Adventure 858: Day 81/Tucson/2023

The adventures are starting to wind down. Today, after breakfast, we ventured once again to our favorite hiking spot, Sweet Water Preserve, to hike the Desperado Loop, the only trail in the Preserve we hadn't traversed. We hiked nearly five miles, and up until the backside of the loop we traveled through scrub country filled with more dead plants than I remember seeing. Once we made the turn, we again walked through a copse of living, breathing saguaros. As usual, they were magnificent. We do enjoy walking in the desert. The weather was perfect, the temperature right around 65 degrees, and the sky that pleasant blue color, the one that warms the spirit. Afterward, since it's the last weekend of March Madness, we spent the afternoon watching the women play. Oh, my! They're fabulous. I remember as a kid, long before Title IX, officiating a game at Holy Names Academy. The girls, who at the time lived in a culture that thought they should "glow" rather than sweat, were allowed six players on a team. Three played on offense, Three played on defense. An offensive player was allowed just three dribbles before she had to pass. The three on defense were not allowed to cross half court. Times have changed. I'd have to say that women today no longer worry about "glowing", except in the rapture of a hard fought victory. It's a great pleasure to watch them perform, to watch them give their all, to watch them display their skills, to watch them handle victory and defeat with grace. In that they definitely provide a glowing example of how the game should be played. They make life good, especially today.

After most likely somewhere near two hundred years, this guy just fell where he stood.

The first half of the Desperado Loop follows a wash, which is mostly scrub brush and ocotillos.

The panoramic view along with the wide open sky raises my spirits.

This decaying barrel cactus is hollow, yet probably still provides shelter for some desert creature. I didn't check.

This dead saguaro left an imprint much like a shadow, giving me rise to consider the cycle of life.

This living saguaro seems like a hotel for the birds.

And finally, this prickly pear returns to the earth from which it came; just another living thing following God's plan. Today is the day the Lord hath made; Rejoice in it.