Gaston warned me the evening before that the guided hike he leads was tentative, and subject to change because of participation, weather, etc. As of Saturday, there were enough participants, but the road leading into the park had washed out because of all the rain (in the DESERT). Gaston would let me know in the morning if the hike was on. "I call you, we hike. No call, no hike" (said in a French-Canadian accent).
Thankfully, Gaston called. The hike was on, but the road still had yet to be cleared completely. We would find out on arrival whether we could park at the ultimate parking lot and do a great hike, or park by de booth, and go on a less interesting hike. So, we rallied, dressed, and fueled up with protein bars
At 8:30 AM, Kelly and I arrived at de booth at the entrance to the park and met up with Gaston, and fellow hiker, Debbie. We said our hellos, then climbed back in our cars to check out the road leading to the ultimate parking lot. The dude in the bulldozer that was clearing the entrance road told us that other passenger cars were getting through the HUGE puddle/lake covering the road, as long as they went slowly and without stopping. When Gaston, Debbie, Kelly, and I reached the ultimate parking, we all agreed that the HUGE puddle-lake was a bit deeper than any of us was truly comfortable. We made it though, and we got to go on one heck of a GREAT hike through the cacti to a waterfall that only appears every 3 or 4 years when the rainfall conditions are just right. Below are just some of the pics I snapped on our 2 and half hour trek on and off designated trails in the park.
Aren't the saguaro (sa-gwar-oh) cacti so neat? I heard that they don't grow their first "arm" until they are about 50 years old. Crazy! And the holes are from birds that burrow in with their beaks, and make a nest in the holes. Gaston was pretty funny throughout the hike, too. He seemed very concerned about making any sort of water crossings. [He also made a comment about crossing town that made it seem as if that sort of crossing was nearly unbearable, too.] He had a couple of small streams of runoff to cross, but nothing that would cause too much trauma if you fell in. At least, no raging rapids would carry you off downstream -- you would just get wet. GASP!
Our hike took us on a 6-7 miles long loop through the park, and left us quite hungry. Just a short drive away was brunch salvation at the Tohono Chul Park and Tea Room. I don't know if our omlettes tasted so good because we were so hungry and in need of a rest after our hike, or if they really were that out of control amazing. We followed up our omlettes with apple pistachio strudel. It was not as amazing because it was not heated (and the a la mode was not on the side). HA! Really, it should have been heated. It was still pretty good, though.
The gardens at Tohono Chul left a little to be desired, simply because we just hiked through the amazing vistas of Catalina State Park. There was no comparison.
Kelly, succumbing to the desert.
The Tohono Chul Park was a waypoint before our afternoon horseback ride at Pusch Ridge Stables. I'll be honest; I was little nervous for my first horseback ride...EVER. Who cares if these are trail horses? They are bored, and could go rogue at any point!Fortunately, my sunset ride through the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains was not marred by Sugar galloping off with me, a novice rider, clinging for dear life to my saddle. I did have to be wary of Sugar trying to sneak eats on the trail -- we were warned not to let our horses eat. Sugar was a sneaky little thang, though, and got away with snagging some grass snacks quite a few times during our loping ride through the foothills. It was a little difficult snapping pics while on horseback, but I managed a few. And when I dismounted, I was surprised by how sore my knees were from my feet being locked into the stirrups.
What a day!!! Beautiful vistas, new experiences, and perfect weather. What better, and more appropriate way to wrap up the day than with baby back ribs at the rapid fire western grill -- Hifalutin!?! And man, did those ribs taste good!! I slept like a freakin' baby, and there was still 3/4 of another day of freedom to go before work responsibilities would begin. This...was a good day.
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