"Buds in black"...by the Canyon rim. (Warning: image of "questionable" activity)

One of our newest "buds in black".

Following our short sojourn in the desert, our gracious hosts in Maricopa enthusiastically recommended that we make every effort to get to the Grand Canyon - the relatively short, overnight trip would be well worth the effort! This stunning work of nature is, after all, one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World". We knew this was good advice and so set off the next day for the drive north. 

As had been the experience with a friend, 41 years ago (while on a memorable road trip to California), Joan and I approached Flagstaff, in the northern part of the state - in a snow storm. Would access to the Grand Canyon be denied a second time? At close to 7000' in elevation, there's a reason this city, on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, can be cold and snowy in February. Luck was with us, however, the highway to the Canyon was open. Although still icy in places, the snow had been cleared quickly and efficiently.

After fuelling up in Williams, on historic Route 66, we headed up towards the park with the skies clearing and our sense of anticipation heightening. We were not disappointed.

My full-time "bud in black" and very best friend.

As I'm sure is the case with every single person who has ever gazed down, into, and across the vast canyon landscape, it is more than breathtaking. No photographic image could ever do the scene justice - so I've just included these few, including some of my favourite "people" in black.

Oh, you may think the top image is a bird? A raven perhaps? Well, you might be correct, but this marvellous creature acted a lot like a "person". He (she) walked around with us, chattered away to us, enjoyed the view with us, begged to share our sandwich with us, and then attempted to get into our borrowed van with us. Courteously denied entry, he (she) then called for "back up". A second individual, also "disguised" as a raven, arrived on the scene quickly. There was some initial "conversation" between the two, and we had a clear sense of the gist of it. They were discussing strategy. Also denied entry to the inside of the van, the second subject then attempted to delay our departure by removing the driver's side windshield wiper.

Sentry (on right) keeps watch while back up unit (left) checks his "six" 
before attempting to remove the wiper blade.

While this entertaining, but somewhat "questionable" activity was going on, I managed to gain access to the vehicle and slid behind the wheel. Our two "buds in black" then assumed new positions, one the left and the other on the right outside mirrors, staring wistfully inside at the two of us...as we drove off. There being no "seat" belts on either mirror, they were both quickly and gracefully swept up and safely away by the slipstream! Heck, maybe we should have shared some lunch with these engaging characters!

More stories to tell, but perhaps another time. It is enough to say that this place surely is a "natural wonder of the world" - with some very engaging local personalities to meet and greet. :)

Duncan.

Getting "freeze / dried", hiking in the Sonoran Desert...the antithesis of sea kayaking?

On the lookout for Gila monsters in Saguaro National Park.

They say "a change is as good as a rest" and a rather dramatic change for a couple of paddlers might be to leave the ocean and the sea kayak cockpits behind and get "freeze / dried"...and what better place than Saguaro National Park, in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. Thanks to a very kind and generous invitation from a couple of our special folks here, offering to share their winter "base camp" in AZ for a few days, a definite adventure beckoned.

Teddy-bear cholla cactus.

The Sonoran Desert...Africanized killer bees, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, massive cacti. OK, so the Gila "monsters" are only about a foot long. But they are, from what we understand, one of only two venomous lizards in the whole world. We learned that they "chew the venom" into the bite! Ouch, that has to be nasty.

The killer bees also have an interesting modus operandi, if aggravated. The sign at the Red Hills Visitor Center warned that if the bees elect to swarm you, the best strategy is  to cover your face...and run away from them. The information assured us that after half a mile or so (about a kilometre in our "metric" part of the world), they would tire of the chase and go home. Sure, trail running is usually fun - but here? Moving quickly any distance on these rocky and often steep and precipitous trails, and in the heat of the day, I don't think so. The rattlesnakes? Surely they would give some warning? The cacti? Simply awesome.

Prickly pear cactus.

We chose the 10-mile Hugh Norris Trail but our "Canadian minds" think in terms of kilometres and we sometimes forget that "miles" are significantly longer. The completion of this  trail requires 5-7 hours - and plenty of water.

Golden barrel cactus. 

It's a harsh and unforgiving land but cactus, shrubs, and desert trees, in countless forms, flourish. The Saguaro cactus, is recognized far and wide as a symbol of the American Southwest - it's clear why they are known as the "Monarch of the Sonoran Desert". They can be massive and live to be 200 years old.

Never-ending need keep hydrated in the desert - both humans and cacti!

Desert travellers stop often to drink - both water and to "drink in" the stunning landscape. So used to the coastal climate, it was hard for us to imagine how folks survive the heat and the dryness. It was just the middle of February, but the relentless sun and heat sapped our energy.

Stunning beauty.

As if to deny the desert a "win" - colourful, delicate (but certainly hardy) desert flowers bloomed in dramatic colours.

Desert flowers - symbolic of "where there's life, there's hope".

The trail wound around the hills, gaining and losing elevation continually. We encountered just four or five human beings along the entire trail...

but no Gila monsters...

The trail felt as if it would go on forever...it did.

or killer bees...

Ouch - natural defence capabilities of cactus!

or rattlesnakes.

An encounter with any of these desert inhabitants might have made a cool story - but we're OK with the way it went.

Saguaro cactus: From a seed the size of a pinhead
to a giant, 50 feet tall and up to 8 tons - in 200 years!

There were, however, reminders of both life and death and the struggle to survive that all creatures, great and small, share.

A "skeleton" (the woody ribs under the spongy flesh) of a Saguaro cactus.

Time in the desert reminded us that all living things attempt to grow and flourish, expressing their own unique identity and place in creation. We humans, perhaps, have the unique ability to also contemplate, reflect on, and then share with one another our experiences in wide and wondrous ways, such as in a simple "blog" as this. The connections we make create a sense of community.

Sometimes you just have to pause, lay down your heavy pack, 
breathe deeply and slowly...and take in the wonders of the natural world.

When we had gone as far as we felt we could safely go, before losing the sun and inviting the freezing night-time temperatures that would surely provide us with a "freeze / dry" experience, we briefly caught our breath...and retraced our steps. 

Such a self-propelled, outdoor experience is deeply enriching...much like time on the ocean in a narrow kayak. 

So, is desert hiking antithetical to sea kayaking? No, not really. I think, in a rather strange way, they are very close "cousins". :)

Duncan.

Next: A quick overnight sortie into the high, cold, icy, and snowy country of Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.