If you know anything about me, you know I love the Grand Canyon, specifically the national park area. It is a joy for me to see others looking over the south rim marveling at such a beautiful sight. Or times when looking into the dark sky, curious about the sparkling stars and planets. Once again we were at the Grand Canyon National Park in winter, last month, with no snow! I was so ready for snow. With every warm bit of clothing: my boots, gaiters, poles, Yaktrax, alpaca hat … but still no snow! Don’t get me wrong, it was very cold! So much so, I was hoping the water in my backpack bladder did not get cold!
Sunrise at the south rim of the Grand Canyon
After seeing the rim exhibits and 2 films at the visitor center, we took a hike. We hiked down the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point! The majority of my times on this trail have been in the snow. So when not in the snow, I am always surprised how deep some steps are. Of course along with hikers, there are also mules carrying freight on this trail. Hooves do dig in to the trail, like the rest of us.
Ooh Aah Point is a .9 mile downhill hike. As they always say, going down is optional, whereas hiking back up is mandatory! How long will it take to hike back up? Double your time going down as the answer to how long it will take you to return to the rim. Remember, water and sun protection for your skin and eyes is important all year-round. It’s a great hike to take if you have a few hours to enjoy the canyon.
By the way, watch BOTH films at the visitor center!
Often cacti are photographed or sketched with their arms pointing upward, but in reality one can find cacti with arms drooping. On a recent hike, there were a few cacti with drooping arms and we got talking and asking the question, what had caused this?
Some drooping, others not…
My research seems to indicate two possible causes: a freeze and/or dehydration of the plant. When our temperature drops into a freeze zone, the point where the arm meets the cacti trunk is vulnerable. As a result it is weakened and the arm will droop as it continues to grow. Another possible cause is lack of water. It is very obvious when a cactus has enough water as it looks a bit plump and when with not enough water, shriveled. So now you know why one cactus will have arms upward and another may not!
There is a huge age difference in these cacti too!
A nonprofit housing organization I have been active with throughout the years in New York State and Arizona is Habitat for Humanity. I was also fortunate to participate in a week-long project in Poland in 2019.
For me, I enjoy helping to build a home, to work side by side with the future home owner and to be present when the family cuts the ribbon and enters their home officially! The homes Habitat for Humanity constructs are solid, permanent homes for low-income people/families. An application is necessary with a process to be completed. If chosen, the adults begin their sweat-equity work towards a home. While it can take time, I have met very happy potential home owners on site putting in their sweat-equity hours after finally hearing they were selected. Many people apply, but unfortunately the need is great and cannot be met by Habitat alone. Once again the excitement of owning one’s home is such a joy to share with another person/family.
One of the best things to happen for Habitat in Humanity in Tucson, Arizona was the construction of the warehouse named the CHUCK Center, or the Connie Hillman Urban Construction Knowledge Center. Beyond those of us volunteering our time building walls for homes in the Tucson area, the CHUCK Center has a workforce development and construction training program. It’s a joy for me to build walls indoors and avoid the harsh summer Arizona heat and winter cold. The 4 house walls are eventually delivered to the appropriate site for installation there. Also at the CHUCK Center, a couple apartments will be available for AmeriCorp workers and the center provides instruction for individuals learning skills to be our future skilled construction workers.
Our local Habitat may also be helping other housing non-profits with construction of their homes to meet their program goals. Here is where I believe the collaboration between agencies/organizations needs to happen to truly solve our nation’s housing need.
Habitat for Humanity is nationwide. You can volunteer and help with construction; no skills necessary … you can learn as you go. Other volunteer opportunities within Habitat are available if you feel unsure about wielding a hammer. Check out your local Habitat for Humanity. For more information, click the links below for the national website and/or the one specific to Tucson, Arizona.
Here’s my second of three housing – related posts:
Maybe on some of the street corners in your town, you have seen panhandlers. Each of these individuals have their story and some may be homeless. Homelessness has risen in the USA since 2017 and made worse during the pandemic. There are not enough shelters to meet the need. Plus, shelters have some shortcomings: lack of safe and private space possibly being the biggest concern.
I have always liked the sign below. There are agencies that will help people in need. The collaborative effort on the part of many agencies is what will work.
Help is available.
In California, a project, “The Homing Project”, has been successful and as a result other communities across the USA are looking into it too. Recently, I met volunteers with “The Homing Project” and saw a mini home. The Tucson, Arizona non-profit organization has some land to start the project here; however, they are also looking for additional 1 – 1.5 acres of land, or more, to set up future communities. Each 64 square foot home will be for tenants younger than 25 and older than 50. A mini home has one or two beds, storage for belongings, locking doors and climate control. The prefabricated mini homes can be assembled in a day and dismantled as needs change. Along with the mini homes, there will be a communal kitchen, laundry room, private showers, community area and medical, dental and other support services. The mini homes would be enclosed in a gated area with security, but even so some neighborhoods are worried about the mini homes being in certain locations.
To learn more about this non-profit organization, which advocates “it takes a village to build a village”, click on the link below:
Whether you agree with Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs or not, our physiological needs are at the bottom level of the pyramid. This means, these are the most important things every person should have to even begin to help form their behavior. They are breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. Think about it: breathing is mandatory, and food, and water. Clothing is a must and so is sleep … and the best place to get it is in a safe and secure shelter … most of us call home.
Today and the following two posts, I wish to share three Tucson, Arizona programs addressing the housing crisis for different populations of people. We know there is a housing crisis in the USA, but what are we doing about it? My energy and interest is in programs being collaborative in their efforts since one approach will not solve the housing situation for all. Housing is needed for youth aging out of foster care, and homeless individuals, and people wanting their first home. Each program is helping in a small way. Here’s the first of three Tucson, Arizona housing programs:
Housing for Youth: I Am Somebody
Recently I participated in building a raised garden bed for a program http://IAmYou360.org
known also as, “I Am Somebody”. Our volunteer work project was at a small community of homes in construction for youth aged 18 – 22 years of age. These are young people who had aged out of foster care and still need help. In Tucson, Desiree Cook, started this non-profit organization as a result of her own experience and saw the need for 20,000 youth in this state needing a hand up. So far 4,000 youth have been helped with this program which has many dimensions. Please click on the links provided in this post to learn more about what this organization offers youth. Here is my take-away of my volunteer time on-site.
We were building raised garden beds at a location where nine 450 square foot homes will be available for youths aged 18 – 22. The individuals will pay $1.00 per square foot per month with half of it set aside for future purchase of a home when they age out of this program. The homes are energy efficient. Each person is required to attend classes, provided by the organization. They are about economics/financial literacy and other skills, such as cooking, gardening, etc. The instruction is to meet this goal: empower the whole person. Each young person must complete a high school diploma or GED, if not already done so, and the young man I spoke with was working on an associate degree at the local college. With their home/shelter, the young people can focus on so much more with the support of this organization.
By the way, I also learned seeds are available at local public libraries. So if you wish to garden, stop in and get some seeds!
To know more about the “I Am You 360/I Am Somebody” program in Tucson, Arizona: click on the link below
The saguaro cactus only grows in the Sonoran Desert, from sea level to 4000 feet, so mostly in southern Arizona. They can grow in a tree-like shape, almost 40 feet on rocky soil. They are the largest cacti in the USA. Often I’ll see a bird making a nest in the fleshy stem of a cactus.
Saguaro cacti
You may have seen the white flowers of the saguaro cactus, that then become a fruit. Recently, I happened to be home, I noticed the fruits were ripening. They are a source of food and water for birds. First, here’s a photo of the fruits on the tree; second photo, one opened and eaten by a bird.
Fruits are open.
Fruit fell on ground. Looks only partially eaten.
Arizona Native Plant Law has 4 categories of protected plants. One category is “Highly Safeguarded” species. Saguaro cacti fall within this category as they are threatened for survival or in danger of extinction. Destruction or theft of a saguaro is illegal under state law. It can result in fines and a class 4 felony. I researched how much is the fine: minimum of $200 per foot of main trunk and $200 per foot of each arm. All with a maximum not to exceed $2500 per cactus. If you need to move a saguaro cactus, then a permit is required.
Saguaro cacti can live up to 200 years and grow to more than 60 feet. They can have arms bending upward that can number over 25. Keep an eye out for this cactus as you visit southern Arizona. See their protective spines, white flowers in late spring and red fruit in summer. Enjoy …
Usually when traveling on Interstate-8 west, and passing through Yuma, Arizona, I stop at the wetlands along the Colorado River. This time, I wanted to visit some place new. I decided on the Territorial Prison since I had a couple of hours. If you have more time, walk the park near the river too.
Fortunately a guided tour was available when I arrived at the prison. Call ahead to know tour times. I loved listening to the guide while walking through the prison grounds. The guide dressed the cowboy/western/prison supervisor look and had a wealth of info and photos.
Guide at the state prison tour
Prison cells were small behind those bars
Through history, this area by the Colorado and Gila Rivers, was at crossroads as many immigrants headed westward. In the 1850’s, there was a military post and with the gold rush activity, Yuma became the county seat. In 1876 the prison began being built by the prisoners.
With our guide, we walked and learned about the prison’s various cells and some of the prisoners. Most prisoners were male. There were only 6 females in the 33 years at this prison. It was a challenge to meet the needs for the female prisoners, especially for one who was pregnant and had her son delivered and staying in the prison for 2 years. There was also an infirmary, library, outdoor areas, tool closets and the “dark cell” for solitary confinement.There are plenty of things to learn about the prison. When this prison closed after 33 years, the new state prison moved to Florence, Arizona.
With the tour guide, exhibits in the museum, a video and walking the grounds, the $10 per person was worth the visit. If you are a senior, you get to pay a reduced fee.
Hassayampa River Preserve is a nature preserve four miles southeast of Wickenburg, Arizona and worth a hike. It is a 770-acre riparian nature preserve. In the 1860’s it was a stagecoach stop; in 1913 a guest ranch. More recently, after more than 25 years of the property being owned by The Nature Conservancy, a partnership was created seven years ago with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department. The Conservancy however retains most of the preserve.
When you check-in at the visitor center and pay five dollars per person, collected by the Maricopa Parks and Recreation Department, you discover their ownership includes the visitor center, a portion of the river channel and Palm Lake. The trail to Palm Lake is currently closed due to construction of a wildlife viewing platform at the lake. The Conservancy put a conservation easement on the property to ensure the land’s natural values are forever protected.
The flowing river was wonderful to see as I visited the preserve specifically to birdwatch. The Hassayampa name comes from a Yavapai Indian word “hayesamo, meaning following the water as far as it goes”. It has also been referred to as the “upside down river” by Apache Indians because the river flows underground most the way. Water is important for wildlife. As a result of the existence of this river, the preserve is home to a variety of wildlife and approximately 300 bird species. I did see lizards and deer, smelled skunk and observed numerous birds! Actually I saw two new birds to add to my life list: golden-crowned kinglet and a varied thrush! I will make a point of visiting the preserve each season to observe more wildlife!
Things to know before you visit:
The preserve is closed each Monday and Tuesday. There are specific park hours per season, so check what they are before you head out. The trails are sandy, so if you have difficulty walking on pavement, please know this could be a challenge for you. Pets are not allowed at the preserve. The trail loops 2.2 miles. Lykes Lookout trail ends with a very steep 123 foot elevation gain. Remember, what you climb up, you need to come back down … plan what is best for yourself! At top, you do get a 360 degree view and possibly see and hear a train passing by! Enjoy your visit and be safe … remember the usual: hat, sunscreen and plenty of water! The Hassayampa River Trail can be downloaded at the AllTrails app.
Varied Thrush … poor quality photo, but I was a distance away from the bird!
A fall, weekday, school day, midday afternoon is the best time to visit Sabino Canyon Recreation Area! You’ll feel like the park is all yours, and it will be! Times, such as this, I imagine taking a first-time hiker to the park. The person can see saguaro cacti of all sizes, even young ones emerging from below mesquite trees. They can hear bird songs and/or calls with no interrupting noises. Other wildlife may wander past, water may flow over the dam, and we could choose from a variety of 30 miles of hiking trails.
Saguaro cactus on a sunny day in Tucson
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. As my imagined hiker looks beyond the park, he/she would see the Santa Rita Mountains to the south and the Rincon Mountains to the east. They would hear a cactus wren, a rock wren and curve-billed thrasher and see black-throated sparrows. Often a Gila woodpecker can be calling and flying overhead as would common ravens. Wildflowers may be at their peak or slowly dying off as cool air begins to descend here and on our nearby Sonoran desert. But saguaro cacti stand tall with their gangly-looking “arms”. Some birds make nests in these cacti and Native American people have multiple uses for this plant. The saguaro cacti really do have shallow roots as seen in the photo below:
Shallow roots of a saguaro cactus
Black-throated sparrow
Respect …
Respect for wildlife is important to me. I want the birds, the wildflowers, the insects and animals to find safety in this protected area. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area provides for that with “no pets or camping being allowed”. For photographers, artists, joggers, hikers or cyclists there are times and places we can use the area with respect. Despite a sign at the entrance of where I enter the area, people still do not seem to understand, dogs are not allowed. Thus, park officials erected another sign to make the point clear!
The rules seem clear.
Signage seems clear.
It seems obvious to me why dogs are not allowed. How would this funnel web wolf spider survive if a dog ran through its web? And trampled wildflowers are not what we want to see from dogs running through an area or people hiking off-trail.
Funnel web made by a wolf spider
Respect … our Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has been here many years and finally closed to vehicles since 1978. A shuttle is available within the park. Hard to imagine private vehicles ever being here, especially now with about a million park visitors per year! All the more reason for me to enjoy my quiet time …. now!
Shuttle is available.
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is here for us to respectfully enjoy!
Wildlife is around us! While I enjoy observing birds at our backyard feeders, other wildlife visit the backyard too! One morning I noticed two newcomers to the area.
A Harris’ antelope squirrel was eating seed that fell from our bird feeder hanging a few feet above. This animal leaves its burrow to eat in the early morning and retreat to it when the heat rises. This type of ground squirrel is found in Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico and can resist hypothermia. They can survive temperature over 104 degrees. This squirrel is doing okay in the Tucson, Arizona area when our temperatures hit 106 degrees! They are back to their burrow, I would imagine! No doubt it is this creature making the burrowing holes under our mesquite trees. They also enjoy the fallen bird seed when not eating their usual mesquite beans and fruit from local cacti.
Harris’ antelope squirrel
Another desert creature I usually see sitting on a rock in our water basins with mulch are reptiles. This one in particular is the twin-spotted spiny lizard. Not much is known about this reptile. It is within the same group as the desert spiny lizard … also seen in our backyard. The twin-spotted spiny lizard can grow to 13 inches. This one seen our our tree seems to be on his way to full growth! These reptiles like rocky desert landscapes and eat large insects and other arthropods, such as spiders and centipedes. A good one to have around!
Twin-spotted spiny lizard
Keep your eyes open for all wildlife. Some may only arrive in the early morning coolness while others hang out all day long. Each animal plays a part in the overall ecosystem, our natural world. Do not be too quick to want it out of your neighborhood. Observe, learn and appreciate the life around you in your backyard.
