March 7: Apache Junction

Another warm, beautiful day (I know, where are the sand storms and ice storms?!) in Apache Junction. I cooked up a veggie sautee for breakfast on the Coleman stove and we planned the day. Glen suggested returning to one of our favorite spots from past trips to this area - Willow Springs Canyon (where Black Glass Canyon is located).

We threw together some lunch, snacks and water and drove over to the Bulldog Canyon trailhead, where we parked and began to hike the trail down to the wash, which we followed into the canyon.

In addition to these wildflowers we saw along the wash, there were big sweeps of golden California poppies up in the hills.

This is the land of saguaros and sulfur-yellow green lichen covered rocks.

There's water in this here canyon!

My best photo of the day - Twyla and I hung out here while Glen and Nyssa went rock pickin'.

Me and my gal hanging out amidst the lichen-covered rock, listening to the babbling water flow by.

The views were fantastic, as always, and were made even better by the fact that there was water flowing in the steep canyon further into the hike. As Twyla and I sat quietly after lunch, I watched hummingbirds flit around, landing on foliage. I then heard the actual call of a hummingbird (a Costa's hummingbird, according to the Merlin app). Of course hummingbirds have songs, but I have never in my life heard one. What a cool thing!!

You can never take too many photos of lichens!

It really was this green in the canyon - none of my photos are enhanced.

It became apparent that a fire scorched parts of the canyon at some point in the recent past. In addition to the charred vegetation, there was the smell of char in the air.

Mother Nature is the most magnificent artist.

As I write this, we are in the tent and night has fallen. I don't have too much more to say about the day because I'm pooped after hiking almost nine miles, but it sure was gorgeous out there.

And thanks to Glen for cooking up a tasty supper. Good night!