Last week Natalie's tio Jose came out to visit for a couple days. There were lots of things we would have liked to do (like hike The Flatiron) but we didn't have the time because his trip was so short. But on Friday we were able to get out and do two hikes.
Saturday morning we woke up early and went up Camelback Mountain at the crack of dawn. It was a nice hike. Early in the morning the weather was perfect, the mountain was green, the wildflowers were all blooming, and the cacti about to go into full bloom any week. At the top, far off in the distance, I saw a stripped tail. I thought it was a raccoon. Then I saw it again, and closer. It was no raccoon. I started Googling what could be in the area and found a ringtailed cat. 20 minutes later I was able to get a picture of one on the run. I had no idea we had anything like this in Arizona. It was pretty cool.
On the way down the mountain we ran into the biggest sissy boy I've seen in a while. There was a kid probably around 17 years old with his brother, under 10. There was a Chuckwalla on the rocks where he had to climb up. I heard him yell "That's a big lizard". He was standing 15 feet away and didn't want to get any closer because he was afraid "It was going to attack him". Watch out for those attacking lizards! His little brother walked right past it, while he had to go around. What a wuss. In Florida we played with gators. I got up close and took a picture of the Chuckwalla. I almost became it's lunch. I am lucky to be here today writing this blog after my encounter with Tyrannosaurus Chuckwalla.
After our hike up Camelback we went home and relaxed for a bit before going to The Lost Dutchman with Adriana and Tia Fioly. At the beginning of the trail I was showing everyone a Cholla Cactus and I got stuck real good. I was pulling and pulling and the spine wouldn't come out of my finger, it took a minute or two to finally get it out. Of course Tia couldn't do too much hiking so shortly after this Tio Jose, Adriana, and I went on our own hike. Right at the bottom of The Flatiron trail we found a lot of wildflowers growing. Not exactly what people think of when they hear the word desert. All of the cacti had buds ready to open any week and I can't wait to see the desert in full bloom. So I will be planning a camping trip at Lost Dutchman sometime in April.
During my walk around The Lost Dutchman I got a text from a friend at work. He had recently told me he found a second job. I had sent him my resume a couple days earlier looking for a second job as well to pay off some bills. Finding a full time job isn't nearly as challenging as finding a part time second job but apparently when you know someone it makes all the difference. He told me he got me a job working with him. No interview or anything. So now I have a second job, mostly working from home, bringing in some extra cash. Met the company's president and filled out the paperwork yesterday and ready to start next week.
The ringtailed cat
Ocotillo flowers
Cholla Cactus getting buds
@ The Lost Dutchman State Park
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