Our last hike

in Arizona took us on switchbacks,

through patches of wildflowers

and over rocks 

along the Dead Horse Canyon Trail. Finally we have reached a fitness level that allows us to comfortably hike 6 miles with an elevation gain of 750 Feet and now we must return home (flat land.)

Social distancing has been easy in Catalina State Park. The campground is spacious, we are self-contained (that means we have our own shower and toilet,) and (with the help of our Corona Cronies and the All Trails phone app), we have hiked the less known and less traveled trails. On the occasion we met hikers on the trail, either we or they stepped off the trail to keep the recommended 6-ft distance. Except for picking up our on-line grocery order, we have not left the park in 10 days.

We will miss distant socializing with our Corona Cronies, our ever present feathered friends,

Arizona sunsets

and all the opportunities for safe outdoor activities. However, we are looking forward to long showers, consistent unlimited high speed internet, our own laundry (we are running out of clean clothes) and a mailing address (ABN has been out of her favorite skin care products for two weeks. )

The plan is to continue self-isolation as we make the 5 day, 1600 mile trek. If all goes as planned, we will not leave The Wanderer except to pump gas (yes, we will use disposable gloves and wash our hands) and maybe walk around an empty parking lot. For the safety of our community, once we are home we will continue to self-isolate for an additional 14 days, just to be sure the enemy has not hitched a ride.

December 18th we embarked on our Winter 2020 Adventure and, in spite of mechanical issues, a hiking injury and the COVID-19 war, we have not been disappointed. We have explored new areas, made new friends, learned to adapt to changes and revisited our contamination prevention skills (from our health care and nuclear energy careers.)  

So now let the last leg of our adventure begin.

Note to email subscribers, hitting reply to the email notification of a new post will send your reply out somewhere in cyber space and we will never know of your comments.  If you wish to comment, please do so in the comment section on the blog site or send a note using the email address you have in your contact list.