that hiker puts the height in perspective...awesome view!

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We made it! highest point of mt=2889'....air is a bit thinner up there..
trail was pretty steep in some parts, but views were always gorgeous...

a feeling of accomplishment to have made it to the top!

As the name suggests, THIS is the pinnacle or high peak that can be seen for miles
around Phoenix. It may have been a bit "peak-ier" than we planned, especially since the
elevation at the top was over 2800' ( but the change in elevation from the start of trail
was only 550'). This mountain area is gorgeous: mountains in every direction; peaks and
valleys; sensitive habitat areas with well- marked descriptions; different cacti, bushes, and
small colorful flowers that pop up from between rocks. ....needed several stops for photo
ops and to catch my breath. It sure seemed like more "up" than down.....some pretty
steep paths winding around the mountain, over the "saddle" and then down on the other side of mountain......then, you got to do it again in reverse! The distance was 3 1/2 miles, which
doesn't sound like much on level ground, but.....hike took 2 1/4 hours and was quite
the cardio workout. There were lots of ooh and ahh moments, due to the sheer
beauty of the scenery!
We made it!! And, enjoyed a lovely picnic - including cervesa- back at trailhead. I'll post a few photo a few photos tomorrow- my day of "rest" :)

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hard to believe how much "life" there is in the desert....dozens of shades of green
plants growing; cacti getting the energy to sprout flowers; small birds building homes
in the bigger cacti; hawks circling around the mountain tops; small lizards and desert
creatures that don't need much water......And, the rock formations are amazing: reds, ochres, oranges, marbleized stones.....
Here are a couple pics from today's hike.....

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So, today, we rented a tennis ball machine....really neat: you can set the speed, direction,
spin, and height of the balls being flung at you....great practice without running all over
the court. An hour of hitting ( or almost hitting) the ball is a good workout....surely, muscles
that haven't been used since Fall will be "singing out" tomorrow. Good thing for the jacuzzi
tub to soak sore muscles. Another good day of relaxing in the SW.

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Today, we walked a different trail through the McDowell Sonoran Mt Preserve.....
this was a 2 mile loop and not very steep....the cacti, vegetation , red rocks, and
marble stone are quite striking! Small birds make their nests in the sugaro cacti.
Then, there was a 1/2mile nature walk loop with signage and fun facts marked
along the route. Perfect weather for walking: bright sunshine and mid 60's.....
never get tired of looking "up" and seeing those jagged mountain peaks!!
Picnic lunch at the amphitheater...quiet and scenic.
Later....reading time at the pool and time spent in the hot tub.....just the Rx
to cure winter related ailments of bronchitis and sinus infection ( hey, maybe
my health insurance will pay for this trip?)
I'm figuring out new camera- gift from my girls....great gift that will get lots of
use ( and it has rechargeable battery).

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dry, but flourishing, the desert is amazingly full of life...terrain is so different from home...and those mountains!

well, looks like we got out of town just in the nick of time....first snowstorm of
the season hit the day after we left...yikes! Today was a walk in the desert mountains....sky is blue, air is warm and
it felt good to be outdoors! Fun to see the different flora and fauna.....and feel like you've "gotten away from it all" in the quiet of the desert. Hopefully, this dry air will cure any leftover bronchitis that I have.

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Kate &Sachin arrived safe 'n sound from San Francisco....even a bit
early. Looking forward to a fun lunch down on Elmwood...after nap time
is over.
Let the festivities begin!

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