Ohio & the Return

My visit to central Ohio included hiking around the Dennison University Biological Reserve.  What a gem of acreage with some good climbs. Thanks to Ohio friend Eva, who set aside virus concerns to hike with me.  Some of the most mature Beech, Red Oak and Maple trees I have ever seen populate the BR.  After visiting family I spent many hours in 3 acres of woods I own.  I planted over 500 trees many years ago and take something akin to parental pride when I walk among them.  I split a bunch of wood, cleared brush and throughly enjoyed myself.

But, it was rather cold with overnight lows in the 40's, rain several days with lots of clouds and wind and so, I was ready to head to the southwest.  I began my drive.....

...took the southern route through Cincinnati, Memphis, Little Rock, Dallas, etc...

I think in AR or TX, I noticed a few examples of the above.  A car pulling a car pulling a car.  Passing through....

....western NM and eastern AZ, I spotted distant mountain ranges and wondered if there were trails that led to the peaks but above all else, very glad to be back in Arizona.  What a hot summer where the average number of days above 100 is 62 but this year, well over 100 days. The first 4 days of October, the high has been 13 degrees above normal and still hitting 100.  But 100 degrees, in our low humidity, isn't bad.  Well, sorry for my absence but lots of hikes coming up.