We've Arrived: The Sonoran Desert

Dawn light.

When we woke up yesterday morning in Holbrook, Arizona, it was 11 degrees. By the time we left four hours later, it was 35 but felt like 45. In the desolate parking lot of the La Quinta Inn, I stripped out of my fleece top and pants and my shirt; and slipped into shorts and a light anorak pullover. Then we drove south from that barren land.

One hour out, it was 52 degrees, and we pulled over to walk in a forest of ponderosa pines. A hint of spring whispered to us. There was no trail; we just locked the minivan and began walking. With the warming temperatures and being surrounded by those stalwart souls, I sang out in joy as Samwise and Emily trotted along. At times I even giggled with the glee of a kid being locked overnight in a candy shop.