Fall Color in Sabino Canyon
One of the best things about having a friend come to visit (besides, you know, enjoying the friend’s company) is the excuse to play tourist in your own city. My friend Arlene visited for a few days, during which we:
- Ate our approximate combined body weight in Mexican food
- Hiked the approximate distance from earth to the moon
- Talked approximately as much as 2 teenage girls with brand-new crushes who’ve just washed down a bottle of Adderall with a case of Red Bull.
I’m happy to report that we’re both now in excellent physical condition and have solved all the world’s problems.
Hahahahahaha. Right.
I’m actually happy to report that my pants still fit and my voice, legs, and hips still work. I’m calling that a win.
Another win? Getting to see actual fall color and actual water, both of which are rarities in my adopted desert home.
But before we get to that: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it.
A visit to Sabino Canyon
On Arlene’s last day here, we visited Sabino Canyon, one of the most popular hiking spots in Tucson. It’s located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and contains something sure to attract any desert-dweller: water. Specifically, Sabino Creek. It’s been dry here for the last month+, so water levels were a little low, but the creek and the surrounding riparian area are gorgeous. And bonus: the area includes deciduous trees that were in their full fall glory for our late November visit.
At the beginning of our hike, we were greeted by this sign:
Arlene’s comment: They went with an extra-fierce image.
My comment: Here, kitty, kitty, kitty…
Since we aren’t easily intimidated (she lives in Alaska; I am entirely lacking in common sense), we kept walking. Spoiler alert: we were not eaten by mountain lions. In fact, we didn’t see anything more ferocious than two white-tailed deer (which wouldn’t stand still long enough for me to get a decent picture. Jerks.)
What follows are photos from our journey into the land of ferocious mountain lions and uncooperative deer.
Here’s a weird contrast: flaming yellow cottonwoods alongside cactus. Arizona is weird.
And a view of the creek area and desert with the city of Tucson in the distance:
Something else you don’t see every day: saguaros reflected in water.
Views of Sabino Creek
The canyon is closed to cars, but visitors can hike to the creek and/or take an open-air shuttle 4 miles into the canyon (we did both). The shuttle crosses the creek at multiple points, providing lovely views of the water and surrounding rocks and vegetation.
And warning sign preceding bridges over Sabino Creek:
Arlene thought these signs were hilarious.
Interesting scenes in Sabino Canyon
I’m a gardener, so I notice the shapes and colors of vegetation as well as interesting combinations of plants and other features. Here are a few scenes that captured my attention:
I love how the exposed roots blend with the rocks, the colors of the leaves, and the shape of the mesquite tree at the right of the frame in the photo above. The scene reminds me of a Japanese garden.
This next one is so peaceful, I could look at it for hours:
This one’s all about the roots and how they blend with the rocks and water. So sculptural.
Sabino Canyon walls
Sabino Canyon is is fascinating in part because of the juxtaposition of riparian area and desert scape. I covered the riparian area above. If you look up from the canyon, you see a more typical Sonoran Desert landscape:
And finally, back at the Visitor Center, we had fun watching a roadrunner eat a grasshopper:
The Memery
No theme this week–just some random chuckles.
Lessons from TV
Critter features
Too bad the Sabino Canyon roadrunner didn’t do this. I’d probably still be laughing.
In our garden it’s the bunnies. So. Many. Bunnies. My poor aloes are always nibbled back to nubs.
Follow me for more cooking/decorating tips.
Getting into the holiday spirit
And speaking of holiday spirit, there’s this:
And this:
Honey, it’s a stats class. You’re definitely in hell.
And finally, behold my weekend plans:
Pretty sure I’ve mastered most of the items on this list. Follow me for more personal development tips.
Got anything exciting going on this weekend? Please tell me about it while I’m embracing my inner opossum.
27 Comments
Yinglan
What a beautiful area! The lack of snow actually made me feel warm for a moment. 😀
Janet Alcorn
It really is gorgeous. No snow here but it’s raining today and actually looks/feels wintry.
Yinglan
Rain feels like a rare event. 🙂
ArleneS
Given what I weigh, that’s a heckuvalot of Mexican food. Not saying you’re exaggerating, just that I don’t regret anything.
Janet Alcorn
I regret nothing!
Bobbiem91
Great pictures. Love the contrast from the creek to the top of the canyon walls. And the Meme with the fireplaces…I can relate. Meanwhile, I’m working all weekend from now and the next 2 weekends. Good news is that I don’t have to be to work until 9. “See” you next Saturday.
Janet Alcorn
Oof. Hope you’re able to find some writing time!
trent
So it begins…
That sign reminds me of the shark signs they have at beaches on Cape Cod. I’m sure I’d take it about as seriously as I do those shark signs they have at beaches on Cape Cod… And I would love to see either, as long as I wasn’t on the menu.
Looks like a nice place for a hike. Cactus, stream and fall foliage, who could ask for more? It is pretty.
Yeah, I took stats. The wall of fire would not be needed to remind me that I was in hell when takign a stats exam (funny, I later tutored a friend in stats and at least 20 times a session said, “Oh wow, -now- I get it!!” It was simple… when I wasn’t in the actual class.)
Janet Alcorn
I’ve had a little stats as part of a research methods class in grad school. Kind of interesting but a little mind-bending.
I’ve seen shark signs on the California coast. I mostly ignore them but pay careful attention to any signs about rip currents or undertows. Those are bad news!
Natalie
What a beautiful Canyon. I love the saguaro and creek photos. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.
Janet Alcorn
It really is a lovely place.
Susanne
What a beautiful area, with or without autumn colours! They always make the landscape shine even more though. I’m glad you missed the mountain lions. I would have hesitate to go there – I’ve seen too many animal attack and other “I shouldn’t be alive” type documentaries on YouTube.
Janet Alcorn
Mountain lions are all over the western US but rarely bother people. But yeah, those animal attack videos are terrifying.
leannelc
Hi Janet – I loved your description of your time with your friend – and the hiking pictures are amazing. I kept thinking how different it would be to her life in Alaska – the sublime to the ridiculous really!
Janet Alcorn
Yeah, this area is about as opposite to Alaska as you can get. I’m jealous of the Alaskan scenery and seafood though. It’s amazing up there.
ArleneS
This week in Tucson at this time of year was definitely sublime compared to my section of AK (single digits, limited viewable scenery due to short sunlight days, completely ridiculous). But in April-September? Thanks, I’ll take AK.
csuhpat1
What a beautiful place. So very nice.
Janet Alcorn
It really is lovely. Thanks for stopping by!
Kathleen Howell
Mmmm, Mexican food.. We’re fortunately to have a few pretty good restaurants nearby. A friend is coming to visit for Taco Tuesday, I’m looking forward to it. Sabino Creek looks like a gorgeous area and yes, the hazard sign is pretty funny. Glad you had a good visit!
Janet Alcorn
Taco Tuesday should be a weekly holiday so I won’t be too tired from work to go get tacos. I hope they were wonderful!
Marsha
You are so funny, Janet. I love your AZ pictures, too! What a wonderful trip you took us on. Hope you have a good week. I look forward to your next installment. 🙂
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! I like to think funny is my brand. Well, funny-looking anyway 🙂
Marsha
Funny is your brand, my friend, but not funny looking. I’d kill to have your hair! 🙂 Well, maybe not kill, but I’m jealous!
Janet Alcorn
Aww, thanks. But do realize I use the one decent picture of me (and my hair) taken in the last 3+ years. My hair does whatever the heck it wants; I’m just along for the ride.
Marsha
LOL! Mine is pretty much the same, just not as much of it!
Julie
The views of the tree and the cacti are interesting! The next we are in Tucson visiting friends, I’ll suggest we explore that area. When friends visit me in LA, I love playing tourist! It’s excuse for me to go explore a neighborhood I otherwise won’t go because I’d complain how it’s too far away.
Janet Alcorn
“It’s too far away” was practically my slogan when I lived in SoCal. It might have been only 10 miles, but… SoCal. I hardly left my little San Gabriel Valley town unless I had houseguests, so I know exactly what you mean.