"There is a calling in your heart that echoes when everything is still and quiet. You've probably heard it since you were a child. It's a fire. It's a passion that is uniquely yours, and it's the reason why you are here. If you haven't heard that voice in some time, then do yourself a favor - Find some quiet moments away from the noise of the world to rediscover the true reason you are here." - Topher Kearby
I could have stayed in Joshua Tree much longer, but I was off to Scottsdale for my next adventure! 🌵 I love experiencing new parts of the US that I haven't explored, and the drive through the desert to Scottsdale did not disappoint!
Talk about being in the desert! This was a long and lonely highway through the desert from Joshua Tree to Interstate 10. This is highway 62, also known as the Sheephole Valley Wilderness. As I drove this long winding highway, a quiet, uninhabited stillness in this vast expanse calmed me. It is easy for me to get lost in my thoughts or go down an occasional rabbit hole.
One reason I am so drawn to the desert in the fall and winter is the cooler temperatures, obviously, but also its simplicity. There is room to breathe, and it is so quiet. I pulled over on the side of the road to take these pictures, and the stillness was palpable. If the silence can take your breath away, it did mine. The desert has left an indelible mark on me.
I had never experienced the saguaro (sah-wah-roh) cactus up close and in person until landing in Scottsdale. So you know, the saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona. In case it comes up on trivia night, the tallest one ever measured was 78 feet tall though the average height is around 40 feet tall. They are impressive and prickly, as you would imagine.
I met my friend Jim and his sisters Kelley and Tracy in Scottsdale. They were all there to celebrate their Uncle Buster at his Celebration of Life ceremony. I learned about Uncle Buster from his family and friends that he was a funny, kind, and generous man who was larger than life. There were countless stories to be told about him, but none could be said in public. I would have liked to have had a drink with this man and listened to some of his stories. RIP, Uncle Buster, and know you were loved and respected by so many.
Scottsdale is a beautiful city, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. While I was there, I hiked the Tom's Thumb Trailhead, which was where this view is from, and the Mcdowell Mountain Park. It was a very popular place to walk and take a light hike
This is the view from the top of the Raven Roost, off of Tom's Thumb Trailhead. It's just beautiful, and it goes on for miles. I would have loved to spend the night on this spot. It's interesting the conversations you overhear when you're hiking. People talk about the most bizarre things. (family issues, pizza, gynecology visits, weed, the stock market, produce... It goes on and on. Most of the time, I'm just passing people having these conversations, so I only hear a few seconds of the conversation. Sometimes I wish I could tag along to hear the end. lol One that disturbed me was several people talking about how they hadn't seen snakes on this mountain for years until this summer when they saw five of them. 🐍 Not what I wanted to hear. From then on, I looked down and watched where I was walking. I told myself it was late in the season, and snakes hibernate in Arizona too. I have no idea if that's true, but sometimes we tell ourselves stories to survive!
Just me... hanging out with my new, tall friend, Saguaro 🌵
And the most Undesirable Campground Award goes to... WestWorld of Scottsdale! 🎉
WestWorld is a campground attached to an event center in Scottsdale. Though there is absolutely zero curb appeal, it served its purpose: an inexpensive place to sleep and centrally located. It was the first place I heard coyotes howling at night during mating season... Now that it is a bizarre and scary sound. On a high note, one of the perks of staying here was getting a glimpse at a horseshow taking place while we were here. I saw the horses in their stalls and preparing for their performances on my long walk to the restroom each time. 🤦♀️
I can definitely see why so many people flock to Scottsdale for the winter. The weather is beautiful; there are many great places to shop, restaurants, and things to do.
Next stop... Sedona
Stay Wild 🌿
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