We discovered another great place in our country today, Saguaro National Park. After sleeping in a bit we leisurely made it to the east side of the park and were provided with a great map of the trials and a few suggestions of what would fit our energy levels. We began the Loma Verde Loop, a road with numerous trailheads and outlook spots. We quickly noticed that there weren’t any other vehicles and the parking lots were empty. We eventually made our way to the Loma Verde trailhead and were the only car in the small lot.
I know that I sound so repetitive, but I have never seen anything like Saguaro. It was quite hot when we started, in the 90s, and absolutely no relief from the sun. The sky was cloudless and there was no shade on the entire four mile hike. I’m sure the temperature increased as we hiked on and noon approached, and our bodies felt it. Although the hike was short and easy with virtually no elevation gain, we felt the beating the heat was taking on us. On any other four mile easy hike, we would of taken one break to sit, have a few handfuls of trailmix, pose for photos, and take in all that surrounds us. Not this one. The elements were too tough to cool down at a stop and resting in the sun provided no relief. Instead, we just kept putting one foot in front of the next, trying to ignore the stream of sweat coming off our elbows. We finished the hike in about an hour and a half.
Although it was certainly miserable in many aspects, it was gorgeous and so rewarding. We’ve been in the desert for a week and a half now and this is the first time we’ve seen land that looks like Saguaro. Of course, the saguaro cacti are phenomenal. They towered over us, arms reaching to the sun. Each one was so unique and kind of told a story of its life. It was easy to assign personalities to these plants. (I just took crazy to a whole new level, right???) The plethora of other plant and animal life is what most amazed me. Each species of cacti had adapted to the harsh environment in its own way. And, somehow, in spite of these adaptations, were beautiful. If it weren’t for our keen senses we probably would of missed most of the wildlife that skittered past us, but the desert was alive with the lizards slithering, birds eating the saguaro fruit, bugs buzzing, and giant ants making homes.
We finished our hike drenched with sweat but felt deeply rewarded for being the only ones hiking that hike at high noon. After the air conditioning of the car cooled us off enough, we arrived back at the Visitor’s Center and the girls turned in their Junior Ranger packets. Shanlene, another amazing employee of the National Park Service questioned the girls on what they had learned and answered their questions. After being sworn in as Junior Rangers she loaded them up with all sorts of swag. From stickers, certificates, pins, and a coupon the the gift store, the girls couldn’t be happier. Ellie bought an adorable stuffed saguaro cactus dressed like a park ranger and Zoe went for the prickly pear salt water taffy.
We spotted another great brewery for a late lunch and stocked up on water and cans of wine at Trader Joe’s. The girls have spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and we’re planning on a very low key night and our alarms are already set for 4:30 am. No sneaking off for a date after the kids are asleep tonight.
