Yes, there is water in the desert
Before I began graduate education I visited my friend Carl in Phoenix, AZ. To no one’s surprise, it was hot. Even in late September the mercury went over 100 before noon. Getting into a car felt like playing Russian Roulette, who knew if the pent-up heat would be enough to knock a guy out.
Apparently the heat is just something you have to get used to, and once you are past that there is a lot to like about Phoenix. Top on the list are the Saguaro Cactuses that dot the desert landscape. A close second in my book is the iced hibiscus tea, which seemed readily available. Finally, everyone loves the Diamondbacks, even if they don’t have “The Big Unit” stalking the mound anymore.
Also, to no one’s surprise, my water voyage did not occur in Phoenix. One might expect me to joke about there being no water in the desert, except it’s not technically true. The Hohokam people devised a complex irrigation system in the area, taking advantage of mountain snow fed streams and rivers to grow their crops. Today, there is a canal running right through the outer neighborhoods of the city. Among its attractions is a hybrid waterfall, which simultaneously acts as a park, art project, and hydropower plant.
The grandest of them all
One morning we hopped town and drove to Grand Canyon National Park. We camped on National Forest Land, where no permits, reservations, or designated sites are required. The next morning a shuttle bus drove us to the Hermit Trail, where we hiked part way down the canyon to Santa Maria Spring. There was a stone hut and water basin to greet us desert travelers.
Even just the act of hiking to a desert spring could qualify as a water voyage, as long as one is willing to drink what is coming out (not filtered or boiled). Algae floats on the surface of the basin water, the occasional frog leaps in, and the Park recommends purifying the water in some way before drinking. I did not venture scooping my bottle in the springs, so I can’t count it as my water voyage.
At the bottom of the canyon runs the famous Colorado River, a legendary destination for whitewater rafting. Some trips run weeks, and include voyages down the muddy, Class V Lava Falls, as well as helicopter rides back to the rim. No, we did not raft in the canyon. We did something much cooler than that.
A good way to beat the crowds
Near Sonora, another Arizona tourist hot spot, is Slide Rock State Park. The name gives it all away. Oak Creek carved its way through the rocks, forming a slippery rock waterslide. The fun begins in a shallow pool, then goes down a gently graded water channel shaped like a luge track. There are a couple small drops before the big final drop sends the rider into a moderately deep pool at the bottom.
My first time down I was nervous, just as I was when going down the big waterslides at my home state water park, Wisconsin Dells, https://jollyroutes.com/the-dells/. Once I pushed off though, it was another story. The water did the work, sending me down like lumber through a log chute. My biggest fear was bumping my bum on the rock bottom. It happened; butt was tolerable. There is no need for cushioned swim trunks.
Like a little kid I went back again and again to the rock waterslide, going faster and faster each time. The best part was getting dumped at the end into the big pool. After splashing around we headed back to the car. I considered going into the gift shot to get some Slide Rock Swag but passed. Given the choice between going back and visiting the Grand Canyon, or going back to Oak Creek, I say, give me the rock waterslide.
The mystical southwest
On the drive back to Phoenix we passed through Sedona. There were many pink tour jeeps driving around, a hallmark of the area. They are the best choice for seeing the red rocks. Then, while on the highway we drove by Cathedral Rock Vortex. The vortices of Sedona are localized pockets of energy, which spiral toward or away from Earth and have healing powers. The next goal of mine is to ramble from vortex to vortex.
Flying back to Oregon from Phoenix I saw an unusual sight while the plane was over Nevada. A glowing orb floated in the sky, far enough away to make it impossible to discern its real nature, but close enough to pay attention to. Thinking it was a light reflection, I turned off the lights near me, but the orb was still there. Next, I considered it could be a ground solar array, but looking down to the Earth I saw nothing but brown land.
With no better explanation, I settled on UFO. Was it aliens spying on us? Or was a wormhole opening up? No, I thought, staring down at my feet. There must be a rational explanation. Then, I looked back through the window, and it was gone.
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