Cruising Past Seventy: The Inner Journeys: 5 Refreshing Socially Distanced Trips to State, Regional, and National Parks

Friday, May 22, 2020

5 Refreshing Socially Distanced Trips to State, Regional, and National Parks


We have been on lockdown, in our Viewpoint home in Arizona, since we arrived from Mazatlan, Mexico on March 23. There have been a few restrictions lifted. Bill can now play golf at the 18-hole course at our Viewpoint Golf Resort and the pools are now open where we live. I have been focused on finishing my second book. Groceries and medicines are picked up curbside. We had special dishes picked up for Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day. Zoom Parties have replaced physical hugs with family and friends.

But what has really saved the day is the refreshing outdoors that we sought on our road trips to open state, regional, and national parks around Phoenix. We can easily socially distance naturally because there are none to a few people who are doing it, like us. Also, our car is an extension of our home. We disinfect it and keep it isolated from foreign influences. We also carry with us our caboodle of face masks, surgical gloves, and hand sanitizers.

White Tank Mountain National Preserve


Spring in the desert is my favorite time and place. I immediately researched where the spring wildflowers were still blooming after our 14-day complete lockdown. We found one, the White Tank Mountain Regional Park. The Park features 19 hiking trails, ranging from 1.3 to 9.1 miles, 1,161 to 2,119 feet above sea level. Eleven of them are short and easy. However, the best one, the Waterfall Trail, was closed.

It was just an hour’s drive northwest from our home on Interstate 10, near the town of Surprise, Arizona. We were charged $7 for our vehicle and the registration was contactless. We were directed to the not yet bloomed-out section. As we drove there, we found about ten cars parked in different areas. And when we got to the spot, we had a ball photographing the yellow and purple blooms. It was our first chance to go out of our home and absolutely loved it.

Estrella Mountain Regional Park


This park was supposed to be just 45 minutes directly west of our home, also on Interstate 10, but this time near Goodyear, Arizona. But the GPS directed us to a dirt road near its southern border. It took us almost another hour to drive around the expansive park. It was a good thing that, on this extraneous drive, we found lots to photograph.  The paloverdes were still blooming yellow and we came upon an old jet fighter plane on display at an air club.

The Park is huge with 20,000 acres of desert, mountains, and a large wetland. There are baseball fields, a large grass picnic area, a golf course, fishing, and over 33 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There was the abandoned horse show arena and a few horses were available for riding. A couple was riding their horses on to the Pederson Trail of 8.7 miles. Another couple was starting their hike on the 2.4 mile Baseline Trail. We were content photographing the horses and the geometric shapes of the empty benches and other parts of the arena.

Ironwood Forest National Monument


It was supposed to take us just two hours to get to the Ironwood Forest National Monument southeast from Mesa on Interstate 10. Our GPS took us to an exit that led to a dirt road that had a cautionary warning. As we reached the middle of the dirt road, we encountered a flooded wash area with another warning that said to not proceed in case of floods. We found a small track at the side to safely go but as the road became scarier, we turned back.

From my phone’s GPS, we found a route that took us south through more of Interstate 10. Forty minutes later, it took us to another dirt road called West SilverBell. This one, however, had the National Monument sign on entry and no warning. The whole trip took us three hours but it was so refreshing. It was like we were at the more primitive version of the Saguaro National Park. And the saguaros were in full bloom.

an ironwood tree in bloom at the park

Since it was a national forest, there was no visitor center and no fees to be paid. And we were pleasantly surprised with the ironwood tree. It is also called the palo fierro and it blooms in late April/May. We were there just at the right time. They were blazing in “fiery” purple. On the way home, the GPS directed us to a different route from how we came. And it led us to the same dirt road we were on at first. It was shorter but the longer route was definitely lovelier.

Picacho Peak State Park


This Park was about an hour from Ironwood Forest National Monument and it was on the way home right on Interstate 10. So we paid the $7 fee per vehicle and took the short drive through. It was supposed to be the best place to see spring flowers but we were late for the spectacle. But the peak itself is a spectacle. Its centerpiece spire is visible from downtown Tucson as it rises to 3,374 feet above mean sea level. It appears to be the remnant of a volcanic neck. Although now it is believed that it is just an eroded piece of rock.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument


Even if the trip to this National Monument took almost three hours each way south on Interstate 10 and Highway 85, we made it a point to go. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona, just 18 miles from the Mexican border. We understand that many illegal aliens use it as a corridor into the country. As a matter of fact, the Visitor Center is named after Kris Eggle, a border patrol agent killed by a drug smuggler during a border patrol operation.

We did not regret going because, although the visitor center was closed, there was a number to call to talk to a ranger. She directed us to where the special cacti grow in numbers. The park is the only place in the US where the organ pipe cactus grows wild. It was easy to drive through and spot the places where the cacti flourished, nearer the foothills. In addition, the desert wilderness scenery is so beautiful with ocotillos and saguaros blooming. Finally, there was practically no one around.

These five state, regional, and national parks were heaven-sent. I do not know why not more people go to get refreshed from being captive in their homes.


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60 comments:

  1. These road trips to the 5 parks were what have saved our days. They were so refreshing!

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  2. How wonderful to be coming into spring and having these wonderful wildflowers and stunning Parks so 'close' to home - Getting out into the great outdoors, now more than at any other time, is as you say so refreshing and rewarding :)

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  3. How lucky you could travel to the National Parks, and such great relief from being isolated at home. (Pinned)

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  4. The advantage of your road trip was the refreshing environment. I did something similar in London when we were told to spend 1 hour a day exercising outdoors. It was a pleasure to cycle around my area with hardly any cyclists around.

    Your photos are lovely and what a wonderful way to self isolate!

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  5. That's so great that restrictions have been lifted for you and that you've been able to enjoy the outdoors. Those parks look like great destinations and I can well imagine that you especially enjoy them in spring with the colourful flowers coming through! I'm based in the UK and lockdown measurements are vague at the moment, especially because one of the key political figures has been ignoring the rules...

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    1. Oh my. I wonder who that is! Restrictions were not lifted. The parks were left open and new social distancing was in place.

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  6. Oh well, it's the physical hugs that I miss the most. We haven't been on a really strict lockdown, however, I would not like to live forever how we are living now. All the best to you!

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  7. I haven't been to any of these parks so I definitely have to go back on a road trip soon.

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  8. I did a lot of exploring during the winters we spent in Mesa Arizona, but I have only been to one of these - White Tank Mountain National Preserve. Perhaps I will get to the others someday. How nice to experience the saguaros in bloom.

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  9. I enjoyed visiting with you these Arizona parks. I haven't ventured out yet to any parks, but your comments make me more interesting in going ahead with it.

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  10. This is one of the perfect spots for wanderlust travelers to visit this year. Good read.

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  11. oooh you are so lucky to have access to so much beauty in the springtime. It's very cool that although the visitor center was closed at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument you could still speak to someone to learn more and find the best cacti!

    p.s, that ironwood tree in bloom is stunning!

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  12. Consider yourself lucky that you live so close to such beautiful parks. I have been to Organ Pipe Cactus NM many years ago and loved it!

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  13. Socially distanced trips and hiking are made for each other. Such places are a paradise for a landscape photographer and I'll love to take a walk here.

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  14. The National Parks are real gems and an ode to the wilderness of nature. Nice for socially distanced trips to lose oneself in nature.

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  15. Never knew you can get so much colours in Spring on a desert ! I always pictured cactus only ! Nice of you to highlight there's contactless payment at White Tank Mountain ! Good to take all the precautions necessary during this critical period ! =)

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  16. Ah wow, you're so lucky to have so many gorgeous places to go visit and it's great that you were able to see some beautiful blooming flowers and trees too. I think I value time outdoors now more than ever, but unfortunately I don't have anything like this near by!

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  17. Would love to visit the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, it looks like a gorgeous landscape!

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  18. It is so great to hear that even despite the unfortunate circumstances that you were able to get out and explore! These small adventures that we take near our homes are what is keeping us sane. I live in NYC, so my 'hikes' and 'outdoor' walks look a bit different, but there is still plenty of beauty to be found that I previously missed. I would love to visit Arizona one day. Looks beautiful!

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    1. We are lucky but then it was precisely why we chose to settle in Arizona.

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  19. Ironwood Forest National Monument looks amazing. Glad you were able to get out a little to enjoy the beautiful sites

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  20. I absolutely love Arizona and all of the nature available. Such good hiking and outdoor activities. These are great ideas to still be able to get out and have fun. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Got lucky to discover this great pastime during lockdown.

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  21. What a beautiful part of the country, and I love your perspective and energy. Thank you for the inspirational and gorgeous photos and the in-depth information.

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  22. I would love a trip to Arizona, have not been to your beautiful state yet! It's on the list of places to visit, so one of these days. We will definitely go the see the wild organ pipe cactus. I had know idea it was an UNESCO site. Thanks for the info!

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  23. This is what we're hoping to do this fall and visit Acadia National Park in Marine finally! We're still a bit hesitant about plane travel - and Arizona is a bit far for a road trip. I haven't been to Arizona since I was bout 12 - your pictures make me want to visit again though!

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    1. We will not do plane travel either. So road trips are it for us!

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  24. You are so lucky that you had all of these beautiful parks that you are able to visit. In Ontario, only some of our parks started to open up last week, so let the exploring begin!

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    1. They were open, except for visitor centers, throughout!

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  25. Looks amazing! This is definitely the way to travel right now, experiencing quieter places in the great outdoors. So many inspiring ideas!

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  26. Like us, we are doing our best to maintain through this trying period. Having an opportunity to explore the spaces nearby does help relieve some of the stress. Those spring flowers would certainly brighten the day.

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  27. We have not tried dining in restaurants and shopping in malls. Like you, all curb's de pick-up. Outdoors ok!

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  28. Wow you have so many beautiful national parks nearby! I love that everyone is taking this time to explore the areas close to them and find new spots in their area :)

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    1. State and regional parks. Other national parks are farther away.

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  29. It's great that you have so many national parks near you. Definitely the way to travel right now.

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  30. Another plus of the pandemic lockdown was reminding us all of how important our national parks and public lands are!

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  31. How wonderful to be able to explore national parks in your area, which as you say, is easy to maintain social distancing with so few people there. We moved last year to a rural location in Wales and it's easier to explore here without bumping into others than in our previous London home.

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    1. Wow, you are in Wales! We have been there and, like us, you probably have a lot of places to go with natural social distancing!

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  32. Arizona seems like a great place to get away to some secluded spots and away from other people. Those are some beautiful state parks. While I love our Florida parks, the landscape just doesn't compare to being out west.

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