Not long after starting our drive south, I 17 had a long downhill section. You know, the kind with warnings for big rig drivers to pay attention to their brakes. The elevation change was marked by our first saguaro. Soon they were, as best as the could given their limited canopies, covering the lands.

We picked up some sandwiches in Phoenix and headed to the vast and vacant Moon Rock Park to eat, where no one was playing basketball, tennis, on the jungle gym or even visible outside of a car.

It is hot. Spelled H O T. There are “Entering High Dust Area” warning signs on the highway. We pass another sign telling us we’ve just left a reservation. Approximately 0.1% of cars have open windows. The exit for gas advertises a nearby ostrich farm. I recall when I had the B2000 pickup back in Philly having to turn on the heater at stoplights to prevent overheating issues as I nervously look at the thermostat.

A colossal auto junkyard reminds me of the my long lost friend Ben and the new used gas tank. Per someone, Ben told me, you can tell whether a gas tank from a junker is ok if, after throwing it there aren’t any holes. Or was it new holes? In his case, alas, the story ends with the car’s entire fuel system being cleaned out and a shiny new tank.

We stopped to further appreciate the heat at a gas station / convenience store.

We drove on and, still hot, made it to Tucson and our home for the next few days. The place has tiled kitchen and bathroom floors, and in this climate they are amazing under my feet. Really, this is a nice rental. Slow cooked meat underway and other arrival chores complete, we left for a pizza party at M DN and Mme MN’s place about 20 minuets away.

It was great to see everyone after so long – talking years here. The house is friendly and comfortable inside and out, and the gardens are lovely. We sat at a table with Mme LN, Mme JH and M RG and chatted the night away.

Funny enough, with gentle breezes, shading trees, easy drives to resupply and the great creek in which to cool off and more or less stay clean, we could have waited on this house rental.

What comes next? We are considering driving back north to see The Wave. Or back to Sedona. Or perhaps to higher ground such as the Flagstaff area to get some relief from the heat. Or something else. Mme Awesome goes back home to lead a workshop mid May from Phoenix and we have plans in Tucson once we reconnect. Ideas welcome!