The Sonoran Desert - My Son's Homework Project

Day 1: Friday April 16th



My son Matthew will reach his first double digit birthday this summer.


After a full day of school and work, we load up and hit the road.


The first order of business is to escape the Phoenix Metro. We choose East on US 60.


That's my boy! Unfortunately he didn't do this much.


The Superstition Mountains




Four Peaks in the Distance


Canyon Lake














A short day in the saddle for us both.


Our Accomodations at Tortilla Flats


We go about setting up camp.


Then take a nature walk before the sunset.


I planned this trip weeks ago and was just waiting until we had the right weekend to do it. We were going to do it a few weeks earlier, but Matt had to bail at the last minute. I rode "Alone in the Arizona Desert" instead.


I had a couple surprises planned to make the trip memorable for Matt. His teacher then sent home his homework project. I was tasked with helping him write a report on an Arizona subject. There was an entire list of subjects to choose from. I ruined the surprise and told Matt to chose the Sonoran Desert because we were riding to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.




But he still doesn't know we are going to the Pima Air Museum as well.










These guys make ferocious football players. (Good shot Matt)


We made hot dogs for dinner, but neither of us really felt like eating them.


Yes, I made him blow up his own bed.


This little guy tried to follow Matt inside.


Matt goes to bed to read a little...




...while I stay up to shoot the stars.




Tomorrow will be Matthew's longest day on the bike, and we shoot to many pics at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.

Desert camping!! Looks like great fun. I wish my kids got cool assignments like this one...

I boot Matt out of bed. Gotta get and early start!


The water crossing at Tortilla Flats was getting low. The asphalt was in bad shape from all the recent flooding.




Off we go to explore the Apache Trail.






Down Fish Creek Hill








Apache Lake









Still Apache Lake

















Roosevelt Lake

Nice!!

Can I ask, what kind of lens that is on your camera?

Nice report, guys!!

Awsome ride... he will remember that for his life!

Great pics! You have a good eye for design. That looks like fun, he'll be sure to remember this trip :)

HOW FUN!! Super pictures!

Forget the school work, your son will remember this adventure for the rest of his life. Thumbs up dad .

SP

Pentax DA*16-50 f2.8 SMC

It's large and heavy for a walking around lens, but is weather sealed.

With a forecast of sunny skies and temps between 60s and 90s Farenheit we didn't pack more than one sweater each. That one sweater was the only thing protecting us from the cool morning air ripping through our mesh jackets. Brrrr! (When you live in the Arizona Desert, 50s is cold.)




The Catalinas still have snow.




We stopped in Tucson for food and fuel. We tossed our Subway sandwiches in the side bags and struck out west of town into the Tucson Mountain Park.


Gates Pass


Our New Home for the Night.


Matt's longest day yet. It's only noon, we will add another 25 or so miles today. More than 200 miles for a 9 year old.


We quickly set up camp and scarf down the sandwiches.


The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is just down the road...

Ok Dude! Time to do the homework.




Mountain Lion




Cardinal


Mexican Grey Wolf


The "museum" is more of a pretty cool zoo of local wildlife with beautiful desert scenery.


It was over 90 degrees. We walked around over 4 hours shooting photos.








Beep! Beep! Roadrunner!




Cactus Flowers in So Many Colors






It was HOT!








Bird?


Mourning Dove


Quail

Great photos, love the colours. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing more.
mcc66
Michael

Now that's a field trip!

Great report and pics..nothing finer than riding with your son....

Awesome. I have a 5 and 8 yr old. Can't wait to start taking them on adventures. Your trip gave me some great ideas and inspiration. Thanks.

Thanks for all the compliments everyone!

Hummer






We finish up at the museum near closing time at 5 pm. It's hot and there's no shade at the camp, so let's go for another short ride.




We check out the Saguaro National Park and find a little dirt.






We rip back down McCain Loop Road...




...to our camp.

matt decides he wants to play with MY camera.


I prove I'm the King of the Picnic Table.


Next thing I know he's running off into the desert...


...to get this shot.




I show Matt how to do this.


FAIL!


Cut!


Ok......




An Apparition


It was a horrible sunset and too cloudy to shoot stars. So much for the weather forecast of clear skies. I tell Matt of the plan for tomorrow. He goes to bed to dream of flight.

Very nice pics.

I used to live in Flagstaff and we'd go to Queen Creek and environs on climbing trips when the desert was in bloom. Beautiful place.