on the way back, a young black cow was standing
right in the middle of the trail facing me. We had a standoff for a few minutes
before he decided to move along off the trail.
Whew! I didn’t want to stand out there much longer, it was a little
nerve racking. Anyway, I got back on track and really had fun on the rest of
the ride.
Now it was time to continue westward. The next stop will be
in Yuma, Arizona where we have never been.
