Spring in the desert

Happy Spring from Sabino Canyon! This morning a visiting friend and I rode the trolley to the top of the canyon and then hiked back down through the greening desert gorge on the first day of Spring.

The canyon is probably best known for its rushing streams, waterfalls and beautiful pools of water that are an unexpected treat in the desert. Cottonwoods along the stream banks were leafing out in brilliant green that glowed in the morning sun.

Here's Kandi by one of the pools. We saw people swimming and sunbathing, but we just hiked and took pictures.

The reflections in the water were breath taking.

The day before, we hiked at Catalina State Park and then wandered through Tohono Chul Park, which highlights the nature, art and culture of the Sonoran Desert that encompasses Tucson. Here are some photos from Tohono Chul, where native wildflowers were bursting with color: 

Here are two types of prickly pear cactus at Tohono Chul that are different from the usual type you see in Tucson:

And here's me with a sculpture at Tohono Chul.

Of course there was festive food involved in Kandi's visit! We went to Guadalahara's for dinner after our first busy day and also hit up a bakery/salad restaurant and a gelato shop.

Happy Spring!