Truth be told I had hoped not to spend another summer in southern Arizona. But here we are, first week of August, and here I am, still simmering in the Sonoran desert. Looks like I’ll see the full season a third time through in spite of concentrated efforts to abscond. As some guy sang in the 60s, ‘You can’t always get what you want…’ Though I tried.
We’ll see if I get what I need. Change is on the horizon. Slow progress and counseled patience.
I do love the desert, even in the summer, though the constant heat grows oppressive after months on end. It got hot a lot earlier this year, with daily temperatures in the 100s since late May and no signs of forecasted relief. Weeks of ‘Excessive Heat Warnings’ and records breaking in steady succession. All-time highs and ‘longest streaks above’ and continual river gauge readings of ‘much below normal’ or more dismal yet. Inadvertent daily doomscrolling in simply checking the weather.
Some people have big plans to fix things though, if they get their way. It’s simple, really, just get rid of science, abolish organizations like NOAA (always with their bad news), and move back to medieval times all around. What need hath reality to be objective? Things were great in the Dark Ages. Revel in these post-truth times. I digress and won’t continue in this vein. Don’t look up. Must be the sun.
Suffice it to say that it’s kinda tough to do a whole lot in the extreme heat. I walk a few miles for work once or twice a week, but big adventures in southern Arizona summers have little appeal. One must find alternatives to outdoor recreation with which to occupy mind and muscle and imagination. My excuses, that is, for not having more to report. Since spring there have been a few walks, a couple nights outdoors, a week to visit family in Texas and friends in New Mexico, several construction projects, and more recently a quick trip to Silver City. Photos and musings below.
Aravaipa Canyon
I’ve written a few things about Aravaipa Canyon before. It’s one of the wilderness areas within the field office I work at, and I’m out walking the canyon several times a month regardless of the weather. Most of the time I’m out there on my own, but back in May I went with several of the office staff so they could check out the area. It’s common to see a lot of wildlife out that way, and this day did not disappoint. The following wildlife and saguaro photos were all taken by Clara Gauna. Thanks Clara!
Summer Projects
Shifting focus, as mentioned, in an effort to feel productive and fulfilled in the absence of normal activity. I love the challenges and rewards in learning new skills—though failure and frustration inevitably both disrupt and enhance (in aftermath) the process. For several months we’ve been working on a guest house/rental on Krissy’s property and finally finished everything up last week. One of the major efforts involved building a breakfast bar and pouring a concrete countertop in place—a literal blood, sweat, and tears endeavor. Other fun projects have been making wooden signs, refinishing a picnic table, and fermenting various beverages.
Silver City, NM and the Gila Wilderness
Went over to Silver City, New Mexico for a couple of days to visit the Gila Wilderness and Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The Gila was the ‘world’s first designated wilderness’ receiving said distinction in 1924. We walked the path at the dwellings the first morning and hiked a nice loop into the wilderness that afternoon. The protected area encompasses the headwaters of the Gila River, which is the river I boat at work when there’s water in it, and it was cool to walk down several miles of the Middle Fork. The following day we took a trail east of town to a petroglyph site featuring images of dragonflies located next to a picturesque creek that buzzes with the same in the right seasons. The town of Silver City was also fun to explore and offers a variety of art, restaurants, and historical sites. Top picks would be the Little Toad Brewery and Whiskey Creek Zócalo—an awesome space with wood-fired pizza, live music, lots of art, and even a plant nursery! Good times.
Just for Fun
Blooming cactus, bird’s nest in a cholla, and a friend I made while driving around at work a couple days ago. Hope you’re all enjoying the summer wherever you may be and whatever you may be doing. Until next time…
Like Water 