Updating from the Desert

Sunday I jumped in with a few hundred cyclists to do the Silverbell Century, one of the primary training rides prior to the Tour de Tucson, which is in two weeks.  I rode 45 miles which included a fun descent of Tangerine Road and....

....upon reaching the town of Marana, I left the route to head back towards Twin Peaks Rd and a return home.  Lots of acres devoted to growing cotton, not what one would expect out here.

Monday I had to hang around to await the arrival of more furniture and then headed to Phoenix to pick up my daughter Olivia.  I enjoy driving the back way via #77/79/60 which includes going through Florence and wide open views to the west.  After the sun drops below the horizon, there is 35-40 minutes of a beautiful glow.

Olivia wanted to get in a couple of hikes and I was more than happy to oblige, with shortish, fun hikes.  We began with Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail, a very steep slog.  The saddle at the top of the image is the midpoint goal.

Olivia is somewhat afraid of heights so the sections that required climbing with exposure and handholds were a challenge. 

OK, the last cabled section that is a sheer rock face with a few poles and two cables connecting them was the most challenging for her.  She took a break, talking to herself and then with shaking hands, made it through.

She was pumped when she reached the top.  A 1500' elevation gain in a little over a mile.  A cold front moved through the evening before so the temps never got out of the 60's today and it was kind of windy but warmer weather arriving soon.

Emboldened by her success, Olivia leaped through the obstacles that had caused so much consternation an hour before.