Waiting For Summer Desert Rains — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The clouds are stacking up high In that clear blue afternoon sky Turning the scorching sun to mere silver lining Raising a cool hope in all desert being Is that the long-awaited monsoon coming? Who would know? The wind blows westward steadfast Giving the convoy of clouds a warm piggyback But who knows when…? The clouds will turn into precious monsoon rain Or just evaporate spontaneously once again!
Oh monsoon rain You kept us all in clear suspense Desert being are dreaming of you for so long Are you, or are you not visiting us soon?
The clouds have covered the June evening sky Colored light brown like bowl of boiled rice Signaling monsoon rain may be on its way Sooner we can hope for something real nice!
We drive the twisting Catalina Highway leaving the desert for alpine forests on Mt. Lemmon — one hour away.
Today I guide hikers on the Aspen Draw trail among the tall trees next to the steep slopes of Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley — north America’s southernmost.
Wildflowers of the Sky Islands are in full bloom celebrating the summer monsoon rains below the towering conifers — temperate species of Apache pine and Chihuahuan pine.
Recent heavy rains have eroded the trail exposing trees roots not always easy to see in shadows on the trail — I reminded the hikers.
Moving with more speed on the downhill return careful of foot but not careful enough as I tripped over a root now shouldering the pain.
The clock that strikes five before the sun – A dark horror grips lonely people, In the evening-garden bleak trees swish, The dead one’s countenance stirs at the window. Perhaps this hour stands still. Before dull eyes blue images flutter To the rhythm of the ships, which rock in the river. At the wharf a row of nuns blows by. Pale and blind girls play in the hazel bush, Like lovers, who embrace in sleep. Perhaps flies sing around a carcass there, Perhaps also a child weeps in the mother’s lap. From hands asters sink blue and red, The youth’s mouth slips away strange and wise; And eyelids flutter fear-confused and quiet; Through fevered blackness a scent of bread blows. It seems one also hears horrible screaming; Bones shimmer through decayed walls. An evil heart laughs loudly in beautiful rooms; A dog runs past a dreamer. An empty coffin gets lost in the darkness. A room wants to light up palely for the murderer, Meanwhile, lanterns are smashed in the night’s storm. Laurel adorns the noble one’s white temple.
Blooming Century Plant (Agave) — Computer Painting by kenne
Sonoran Monsoon Season
The monsoon season is here. Triple digit temperatures, with cool mornings and daylight at 5:00 a.m. — perfect for a morning run, as the sun rises casting long shadows and silhouettes of white-winged doves atop the giant saguaro cactus.
Many years ago we took a risk on love, then seven years ago we took a risk on life and moved to the Sonora Desert. Many thought we were crazy, maybe we were at the time, after all, what is life without some risk.
Seven years of desert monsoons have brought us closer to nature, now more connected to life we appreciate each day and the opportunities to continue taking risks, increasing our capacity to live life in unsuspected and unpredictable ways.
Friday morning, July 1st, a little before 8:00am we stood in the McDonald’s parking lot looking up at the dark clouds over the Santa Catalina mountains. This is our regular meeting place before driving the 25 miles up to Mt. Lemmon for the SCVN (Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists) summer guided hikes.
Only, this Friday morning there were just the three guides, Maribeth, Maureen and myself.
Others who may have been planning to hike on Mt. Lemmon, probably
took one look out the window deciding it was not a good day for hiking.
This Friday’s scheduled hike was to be a six mile hike starting at the Ski Valley parking lot, hiking a loop of Aspen Drew, Lemmon and Meadow trails starting at 9:00am.
After a brief discussion, we decided to cancel the hike. However, since all the SCVN summer hikes are posted in the Arizona Daily Star, as the lead guide, I would need to drive to Ski Valley letting those who may still be planning on hiking know that the hike had been cancelled.
As somewhat expected, the weather conditions got worse as I drove up Catalina Highway.
The conditions kept changing rapidly from mist, thick fog, to rain.
When I arrived at the Ski Valley parking lot, there were five vehicles with about twelve people preparing to hike. At closer look,
I didn’t recognize anyone, so I ask if they were there to do the SCVN led hike — no, they were members of the Southern Arizona Hiking Club. The conversation ended quickly as we were beginning to experience a heavy downpour.
The rain lasted long enough for the hiking club members to call off their hike. It didn’t help that the temperature was 55 wet degrees.
Ironically, the Southern Arizona Hiking Club had been planning on doing the same combination of trails as SCVN had scheduled.
Now that my task was completed, I started my drive back, stopping at the Summerhaven public restrooms.
I was hoping to get a cup of coffee in Summerhaven, but that would have to wait till getting back down the mountain.
In the summertime, the monsoon weather can change quickly, bringing plenty of lightening, wind, hail and rain.
For the return drive, the fog had lifted and the thick clouds had begun to breakup. Since I had plenty of time, what better used of it than to stop now and then takeing photos.
In the distance beyond the last ridge is the Tucson basin. Arriving home after 10:30am, I could see very dark clouds moving into the Tucson area. By mid-day we had received 1.8 inches of rain. What a great way to begin July and the monsoon season in the desert.