Once again Amaris and Fox returned to Arizona for boundless adventures deep in the Sonoran desert, Mount Lemmon, and the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range for the first half of the trip. The second half would find us hiking in Sedona, relaxing amongst the beautiful red rocks for a few days, and taking an unforgettable helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon!
The trip began on a Sunday afternoon when we arrived at Phoenix Sky harbor International Airport and were picked up by Amari's younger sister who was nice enough to drive from Tucson to get us. As the hunger set in the decision was made to stop for Mexican food and we could not have been more fortunate to stumble upon Cocina Madrigal a short distance from PHX. After enjoying fresh tacos and a margarita the roughly two hour drive south began where we met Fox's old man at Rosati's Authentic Chicago Pizza upon arriving to Tucson.
The next day Fox played golf in the afternoon at the spectacular Ventana Canyon Club's Canyon Course, designed by Tom Fazio, while Amaris relaxed poolside at one of her favorite hotels, The Westin La Paloma. Even though we spent time at La Paloma last year we were still in awe of the views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and valley. There truly is no place on earth like the Sonoran Desert in the fall. Following a delicious dinner at the Azul Restaurant and Lounge at the resort we called it a night.
The next day was full of work activities and the decision had been made to see Gates Pass during sunset, which was one of Amaris' favorite places when she lived in Tucson. The pass is a short fifteen minutes west of downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona - for those living in the area or visiting this is an absolute must see during golden hours. While we stayed in the parking lot and nearby trails there are plenty of great hikes nearby including the Bowen Stone House.
Humpday arrived, which would be the last day spent in Tucson before heading out into the deep Saguaro Desert near Ajo, Az for three nights and two days of quail hunting before going back to civilization, or some semblance of it, on Sunday. The last afternoon in Tucson was spent driving up Mount Lemmon to Summerhaven, located at 8,000 feet above sea level, near the 9,171ft pinnacle of the Santa Catalina Mountain Range.
Although Fox had sport climbed near the base of Mount Lemmon in the past, including a couple trips to the Prison Camp, neither of us had ever driven up the mountain and we were pleasantly surprised at the various changes in scenery that this guide highlights. The voyage begins surrounded by Saguaro Cacti, transitions through a Ponderosa Pine Forest, and ends in a Fir Forest with Aspens that were a fiery orange in the October sun. Although time in the small village of Summerhaven was short we did stop by the Mount Lemmon General Store for some delicious fudge and wondered what it must be like to visit the southernmost ski destination in the USA during winter.
Thursday finally arrived and it was time to head out into "The Dirt" for a few days of quail hunting and enjoying the utter seclusion offered by the Goldwater. Although the group did not bag as many birds as last year the time was just as, if not more, special with family. Amaris has an incredible eye for wildlife and was instrumental in Fox and his dad finding birds to shoot.
As well, we were fortunate enough to see a Desert Fox, multiple Mule Deer, an Owl, Redtail Hawks, a woodpecker, and a rare sighting of a Mexican Wolf, among other critters. Dinner on Saturday night was the pinnacle of the trip with Fox's dad making Quail Stir Fry that was one of the freshest meals we have eaten in some time.
Sunday morning came quickly and camp was broken down before the four hour drive back to Tucson. Camp is fifteen miles as the crow flies from Hwy 85 and it takes some time to get out of the dirt, which is always an enjoyable drive surrounded by mountains (including Hat Mountain) and Saguaros that we could not help but making fun jokes about as if they were people talking. After a short stop at the puebla for a home made dinner the duo was back on the road for a three and half hour drive to Sedona, which would be the home base for the second half of the trip.
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