Parker Canyon Lake - October 31, 2004

On a gorgeous All Hallow's Eve, Kathy and I set out to hike a section of the Arizona Trail near Parker Canyon Lake.

The air was crystal clear and brisk, the sky was deep blue, and the late afternoon light turned the high desert grasses to gold.

Everything was perfect. Except maybe that we hiked about three miles in the wrong direction!

Oh well. Wherever we were, it was lovely. Lunchtime found us on the shores of a tiny stream meandering between forests of Mexican Oak, alligator juniper and manzanita.

The day ended with pizza, salad and red wine at the Velvet Elvis in Patagonia, so we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

An extraordinary sunset over the Santa Rita Mountains cast long dark shadows on the east side of the mountains.