Hiking in the McDowell Mountains

We were in Phoenix this week and went for a hike with Kathy and Craig up to the McDowell Mountains. Below is a photo of the dreaded Cholla cactus, also known as a jumping cactus. You just walk near it an pieces break off and fly into your soft, tender, skin. It shows no mercy.

It's been wet recently in Arizona, so the desert was full of color, flowers and green grass. I personally am not too good with a lawn. I put in new grass, and four sprinklers died! Out here though mother nature is in charge. It will be green for three or four weeks and then Pow! Brown the rest of the year.

We hiked about 4 or 5 miles up in the mountains and enjoyed the great outdoors. Out here though, you have to be careful not to lean on any of the trees. More on this Phoenix trip later. We had a great time and I'll have a few fun stories for you.