Morning Stroll

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO

After yesterday's thirty mile jaunt I decided something easy was in order for today, real easy. Since I had to go to work this morning I needed to go and stretch my legs out before going in. They didn't want to cooperate but I went anyway.

I figured the Living Desert Nature Trail would be a good bet because it's mostly flat, it's well maintained and it's close.

Where else would I be able to hike by Christmas decorations? The Living Desert is getting ready for their Wildlights holiday event so there's a lot going on.

When I get to the start of the trail I figure I'd better sign in just in case I pass out 1/2 mile from here.

I look up on the side of the hill to determine if I want to hike up to this exhibit. The answer to that one is easy: NO.

I'll just stick to the simple path today, thank you.

When I get to where the trail narrows and heads into the canyon I see a group heading into the more rugged section of this route. They can have it. I'll be stopping at the table at the shade structure. That'll be far enough for me today.

Yesterday, thirty miles were OK but that extra three would be too far today.

I've got some Antelope Ground Squirrels to keep me company, though, so this is perfect for now. I watch them scurry around on the rocks while I sit and stretch my muscles. The atmosphere and the hike are exactly what I need, relaxing.

Dry Rain

DAY ONE HUNDRED

All day at work yesterday, people were telling me it was going to rain. That's the forecast, they said. Those people don't live in the desert. I KNEW it was not going to rain. Most days when the forecast calls for a less than 99% chance of rain, it is not going to rain. It's the desert. Hello?

Today I went for a little hike behind The Quarry Golf Club. I'd been eyeing the canyons back there for a while wondering what might be back there. Could there be an oasis? A water tank? Indian artifacts of some type?

I find a trail that leads across the hills to the south of The Quarry. There are trails all over this desert. I sometimes wonder if it would even be possible to hike them all in a lifetime.

I then walk past a huge house that looks like a mission, except I think it's bigger than a mission. I bet the owners probably spend about three months a year here.

I get a shot of this hummingbird getting some nectar from a Palo Verde.

There are some ominous clouds building up over the mountains and I wonder, Is it going to rain? Uh, no. I tell people who come in not to worry about rain in the desert. It's not as bad as rain elsewhere because it's a dry rain.

I walk up a long wash until the canyon narrows. I am surprised to see quite a few footprints along the way. I guess I'm not the only crazy person out here walking uphill in the sand.

I am relieved as the canyon narrows and gets rocky. I much prefer climbing these dry falls to walking in the sand. If I wanted to walk in sand, I'd go to the beach.

I get to a point where I am close to the end but I have to turn back. Work awaits and it's been crazy busy due to spring break. I can't wait for it to end. It's wearing me out.

I look back and I've got a long way to go. Good thing it's all downhill.

I stop from my downhill run to take a picture of a fairly common desert varmint. People often think these are chipmunks but this is an Antelope Ground Squirrel. Some species of this critter can live their entire life without drinking water. They get all the moisture they need from what they eat. No need to wait for rain for these little guy.

I didn't find a whole lot to interest me back here except the million dollar views. I may come back to see what I may have missed but I'll have to plan to do it on a day it's not raining.