Here's another paper I wrote to inspire my Ashford students. It's a 'description'. I'm not overly fond of descriptions. I think I prefer narratives. My next class is a research class. I know I don't like research papers, because I almost never find when I'm looking for when I research. But I'm rambling. Enjoy!
~vbb
A Treasured Escape
Soon
after moving to Mesa, Arizona almost 10 years ago, our family attended a cub
scout breakfast and hike at the Usery Mountain Regional Park just east of town.
After a yummy breakfast we had our first opportunity to hike the Wind Cave
Trail. My husband and I with our very young family made it almost half way
before it became too difficult, and we very reluctantly had to turn back. I’m
not sure if it was love at first site (Pun intended. It’s a great site!) for
me, but I knew even in that brief visit that we would be back. Since that visit
the Usery Mountain Regional Park has become a treasured escape stretching our
endurance, building family memories, and bolstering our connection to the
Natural world.
Most often we have hiked this trail in the early
mornings. At that time of day and climbing the western slope of Pass Mt up to the
wind cave near the summit, we could spent most of our time in the glorious
shade. The trail blazes straight up the mountain for just a short stretch,
passing through a pedestrian gate, before beginning its myriad of switch backs
up the side of the mountain. Two of them pass through a wash, some of them
meander easily upwards, while others push one’s endurance to rise the full 800
feet to the cave, though it’s really not more than a hollow blown out by the
wind. At the tops we scatter among the rocks at the edge of the cave for much
needed rest and refreshment, enjoying the view of the desert and the various
cities in the Valley of the Sun and even much of down town Phoenix. Somewhere along the way down, the sun finally
rises above the peaks and we step into the sunlight as we meander back down the
switchbacks. The physical exhaustion is coupled with the exhilaration of having
reached our goal as we load back up into the car for the half hour drive home
from this treasured escape.
Finding affordable and worthwhile activities to do
together as a family can be a challenge. Hiking with children can be a
challenge, but we also found it to be a fun opportunity to build memories
together. Through the years we lived there, we named the various landmarks. The
first one was Family Rock, named for its ideal family picture taking qualities.
One root reminded us of a baseball mitt, even though its location in the middle
of the trail made it a casualty of erosion. We also looked forward to crossing
the ‘bridges’ of large boulders in the trail and the cement bench not far from
the Wind Cave. When we had a dog, they joined us along the trail, and at least
3 of our children were carried in baby carriers to the summit as well. We very
much treasure the memories our family has of hiking this trail together over
the years we lived in Mesa.
The trail also provided me with opportunities to connect
with nature. Growing up in Phoenix I already knew many of the cactus names and
some of the shrubs and trees. Hiking this trail gave me an opportunity to learn
the names of more plants other than the dreaded cactus. With my family and on
much needed solitary ventures, I began to study the other plants along this
beloved trail. I learned to recognize Triangle bur sage and brittle bush, which
were the most prevalent plants. I pointed out the palo verdes, creosotes, and
jojobas to my children. In the spring I reveled in the abundant wild flowers
including: flat top buckwheat, desert marigold, wild heliotrope, dainty desert
hideseed, white tackstem, mustard evening primrose, owl clover, globe mallow,
Mexican gold poppy, and desert hyacinth. I faced the sometimes overwhelming
challenge of identifying each specimen in the books or field guides I had and
came to know and love the desert more through my treasured escapes.
We
moved out of the Valley of the Sun over a year ago, and I think our family will
always treasure the memories of our time hiking the Wind Cave trail.
Furthermore, as we return to visit family and friends, we will also look
forward to visiting this beloved trail together. We will always return when we
can to renew our connection to the physically challenging, family bonding, and
nature connecting escape of hiking the Wind Cave Trail on Pass Mountain.
