I was up early on Saturday to head out for a hike in Tucson. We were meeting at Fry's at 7:30am. An old high school buddy, Dana, came into town to hike with me and was also meeting me there. I hadn't seen Dana in 25 years or so. We chatted the whole way to Tucson catching up on each other's lives.
The hike was in the Saguaro National Park. It began at the Hugh Norris Trailhead. it went up, up, up and then followed a ridgeline until an easy climb to Wasson Peak. We then returned along a slightly different route that headed down and then back up to the ridgeline. It was a really good workout and a good crew of folks some of whom I had hiked with on Thursday.
Hugh Norris to Wasson Peak
Widget powered by EveryTrail: GPS GeotaggingWe headed back to Mesa where we went out to dinner at an awesome Indian place. It was a really great meal. Dana, Chris (her husband), Ali (her daughter), Erica, PJ, JJ, Huichi and I all went. Dad did everything he could to get out of eating Indian.
The next morning we were up even earlier to head out to the Lost Dutchman Marathon - Huichi to run the 1/2 marathon, me to walk the 10K, and the Melies clan (all of them) to walk the 2mile Fun Walk/Run. It was sooo cold in the morning. Poor little Austin was very uncomfortable and was carried most of the way by PJ. Then got a bit hassled by the runners at the finish because he wasn't crossing fast enough. The Melies finished first and headed out quickly due to the cold and the children's short tempers. Funnily enough they happened to be leaving right when I was crossing the road they drove out so I had a little cheering section. I crossed next and got some film of Huichi running at the very end. (This video can be seen on Facebook)
Dana was supposed to run as well but woke up and wasn't feeling that great. I caught up with her and her family at REI on her way out of town. I hope that we can keep in touch and do a few more things together this year.
Later that night we had a huge family dinner followed by a photos of all the Lost Dutchman participants.
Monday morning I took Brody out to Butcher Jones to hike around Saguaro lake. Unfortunately, I screwed up the Tonto Pass and had to go past the turnoff and on to a gas station near Ft McDowell Casino to purchase it. It was an incredibly pretty hike as was the scenery on the way there and back. Right now it is so green. The rock is red and the water and sky are blue. I would really like to hike more in that area. Brody enjoyed the hike but found the uphill sections very challenging. We only did half the hike (3 miles) but we both enjoyed it.
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