Hiking in Scottsdale

Saturday, March 23

This morning we went back to the Sonora Preserve for a proper hike. We took the Lost Dog Trail through beautiful desert scenery. Due to the precipitation this area received during the winter months the desert flora this year is supposed to be exceptional. Well, we arrived at just the right time because everything is starting to bloom and the desert flora is breathtaking.
We don't really have words to describe so we will just take you along
on the trail ~

Brittlebush

Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

Wild Heliotrope

Saguaro Skeleton

Staghorn Cactus

Coulter's Lupine

Staghorn

Prickly Pear

Desert Chicory

Saguaro

perspective of the size of the Saguaro

perspective of Saguaro

Ocotillo

Mexican Gold Poppies and Lupine surround a Barrel cactus

Desert Chicory

Ocotillo

Ocotillo blossom

Spring beauty in the wash

the trail

. . . and to you

After hiking for 1 1/2 hours, we came back, soaked in the hot tub, swam and had lunch at the pool.


Next, it was on to Old Town Scottsdale.


What a fun area ~ upscale art galleries, little shops, restaurants, baseball fans, and just people. Scottsdale began as a small farming community in 1894 and some of the original buildings remain.

Los Amigos

Wonderful sights everywhere

LOVE this Prickly Pear sculpture

Old buildings housing new shops

Original Old Adobe Mission ~ hand built by the Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale.



It must have been a few hours since we had anything to eat so we HAD to go to the Sugar Bowl ~ the name alone suggests we shouldn't be there!
What a neat place. Turns out Bil Keane, author of the comic strip "Family Circle" lived in Paradise Valley, frequented this place and referenced it in his comic strip so his cartoons are posted at the shop and on the menu.





























We only had a small ice cream because we weren't finished eating for the day ~ we continued on to Wally's for a great dinner!



Then fun with "chicken foot"