We would like to say our 10 days at Catalina State Park near Tucson was paradisiacal but actually it was disappointing. Thank you, Mother nature!
While we were able to hike most days, it was rather cool, windy and wet.We would start off bundled up,
after a mile or so, we were taking it off.
The more than usual amount of rain flooded the usually dry washes.
On the bright side, the unusually rainy winter brought out the desert blooms.
The abnormal season also provided beautiful sunsets.
A fire in the summer of 2020 left it's footprint.
Our favorite hike, about a 5-mile roundtrip trek from our camp site was Dripping Springs. Least favorite, was Saguaro National Park which is basically a forest of saguaros. As always, we welcome visitors to our campsite, especially those from our travels, like Nancy from Estes Park, CO whom we first met at Catalina in 2020. Catalina State Park is conveniently located across the highway from Oro Valley Marketplace which, to ABN's delight hosted an Art and Craft Festival. And on Thursdays we could get gelato with our choice of toppings for half price at Peachwave just because we are seniors! Although Catalina State Park is awesome with great hiking trails, friendly camp hosts, clean and spacious shower houses and music in the park, we have had enough of intentional living (without water, sewer and electricity) for now. We are headed home to long showers, heated porch, haircut (for one of us), individual space, Mellow Mushroom/Dry Ground, Tipsy Tuesday, fast internet and in-person church. Give us a few months and we will be yearning to get away from home maintenance, constant internet and TV, heat and humidity, yard/garden work and neighborhood construction. |
All of us here in the west are patiently waiting for spring to finally--finally!--take hold. Still, it looks like you had a wonderful experience, and I sometimes say to Donna, "Maybe we should make the investment in an motorhome and do the same some year."
ReplyDeleteDennis, it has been a wonderful experience catching up with old friends and making new ones. Our country is amazingly diverse. We have found that most of us are more alike than different. Hope you and Donna will take the plunge.
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