May 19, 2011

May 19, 2011

Even though it is May, we awake to snow. Since we don’t see it often, I don’t mind at all. In fact we enjoyed a leisurely drive south thru snow-covered pine forests. Halfway back we stop at Tuzigoot National Monument. This is a National Park location we missed on previous trips thru the area.
The Visitor Center museum is closed for renovations, so we head on to the short self-guided tour. Tuzigoot is the ruins of an ancient Indian pueblo that sits like a castle atop a small hill. This stone “condominium” maybe held some 200 people. Sitting next to the Verde River the Indians cultivated corn in the valley. For some forgotten reason they deserted the site around the year 1400.

We got home in the evening. I took a quick swim in the pool to wash away the memories of this morning’s snow.

May 16-18, 2011

May 16-18, 2011

The recent visit by my relatives renewed our interest in hiking. Aimee decided it was time for a repeat of our favorite all-time hike. The Grand Canyon. So she called a few times and easily got us a cancellation at Phantom Ranch. Normally this has to be made over a year in advance. After a morning round of golf we loaded the car and got to the south rim shortly after sundown. We checked into Bright Angel Lodge and drove blindly in the dark trying to find an open parking spot. Since the Canyon is not lit, I didn’t realize till the next morning I parked within feet of the edge. Good thing my brakes held.

Midmorning, We made our way to the South Kaibab trailhead and started our descent. It was stunning. The only downside was the wind; at times it was gail force with Aimee fearing she might get swept off. At Phantom Ranch, we toasted our arrival with a cold beer from the bar while listening to the afternoon ranger talk. By dinner we were famished; the stew dinner never tasted better.

Our luck didn’t last. Yesterdays wind blew in a storm front. It rained off and on the whole trek uphill turning the trail into mud. By the time we got to the top the rain had frozen into hail. On the bright side the moisture intensified the green and red colors of the canyon. Beautiful.

Between the cold, the altitude and the vertical climb, Aimee and I are exhausted by the time we get to the top. After a hot chocolate, it is into bed for a recuperating nap.

April 27, 2011

April 27, 2011

My sister Jean came to visit this week. I put my brother-in-law to work with a laundry list of gardening chores thinking that would keep him busy all week. He was a ball of energy and finished on the second day; I need to find alternative amusement to wear them out. After the standard warm-up hike around the area, Aimee and I decided to take them on our favorite hike of southern Arizona. We packed the car and headed two hours east to Chiricahua National Monument. Chiricahua is a rock wonderland formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. It has to be the largest concentration of balancing rocks anywhere. I lead them on a 3.5-mile hike thru the middle of this awesome scenery.

My sister was a history major so I figure she would also love the Fort Bowie hike just up the road. It was the ground zero for the Apache Wars. After driving eight miles down a dirt road we arrive at the trailhead. The first stop on the hike is the foundation of a stagecoach rest stop. Jean is already imagining herself crossing this wilderness in a very bumpy and dusty horse-drawn vehicle. A hundred yards beyond is a large cemetery. It seems most were killed by Apaches. Apaches were not the farming type and instead preferred to live by raiding. They had to keep coming back to this spot because of the natural spring here. Despite no rain in six months, this water source continues putting out cold water. It feels great splashed on my head. At the top of the pass is the park Visitor Center and the few remaining walls of Fort Bowie. From here the army went out in search of Cochise, and then later Geronimo. By the time we get back to the car my sister is finally tired. She celebrates the experience by watching the John Wayne movie, Stagecoach.