A few days ago, we read about a nice, easy hike in Oro Valley with "sweeping desert views" and "spectacular Catalina vistas" where we could also spot petroglyphs on the canyon walls. To get out of the house one warm day, we decided to check it out. Honeybee Trail is not that well marked and we were a little fortunate to spot it off to the side of the road.
One of the sweeping desert views. (I thought I rotated that picture...oh well)
Another one of the desert flora.
The cacti are probably a week or two from being in full bloom. I told mom and dad that when they come next year, they should come later in the spring to see the blooms. Dad protested, since other than seeing Nicco, their main motivation is to escape Colorado in February.
Here's my boy at the beginning of the hike at the mouth of the canyon. It didn't seem like we were allowed to wander down into the canyon, so we missed the petroglyphs. I think that if we took the upper trail, it would have led us into the canyon to see them. Next time.
Nicco does not like the "pokeys" and threw handfuls of dirt and rocks at all the cacti in his path. He accompanied these throws with shooting and exploding noises and maniacal laughter and he ridiculed the cacti with such phrases as "How do you like them apples?"
Any trek takes longer when you have small fries along, but this walk was extended beyond normal 4-year-old sluggishness because he stopped every 2 seconds to pick up rocks and dirt.
His rocks got bigger and bigger as we progressed along the path.
Walking with Grandma
Resting with Grandpa
In my motherly wisdom, I FINALLY decided to tell Nicco that it is not really a good idea to dig in the dirt and pick up the rocks in the desert because the critters who live beneath them are mean and nasty and bite and sting. He proceeded along the trail picking up rocks and stirring up dirt, saying "No creatures here. No creatures under this rock. No creatures in this hole." I think he missed the point.
Looking for "creatures"
The dried up wash a couple days after some big rain
At the end of the hike. We walked for close to 2 hours and Nicco only asked me to take him once. We went to the Keva smoothie joint for a refreshing treat after our day walking in the sun. The little tourist magazine we read to find this place was right. It was a delightful walk with some spectacular views. It also has some really nice picnic areas. I am sure we will re-visit it in the future.
One of the sweeping desert views. (I thought I rotated that picture...oh well)
Another one of the desert flora.
The cacti are probably a week or two from being in full bloom. I told mom and dad that when they come next year, they should come later in the spring to see the blooms. Dad protested, since other than seeing Nicco, their main motivation is to escape Colorado in February.
Here's my boy at the beginning of the hike at the mouth of the canyon. It didn't seem like we were allowed to wander down into the canyon, so we missed the petroglyphs. I think that if we took the upper trail, it would have led us into the canyon to see them. Next time.
Nicco does not like the "pokeys" and threw handfuls of dirt and rocks at all the cacti in his path. He accompanied these throws with shooting and exploding noises and maniacal laughter and he ridiculed the cacti with such phrases as "How do you like them apples?"
Any trek takes longer when you have small fries along, but this walk was extended beyond normal 4-year-old sluggishness because he stopped every 2 seconds to pick up rocks and dirt.
His rocks got bigger and bigger as we progressed along the path.
Walking with Grandma
Resting with Grandpa
In my motherly wisdom, I FINALLY decided to tell Nicco that it is not really a good idea to dig in the dirt and pick up the rocks in the desert because the critters who live beneath them are mean and nasty and bite and sting. He proceeded along the trail picking up rocks and stirring up dirt, saying "No creatures here. No creatures under this rock. No creatures in this hole." I think he missed the point.
Looking for "creatures"
The dried up wash a couple days after some big rain
At the end of the hike. We walked for close to 2 hours and Nicco only asked me to take him once. We went to the Keva smoothie joint for a refreshing treat after our day walking in the sun. The little tourist magazine we read to find this place was right. It was a delightful walk with some spectacular views. It also has some really nice picnic areas. I am sure we will re-visit it in the future.
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