Day 26: Hello, Arizona! (1/31/22)

 With sadness we waved good-bye to two of the most hospitable people we know, and hit Interstate 10 to make our way across southern New Mexico. The dogs slept, Phil listened to his podcasts, and I dove into an audiobook of Louise Penny, Still Life—the first in her Chief Inspector Gamache series. I had read one several years back, but found it struck me more deeply at the slower pace of listening to it. A murder mystery filled with complex characters, deft description, and an insightful mix of psychology and spirituality. Very pleasurable, and it made the miles race by. 

But there were scenic spots along the mostly dry, deserted route:

We pulled in to Picacho Peak State Park in late afternoon and found ourselves on loop C, with an unobstructed view of the peak itself, the inimitable saguaros, and the sunset.

It’s a back-in site, which Phil managed superbly.

This is one of the more primitive campgrounds, with no water hookups or sewer—just electricity. So we can’t use our toilet, shower, or sink. But there are bathrooms, showers, and drinking water about 100 yards up the road, so no complaints. Most campers stay for a day or two; the ranger who admitted us looked at our reservation in surprise and said, “Two weeks! You’re long-termers!” 

And I think we are glad to be. The scenery is breath-taking, and several hiking trails take us around the perimeter of Picacho Peak, so we’ll try those out in the next few days. 

Here’s to two weeks of sunshine, hiking, reading, biking, and exploring. And, of course, walking the dogs. 

Blessed.