One end of the park was burning and the air was so dry it made my eyes sting a little. My mouth and nostrils dried out too, as though the ash was settling there absorbing every molecule of moisture as it came to the surface.

The viewing platforms were overly busy as visitors were constrained to just the one section of the region. So we went back to the car, exchanged our flip flops for something a little more sturdy and set out to be among the hoodoos.

It was a beautiful trail.

We drank much water whilst there, but the intense heat coupled with the dryer than dry air sapped our bodies. At the deepest point, we sheltered for a few minutes appreciating the shade.

When we got back to the car we yanked our shoes right off to let our feet breathe once more and literally downed our coconut waters straight out of the cool box. They moistened our dry throats and refreshed our bodies.

And from there we went South West to Zion…

From Flagstaff & Holbrook, Arizona.

We drove 3600 miles of American roads in July.

We zoomed across the Mojave and down into San Diego listening to the Silversun Pickups very loudly.

We sat in Monument Valley to enjoy the setting sun, then drove north to the Desert Rose Inn for the night. I immersed myself in this once darkness fell.

Arriving in a nowhere town late one night, we ate salad in our motel room before going next door for some decaf and coconut cream pie. Coconut cream pie is my weakness.

In Phoenix, I was impressed with this exhibit in the Heard Museum.

Dinner at the Barrio Grill, daydreaming about passing dusty afternoons at their air conditioned bar, martini in hand.

Evening walks in air that still feels so soft and dense with the day’s heat.

Having a waterfall to ourselves after a long hike in the sun and submerging ourselves in the cool pool at it’s base.

Sitting in the pool in the evenings, talking under the starry skies.

Using a telescope and seeing three of Jupiter’s moons.

Picnicking in the desert.

Drinking cool, crisp white wine and watching the sun set with friends.

Enjoying dinner and margaritas at the famed Poca Cosa.

Watching the electrical storms tapping the tops of the Santa Catalina mountains and getting drenched in the warm refreshing rain that accompanied them.

Eating a homemade dinner of grilled fish, freshly made mango salsa and a large green salad.

I’m just a little bit taken with Tucson.