Dear Maia, Isaac and Virtual Wanderers,

I’ve been feeling a little like something was missing with the trip this year: no new locations. Some places we have only been to once and, after 10 years, we have favorites. But, today an amazing serendipity happened. I’ll get to that in a second – I want to start at the beginning.

We started the day with a 1.5 mile hike at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. They have added a new section that was donated from someone’s estate. It must have been massive. It’s just an amazing place and I found four new babies to bring home. Desert plants, not dogs! Lol.

The plans were to stop and hike at Tonto National Monument. I have only been here one other time. Dog friendly and on the way. Why not? Well, here comes the serendipity. The hills were absolutely covered in a yellow daisy family flower – a super bloom. One photographer told me it had something to do with a fairly recent forest fire. I would guess the wet, cold spring had an impact.

I lived in the Sonoran desert for a while and I’ve visited about this time of year for 10 years. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life – it went on for miles. The photographer said it was more than double normal. It was absolutely amazing! It’ll only last a few days, he said. I lucked out!

If you have ever been to Tonto, you know the hike to the ruins is a steep paved 0.5 mile path. It was warm. In the 80s. No way I can put Koko’s heart through that. So, I pushed her in a stroller all the way up and managed not to trip over the wheels (or let go) coming down. All my down photos are with my Canon because the cell requires 2 hands. I bet we were a sight to see.

We have left the low desert and head up the Plateau tomorrow. It’s a pretty long drive back to 4-corners red rock country but still hoping for a hike or two. And, yea, I need to gear up my sunscreen supply. I’m sure I’m a little burned after our adventures!