Day Trip: Verde Valley

Over spring break, we opted for a few quieter, more domestic activities such as buying new furniture, catching up on spring cleaning, and spending time with family and friends.  We did manage a day trip on Wednesday to the Verde Valley where we spent our time in Cottonwood birding, picnicking, and exploring Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Verde River Greenway, and even indulged in some wine at Arizona Stronghold and Thai food for an early dinner before heading home.

I spent a long time on the banks of the Verde River observing a pack of sunning cormorants, saw my very first ARIZONA Bald Eagle, and identified over 18 species of birds throughout the day.  The highlights were a Bewick's Wren and a Bank Swallow bringing my overall 2015 bird total to 65.   

Montezuma's Well

A day trip north in early Arizona September does not result in changing leaves,

as it would elsewhere to harken the coming of fall. 

No.  

The Sonoran has a special fourth season all its own;

its secrets privy only to those who seek them.

In search of making peace with the present,

we inevitably head into the past and find ourselves today at Montezuma's Well.

Dark skies loom and beckon but sadly, 

this time,

do not fulfill.

Don't fret!

The creosote and cliff rose are blooming!

Tonto Natural Bridge

On Thursday,

Brian and I took a drive up to Tonto Natural Bridge,

a State Park that neither of us have ever visited. 

Because it was a weekday,

the visitors were few and far between,

just the way we like it. 

The hike to the bridge and under and out is about a mile. 

It was steep and at times slippery,

but in no way difficult. 

We picnicked on the landscaped grounds,

marveled at the desert greenery,

and even went swimming in the cool, muddy water. 

Could the world ever feel so lush and my worries so far? 

A perfect Arizona September day.