Tanto National Forest

Superstition Mountains

Cold Moon of my fifty first year




Diane and I were able to take off to the Phoenix AZ area for a trip - escaping the cold of the Ohio Valley for a bit. We arrived about lunch on Sunday afternoon, and by mid afternoon we were day hiking up the side of the Superstition Mountains.






The granite outcroppings and cliffs were beautiful in the late afternoon sun. The rock trapped much of the red tints of the desert sun, making our walk romantic and beautiful.




I must admit to being taken in by the beauty of the Saguaro Cactus in this setting.  Several pictures of the cactus still do not do justice to the regal presence  of this king of the cactus family.

The cactus can be seen both Big and small.


          




It is very good to see that these mighty giants are in the business of growing in the most common ways.






But what really catches the eye are the beautiful rock formations.  In the clear air they seem a little smaller than they really are.



But up close, their huge size becomes clear.  This little rock (Green Rock) is just a fraction of the size of the large rocks all around.



Views are to be had at every corner, up the valley and down.





It is the sort of thing that breaking the code of wilderness cell phone silence is necessary, when kids are slaving away to scrape away snow and ice in Ohio.




Did I mention that cell phone calls should be short and to the point Diane?  Oh, each child needs to be called.  I forgot.




After the long climb up the shoulder of the beautiful formation, it is time to retreat to dinner and a night's sleep. The beauty of these rocks will haunt my dreams all night.



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