I can’t believe August is almost over!  Where did the time go?  Chucklebutt and I have been having quite a few adventures this summer.  I’ll have to work my way back chronologically so as not to confuse myself.

This past Saturday, we headed to Aravaipa Canyon just off of highway 77 for the second time this season.  If you have never been there, I highly recommend it.  It is a riparian ecosystem and a fabulous oasis nestled in the desert.  Be sure to get a permit, however, they only allow so many people per day into the area.

We got a late start — per usual — and went in search of some swimming holes written about in Arizona Highways Magazine.

It was a great hike full of gorgeous scenery.  One minute we had desert landscape and the next, lush green vegetation.  The constant throughout, was the refreshing Aravaipa Creek which ran the whole length of the canyon.

See the big green trees on the right side of the picture?  Typically you don’t see those in the Sonoran Desert.

We spent a lot of time hiking in and out of the water.  Since it’s monsoon season, quite a bit of shore line had been eroded.  There was also a lot of mud.  By the time it was all over, my white pants were a yucky brown.  Yes, it looked like I pooped my pants.  😀

Each turn of the canyon held even more breath-taking scenery than before.  Eventually, we found a deep spot to take a swim.  By this time it was full on dusk and we had the company of hundreds of bats.  It was so cool floating on our backs watching them whip in and out of the canyon.  Ah the life.  We never did reach our final destination, but figured since it was getting dark, we should head back.

Why yes, we hiked a good 2 miles home in the dark.  No full moon.  Full cloud cover.  Dark!  Luckily, all we had to do was follow the creek.  There were a few scratches and bruises, but otherwise we survived unscathed.

The above is a map my nerdy Chucklebutt created showing where we traveled on Saturday (the August point), where we had been earlier (the July point) and where we were actually wanted to go.  We have a bit more work to do — it’s a total 10 mile hike.  We’ve decided to camp it and start a lot earlier than 3:30 in the afternoon.  Sheesh!  Never a dull moment.

Where to next?  Stay tuned!