Adventure 649: Casita Living/Post F

Good morning, sunshine (Veranda view)

A couple of folks from the North can surely get used to waking to  this crisp blue air, cloudless sky, and the promise of warmth in our bones. We hit the trail again today, this time a 4.6 mile trek along the Panther Wash via the Cam-Bo and the Roadrunner trails. The saguaros were plentiful, majestic as always, but on this hike they were enhanced by a plethora of bushy chain fruit cholla cacti, whose full furry tops beckoned. Only the unwary would dare pick their fruit. Like most inhabitants of the desert, they have prickly personalities. This will likely be the last wash trail we take. Walking in deep sand isn't as fun as it sounds, and the panoramic views are a bit stilted within the banks of these dry rivers. It's hard to believe that water ever flows in these channels, but warning signs that say, "Don't enter when flooded" are placed before every dip in the terrain. Nonetheless, our hike refreshed our spirit much like listening to the young poet who will read at Biden's inauguration. An amazing 22 year old, I can hardly wait to hear the poem she reads. Here's a sample of her work:

The Miracle of Morning

I thought I'd awaken to a world of mourning.

Heavy clouds crowding, a society storming.

But there's something different on this golden

morning.

Something magical in the sunlight, wide and warming.

I see a dad with a stroller taking a jog.

Across the street, a bright eyed girl chases her dog.

A grandma on a porch fingers her rosaries.

She grins as her young neighbor brings her groceries.

While we might feel small, separate, and all alone,

Our people have never been more closely tethered.

The question isn't if we will weather the unknown,

But how we will weather this unknown together.

So on this meaningful morn, we mourn and we mend,

Like light, we can't be broken, even when we bend.

As one, we will defeat both despair and disease.

we stand with healthcare heroes, and all employees;

With families, libraries, schools, waiters, artists;

Businesses, restaurants, and hospitals hit hardest.

We ignite not in the light, but in lack thereof,

For it is in loss that we truly learn to love.

In this chaos, we will discover clarity.

In suffering, we must find solidarity.

For it is our grief that gives us our gratitude,

Shows us how to find hope, if we ever lose it.

So ensure that this ache wasn't endured in vain:

Don't ignore the pain. Give it purpose. Use it.

Read children's book, dance alone to DJ music.

Know that this distance will make our hearts grow

fonder.

From a wave of woes our world will emerge stronger.

We'll observe how the burdens braved by humankind

Are also the moments that make us humans kind;

Let every dawn find us courageous, brought closer,

Heeding the light before the fight is over.

When this ends, we'll smile sweetly, finally seeing

In testing times, we became the best of beings.

By Amanda Gorman

Right on, Amanda. Life is good, even when it isn't. It renews itself every bright morning.

A full forest of these spiny guys.

Not fit for human touch.

Wash walking not recommended.

This whole side of the park is filled with stands like this.

My Bunny looks like she's never seen wildlife like this. I do wish I'd taken a picture of the cowboy: pinstripe collarless shirt buttoned all the way up. Suede vest; black stetson; Vandyke beard; thick leather belt adorned with jade jewels and a huge silver buckle. Didn't see a side arm, but I'll wager he owns one.

This part of the desert is surprisingly mountainous.